Saint Marys College - Blue Mantle Yearbook (Notre Dame, IN)

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All this supposes a certain discipline, and to the Catholic college there is no problem regarding the relations that should exist between instructors and students. The restraint which makes for true freedom rests upon a clear understanding of personal obligation to self and to others and on trust in those who guide rather than govern. This understanding and this trust added to spiritual motives born of religion insure right moral growth and give dignity and worth to discipline. That law and order are necessary in these, our days, is granted by allg and that religious training brings about the only order com- patible with right reason and self-respect should be as obvious. The discipline of love will alone save the young from the dis- cipline of pain, and it is this discipline which makes the differ- ence between coming up and being brought up. It is in this emphasis placed by St. Mary's on character and religious prin- ciple that it best meets the conditions of the times. St. Maryis endeavors to make practical in the training of her students the theories advanced above, and to this end con- scientious effort is put forth to insure competent teaching and thorough equipment, while every advantage is taken of the edu- cative force of environment, which is made to appeal on all sides to the growing minds, hearts and souls of the students. St. Mary's endowments are a boundless sympathy with its students, their love and respect, the devotion of its alumnae, the conse- crated lives of its teachers, the encouragement of the church, and the blessing of God. Further to justify St. Mary's claim to be ranked as an ideal Catholic college for young women, the following notes are sub- mitted: St. Mary's year-book gives in outline the courses of study offered in both College and Academy. College courses-English, Classical and Scientific-lead to regular Degrees. The College Preparatory curriculum is arranged to meet generally accepted college entrance requirements, while, at the same time, it aims to give a well-rounded academic training for those who do not intend to follow advanced courses. St. Mary's credits are 5

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But the present generation is interested in our :own land and our own time, hence the questions it puts: For what does the convent school stand now? How does it compare with other in- stitutions of learning in its power to fit for life? What about its equipment, its teachers? VVhat is the attitude with regard to the higher education of women? Of course there are degrees in the excellency of convent schools fthough the least of them is a great moral forcejg just as there are colleges and colleges, but the answers herein given to the above important questions are drawn from the fullness of experience and consecrated- love of the work of Catholic education, as carried on for over half a century at St. Mary's, Notre Dame, Indiana, justly claimed to be an ideal Catholic college for women. St. Mary's takes as a working basis Most Reverend john Lancaster Spalding's definition of education, namely, the soul's response to God's appeal to make itself like unto Him-self- active, knowing, wise, strong, loving and fair. It stands for the highest development of rnind and heart, and aims to make its students women of ideas rather than women of mere accomplish- ments, to bring them into personal relations with wider worlds, larger life, by placing before them truth as far as it may be apprehended, truth in its various aspects-literature, history, science and art. In its training of the intellect, St. Mary's distinguishes be- tween the cultural and the vocational in education. Education is to prepare the student for life, but that is to be taken in its largest sense. The years spent at college cannot give both a cultural and professional training. Within limits, election is allowed, and this choice directs the teacher's efforts toward de- veloping skill or inculcating appreciation in the student. Believing that character is higher than intellect, St. Mary's attaches a special value to many things that are not in the curriculum-a sense of honor, self-respect, courtesy, gentle- ness, reverence, right values, recognition of personal duty, in a word, the art of living and the science of conduct. 4

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accepted at leading universities. The teachers are thoroughly equipped, most of them having specialized and prepared for this work in the Normal School of the Community, under well-known instructors from the University of Notre Dame and other Cath- olic universities. The work of the faculty is supplemented by courses of lectures by noted speakers on Philosophy, History, Economics, Literature and Physical Science. St. Mary's course in music has long' been recognized as exceptionally fine, and includes the theory and practice of piano, organ, violin and harp playing. The instructors in the science and art of music are in touch with the best, both as to under- standing and execution, and the Conservatory diploma is a testi- monial of thorough training. Lectures and concerts by noted musicians, as well as public and private student recitals, are among the advantages offered in this department. Voice train- ing in both singing and public speaking receives special attention. The regular course in music leads to the diploma and medal of the conservatoryg advanced work gives title to the degTee B.M. The art department embraces instruction in drawing, paint- ing, in water colors and in oil, designing, decorative work on china, wood, brass, leather and pottery. A splendid art col- lection and a good working library of reference books aid in art instruction, which is further made effective by illustrated lectures on the world's great masters and on the schools of painting which mark the history of art. St. Mary's is fortunate in possessing excellent copies, in oil and other media, of the world's acknowledged masterpieces of art. A department which has grown rapidly since its establish- ment is that devoted to domestic science. A general, as well as a normal course is offered, embodying history of food, dietetics, theory and practice in cooking, serving, etc., bacteriology, phys- iology and chemistry as applied to domestic science. The course also includes sewing, from the beginners' stitches to the cutting out and making of garments. Certificates and special prizes :are awarded in this department. 6