Lakehead University - Yearbook (Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada)

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EDITORIAL The year 1956-57 marks the end of a period in the development of a school of higher learning at the Lakehead. The advent of the term 57-58 will mark the casting off of the old ramshackle quarters on 100 North Cumberland Street and the move to new and better things at the new site on Oliver Road. Keeping the above in mind, let us reflect on the accomplishments of the past years and the lines opened for improvement in the future. The immediate future offers no prospect for the lengthening of the courses; therefore, right at the start, we are faced with the problem of continuity from one year to the next. Up to this date, the only link for suc- ceeding groups of students has been the Nor ' Wester. This summer, Mr. Richard O ' Donnell, aided by a few students, plans to form an alumni association. This will be an invaluable asset to the students, pro- fessors, and Board of Governors. The mem- bers will include all those graduates from L.T.I, of the past eight years, and the first meeting is expected to be held in the latter part of August. Now let us consider this year at L.T.I, and search for any possible improvement that may have been overlooked in the past. The greater part of the first term is spent in feeble attempts by the students to adjust to their new environments. It is marked by splurges of effort in which the faint spark of ambition never reaches the dimen- sions of a flame. The mood in vogue for this term is one of ease and complacence; there was a burst of united effort as the Christmas exams rolled around, for as the marks indi- cated, few knew what was expected of them and fewer still what they were up against. The social schedule was equally disappoint- ing. It consisted of one party poorly attend- ed and a series of bowling parties that re- ceived a great deal more support, and a stag. In the second semester, the teachers start to put on the pressure while students are still trying to recover from the effects of the revelation of their inadequacies — so rudely uncovered by the Christmas exam results. This period also marks the begin- ning of the winter sports, Curling, Basket- ball, and Hockey. By this time the students are fairly acquainted, and stags and parties are the rule on weekends. Then yet another distraction, the Year Book , cries for atten- tion, so reading groups also become the order of the day, and for two wild weeks flashbulbs pop on all sides. Students sens- ing the atmosphere of emergency make hasty efforts to hand in their contributions. At this time Dr. Miller ' s house becomes the meeting place for many aspiring young authors and poets. If only this first term ' s apathy could be transformed into second term zeal, an earlier start in most things would provide for a more balanced year. Students must realize that going to University is a way of life, comprising not only classroom learn- ing but also the more important aspects of learning to live with their fellows. If the athletic program were started earlier it would help the students to get used to com- bing work with pleasure. Speaking from my own experience, I 7

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Although the first attempt at provid- ing a University at the Lakehead dates back more than 50 years it was not until 1945 that any successful co-operation was forthcoming from Lakehead residents. In May 1945, Premier Drew of Ontario announced that a Technical Institute would be established at the Lakehead. On October 17, 1945, the present campus was designed as the future home of the new College of Arts and Science. On June 4, 1946 an order in council set up the Lake- head Technical Institute. On January 5, 1948 the first class in the school, consist- ing of 12 students in technical mining, was held. In September of 1948, there were fur- ther technical courses added and the Uni- versity Division came into existence. As late as 1956, however, the school was still functioning in its temporary quarters on Cumberland Street. Then by an act of the Provincial Government the Lakehead College of Arts, Sciences, and Technology was set up. Work was begun on the new building on the campus set up in 1945 and the new school will be ready for classes in the fall of 1957. With this Year Book, and the class of 1956-57 an era in the history of the college at the Lakehead is closed and the new book of the Lakehead College of Arts, Sciences, and Technology is opened. 6

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would like to offer a few suggestions to facilitate the production of the Year Book. The advertising editors ought to get on the ball and start the advertising campaign before Christmas. The deadline for this department as well as photography should be at least two weeks in advance of the final deadline. This would enable the editors to check up on the material coming in, and advertising editors enough time to send out more letters if the estimate has not been reached. In the case of photography, this would give them an opportunity to forage around for any shots that might have been missed. An effective means of keeping the students aware of the activities on and off the campus is the monthly newsletter. A start was made this year and a couple of issues passed into the students ' hands. The newspaper should contain topical gossipy references, details of events scheduled for the future, as well as providing an outlet for artistic and literary talent. It is fitting at this moment as we look back on the events of the past year, to ex- tend a vote of thanks to all those who helped us to make this Year Book. C UJavene j CfilLert Editor Ladies and gentlemen: I have a ter- rible thing to tell you. Our poor old school is headed for the rocks; our teachers are useless ornaments; the students are a pack of listless morons; our organizations are nothing more or less than a group of money-grabbing cheats; our athletic and school activities are non-existent; the build- ing itself is just about in ruins, and I am lead to believe even the year book is a farce. We have not a spark of life or school spirit in us. No — absolutely and positively! Now, for the poor bewildered first year student, I want to explain that all the above is just a canned variety of sarcastic hokum. You hear such ravings handed out every day by the old men around the school. We can say without reserve that our Lake- head Tech. is on a par with any school in Canada and better than most. We have the v unics some of the best teachers in the Dominion, and outside of the old men just mention- ed, the student body is alive and full of school spirit. For proof you need only drop into a Student Administrative Council meeting where debates are so rigorous that the president has had to become a profes- sional wrestler, read the year book — the greatest publication in Canada, attend the basketball game, or just observe any of the school activities. L.T.I, can stand with the best, in Southern Ontario or anywhere, so if you hear anyone making nasty remarks about our school invite him into the alley, and be sure to put one punch in for me too. We ' ll show the world there ain ' t no flies on us . oL 3 Casell 8