Salem State University - Clipper Yearbook

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oers in the administration of oeeiipied territory, Mr. Pushing showed unusually expert knowledge of the regions occupied by the troops, and he was therefore able to give invaluable assistance in the preparation of the pamphlets. His scientific training and his clearness and conciseness in writing make his work highly important. Upon his return to Salem in September, he resumed his school duties and was also occupied in the preparation of two textbooks. — Human (ieography for nor- mal schools and colleges, and Commercial and Industrial (ieography for junior high schools, in association with Dr. Huntington of Vale: in the supervision of a wall map of Europe, in association with his former teacher. Professor Davis of Harvard; and in the writing of a report upon the teaching of geography in the normal schools of the United States, which was completed for the St. Louis meeting of the Association of American Geographers in December. After a brief illness of two months, which terminated in broncho-pneumonia. Mr. Pushing died February 2! . 1920. Mr. Pushing was a man of a type of which the world will never have too many. He possessed all the instincts of a scholar and a scientist, and he was a teacher of ex- ceptional ability. These facts are too well known to require comment. In a few years, through his untiring devotion to the work to which he gave his life, he had won a national reputation. But those of us who knew him best valued him most highly as a man. He was always and everywhere a gentleman: his politeness was the natural outcome of a kind heart. He was an optimist; he always looked for the best in people, and he never failed to find it. He invariably sought to promote harmonious relations among his associ- ates: he always stood ready to carry his full share of the common burden — and more; he never spared himself, and he never failed to respond to a call to service whether ii were personal, social, or patriotic. He was a man of faith, and his faith found expres- sion in his personal life, in his relations with men. in his works. Counted by years, his was a short life, yet it w as a life of wonderful completeness and of large service. We who were most intimately associated with him have lost a friend, bul he has left us a valuable heritage. — precious memories, an inspiring example, and an influence which will go on in ever widening circles. It is through such lives as his that the teaching profession is dignified and enriched and life itself exalted. Prom -I. Asburv Pitman The number of trained geographers is small. Mr. Cushing combined to an ex- ceptional degree a truly scientific spirit and much experience in studious travel, with a pleasant clearness as a writer, unusual expertness as a teacher, and a warm-hearted sympathy as ;i companion. Prom Professor William M. Davis, Harvard Mi-. ' n-dnng was the most valuable of the members of the staff of the Monograph Section of the Military Intelligence Division. He had an ideal training in all phases of geography. There was no member more faithful and earnest or more ready to do mimic than his share. He was easy to work with, helpful, and inspiring. Prom Ellsworth Hitntinoton, Major, U. S. A. As we review the life of Mr. Pushing, one thing is ill all our thoughts, the com- pleteness of his life, more than is given to most lives to accomplish in twice the span al- lotted him. Education to which under the blessing of this country the paths lie open before lis all was with him constantly sought and freely added upon. Travel ' s op- portunities and eyes of wisdom and appreciation for the great wonders of the many parts of our country and lands far away and different from our own. - travel not for pleasure merely but in search of knowledge. There was thus another satisfaction in the completeness of his experience, the pursuit of scientific truth, then contribution o f it. and a position of recognized worth in the field which he had found so pleasant. As he pursued truth successfully, so he imparted if with skill, in the classroom and on tin 1 printed page, guiding, influencing, molding the minds of the young persons who should j o forth to influence other lives. Added to these accomplishments was the great satis-

