SUNY at Oneonta - Oneontan Yearbook (Oneonta, NY)

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By nature we are inquisitive beings. We have always asked and will always ask, Why?” We are curious about other people—what makes them function, what makes them different, why do we like or dislike them? We learn what to expect from them and what they expect from us in return. Our very nature lends itself to the theme of this volume. There cannot be only one answer to the question, “What are you doing here?” It is not wrong to expect that Oneonta has significantly influenced our lives— our feelings, attitudes, knowledge, and experience. Whether administrator, faculty, or student, we can evaluate for ourselves this experience and determine whether we have enjoyed it or are dissatisfied with what was presented to us. The thoughts of the people represented here can serve to stimulate the rest of us so that we can define or redefine our objectives for Oneonta and beyond. Purpose should be the key point. Everything we choose to do has a reason for being done. Every action brings us closer to our daily, yearly, and lifetime goals. For some of us, defining these goals is not an easy thing to do. When asked what we are doing here, it is sometimes hard to find an answer. Inconsistencies exist: “Why do I have to take this physics course?” “What does this literature course have to do with my teaching high school math?” Too many times we are reminded that we are being molded to the cast that bears the label “Well-Rounded Person.” For how long will we—who want to define our own goals and purposes—permit others to do it for us? What is more important, will we be so efficiently absorbed into our society so as to demand of our children the same things to which we so vehemently objected? Each generation faces the next with a fervor that indicates it will change the world, yet very few have the energy to act: it is too com¬ fortable the way things are and they realize that they didn’t really want JDW the change that badly anyway. Let us wish for ourselves enough discomfort Oneonta, New York to act, yet enough security to be able to function in our changing world. February, 1969