Muhlenberg College - Ciarla Yearbook (Allentown, PA)

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opportunity for advanced work in the college. The English department plans intensive advance- ment, and the library will be more extensively employed and put into better serviceableness. In C hemistry and Physics and in Biology new courses are projected. There will be a forward movement all along the line. For some years the work of the literary societies has not progressed, but it is planned next year, under the supervision of the English department, to give it new impetus and make it of high service to all students. Plans to this end are now being shaped. There is equal prospect that the religious work among the students shall be still better ad- vanced and more effectively organized than in the entire period of experiment of the past few years. 1 here are two directions in which the student-body shall be called upon to consider ad- vance. One is such a modification of the new student rules in student government and such a change in the activity of the Student Council as to effect a greater sense of independence in moral issues, and a greater fearlessness in combatting evils of student life. Not self-determined action but wise co-operation with the Faculty which is the governing body must work this de- velopment. The Student Council must be the strong exponent of high moral ideals. The other direction in which advance must come, whatever may be the method, is a larger and more con- stant application of the sense of honor in the students’ individual work and in his stand for the college. Due to mistaken notions of temporary success, which is one of the evils of Americans to-day, the average student body in our colleges is not willing and ready to apply the highest sense of honesty and honor to its work and life. Muhlenberg students must learn to strive for better things than the average. They must attempt to exhibit such a spirit and atmosphere in the college, that low ideals cannot exist in it. This can only be done if a large number of men are willing to catch the vision and to co-operate in earnest with the ideals of the Faculty and Board. There is a work which only the student body can do, and such work is the striving for high ideals. The force of such ideals is gained, finally, not through the earthly but through heavenly vision. Let us strive for the best and highest things, the noblest aims, the purest and most honest life, the helpfulness of high courage, the bracing strength of virtue, sympathy, and the constant services of true religion. Page T en

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Most marked was the new era in athletics. With the constant services of our new Physi- cal Director, Mr. Kelly, not only were the best results attained in football and other athletic sports, but the required gynasium work produced excellent effects. The strenuous Swedish move- ments and the German gymnastic exercises developed the Freshmen very well. With this ad- vance came a stronger and more consistent discipline which has toned up the student body. In the religious work among the students the M. C. A. had its first year of activity. It carried forward the banner of religious ideals, and through its personal work and its weekly Bible classes, devotional meetings and monthly public addresses it rendered real service. But this brief record of the year, which mentions only outstanding features and does not emphasize the quiet, steady advance is merely the prelude to greater things to be expected. It is not wise to dwell on attainments very long; but to plan for prospects is true wisdom. What has been accomplished only furnishes the foundation for what should be done. In looking into the future some expectations may be disappointed and some hopes deferred, nevertheless let us hope for more rather than for less achievement. It seems assured that next year shall see the new refectory open and ready for use. It is planned to begin modestly and erect a building in character like the chemical laboratory but architecturally improved. Its seating capacity in the dining room is to be 150, and the culinary arrangements are to be of the best modern type. Through the refectory a new impetus will be given to the unity of student life by providing a common center of daily association. Another improvement contemplated is a concrete fence around the football field, and the friends of the Athletic Association aroused by the enthusiasm of this year’s success, are aiding in this work. It is very creditable to the Athletic Association, that it is willing to assume not only this work, but also the burden of carrying the financial obligations of the new refectory. While these improve- ments are imminent, the authorities are also working for the new building of the Preparatory School. They are planning for a financial campaign which shall meet not only this demand, but also liquidate the existing college debt and add to the endowment fund. In the curriculum of the college a fuller course in philosophy will be developed through the addition of aesthetics. The old course in theism will be reconstructed to meet and include the problems of the psychology of religion and of comparative religion. More Latin will be re- quired for admission, and the German entrance requirements advanced. This will offer larger Page Nine

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THE DORMS