Michigan Technological University - Keweenawan Yearbook (Houghton, MI)

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THE KEWEENAWAN—MICHIGAN COLLEGE OF MINES 1924 To the Staff of the Keweenawan, this book represents the consummation of many hopes, the ending of countless trials and worries, the lasting satisfaction of a long and arduous task completed, and the embodiment of a lasting and unstinted effort to be worthy of the expectations of our fellows. Under the stress of urgent demands from our ‘profs’ for some modicum of work upon our studies, ever harassed by troubles from every source, working without pre- cedent or guide, laboring under adverse conditions imposed upon a similar book a few years ago, it is a small wonder that a heartfelt prayer that this book may be worthy of its name goes forth with this, the first Keweenawan. Without a faculty adviser, we took upon ourselves the responsibility of the book, planning and compiling the entire work unaided, an achievement of which we feel justly proud. Our tiny workshop in the commandeered kitchen of the gym has been the scene of many an all night vigil when work was at its height. We wish that we might pass on to future editors a little of the experience we have gaine d in treading our unknown paths. May this book be an inspiration to them and may they profit by the errors of their predecessors. The reputation of M. C. M. as a veritable workshop was an almost unsurmount- able barrier: sixty six hours of school work per week and an equivalent length of time devoted to the book left but little time for sleep, to say nothing of pleasure. Although we realize that the publication of a large book at any college or university must entail the burning of considerable midnight oil, at the same time we envy those men that can take the necessary time from their studies without endangering their scholastic standings. The senior members of the Staff leave school this spring. They carry with them sincere respect and love for M. C. M. However, such an undertaking as the KEWEENAWAN cannot fail to impress upon them that too little time is allotted for efforts of this sort and to the cultural side of our education. We are going out into a profession that is being continually disparaged because of the common conception that the engineer is merely a highly skilled mechanic, destined by custom to serve only as an employee of the man trained in business. We resent, although we recognize this attitude, but we feel that it can be cor- rected. Courses embracing only those subjects pertaining only to the applied sciences, to the entire neglect of the art and cultural studies, do not tend to overcome this difficulty. A degree from a college of recognized standing implies that the recipient possesses culture; that he knows Nature; something of art and literature; and that he carries the keys of the world’s library in his pocket and is able to make use of its resources. There are too many engineers that would fail to qualify as being educated with these requisites.