Northwestern State University - Potpourri Yearbook (Natchitoches, LA)

Page 11 text:

Uu ll yce4lAcni ' President ' s message: A full and meaningful life is the goal of worthy men and women throughout the centuries. The role of higher educa- tion in fostering the attainment of this great end has never been as pertinent as in this seething twentieth century. At this time, when our human society exhibits an almost limitless complexity, there is greater need than ever for a place and environment where young men and women can comDress into a few short years that study and guidance which will provide understanding of what is happening about us. This study and reflection must promote those insights which will help future navigation between deadly extremes of overconfidence and frustration. Striking the right balance between senseless clinging to the outmoded and the mistaken casting aside of the richly proved is the core of the prob- lem of our century. Higher education today must provide both a broad background and an incisive pointer for in- spired and courageous action and right repose. The attainment of awareness and desire for right balance presents and unrivalled challenge. Contemporary thoughtful observers are endlessly impressed with the evidence which raises serious doubt about the ability of our society to mate enough brain power with advanced education and training to meet the demands of our technical age. The need for both scientific understanding and mastery of techniques is self-evident. Failure to meet this demand would result in the greatest defeat ever experienced by our human kind. It must not happen. But advanced scientific attainment by itself will not meet the paramount needs of our epoch. The supreme requirement of higher education is that it develop the qualities of mind that characterize intellectually balanced men and women. First of all, there must be recognition that humans requi r e more than the mastery of knowledge of HOW to do some- thing. There is the supreme question of WHY we do them. In this vital realm, the right ans ' wers are not to be supplied through mere mastery of the techniques of manipulation. Within the limitations of humans, mature answers will come through definition, understanding, and appreciation of VALUES — -supremely important values that have evolved over at least a half million years and which give man a unique position In the pattern of creation. The problems and difficulties that beset us in our age of infinitely varied revolution and development are admittedly great. To assume that they are beyond decent working solu- tions has certainly not yet been demonstrated, and, more important, such belief or assertion is in direct opposition to the record of accomplishment of inspired men and women of all of the creative past. Let us realize that the magnificent story of the courageous men of the United States of America is but a part of the mantle of greatness that at all times has separated the noble from the sodden. The belief that both the scope and tempo of human ac- complis hment in a thousand fields are truly in infancy, and that it is possible to prevent catastrophe unlmagined in other generations, does not arise from a state of self-hypno- tism. It springs from the solid evidence of the past. Men in other years have met the challenge of startling innovations. Reasoned faith must be equalled in strength by the deter- mination to work relentlessly and spiritedly at our jobs of the moment. Only in this pattern of faith and work can those engaged in higher education carry to all others the convic- tion that it has singular power to advance men and women to their rightful place in the universe.

Page 10 text:

tfrWl — Tt Wm m

Page 12 text:

(Hit nt Student Life • 21 Athletics • 187