Spring Arbor University - Echo Yearbook (Spring Arbor, MI)

Page 49 text:

COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT To meet the demand of the exacting commercial world today, a student needs thorough business training to broaden his background and give assurance in the pursuit of his vocation. Prominent executives are giving credit to shorthand for their start toward success. Some maintain that the person who wants to dictate must first learn to take dictation—thus making a commercial course a stepping stone to a higher position. Often a student approaches such skilled subjects as shorthand and typing with enthusiasm because they afford him the opportunity of perfecting himself for the sheer joy of achievement as well as the inducement of immediate employment. The acquiring of a business-like attitude aids in the accomplishment of any task by eliminating unnecessary mechanical motion and developing initiative, concentration, and self-discipline. He who every morning plans the transactions of the day, and follows out that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through the labyrinth of the most busy life. The orderly arrangement of this time is like a ray of light which darts itself through all his occupations. But where no plan is laid, where the use of time is surrendered merely to the chance of incidents, all things lie huddled together in one chaos, which admits of neither distribution nor review.—Victor Hugo. Marjory D. Stone. I'ortu-sevcn

Page 48 text:

THE A CAPPELLA CHORUS Choice in its personnel, diligent in its work, and highly devotional in its message, the A Cappella chorus holds a place in our school that is praiseworthy. Under the careful training and able instruction of Professor LeRoy M. Lowell, the chorus has obtained in a marked degree an accuracy and precision in harmony, tone quality, and interpretation—carefully portraying every shade and quality of thought. The chorus has turned its attention primarily to the fine old Christian hymns, for they include the body of the world’s best sacred music. What a wealth of riches! What inspiration to the soul! These grand old hymns of the church are majestic in rhythm, beautiful in expression, and dynamic in their message of heart experience, elevating the soul to heights of spiritual achievement. Thus, great concepts are woven into the minds and hearts of these young people as a permanent character-building influence. Many times the Lord has sealed the message with His special blessing. The chorus does not give a program in a cold recitative manner, but sings out to God the loftiest emotions and melodies of the heart. In making its annual tour, the A Cappella has been met with interest and enthusiasm. This year fifteen services have been planned at the following places: Montpelier, Battle Creek, Marshall, Corunna, Flint, Snover, Memphis, Detroit, Royal Oak, Jackson, Manchester, Adrian, and at Spring Arbor during Commencement. The selections this year have been taken from a broad field of worthy music, and express a variety of moods and feelings. Along with a simplicity and beauty of rendition, the programs are marked with a spiritual emphasis. CAROLYN V. BROWN. Page Forty-six

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HOME ECONOMICS Home Economics is a subject th.it centers around the problems of the home and other institutions whose problems arc of similar nature. It includes a study of food, shelter, and clothing viewed from the standpoint of hygiene, economics, and art and a study of the relations of members of the family to each other and to society. We believe this study to be an indispensable part of the general education of every girl because it affects the future life of our country. It has been said, Remember that the success of the nation of tomorrow depends upon the characters built in the homes of today.” While the problem of creating better homes is an ethical and spiritual one, yet the spiritual atmosphere cannot be quite right unless the material conditions of the home are properly adjusted. If this is true, it is important that women know how to maintain their homes in an intelligent manner and to promote the health of the family. Home Economics is one of the recent subjects in the high school curriculum. It was taught very little before 1910, but since that time it has increased rapidly in popularity. The factors influencing the introduction of home economics were many. Home experience was no longer supplying adequate training for homemaking. As labor-saving devices came into wider use, the child’s contribution to household tasks was less necessary. The making of many household materials was transferred gradually from home to factory, and there became less and less opportunity for the child to have actual contact with the production end of homemaking. In many cases the mothers found it necessary to work outside their homes with the result that they were not able to give their daughters such training as they themselves had received from their mothers. The fact that home economics has been so widely accepted indicates that it is filling a real need in American education. In meeting this need, the introduction of a Home Economics Department into the curriculum of Spring Arbor Seminary and Junior College shows a marked advancement toward greater efficiency in preparing our young people for future activity. Orpha M. Knowles. Page PorIn-eight