Muhlenberg College - Ciarla Yearbook (Allentown, PA)

Page 16 text:

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE J. CONRAD SEEGERS Ph.D., Litt.D., LL.D. President, Muhlenberg College Best wishes to you. members of the class of 1957. You are leaving us, but we shall not forget you, and I hope you will not forget us. I have always felt a rather unique and personal interest in your class. It was the first class to enter Muhlenberg after I left Philadelphia and took up residence on this beautiful campus, the first class whose progress I could observe dur- ing the four years of the college course. It has been interest- ing to see the progress so many of you have made, to see you mature and develop, give evidence of willingness to as- sume responsibilities, see you acquire intellectual curiosity, see you learn to think for yourselves. Some members of your class fell by the wayside for one reason or another, and that is inevitable, as it is inevitable that the development and maturity mentioned earlier have not been uniform. But it is safe to say that each of you who is to be graduated is dif- ferent from what he was when he entered as a freshman, and most of the changes which characterize those differences have been changes for the better. Essentially that is the definition of education — -to ef- fect desirable changes in individuals. It is the peculiar genius of the liberal arts college to define education in such terms, to strive in that pattern. We do not think of education as being merely training. We want it to result in general growth and development, in ability to think independently in the acquisition of intellectual curiosity, in ability to arrive at sound judgments, in developing sensitivity to social and spiritual values. Of course we want this to be accompanied by the ac- quisition of some specific knowledge. We do not desire an intellectual vacuum. But knowledge of, by, and for itself is not enough. I hope you — all of you— have experienced this kind of growth, and believe that, in varying degrees, you have. I hope, too, that you are convinced of the essential validity of this description and definition of desirable education, be- cause this country needs people who do have that belief. And I hope, that as opportunity arises, as it will arise very frequently as you live and work with others, you will make your views known and exert influence as you may in the di- rection of fostering such ideals. Not only have we seen changes in you since September 1, 1953. You and we have seen at least some changes in this College. We have seen increased interest on the part of our alumni, and I hope you will help further to increase this interest. During your four years our Middle States accredi- tation has been reaffirmed, the American Chemical Society has put us on its approved list, our general academic position has been strengthened. Financially, while we are not and likely never will be af- fluent, we have become financially stable. Our endowment has been increased not enormously, but at least in an amount approaching a half million dollars, and that is not a sum to be despised. Physical improvements, including Memorial Hall, the new dormitory, the renovation of West Hall, the new medical building, the tennis courts, representing a total investment of well over a million and a quarter dollars, have been under- taken on a pay as you go basis. We still have far to go, but we have not been idle dur- ing the years you have spent here. So these have been eventful years. I hope they have been very profitable years for you, and am confident they have been. I hope that those of you who are going to profession- al or graduate schools will continue the good record our graduates have established, that those who are going di- rectly into the world of business and affairs will be success- ful. Above all, I hope that in any circumstances you will be governed by that sense of spiritual values which we have tried to emphasize here at this College, without which no real success can ever be achieved. Our best wishes go with you.

Page 15 text:

A WSM ■ ' «• ' 1

Page 17 text:

HARRY A. BENFER A.B., A.M. Director of Admissions Director of Dormitories HENRY M. M. RICHARDS A.B., M.B.A., Ph.D. Dea n of Faculty CLAUDE E. DIEROLF A.B., A.M., Ph.D. Dean of Men