Plymouth State University - Conning Tower Yearbook (Plymouth, NH)

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The Conning Tower of 1931 To the Graduates of the Four Year History Course I will talk with you about your profession. Let ns begin rather abruptly without preliminaries by applying the law of excluded middle. Your labor of making better the lives of others either has a meaning that transcends human existence, or it does not have. The difference between the two is vastly greater than that between white and black or light and darkness— these are only faint metaphors. In much educational writing and thinking the attempt is made to ignore this distinction. Let us not try to avoid the unavoidable. If tin fundamental nature of reality is essentially mental, then the process of education—the process of making better the life of another—has deathless significance. This is the philosophy of education in a sentence. If you accept this philosophy, you will find it an unfailing source of inspiration. Salaries, comforts, numbers, locations are of minor interest compared with the motive of moulding an immortal spirit. This philosophy will help you to resist—possibly with impatience—tin spell of speciously expressed theories and programs of conduct frequently found in current literature. When pupils come to you with superficial beliefs or lowly desires, you can more unerringly suggest a better thought or way. because your standard is high and comprehensive. Your philosophy will lighten the burden of drudgery, for you will know that details are necessary in a world where there are particular facts. It will help you to distinguish between big and little things, because your own thoughts are large. It will aid you in being patient when others might be impatient. It will keep you cheerful, because you will always have something to look forward to. All this will react upon your own characters, but you will not need to dwell much upon this. If you will purposely reflect not infrequently upon your broadest principles as, to repeat in another phrase, “that the last word in metaphysics is mind”, you will test the truth of your principles, you will find in them increasing meaning, and you will be able better to apply them. Spinoza said Homo coijital. Some think more than others. 11. P. Swett. 127|

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Harry Preble Swett.

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7 he Conning Tower of 1931 RUTH EVELYN BLOOD Nashua, N. II. 4 Professor” Latin (Muli (1) (2): G.vm Exhibition (1); Forensic (2): Representative (3); French Club (2); Pan Atheiueuin (2) (3); English (Mub (1); A. A. (1) (2) (3) (4). The reward of a thing will done is to have done it. Tin (Mass of 1931 is proud to count Ruth as one of its members. Although she is rather reserved in brilliant social circles we all envy her, her keen mind, and shall remember her as being especially capable in all her classes as well as a lover Of Winter sports. NORA EMILY BURNHAM Nashua, N. H. Volleyball (1) (2); Spocdball (1) (3) (4); Pan-Athe-mvum (2) (3) (4); Forensic (1) (3); A. A. (1) (2) (3) (4). • • To tail: and talk sensibly is a thing not often achieved. ’ ’ Nora's ability to solve the weighty problems of Economics is envied by all in her class. Also as a history student who can rival her? Although Math proved to be a — to Nora, we all feel sure that her teaching career will be a success. BERTHA MATTIE DAVIS .Merrimack, X. H. High Sheriff (1): Representative (2) (3); Glee Club (2); Pan-Athenteuin (2) (3) (4); Social Club Council (3); Class Vice-President (3); Student Govt. Council (3); Forensic (3); Assoc. Justice (3); A. A. (1) (2) (3): (Miief Councilor of Russell House (4); Assistant Kditor-in-Chiof of Class Book (4). “Within was one who calm amt true, Life's highest pur post understood.’’ Although the youngest member of the class, she has excelled as a student. Lively words do not describe Bertha, but she is sincere, calm, and earnest in all her endeavors, and we feel that this will lead her to success. [28]