New Mexico State University - Swastika Yearbook (Las Cruces, NM)

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? swastika ... So we offer this Book, not for your Criti- cism, but for your Enjoyment . . . trusting that It will in some measure be a reflection of tliis Col- leee Life we live . . . while the Evil Davs come not. Thus began the introduction to the first year- book was named Swastika, representing tlie ancient symbol of peace and friendship. The sym- bol has been passed from civilization to civiliza- tion and was selected from tlie Navajo culture, so prevalent in New Mexico. The Swastika was under the direction of the College of Agriculture and was bound in a light brown cardboard. Resembling a photograph album, the 164-page edition was dedicated to Luther Foster, college president and a former professor of political economics and psychology ' . Justin W ' edell, nicknamed Chicago, was the yearbook ' s first editor. Because of the appar- ent closeness of the facultv and student body in 1907, Wedell achieved a warm and personal feel- ing in the Swastika. Taka Bita Pi, Tapa Keg, and Down-and Out Club were tlie campus fraternities in 1907. All were founded upon the principles of equalit) ' , justice, and equal privileges to all members. In addition to other campus organizations, there was also a football team, a baseball team, a track team, and a girls ' and boys ' basketball team. Extensive history of each organization, poems in the back, a campus calender, and 16 pages of advertisements were included in the first yearbook. Because photography methods were crude at this time, there was an abundance of copy in the first Swastika. There was little originalit) ' in the first year- books at NMSU, and a series of swastika insignias framed body copy and layouts on ever) ' page. By 19 17, however, the book displayed more crea- tivity and even woodcuts of Indian rugs and hall- page photographs of areas around campus ap- peared. By 1938 the Swastika had grown into a yearbook with slick paper, numerous photo- graphs, and larger sections throughout the book. The 1948 Swastika featured the first color photograph of die Organ Mountains and for the first time, pictures began dominating copy. ■■ •v . vj r :- IS ' i 14

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has GOth year at nmsu An i) er-all unit) was acliie cd in the 1958 Swastika. The yearbook began with a message from Dr. Roger Corbett and presented pictures of sports, organizations, and classes. Numerous ad- vertisements followed in the back of the book, but page numbers and an index were excluded. Much has elapsed sin ce the first Swastika yearbooks in yearbook techniques. Howe er, just as Justin Vedell began the tradition of pre- senting! the year ' s activities in 1907, so the 1967 Swastika promulgates the ideals and aspirations of most NMSU students. While there may always be room for pro- gress and change within its pages, the NMSU Swastika will continue to serve as a reminder of the college days which are gone forever. Finally, the Swastika ' should be a torch cutting through, bringing back memories of edu- cational experiences and challenges. TITA MARIE VALDEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Education is more than .scholarship. A uni- versity is also a laboratory where experiments in friendship, leadership, and citizenship help build principles that serve a lifetime. Harvey C. Jacobs Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications 15