Olivet College - Oaks Yearbook (Olivet, MI)

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T Hi E Volume I May, 1907 EDITORIAL. The older-an institution grows, the more it prizes every custom and tradition that it inherits from former generations, for on such customs and traditions depends the unity of its life. Olivet already has many such time-honored institutions. For half a century the college has been growing, and acquiring those things which make it itself. Still one can- not but feel that there is room for more customs in the college life, for more avenues of escape for college spirit and enthusiasm. And it is still more evident that the time for inaugurating such customs is the present, which, to every careful observer, surely marks the beginning of a new era in Olivet's history. Therefore it is with no misgivings as to the propriety of the time chosen for its first publication, that we offer you THE .OAIQSQ it is rather with a feeling that the auspicious moment of its appearance is an omen of success. ' As to the need of an Annual, we hope there is little question. KNQ: might argue that Olivet ought to have one because other progressive colleges have themg but that, after all, is not a final reason. Qlivet should have one because Olivetneeds one. It needs a publication more compre- hensive than the student paper, more full of the college spirit than the catalogue. It needs a publication that will be for the student a record really valuable of every phase of the college life. To the alumnus it will be a constant reminder of his own college days. To the world at large it will be a true representative of the college as it is, and may be of no little value in winning friends and students for the future. But in saying that the Annual is designed to furnish those things fur- nished neither by the college paper nor the catalogue, we do not mean

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that it is usurping any features of those publications, or that it is at all designed to take their place. On the contrary, it has to do with those things outside the province of either the Echo or the catalogue, and there- fore claims as its right a place of its own,-a place among the other col- lege institutions, that may be of equal honor with theirs. But all these claims will avail little if one thing be lacking,-and that is the interest of the student body. For that We make no plea in behalf of this particular Annual, we hope that it will be pleasing to you, and that for that reason you will want another g but we ask you that for the sake of the idea, for the sake of introducing an institution that is in every Way desirable, you will take an active interest in the Olivet Annual. The Sophomore Class has already shown its interest by considering an Annual for next year. VVhether the second volume will be published depends upon your reception of this. VVe feel confident that you Will not fail to give them your support. That which tempts us to such confidence is the interest shown in the Annual in the making. Many difficulties have confronted the editors, who have had no precedent to guide them, but they have never failed to find assistance,-assistance offered with a willingness that was itself a help. Students and Faculty deserve the deep gratitude of the junior Class for making the Annual of IQO7 a possibility. To Dr. Lancaster and to Mrs. Batchellor and the Art Department are due especial thanks for their assistance and encouragement. The cover design, which is un- signed, is the work of Miss Helen Long. VV e sincerely regret that the design for the Literary title page, by Miss Bess Comstock, was accidentally destroyed before an etching was made from it, and too late for her to make another copy. W7 e would speak here a word, too, on behalf of our adver- tisers, Who have made the Annual a financial possibility. Not only to repay them for their kindness, but to make the financiering of future An- nuals less difficult, we earnestly request you to patronize them. VVith this introduction and with this plea for its future, we respect- fully submit to you the first volume of THE OAKS of Olivet College. l TIiE EDITORS.