NYU Washington Square College - Album Yearbook (New York, NY)

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maze of registration forms, advisory desks, and assorted class cards,-that 'these antics would oc- cupy a considerably large, yet relatively insignih- cant, place in our repertoire of college memories? However, as we 'tenderly laid aside our hazing- scarred frosh beanies, the vital significance of Uni- versity education began to gain ascendency over the place formerly usurped by pleasant trivialities. Into the social, cultural, economic, and political aspects of our existence, we gained the increased insight of young minds maturing in a multiphasic milieu. The change was not sudden, dramatic, or clearly defined,-nor was it simply a natural con- sequence of maturation. It was gradual, subtle, and inseparably fused with each association, sub- ject, experience, and friendship. This broadened insight was the result of the sum total of college contacts and influences encountered. It was the lessons learned, not just from books, but from studying, planning, working, and relaxing in a diverse economic-religions-socio-political group, in which each student became an integral part ofthe whole without losing his personal identity as an individual. The casual meetings in the halls, the friendly conversations in the park and in Com- mons, the free exchange of opinions and advice on public and private problems, the interesting and informative classroom discussions, and the myriad opportunities for expressing our views have cre- 113.7132

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wide variety of extra-curricular activities,-as the site of countless hours of industrious bustling, new friendships, literary and political debates, com- mittee conferences, and lively Christmas parties. All of this was clirnaxed by the ,lunior Prom,-the proud symbol of three years of undergraduate study and the dress rehearsal preview of that rapidly approaching Senior Prom of Proms, The interim, however, held innumerable hopes, fears, uncertainties, and changes -for the Seniors of 1951. We realized with startling abruptness that we were confronted with our last opportunity to fulfill the specifications of our previously designed collegiate blue-prints. Renewing our efforts with heightened fervor, we sent applications to graduate schools, professional schools, and vocational possibilities in various parts of the country. During the tense months of waiting for replies, Seniors paused now and then in lingering, nostalgic retrospect. Our college days, with their implica- tions of glamour, excitement, routine, and cramming, were drawing to a close. The familiar halls, classrooms, Village streets, and park assumed an aspect of precious novelty as we walked through them for the last few times, gazing more intently at each commonplace detail than we had done in nearly four years. Although the days of our freshman year had developed in us a conditioned resignation to the periodic pushing, jostling, crowding, and crushing of overpopulated elevators, we suddenly awoke from our as -'A