Northeastern University - Cauldron Yearbook (Boston, MA)

Page 15 text:

The introduction of football has bolstered a waning school spirit and has created an enthusiasm among the student body quite unknown when soccer was the major fall sport. The Activities Department is to be com- plimented on its forward step in such discouraging times. May football serve not as a money-making business, but as a true builder of school spirit, team-work, and friendly relationships both at home and away. Speaking of football, it might be well to speak also of the courses of football instruction to be given here next summer by nationally known coaches. There is another innovation of important consequence. Several other new features can well be reviewed here. Freshman Camp, introduced and conducted by the Student Union, has proved a most help- ful and encouraging reception to the bewildered yearling. This first aid toward moulding boys into men is an important one. First impressions are lasting ones! In class elections decided improvements have been made. A more representative basis for choosing officers has brought about fair play and has erased serious grievances between business and engineering stu- dents. This factor alone, by creating unity in achievement, has strengthened the internal organs of the school body. We are as one,- let us act as one! To the satisfaction of many Seniors has come a separate graduation for those receiving degrees. Surely no one will begrudge the Seniors this distinction. Thus briefly have been summed up the major changes in the last few years. They are all significant and doubtless very influential to university standing. In later years, as alumni of a greater and broader University, may we proudly look back on these years of trying effort during which we were able to lend a hand. Looking ahead, one sees additional experiments yet to be tried, each for the sole purpose of bettering our school. Who can doubt that new buildings will soon rise where weeds and straggling bushes now grow? Last winter the University purchased considerable land adjoining our present property and it is only a matter of time before students will attend classes and experiment in the laboratories of the new buildings. These rapid developments mean but one thing — our University is alive and

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I IHE turbulence and instability of the world of today are evident on every hand. We find a leading nation throwing religion into the discard. We see a necessity of rule by dictatorship prevailing in many coun- tries, including our own. Agreements are difficult to obtain and then only after almost incessant bickering. Muffled rumblings and grumblings cannot escape notice. Race prejudice is once more thrust into the foreground and with it consequent injustices. The economic difficulties and the struggles to tear loose from them threaten to engulf us in a most cruel and devastating war. This picture is surely a disturbing one to gaze upon. Nevertheless, it is quite true, and worthy of careful scrutiny. Even in our small academic circle we cannot but sense the feeling of doubt and insecurity. To meet the ever- changing demands it has been necessary to adapt ourselves. Thus, we have witnessed in our University numerous experiments and developments taking place. The following will prove significant. The class of 1934 has the honor and the privilege of being the first class to receive the degree of Bachelor of Science. With the honor will go a certain prestige of decided advantage in the bitter struggle of finding jobs. The power to grant th e degree of Bachelor of Science was made possible by an increase in semester hours of classwork, resulting in the five-year curriculum. When this plan was inaugurated the recent drastic business curtailment could not be anticipated. To meet various needs and difficulties arising from the current depression, a new four-year curriculum has been devised and will be in operation next fall. This plan will decrease the num- ber of years of possible co-operative work and yet fulfill the already estab- lished requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science. Students should look with favor upon the new arrangement, since it will mean increased savings, not only in time but in money. Surely these changes have been most progressive for student and for University.

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progressive. In spite of adverse business conditions it is forging ahead. Even if our college training should leave with us nothing save this will to accom- plish under adverse conditions, it will have benefited us much. A message to Seniors — you have spent five long years in laborious prep- aration for your life ' s work. In June you will be ready to begin that work. There may be none waiting for you. What of it! This is not the first depres- sion that ever struck our country. Go out and make a job. If you disregard making a job you will find yourself drifting, you will slowly lose the knowl- edge you have gained, you will lose your ambition, and the result is evident. You do not quit a football game at the end of the first quarter just because you could not score. Then neither should you quit after graduation, even if there are no jobs in sight. You have had good coaching,- why fumble in the game? In closing, the Cauldron Board wishes to express its deep appreciation and gratitude to its adviser, Professor Everett C. Marston. Throughout the year he has co-operated si jerely, always shifting credit due him to others less deserving. That he continue to serve as the Cauldron adviser is the wish of those who realize his worth. To individuals not on the Board who have contributed freely we are also greatly indebted. To Miss Marjorie Blanchard, Miss Madelyn Ralph, and Mrs. Katharine Goodspeed, for typing and secretarial work. To the offices of the Activities Department and of the Director of School Administration, and to Professor William C. White, for information and assistance. To Mr. Warren K. Vantine, Mr. Dino G. Valz, and Mr. Russell C. Knight, for sug- gestions and co-operation. It has been a pleasure to assist in the editing of this annual, and the retiring Board hopes that next year ' s officers, too, will take pride and find satisfaction in their work. We have, with our combined efforts, tried to meet the appeal for a change. Realizing our limitations, we have done our best. May this Cauldron be received in the spirit in which it has been made and is now given to you!