Springfield College - Massasoit Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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12 THE MASS ASOIT — 1912 nates of the college. The college is able to reproduce itself, an indication of strong vitality. The faculty have been obliged to work out their own courses of study and to adapt them to the new problems as they were presented. Bv the material growth of an institution its advancement can more readily be determined. The insti- tution began its independent life in 1890 without resources or equipment, except the Historical Library of works on the V M. G. A. and the Gulick Library of works on physical education. The property on the shores of Mas- sasoit Lake, consisting of thirty acres of land, was purchased with marked foresight for the building of a great institution. The first building to be erected was the old gymnasium in 1894. This was presented by Preston B. Keith, Benjamin Thaw, Colonel Charles A. Hopkins and Roland Hazard and was the first building erected for Christian physical education. During the years 1893-’97 funds were secured for the erection of the “Dormi- torv Building used for general school purposes as was also the emergency fund of $50,000. These financial efforts under the leadership of Oliver C. Morse placed the school on its feet ready for the developments that were to follow. In 1904 Mrs. Eleanor S. Woods presented the school with Woods Hall, to be used as a social center and a dining hall. In 1910 funds were received for the erection of additional gymnasium space, with the result of the addition made to the old gymnasium known as the West Gym. Also in the same year Mr. Herbert L. Pratt of New York City presented the school with the beautifully enclosed athletic field. The following fall this same generous person erected the new grandstand, of 1.100 seating capacity. Funds have been secured for the erection of the much needed library; the corner stone of which the present graduating class hope to lay before leaving for their work. Of the possibilities for further expansion nothing definite can be said. However, we can state a few things which the faculty and trustees are striving to bring to pass. At the dedication of the new gym nasium on the sixth of February last, an appeal was made for funds with which to continue the building program. A generous response on the part of our friends should result in some or all of the following “air castles” taking shape in brick and stone: the completion of the tower on the gymnasium, a swimming pool, a new dormitory large enuf to replace the present structure, which then might be completely remodeled into an administration building, the enlargement of Woods Hall, the erection of a science building and in time a chapel. All of these things are greatly needed and must soon come if we arc to continue to grow. Onlv one more tln’ng needs to be mentioned and of this one it may be added that prospects are somewhat more certain than is the case regarding what has just previously been chronicled. The course of study will, ver aion perhaps, be further improved by the addition of another year, making four in all. Then, indeed, will we have a curriculum equal or superior to any other “best.”

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14 THE MASS ASOIT — 1912 iLaturencc Locke Doggetr, £0. 3D., db. 3D. Altho he has never been known to publicly make a touch-down or swat a three bagger, he frequently performs mighty deeds of valor. Not the least of these are his daring and successful expeditions on the high seas of finance. With his First Mate, Prof. Cheney, he has returned on more than one occasion with a golden fleece. Jason’s stupendous feat of yoking to the plow two fire-breathing bulls with brazen feet, pales into insignificance before our President’s bravest deed. It was in New York when with only his armor- bearer, Dr. Mac, he yoked the class of 1912 and compelled them to docilely plow a straight furrow thru to Washington. To the amazement and admiration of his friends he can discuss bronzes, air ships, athletics, matrimony, the latest wrinkle in education or politics, and with equal facility he teaches a class in religious education by proxy. “None have yet learned to trace the day’s disasters in his morning face.” Win or lose he always appears with a brand new Van Dyke smile. It has been a rare lesson and inspiration to see the Christ-like way in which he has borne the unusually severe trials that have come to him during the last two years. When the birth pangs of the new ideals in religious and educational thot arc understood, his name will be written high as one of the chief apostles of the larger and more joyous life. No more fitting picture can we hang on our memory’s wall of his relation to us than that which Goldsmith portrays of the village preacher in the following lines: “He watched and wept , he prayed and fell for all; His ready smile a parent ' s warmth exprest, Their welfare pleased him, and their cares distressed; To them his heart, his love, his griefs were given. “ Now what do yon think about it? Don ' t yon think it would be possible?