Manhattan College - Manhattanite Yearbook (Riverdale, NY)

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Class f 1947 HE present junior class is a link between the determined and grim Manhattan of World Wfar ll and the revitalized and highly spirited Man- hattan of these post war days. The past world conflict was felt very keenly by the Class of '47, just as it was felt by every other wartime class. But a small percentage of the members of the original class, who entered Iasperville in 1944, are still present on the Campus. More than half of that original group are still serving their country. During the first half of the group's stay in River- dale the activities and enrollment of the College reached their lowest ebb. This situation, however, was not without its advantages. WVith the pressing wartime schedule and the small classes most inti- mate friendships were made which prob- ably never would have occured in normal times. The class was small and every member of the class knew all the other members and thereby an indeiinable spirit permeated the class. The activities that were continued dur- ing these crucial times were solidly backed by the members of the Class of '47. Chief among them were Manhattan Blood Donor Days, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Student Mission Cru- sade, American Society of Civil Engi- neers, Student Council, and the Engi- neers' and Spring Dances. As far as sports is concerned, the intra- mural program was inaugurated to fill the gap caused by the discontinuance of varsity competition. In all of the three intramural sports, softball, football and basketball our '47'ers were always in the thick of the competition. ln the first soft- ball league in the Spring of 1944 the duels of the Frosh Engineers and the Juniors of that time will long be remem- bered by those that witnessed and parti- cipated in them. Additional exploits on the diamond include victories in the dia- mond tournaments last Spring and Sum- mer by -luly Section S, part of the Junior Class, andthe Seniors-juniors, a combin- ation of the present graduating and Jun- ior Classes. As. Sophomores our football team were winners of their Section in gridiron competition. On the basketball floor a year ago a portion of the third year group, known at that time as july Section C, captured the basketball crown. VV hen hostilities were nearing an end and former traditions and activities were in the process of revitalization, a look behind the scenes very often revealed members of the present Junior class hold- ing prominent positions in the procedure. The earliest revivals, those of the Quad- rangle and Guard of Honor, took place in our Freshman years, and were greatly aided by the cooperation of the men of '47, Two of the most valued traditions

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Mission Fields in China

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l on the Campus today were also recom- menced by these same juniors - that of hazing the incoming Frosh, and Campus Day. Many of the societies novv active in the school were helped back to their pre- war levels by the extra-curricular con- scious juniors. They include among others The Newton Math. Society, Com- merce Club, Glee Club, Debate Council, Westchester Club, American Institute of Electrical Engineers and the Manhattan Players. Despite the fact that the class has been very active i11 extra-curricular affairs, the Joe Collegei' type of student who doesn't let his studies interfere with his education, is conspicuous in the group by his absence. The members of the original class have faced the difficult and burdening accelerated program, which weeded out those not prepared to devote the necessary time to studies. The vet- erans, on the other hand, now very cog- nizant of the value of education are for the most part seriously devoted to their scholastic aims. In the main then, the present crop of third year men are hard working scholas- tically and active in school affairs, and is a Well balanced and typical junior class. The present group of Junior men are working hard in a scholastic way and ac- tive in school affairs. F rom this happy combination they will develop soon into full-blooded typical Jasperites.