Franklin and Marshall College - Oriflamme Yearbook (Lancaster, PA)

Page 13 text:

COMMEMORATION OF THE BIRTHS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AND JOHN MARSHALL Richard C. Lavy Throughout the school year 1955-1956, Franklin and Marshall College has been celebrating the 250th and 200th anniversary of the birth of the two men whose names it bears, Benjamin Franklin and John Marshall, respectively. It is for this reason that we here pay tribute to these two great men who, indeed, brought Lux et Lex, light and law to the world. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Benjamin Franklin was born January 17, 1706. The story of his life is well known and is adequate- ly characterized by the statement in the General Plan for the naming of Franklin College: out of a profound respect for the talents, virtues and services to mankind in general, but more especially to his country, of His Excellency Benjamin Frank- lin, Esquire, President of the Supreme Executive Council. He had one of the broadest and creative minds -of his time, being a scientist, a politician, and a philosopher. ' Franklin was thrifty, and he made good use of his money. This may be attested to by the fact that he had been instrumental in the establishment of many philanthropic and educational institu- tions, among them being the Pennsylvania Hos- pital, the University of Pennsylvania, and Franklin College, later merged as our own Franklin and Marshall College. All indications lead to the assumption that Franklin took an intense interest in Franklin Col- lege. I-Ie was one of its largest benefactors with a subscription of 200 pounds cash, and even though at the time he was over eighty-one years of age and was an active participant in the Con- stitutional Convention, he took the long trip to Lancaster to be present at .the Formal Opening of the college on June 7, 1787. 1 JOHN MARSHALL John Marshall was born September 24, 1755. He was an eager servant of his country, and by the age of forty-four, he was Secretary of State. The following year, 1801, he was appointed Chief Justice, a position he held for the thirty-four re- maining years of his life. Throughout that time his prestige grew, and even to this day he is said to stand Without rival as a constitutional law- yer, while his Work on international law and ad- miralty is considered to be of the highest order. John Marshall, as Chief Justice and as one of America's foremost jurists, made great contribu- tions to the growth of the United States, and it was thought that the naming of a college after him would be a proper monument to his memory. Marshall College was named shortly before Mar- shall's death, and he was gratified by this infor- mation. However, it was not until almost a year after his death that Marshall College received its charter and was oflicially named in testimony of respect for the exalted character, great worth, and high mental attainments of the late John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States, a man whose work in the law helped make our country a great place in which to live under the law.

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aaicatiofz Mlss LUCRETIA HAMMOND IN GRATEEUL RECOGNITION Fon HER SERVICE beyond the demands of her position and of her selfless concern for the well-being of all Franklin and Marshall undergraduates, the Ori- flarnme Staff dedicates this book to Lucretia Hammond, Secretary to the Dean of the College, and cheerful counselor of Franklin and Marshall men. l i L ll

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U4 Qzzbufa To l NURSE MARGARET MYERS What is an unsung hero? A hero is a person that has done some noble service. By noble, we mean something that is exalted in character or quality. To be unsung is to be unpraised before the public. NURSE MARGARET MYERs, known affectionately as Billy, has been a kind, understanding friend to an untold number of tired, worried students. She has played countless early morning pinochle games. She has served innumerable post-midnight snacks. She has calmed many sets of discordant nerves. As this part of her work has been extra-curricular, the 1956 Oriflamme Staff feels Billy has well earned the right to be called an unsung hero.