Lowell Technological Institute - Pickout Yearbook (Lowell, MA)

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It was a sunny September morning back in 1952. when a motley, milling throng assembled at the entrance to Southwick Hall. For here it was, the start of a new phase of life, college. The following four years, or five, or six, could determine their success in the future. We were led to room PL 321 in the new Paper and Leather Building. There we arose from our seats to greet the Dean of Students, Wentworth W. Williams and Nathan Reed, Dean of Faculty. Martin J. Howard was also along for the ride. There they were with their long black robes, like a choir, ready to sing. The usual pep talk followed and the new students were on the verge of cheers. Then our somber Dean made his encouraging statement. Look to the left and look to the right. One of you three students will graduate in 1956! This remark had varied effects on the students. Some were scored and quite shaken. One of the girls fainted. Some were indifferent; others were joking, Oh horse ... ! He ' s a riot! Who gives a damn? Someone snored. After the ball was over, we made a trip to see the Registrar. We received a generous bundle of assorted forms and literature to fill out. There were registration forms, course cards, propaganda sheets, automobile regis- tration forms, class schedules, insurance forms, and feminine forms. Talk about red tape ! The next stop was the Bursar, and L.T.I, branch of Brink ' s Inc. Our fat wallets were soon depleted as the list of tuition, fees, deposits and and more fees was added up. The activity fee covers a multitude of sins. It would have been much smarter to be inactive. Oh well, the Dean must need a new car. Gradually, we wandered up to the book store. There, we were told that we could get all our freshman supplies for a very moderate fee. The unwise agreed to the package deal . They were soon loaded down with a drawing board, T-square, drawing set, ink erasers, pencils (soft, medium and hard), the kitchen sink , etc. and to top it all off, an L.T.I, discount card! This resulted in many cases of bankruptcy. Then there was the R.O.T.C. physical at Fort Devens. Our first im- pression of the military was a series of very long lines of naked men wait- ing to be jabbed with a needle or to spread their cheeks. All that could see passed the physical. After our return to the campus, we were issued uni- forms, complete from shoes to hat. What no regulation blue nylon tooth- brush ? The fun was soon over as we started classes at L.T.I. This was the beginning of the end for many. Who invented chemistry at 8 A.M., and physics at 4 P.M.? Math was good for a few laughs, and English was a ball. Mechanical drawing required a Very sharp pencil. and the pens made pretty good darts. Some joker wrote a book called Using Your Mind Effectively . For what? An even greater joker taught the course. We were compelled to attend, yet we received no credit. Oh well, this was our first taste of the L.T.I, precision ground shaft. It was no time at all before we had several R.O.T.C. demerits. We became quite conscious of shoe shines, hair cuts, shaves, pressed uniforms and buttoned buttons. Soon we were flunk ing quizzes and handing in late lab reports just like upperclassmen. The profs warned about final exams and summer school, but we were too busy attending fraternity parties to even care. Life could be so much fun if school would not interfere with social events. It was not long before many of us found out what a hangover really was, and the true meaning of lost weekend . The eight week exams came and went, and left many a freshman grasping for breath. The holiday season rolled around, and as we left for the Christmas vacation we had much studying to do to prepare for final exams. Needless to say, the vacation was a ball, but who had time to study? Then came that fateful experience, our first finals. Gee, did we cram.