Pratt Institute - Prattonia Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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her reunion t many a mo

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When our eyes clear we’re standing six inches from a tree, Since this was supposed to be Brooklyn we were not surprised. On closer inspection the neighborhood was some- what older than I expected but, then again so was the girl I took to the Prom, I was just wondering what the twelve Cadillacs were doing in front of the home for old ladies. At this point I whipped out the map provided by Pratt and, like Bogart in “Sierra Madre”, we followed the map to the treasure. Around a corner and down the block we came across a doorway amongst a grouping of trees. It was either the gate- way to Wonderland or the Institute I was seeking. Since there was no tardy white rabbit in sight I opted for the latter. “That must be it” I said. Mom seemed unimpressed for some reason. We closed in and entered. Ironically, the first thing I saw of Pratt was the cannon, painted black at that time. This comforted Mom, she saw the cannon not as a decoration but protection. We continued down the path and passed a student mowing the grass and the bare patches with equal vigor. We toured the entire campus marveling at the old buildings, they gave the place a sense of history, along with a sense of age. Mom had just about forgotten about the heat and humidity, The campus seemed more like a park than anything else, a park even used by people in the neighborhood. “Let’s see,” I said checking the map. “There’s the new building, the Main building, the library...” “A woman breast-feeding her child,” adds Mom. I checked the map again. “No,” I said, “That’s the library park.” “Don’t tell me, you think your generation invented hygiene classes?” “That’s a woman breast-feeding a child, whatever happened to Pablum?” Well, I didn’t see her but being hungry myself I sympathized with the kid. Mom saw it differently. Suddenly I wasn’t her mature son going off to college but her little boy who must be protected, Since she was visibly upset I thought it best to return home. Lest you think that was it, you are mistaken, Punchenello face. We returned the very next day, bypassing the subway trip of the day before and opting for the Downtown Dynamite D which aside from being orange, was also air-conditioned. We passed through the gateway of heaven, passed the neatly mowed soil, and passed the spot where Miss Dairyqueen was refreshing her offspring. We entered the Main building. thus proving it was not a cardboard facade. We walked up a few flights and miracle of mira- cles there was a real live Pratt student. Hesitantly we approached, not sure how to address him, we tried English, “Do you go to school here?” says Mom, spokes- person for the group. “Yea, I’m a junior” he said. “My son is just starting here and Id like to know more about the place.” “Well.” he said, “Pratt is a vocational institution which first opened its gate in 1887. Millionaire philanthropist Charles Pratt, our illustrious founder...” “Can it, it’s too warm for snow,” Mom cut in, in no mood for Gilbert and Sullivan. “O.K.,” said our guide. “If your son is serious about what he wants to do you won’t find a better school. The teachers are professional and even though the place is somewhat run down you won't get a better education.” Well, that made Mom feel better and we went home with some peace of mind, and our anonymous Pratt booster? Last I heard he went to study in Europe.

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QUICKIES A Pratt official admitted that Memorial Hall is not named after anyone in particular. “We had always hoped someone famous would go to school here and die, but no such luck.” HEX Raymond Hernandez, the elevator operator in Main Building received a commendation from the National Aeronautics Administration for logging 5,000 hours behind the lever. The magic moment came between the second and third floors when the elevator was stopped and the award made, much to the chagrin of the twenty- seven passengers. HHK Ina scheduling snafu a nurse licensing test and a C.P.A. examination were held on the same day. In the confusion some accountants were asked to change sheets while some nurses were asked to perform a hypothetical audit on a chicken farm. In protest to rising tuition costs a group of students loaded and attempted to fire the Pratt Cannon at the Bursar’s Office. The attempt was thwarted when “the biggest squirrel in the world,” according to an eyewitness, showed up and stole the ammo. HEH A cure for the infamous Legionnaire Disease was discovered growing on a custard doughnut in the PI. Shop. Unfortunately the doughnut in ques- tion was purchased and consumed by an unknown hungry person before authorities arrived, HR In an effort to improve productivity, Pratt effi- ciency experts have called in a tree surgeon to work on Physical Plant.