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Sumner Webster Cushing Mr. Cushing was born in Norwell, Massachusetts, December 30. 1879, the son of Webster A. and Amanda Cushing. He was graduated from the Brockton High School and the State Normal School at Bridgewater. In 190:3, after a two years ' course at Harvard University, he received the degree of B. S. He then taught, in successive years, the subjects of science, mathematics, and physical geography in the high schools of Wakefield. Waterbnry. Connecticut, and Providence. While in Providence he studied for his master ' s degree at Brown University, which he later received. In 1907 he became the head of the geography department at the State Normal School, Salem. In addition to his classes in geography in the normal school, he super- vised the work in the training school, made out a course of study for the guidance of the student teachers and the supervisors of the grades, and kept in close touch with the work of the children. His field trips and excursions to industrial plants added greatly to the interest in the subject both to the children and to the students in the normal school. His students will never forget the delightful trips to Devereux Beach, nor the more strenuous excursions in tracing the course of Forest River, He was un- tiring in his plans to present subjects of general interest to the entire school by lec- tures, lantern slides, and motion pictures. In every possible way he strove to make the subject of geography alive and to show its importance in understanding the trend of civilization in a country, and he succeeded in an unusual degree, for his students speak of him as a wonderful teacher. In addition to his work in his own department, he was actively associated with many phases of the school life, especially with the men ' s athletics and with their fraternity — the Kappa Delta Phi — of which he organized the Salem chapter. While he was carrying on so successfully his teaching at the normal school, he did a great deal in scientific study and in teaching elsewhere. In 1907 he attended the summer session at Harvard. The next summer he spent in research work in the Central Plateau of France under the direction of his former professors, W. M. Davis and D. W. Johnson. He devoted the following summer to a study of the coastal feat- ures of Maine, covering about fifteen hundred miles. His statement of the results of his work before the Geological Conference at Harvard led to his securing a Sheldon traveling fellowship from the Harvard Graduate School, so that in 1910-1911, on leave of absence from Salem, he was able to do research work in India. He spent some months in investigation of a special problem in the region of Madras. His report was recog- nized as superior to any previous description of the region, and it was published in several technical bulletins and journals. It gave him an assured position as a profes- sional geographer. In the autumn of 1912, Mr. Cushing was an invited member of the transcontinen- tal excursion of European and American geographers, given by the American Geograph- ical Society of New York. For several successive summers he gave courses in geog- raphy at Columbia University, the University of Illinois, and Miami University at Ox- ford, Ohio; he conducted winter courses at Wellesley College in 1911 and 1912. In 1913 he married Miss Frances B. Deane, who had been closely associated with the normal school, first as secretary and then as teacher of history. The marriage brought to him the devotion and aid of a woman of superior ability. With her help, he not only carried on his work with even greater efficiency, but he Avas able to estab- lish a home whose generous hospitality and inspiration were the joy of many friends. Mr. Cushing served in the Avar as captain in the Military Intelligence Division of the General Staff in Washington from July. 1918 to July, 1919. He assisted in the preparation of military handbooks and monographs giving geographical information for the use of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, and he served on various government committees. These documents were designed to give to the commanding officers all available data concerning their field of operations so that they could lay sound strategical plans and order successful tactical movements, and to assist the offi- 5

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faction of service for his country. With an intensity of interest in her welfare, he gave unstintingly his all — his very life. In all the ways of life of these few years, he showed the zest thai life may have when lived to the full. Not only was there completeness of experience, but completeness of character,— integrity, high ideals, a belief in the place of religion in life, faithfulness of living, cap- acity for friendship, graciousness of manner, and heartiness in life ' s work and play which betokened the right, clean, loving heart. In his life was unselfish and consecrat- ed devotion not only to the cause of science and of his country, but to the immediate and most intimate relationships of life. So we may say, Here was a man! From Reverened Edward D. Johnson. First Church, Salem GOOD-NIGHT SONGS FOR CHILDREN I. Did you ever visit Tree-top Land ' Most up into the sky? The little leaves keep you company, And the birds go singing by. The Lady Moon, in her long white robe Shines a soft Good-night to you; And the star children, all tucked in their beds Wink out from their coverlet blue. II. Rock-a-bye, birdies, up in your cradles, The soft wind will lull you to sleep. Night ' s mantle ' round you. The stars up above you, Mother guarding your slumber so deep. III. Come, little stars, come home, come home, The day will be breaking soon. Come and let mother rock you to sleep In your cradle of the moon. The cradle ' s lined with silver thread And glistens in the sky. Come now, and mother will sing you to sleep With a gentle rock-a-bye. IV. When it is almost supper-time (Li winter long before) The skymother gathers up the sun And gently shuts the door. She wraps him in a blanket cloud And tucks him in so deep; Then kisses him a good night kiss And off he goes to sleep. V. Swinging and swaying, all misty with sleep. The Dream Angel gathers us up with a sweep. And off avc drift to dreamy-land low, So softly and gently we go. Bertha W. Browne, ' 20. 7