Kent School - Kent Yearbook (Kent, CT)

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THE DEDICATIUN Pop Woods has spent one half of his life teach- ing science at Kent. lt is dillicult to pay htting tribute to this leader of boys, builder of men. and dedicated priest who so perfectly embodies the three Kent ideals: Directness of Purpose. Self-Reliance, and Simplicity of Life. Nevertheless, we seek humbly to render honor by dedicating the 1955 Yearbook to the man who has meant so much to Kent, on the year he retires after 31 years at the school. His enthusiasm and inspired teaching have led Kent boys through countless hours of biology and chemistry, and indeed of every branch of science. Yet, more importantly, his willingness to assist us with his ready advice and knowledge has presented to many Kent boys a living manifestation of the Kent ideal and spirit. He has opened the door to a fuller realization of our life and purpose at Kent. Pop Woods will be remembered for many reasons: his presence in the stands at every Kent home baseball gameg his threats to doff the clerical collar to prop- erly speak a piece ol' his mind: his perennial cry of The sixth form is the worst form in the schoolug his ruddy face beaming below his battered Maine fisher- man's cap with its long black visor, his daily walks with Mrs. Woods up Nlacedonia Valley or down the river road past the boathouseg his acid-stained khaki laboratory coat, his customary seat in the Prefects' Stalls in Chapel, and his assistance at the celebration L I7 4-lille ' fs, h' . . of--1 THE REV. WILLIAM C. WOODS, Ph.D. of the Holy Eucharist in St. ,loseph's Chapel. These memories and many more will he imbedded forever in the minds of Kent men and boys. Of the results of Pop Woods' years here since 1924, two of the most tangible are the Science Club and the Science Museum. In 1948, Pop formally launched the Science Club, an extra-curricular or- ganization for upper formers especially interested in the natural sciences. The Club meets in the well- equipped laboratory on the top floor of the School l-louse Sunday evenings to discuss, demonstrate or experiment in geology, mineralogy, electronics, elec- trolysis, entomology, evolution, and explosives. The Science Nluseuni was begun in 1924 with a few modest collections of insects. Wfhen space was pro- vided for it in the new Auditorium in 1937, more extensive material uas sought, and glass cabinets were acquired. A large number of biological, botan- ical, and geological models are on display. Included are skeletons from the shark to the human, teaching

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THE MAIN BUILDING ST. JOSEPH'S CHAPEL ix THE SCHOOL HOUSE THE DINING HALL . Q I O ,TQ A me ' ' ,,, 3 P

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models ol all zinimuls from the anioelm to the cut, and nn excellent series in einlmryology and human physi- ology. Nlany more vuluahle items are housed in the museum, such as two mineral collections. Fr. Vlfoodsi own local insect collection. and representative speci- mens from all the animal phyla. l'1r. Woods received his 14.11. from Wesleyan llni- versity in 1913 and his 1'h,D. from Cornell in 1917. where he taught Entomology from 1913-1917. From 1917-1919. he scrvcd in the Ariny overseas in the World War. following which he taught Biology at Wesleyan lroin 1919-1921-. ln 1921, Fr. Sill met Pop who was studying lor the priesthood. and persuaded him to institute a course in Biology at Kent, hegin- ning in 192-1. He has heen here cver since then. His course in Bug as we and others for many years hefore us called Biology, has heen il source of much enjoyment and understanding of our selves, in both moral and physical aspects. There is much more to he said ahout Pop, hut it will sullice to say that his life is Kent in living matter and that his influence on our lives is, and will con- tinue forever, to he strong and immediate. We shall always talk about you. Pop Woods, whenever we gather to refresh memories of our days at Kent. Your direct activity at Kent has drawn to an end, hut your inlluenee will he carried luv all of us whom vou knew and taught and guided. .I 1 .n V, .,, ' iblir Q1 p el 4311, .1 i'X ' .