Girard College - Corinthian Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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THE FACULTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SECONDARY EDUCATION AND THE LIBRARY STAFF

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Girard College Philadelphia 21, Pa. January 24, 1952 Dear Mr. Qirard, The feeling of gratitude and heartfelt pride that is ours at this time when we must leave our school cannot be fully expressed in a few lines, but we can try our best to tell you something of how we feel. When we first came to Girard College, a feeling of insecurity and fear bore down upon us; strange, cold-looking buildings and the glaring looks of other boys met us at every turn. We were left alone in a great community we had never seen before. Is it any wonder we were afraid of those stern-looking governesses, virile housemasters, and inquisitive oldbies” who took us by the arm and taught us to play soccer before we had a chance to catch our breaths? After a few days we got used to it. We stopped crying for our mothers; we forgot that we were strangers, for our school showed us a new meaning of friendship. We soon learned that we were supposed to admire the seniors and look forward to the day when we would be in their places. We learned to tie our shoes and neckties and to make our beds, to open the door for a governess, and to answer Sir” when spoken to. This was Girard life. This was the life we were to live for the next ten years. Some did not make it; others fell by the wayside and are now on the outside looking with envy at us in this great institution. We grew up on our beautiful campus, always taking it for granted, yet proud that we were a part of it. We ran and played like little Indians on our dusty playgrounds; we ate wholesome meals in our clean dining rooms; we wor¬ shipped in our impressive non-sectarian chapel; we were schooled by a staff of ex¬ cellent teachers. And now, after ten years of this ideal life, the thought of being suddenly thrust into a word of turmoil and hatred sends chills through all of us. The fear that we now have of leaving our school is multiplied many times over by that fear we had in com¬ ing to Girard. Many of us would rather remain with you; others feel ready to go their own ways. But, regardless of our wish now, the challenge is ours. You have prepared us for this day which always seemed an eternity away; it is here at last. We go forth to take our places in the world; some armed with a vocational training, ethers ready to go to colleges in different parts of the country, but all of us are equipped with unique training. The memory of you, Mr. Girard, and your wonderful school will be with us for¬ ever. The great debt which we owe to you can never be erased from our minds. In leaving, we recall vividly how we wept because we had to come to Girard; now we weep again, this time much harder because we must leave. In sincere appreciation and love. The Class of January ' 52

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The Administration f Dr. Merle M. Odgers President Dr. E. Newbold Cooper Vice-President Mr. Emil Zarella Assistant Director Secondary Education Dr. Wilfred B. Wolcott Director of Secondary Education Mr. John Houston Director of Elementary Education Mr. Malcom J. Nicholson Assistant Director of Elementary school Mr. John C. Donecker Assistant to President (not in picture) The responsibility of taking care of thirteen hundred boys is one that requires much patience and foresight. These men have distinguished themselves in the field of education, and they have also played a major part in the moulding of hundreds of Girard graduates. Through the years that we have grown up under their guiding hands, we have come to understand them and to realize what a great job they are doing. Girard College is favorably known for its successful graduates who have gone into every walk of life and business; but these men have grown and developed under the administration of Girard College. We owe them a debt that can possibly never be repaid, no matter how long we may live.