Park University - Narva Yearbook (Parkville, MO)

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that will ever touch their lives. We cannot recall the history of the universities of Europe without a feeling of deep emotion—Paris, Oxf ord, Cambridge, Heidelberg, Leipzig, Strassburg, Vienna and Prague. Few are the movements that have blessed humanity, and advanced the cause of truth and justice, that have not had their origin at these seats of learning. Universities have proved themselves the most en¬ during of human institutions. Park College is not yet much more than a half century old. Yet in that time certain ideals have grown up that are a part of her very life. Among these must be included, a respect for scholarship, a genuine appreciation of learning, an understanding of the meaning and sig¬ nificance of the Fine Arts as a means in creating the fine art of living. Cicero in Pro Archia has expressed eloquently and perfectly, the enduring values of learning or letters. These studies are the food of youth, the charm of age, an orna¬ ment in prosperity, in adversity a refuge and a solace; a delight at home, and no hindrance in public life; they are our comrades of the night, in foreign lands, amid country scenes. Dean Sanders lecturing to his Faust class. In addition to his many duties as Dean of the Col¬ lege, Dean Sanders also teaches two classes in General Literature.

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Walter F rederick Sanders, AM., LL.D., our popular Dean of tke College, well known educator and administrator, lias been at Park since 1911. By DEAN W. F. SANDERS HE pursuit of knowledge has always Held a strange fascination — for a small portion of mankind. Why men should devote their lives to the search for truth or the discovery of new knowl edge is not easily understood by man in the mass. Socrates and Plato with a small company of followers meeting day after day in Athens to discuss the nature of the good life may seem an anomaly to the average busy man of today. In the face of persecution, this strange hunger for the truth, for knowle dge, has driven man to meet any danger, to overcome any obstacle. Learning may be defined as knowl edge acquired by study. The most appropriate places for study are colleges and universities. Through the centuries, institutions of higher learning have become for men and women cities of refuge. They are still so. Here for a few short months or years, students can yield themselves to the most enduring influences

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One of the tilings which makes Park College a different—and better ' —Institution is her system of self-help which has been an integral feature of the school since its founding. The very motto Fides et Labor gives a suggestion of the spirit of Park; to emphasize the dignity of labor and to teach respect for the worker. d hrough the family work system every student contributes something to his college and in so doing receives invaluable training. Whether coal heavers, truck drivers, carpenters, electricians, florists, milkers, janitors, waitresses, cooks, librarians, secretaries or departmental assistants the students use part of their time and ability to the accomplishment of the tasks incidental to the successful running of the institution. Everyone works at least fifteen hours a week at some job as nearly as possible in line with his prefe rence, experience or capability. Commensurate with his ability and performance the student advances or remains in the type of work which he does. Thus the system rewards initiative, discourages indiffer¬ ence, and aids in teaching students how to work. The spirit of democracy and cooperation engendered by family work is perhaps the most valuable aspect of the system. Just to illustrate that Laboring is an active and vital part of life at this school, here are some of the things which have been accomplished by the supervised student workers during the past year. Three meals a day have been prepared and served to five hundred people, the water and heating plants which supply heat and water to both the town and the college have been operated and maintained. The electricians, carpenters and plumbers have repaired and replaced countless pieces of equipment. Trees and shrubs have been planted, flowers and vegetables grown, buildings built and repaired, books re-bound, and newspapers and programs printed. Yes, the students have scrubbed and waxed and scribbled and not only have they enjoyed and profited by doing all this, but they have also learned and are learning what is to be expected of them when they leave school and start out on their own. We point with pride to the fact that today there are young men, graduates of Park and products of the family work system, who are doing outstanding work in the fields of high power electricity, fine machine work, and construction. Many of these men received their first training in these fields here at Park in the line of family work and all of them were here given a chance to develop their skills and abilities by doing the actual work as well as studying the related subjects in class. Working with hands, head, and heart, turns the cog wheel which grinds out the varied destines of youth.