Southwestern University - Souwester Yearbook (Georgetown, TX)

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GLIMPSES INTO THE FUTURE HE public is familiar with the controversy that has B J raged in Methodist educational circles for the last fc few years, and which awakened fears in some quarters as to the future of Southwestern University. But in the midst of all the commotion the grand old institution has moved on, developing in all directions. The new president, Dr. Bishop, is inspiring all departments with new energy. Today the out-look for the future is indeed bright, and the prospect broadens into great and attractive vistas. One of the things an institution most needs is ready money that can be used for any needed purpose. As the money raised for our institution has usually been for some building, endowment, or some definite purpose, it follows that the offi- cers have often needed money for pressing purposes, which they could not command. So many a stitch that might have saved nine has failed to be taken in time. This deficiency is to be provided for by an organization of former students which is expected to provide at least $10,000 a year. This movement is now in promising process, and we expect it to be consummated in the near future. Another movement, on the part of the ladies who were former students, is an organization to provide a fund to beau- tify our grounds, and provide for their being permanently kept. This is a small thing, but one which will please and delight all visitors, and render these dear old grounds dearer and more attractive than ever to the boys and girls who shall throng them in the future. Then the plans for buildings in the near future include a Library, a Young Men ' s Christian Association building, a Gymnasium, and a building for the Young Ladies ' Cooperative Home. Some parties are considering seriously building one or more of these in memory of their dear ones. Other parties have under consideration the permanent endowment of a chair to be named by them. 1 5 .

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Sometimes with feeling; but, alas, too oft Our thoughts strayed off to other fields and themes. The dearest mem ' ries linger ' round the men Whose lives touched ours with compelling power To mould and fashion as the potter hath. Upon his wheel, to turn the shapeless clay. Until, beneath his skillful finger-tips, It grows a vessel, fitted for the wine Of sacrament; and subtle as the strains Which gods invoked to raise the walls of Troy. First, and the Nestor of them all, was one. The dean in title and in honor, who Bore reverently his years, who best was known As friend and counselor; of keenest wit, Yet kindly: may his latter years reflect The sunlight of his influence, as the West, At evening, catches up the beams of day, And flings them back, in glory doubled twice. Yet softened and subdued. The sunny smile That shone upon us in the Latin room. Was symbol of a nature, highly bred. Lofty in feeling, yet, withal, so veiled In modesty, that few did find it out. But those who did found that a vein of humor Lay beneath, sparkling and clear as crystal. Breaking forth to fling a spray of laughter O ' er our hearts and minds. Lord, crown his life With quiet evening ' mid his books and friends. The beating, pulsing fire of poesy Ran in the veins, and sparkled in the eye Of him who led us upward to the height Of dread Parnassus, there to introduce Us to the Masters, Wordsworth, Shelley, Keats, Burns, Byron, Shakespeare, Milton and Lanier. How did our hearts expand, to sit and hear His clear, deep voice, as from the hidden page Of his true memory, like the diamond drops From mountain spring.remembered things leaped forth Couplet, and stanza, epigram, and phrase, Culled from wide reading, yet so blent and fused That none would call them other than his own. Poet he was, yet nobler name was his, A manly, honest type of gentleman. So may the God of Peace be ever near To bless his home, and bring him to the Grail. Time fails me to recall those other names, Moore, Reedy, Allen, Barcus, and the rest. Count yourselves happy, Brothers, to have known Such men as these, and to have walked a while In their instruction. In the darker hours, When clouds shall gather, and the night seems long. Their mem ' ries shall rise, to shine like stars Along your pathway, and the words they spake Shall seem like music, comforting the weak, Or ringing as the trumpet to the strong. Thus as you fare forth to the fighting line, Do we who go before, with those behind Hail you as brothers, comrades, and as friends: Hail to you. Brothers, Hail and Hail and Hail! E. S. ALUMNUO ' 10 14

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In the meantime our present buildings are crowded to their capacity, and there is not a desirable house to rent vacant in the town. Georgetown now has miles of cement walks, has lights on her streets all night, is soon to have full delivery of the mail, and a United States post office building. So it will become more and more a model site for a great college, and the growing college will steadily react in stimulating a further enlarging and beautifying of the town. In a few years the imagination can behold all those things provided for our town and University, making our Alma Mater, a thing of beauty and a joy forever. Standing down by the railroad where the arch is to span the drive-way between the University and Mood Hall, these buildings will loom up in a magnificent vista. To the left will rise first, the new Library, with a chaste and effective facade, imposing in size, and filled with the wisdom of the ages. Then will come the well kept Ten nis Courts made into things of beauty. Next the familiar Mood Hall, that magnificent house for boys. Then, still on the left, half way between Mood Hall and the Women ' s Building, the Gymnasium that will be a gem in two senses. Completing the view on the left will be the Women ' s Building, whose great proportions and homelikeness give dignity and effective- ness to inharmonious architecture. Coming back now to our arch and looking to the right we see, first, the University itself, that noble edifice that no new structure will cast into the shade. Then the Y. M. C. A. Hall, the center of a mighty influence for good, offering comfort and recreation, and at the same time furnishing a great spirit- ual stimulus. Then further on and completing the view to the right, a beautiful and substantial home for the Co-ops. The beautiful driveway running through the midst of these great buildings will be lined on either side by shade trees, while the grounds in every direction will be completed by grass, smooth and well kept, interspersed by flowers and by trees whose shade wooes a man to loaf and invite my soul. This is a dream now, but dreams have a way of concret- ing themselves, and movements are already on foot to bring this one to pass. 16