Manhattan College - Manhattanite Yearbook (Riverdale, NY)

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college life, but to the testimony of for- mer Pen and Sword men who had found their latent abilities during their activi- ties at the college. Wlieii Brother James resumed his seat amid enthusiastic applause, and the stu- dent body was dismissed, it was not with- out the general realization that Manhat- tan had recaptured something from her proud past. Something that represented the forward-pressing spirit of the Man- hattanite had been glimpsed for a mo- ment, and the dispersing students felt a twinge of pride in its realization. SENIOR WEEK HE traditional culmination of col- legiate activities is bound up in the observances of Senior VVeek. The Class of 1946 was fortunate in seeing a vigorous revival of this time-honored tra- dition and of the observances connected therewith. Under the direction of Brother Alphonsus, Senior Moderator, the week from June 3 to june 9 was reserved for retreat, baccalaureate services, class day services and the exercises connected with commencement, including induction into the Manhattan College Alumni Society. The retreat, under the direction of Reverend Albert C. M. Steffens, College Chaplain, was conducted on VVednesday, Thursday and Friday, with the exercises in the Chapel of the Holy Infancy, the Brothers' Community Chapel. Here each morning at 9 :l5, Holy Mass and Sermon began the day, with time allotted during the remainder of the day to the Stations of the Cross, Private Spiritual Reading, the Recitation of the Rosary, ending with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacra- I 170

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Everything about the campus had the freshly green look of Spring when the ceremonies commenced shortly after noon time. joseph Ward, outgoing Student Council President, took the rost- rum to direct the classes to their proper places about the quadrangle. He was fol- lowed by NVillian1 Mctiowan, President of Pen and Sword, who expressed his gratitude to the student body for its co- operation in the canned food drive. He then named five members of the senior class - joseph Warcl, David Farabaugh, John Sweeney, John Flood, and Edward Reilly-to replace members of the society who had not returned to the campus. Paul Cortissoz, representing the six original members-Edward VValsh, V in- cent O'Mahoney, John Shea, and Edward Eckert--delivered the explanatory re- marks prior to the tapping of new mem- bers. The colorful tapping ceremony fol- lowed, with each member choosing one successful candidate from the incoming senior class lined up along senior walk. Each newly received member was con- gratulated, presented with the academic robe, and introduced to incumbent mem- bers. Those chosen yere: Francis Malley, Gerald Fitzgerald, James Houlihan, Ed- ward O'Toole, James Brady, Alfred Hughes, Joseph Beaney, Joseph O'Con- nor, Donald Bridgetts, and John B. Walsli. It was Brother A. James of Loughlin High School, however, former Pen and Sword member himself, who explained what it meant to be a Blanhattan man. ln his talk, the principal event of the cere- mony, he stressed the spirit that led Manhattan students to give their utmost for her. And that such sacrifice, if it may not in vain he pointed not only to the forma- that results from a full be called that, is out by referring tion of character 16

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ment. Confessions were heard in the afternoon and on Friday a Corporate Communion Service at Holy Mass rounded out the exercises. Reverend Cyril F. Meyer, C.M., Dean of St. Iohnis Col- lege, Brooklyn, delivered the Bacca- laureate Sermon. Tha Papal Blessing was imparted to the members of the class and the group finished with breakfast in the college dining room. Class day exercises were held Friday afternoon in Smith Auditorium. The Class day exercises will long be remembered both from the cordiality of the meeting and the simplicity of the ob- servances. Here again, as in high school, the members of the class listened as they were orated to and as they were made capital of. The Class Wiill, prepared and read by Bill Monck, was a masterpiece of the Wit for which this class humorist has become famous. Gene Calure, more sober and more solemn was as effective in his gleanings for a class prophecy. Sylvester Balassi delivered the class gift oration and Charles Kelly gave the valedictory. The College Glee Club entertained the members of the class with several selec- tions from their interesting repertoire. The President of the College, Brother B. Thomas, gave, in his address, an appre- ciation of the work done by the class, the good wishes of the faculty to the 1T1S1'1 whose course was finished and counsel and advice for their assuming their places in the world of trade and business. Sunday, June 9, saw the public recog- nition, with awe and respect, for the men whose college work is hnished satisfac- torily, whose marks and efforts had earned for them the kudos of a degree. Senior Week, a week by the students for their own delectation, Was the more inti- mate, the more unforgettable, the more personal form of farewell to the college. 171