Kent State University - Chestnut Burr Yearbook (Kent, OH)

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DEAN OF WOMEN THE GREATEST LESSON If one were to ask each 1928 graduate the question, What is the most important lesson to be learned in life? what do you think the answers would be? And then if we should ask each graduate, Where did you learn the greatest lesson of life? I wonder how many would reply that it had been taught in college. ' ashington was once asked by Robert iNIorris what he should like to have as a gift from his friend, the financier of the Revolution. Morris was about to leave for Europe, and wished to bring back a token of friendship to the General. Washington replied that he should highly prize a watch, and further specified that he didn ' t care much about the case, or any ornamentation on the case, but that he did hope the in- side would contain the best Geneva workmanship. What was the thing of most importance? The works, of course. What is the most important lesson we can learn? Is it not that the works do count most in every one of us? What we ourselves are is of vital importance. Do you believe this? Has life proved this to you through your own experience, and the experience of others? Sir Walter gave this same conclusion of his varied experiences. Have you not read how he talked earnestly and affectionately to Lockhardt, his son-in-law, during those last days at Abbotsford; and do you not remember his final message, Lockhardt, be a good man, — nothing else will give you comfort when you come to lie here. What we are. That is what counts in the end. That is why all modern edu- cators are paying so much attention to the leisure hours of students. What we do in our time off shows what we are; and what we do in our time off is making us what we shall be to-morrow. You are going forth. Graduates of 1928, to teach many a lesson, many a lesson well planned and well presented. But the greatest lesson you will ever teach will be yourselj... You will teach it every hour of every day; and for it, you will have made your lesson plans throughout the years. Your Alma Mater rejoices to send forth so many this year who by their lives can teach lessons of real value to the boys and the girls of Ohio. I ' age twenty

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David Allen Anderson, President A. B., M. A., Ph. D. TEACHERS AS DISCOVERERS Biographies of great men — geniuses and near geniuses in the various fields of human endeavor — give rise to marvel at the worth of such great souls and the value of the contribution that even one such genius may make to human well-being. Teachers are charged with the duty of discovering as well as developing the native capacities of such individuals in the making. This responsibility should be regarded as a serious obligation and at the same time as a priceless opportunity. During the current year some unusual talent has been discovered among our college students and our training school pupils. Graduates from Kent, if faithful to duty, may find in unexpected lives rare abilities and have part in the developing of these abilities. There is no experience in the life of a teacher that provides a finer recompense. Page nineteen

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DEAN OFMEN The most difficult task for the college student is that of maintaining a certain poise under new and changing conditions. Compared with this the class work is scarcely more than routine activity and while the making of high grades is cer- tainly a fins and worthy ambition, the greatest achievement for any college stu- dent is to build up an idealism that will support and inspire him through all the years of his life. It requires courage 1o do this in the face of countless diversions but you will recall that of all virtues our dough-boys placed courage at the top. It also requires hard work and sacrifice. This office was established and is con- ducted for the purpose of helping our men students to gain and hold this certain poise that will make it possible for them to think and act not only intelligently but also in the morally right way. In this type of service, every year is a successful one because there is never anything written on the negative side of the ledger. The only regret we all have is that the lack of time and energy makes it impossible to write more in on the positive side. Our hopes are high for the future and our expectations as high as our hopes. New club rooms, new equipment, new students, new departments, new buildings and even new ideals are all before us. If we make the most of our opportunities there is every reason to believe that we shall have one of the best departments to be found anywhere. We feel that it must be the aim of the college to encourage and direct the develop- ment of every man so that self expression may be as complete as possible. In ad- dition to the sum total of skills, appreciations, and ideals the college must attempt to bring out qualities of leadership, initiative and strength of will. When we speak of force of character we mean power to live according to the fundamental principles upon which our civilization is built. The modern conception of Education, defined as it is in terms of guidance, help, and inspiration provides the basis for our work, and it would seem that one must ininterpret duties, responsibilities and opportunities in terms of positive service rather than repression. Holding back flaming youth has in the past and will in the future end only in cowed subservience or rampant rebellion— -both undesirable results. Guidance, on the other hand, directs the tremendous energies of youth toward con- structive achievements, help gives the benefit of strength that comes out of experience, and inspiration fires the imagination to look toward more distant horizons. Page twenty-one