La Salle University - Explorer Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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■ 4 ..4 3 1 7 ik: 7. JohnMcNulty 8. Nicolas Cronin 9. Francis Ignaszewski 10. Tliomas McCarthy 11. Paul Brown 12. Lawrence Dondero m a Ci nce 3f 3f

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i , iL n 1. Joseph Stevens 2. Moron Brady 3. Joseph Simpson 4. Orlando Giardinelli 5. Louis Hili 6. James Eigo 4 Sl ' ude i4i

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SsmioA ?(idJb u To say that the class of 1943 was any more than an average group of college men m so far as intellectual pursuits and extracurricular activities are concerned would be the product of maudlin sentimentality and the rose-tinted spectacles attitude. This being so, the fol- lowing lines have been vvrritten as a more or less factual account of the doings of the class during the past four years. It was in Septembe. .„J9 that some 150 befuddled, but eager, youths matriculated at La Salle. This hetero- geneous group was promptly molded into a unit by an enthusiastic Soph Vigilance committee. The Freshman Welcome Dance and the Spring Formal were successful affairs. The freshman baske tball team compiled a good record, while the footballers by dint of their scrimmages against the varsity led the latter to six victories. Perkins, destined to guide the class during the whole four years, served his first terra as president. Buggy was vice- president and Montero filled the dual role of secretary and treasurer. The second year, also relatively uneventlul in the light of future events, found returning a number much smaller than had started freshmen year. Led by Lion and Buggy, the Vigilantes initiated the- yearlings in capable fashion. The only social affair conducted solely by the class, the Cotillion, chairmanned by Adans, was held at the Old York Road Country Club with Frazer- sponsored Larry Press conducting his orchestra. The sophomores supplied the athletic teams with their share of talent with Hilf starring for the courtmen, Montero slashing the opposition from his tackle position for the gridiron aggregation, many playing for the newly inaugurated ice hockey team, and the tennis and track teams depending on others. In other activities, ai well, the sophs put forth their efforts, and when they dis- covered that the Dean ' s Honor List was worth achieving they placed many names on it. Perkins, president; Burke, vice-president; Rosania, secretary; Brown, treas- urer, was the lineup of class officers. The activities of the last two years were centered about that all important one, the draft. Selective Service did not start taking its toll until shortly after Christmas, 1941, when Jim Eigo heard the bugle call. After that departures were many until at the end of the junior year only two-fifths of the 150 that had matriculated remained. Despite the adverse conditions, the traditional ac- tivities of any junior year were carried out. Perkins emulated Roosevelt by serving his third term as presi- dent, Burke again filled the vice-presidency, while hard- to-spell Ignaszewski carrie d out secretarial chores and Dondero guarded the treasury. Kennedy guided the fortunes of the German club and Debating Society, Silverthorn was elected president of the Frat, Cronin led the French club, Coady was chairman of the Press Conference and Dondero became editor of the Collegian and president of the Economics club. The acme of achievements was Silverthorn-guided Junior Vi eek, tagged like all others the best ever. Five nights, set aside for the Barn Dance, Men ' s Night, Doggie Roast, Class Banguet and the Prom, were not enough and a second Bam Dance was held to satisfy the merrymakers. The Prom, which was held at Philmont Country Qub with Joey Keams supplying the rhythms, capped the funmaking activities. In the sports field, Hilf and Masterson gleamed for the court team with McCarthy occasionally occupying a starting role. Montero and McCarthy were leading gridders, aided and abetted by Hober, Scull, Nojunas, McCormick, Magarity, Kurdziel and Frazer. The ice hockey team, captained by Schott and managed by Marron, had McNulty, Lion, Ignaszewski, Eigo, and Breen on its roster. Perkins and Dondero were cinder- path representatives. Kennedy captained the swimming team in its first year. By a guirk of fate Montero and McCarthy were elected to guide the 1942 football team, but there was no team and the co-captains were in the army long before the season would have opened. In the same way, Perkins was to have led the trackmen. He is now with the Marine Corps. The advent of Summer 1942 saw an epoch making optional semester inserted into the school year. While about thirty took up the option, the other eighteen seniors whose visages are depicted in this volume did not. Consequently the class of ' 43 will have two gradua- tion ceremonies. The greater part will be graduated in January, while the others will wander through the hallowed halls like so many lost souls until May, unless their academic existence be terminated sooner. The added semester was unusual in that, despite weather more suitable for romancing, dips in the ocean and the like, students did accomplish much and scholastic grades suffered little. Class cuts were more frequent, however. When the regular semester started in September, Gradel, former sports editor, assumed the editorship of the Collegian, left vacant by the drafting of Dondero. McMahon became sports editor and Coady managing editor. All of this is recent and remains vivid in the minds of all and is recorded here merely to later satisfy memories that are prone to become hungry for a resume of college day events. The same ' old story concerning the senior class leaders — Perkins, class president; Burke, vice-president. Deems and Silverthorn were elected to fill the posts vacated on the departure of Dondero and Ignaszewski. Prime activity was seeking to enlist in the reserve corps of the army, navy or marines so that college careers would not end abruptly. Next was the furious prepara- tion for comprehensive exams substituted for the tradi- tional thesis. At this writing Burke as chairman is rush- ing to completion plans for the Blue and Gold Ball to be held at the Ben Franklin. Johnny Warrington supplies music. Athletically, Masterson and McCarthy, sole senior representatives, captain the basketball squad. Hilf is in the army. Kennedy again leads the swimmers. These are the only sporting teams active. Ice hockey went the way of football. All of this is the history in capsule form. Detail may be supplied by each and every member of the class who helped make it.