Springfield College - Massasoit Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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Springfield’s Contribution to the Present World Conflict F. B. Wilson ’16 E. N. Smith ' 17 E. M. Best ’ll L). A. McRae ’13 Springfield now has over fifty alumni and undergraduates who are identified in an intimate way with the war. The letters from these men seem all too infrequent, but the information which the College has received indicates that every man is rendering most valiant service, either as an Association of- ficer or in the ranks. The interest of all Springfield men in the welfare and work of these men is exceedingly keen. The following delightful tribute has been received from a prominent clergyman who has recently visited the war zone: — “After working in a score of the English camps and finding the men without any training whatever, and without any vision to see what the great task offered, it was a marvelous relief to drop in on the group of Canadian Y. M. C. A. captains, there to discover trained, efficient, devoted leaders of men, and winners of souls. Really you cannot imagine the contrast between the work being done by Ernest Best, Ed Smith, and Frank Wilson, and the ordinary Y. M. C. A. workers. Never a meeting did we have to worry about in the Canadian area. Everything was planned. Heartiest co-operation was given. They were as keen for the spiritual appeal as they were for big receipts at the coffee bar, but in addition these men knew the job, they work the social end, the athletic end. They knew how to stir and enthuse a crowd. If you could hear Ed Smith lead his bunch of a thousand men singing, “If You Were the Only Girl in the World and I Were the Only Boy,” as a prelude to a most serious and useful spiritual meeting! Then go over and watch Best manage a championship soccer game and a championship baseball game, and turn from that to take up the business side of his hut work and then sit down with him to plan a spiritual pamphlet for the men! You have evidently given them a training that arms them at every point for this difficult job. Deep experiences and impressions came to me in that month in the camps, but I am sure you are getting many letters from there and from France, and you appreciate how valuable the service is. i wish that a score of your men could go over for the spring and summer work in the English camps, where the same kind of work is so sorely needed. You see they don’t even know what they are missing, because they cannot get that type of worker. It made me proud of Springfield College, and of our American training.” 25

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For the purpose of systematizing and unifying the gifts of the alumni to the College, the Association in 1908 adopted the plan of the Living Endowment Union. Membership in the Union is open to all of the alumni and former students. The essence of the agreement consists of the payment of a sum designated which would represent five per cent annual interest on an amount set apart in theory or in fact for the benefit of the College, such annual payments to be increased, diminished, or discontinued at the will of the subscriber. It has been the thought of the Association to have all alumni gifts to the College made through this organization and a large number have been enrolled. With the steady increase in the number of the alumni, it has been possible to organize sectional Associations in different centers, each of which have held occasional gatherings characterized by happy fellowship and with substantial evidences of loyalty to their Alma Mater. The Associations organized are as follows: Eastern New England with headquarters in Boston, Robert C. Cubbon, President; W. R. Challice, Secretary. The Connecticut Valley with headquarters in Springfield, F. E. Seybolt, President; G. B. Affleck, Secretary. Western New York, C. E. Fleming, President; G. W. Watson, Secretary. New York with headquarters in New York City, J. C. Armstrong, President; John Scott, Vice-President; C. C. Shean, Vice-President; P. F. Jerome, Vice-President; H. W. Northcott, Treasurer; A. J. Stearns, Secretary. Nuclei are being formed in several additional centers. The New York and Boston Associations unite with the Senior and Junior classes respectively at a banquet in connection with the annual trips. The particular work of the Alumni Association during these past two years has centered about the securing of funds for the salary of the much-needed fi- nancial secretary of the College. At the last annual meeting, $1,769 was re- ported in cash and pledges for this purpose. - In connection with the Employed Officers’ Conference which will be held at the College next June, immediately following the Commencement season, a most unusual opportunity is afforded for a great home-coming of the alumni. The Alumni Association is planning for a reunion on a scale never before con- sidered. The membership of the Association consists of graduates and others who have attended the College. Any man who has been at least one year at the College and has done creditable work is eligible to active membership by a majority vote at any regular meeting of the Association. The officers of the Association for the year 1916-17 are as follows; Louis E. Day, ’06, President; John H. Scott, ’04, First Vice-President; C. E. Fleming, TO, Second Vice-President; C. IF Line, T3, Third Vice-President; R. L. Cheney, ’01, Secretary; M. L. Dinsmore, ’90, Treasurer. 24

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