St Olaf College - Viking Yearbook (Northfield, MN)

Page 33 text:

PHYSICS MR. HETLE Mr. Eric Hetle's realistic presentation of facts and his wealth of experiences make the study of physics vital and important to his students. His popularity with students continues as his forty years of unselfish service indicates. Hopsan IN THE Science and Administration Building the physics department has served as a key for open- ing the fields of research, engineering, and teaching to many students. Here, too, students discover for themselves the value of laboratory experimentation and are familiarized with the art of using scientific in- struments. ln well-equipped laboratories, students ac- quire skills which will aid them in further develop- ment. Always an important Held, the war has brought to physics added importance. Young men and women realize that the war demands an added scientific knowledge. We must have youth trained in scientific methods in order to win this war. Realizing this need, the physics department has been enlarged to cope with the requirements of the army and navy. Our government has demanded that each man entering branches of selective service has at least a fundamen- tal knowledg-e of this subject. Because of this stipula- tion, more men are now taking physics than at any other tim-e in the history of the department. This field op-ens new horizons to young women as w-ell as men. Occupations such as nursing and di-etetics de- mand physics as a foundation for future study. Through the cooperation of the faculty and students, St. Olaf has been able to achieve a well-established physics department. MR. FOSSUM The quiet humor and helpful explanations of Mr. Peter Possum give added enioyment to the study of physics. His ready smile and warm personality en- courage many a hesitant student. MR. GLESNE Mr. Enoch Glesne returned to his Alma Mater this year to become instrumental in the work of both the mathematics and physics departments. He is well-known and liked by the freshman students for whom he is physics lab instructor.

Page 32 text:

llllllfllllllES MR. CARLSON Mr. Clarence Carlson is an enthusiastic teacher, de- sirous of showing his students the truths of facts and principles. His classes are characterized by a liveliness and spontaneity which makes him a great favorite among his students. MR. ERICKSON Besides shouldering the burden of resident head of Ytterboe Hall, Mr. VVilhelm Erickson is an instructor in the expanded war program of mathematics. He ably handles the responsibility of starting hopeful Frosh along the path of knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. gels C -., I . W i in f W. ii MR. seniviior 1 Mr. P. G. Schmidt has also assumed new responsi- bilities in the field of mathematics. His ability is clearly indicated by the enthusiasm of his students. He has the faculty of making mathematics more human. HBONIB BAYs OPEN, bombs armed. Over objective Right -right-left, steady as you go-bombs awayf, Such might be the direction of a bombadier to his pilot who might be one of our own St. Olaf Vikings. Mathematics has jumped to the fore as a subject which must be mastered by our fighting men of today, specifically our potential officers. The United States needs oflicers, and n-eeds them badly. An accelerated program of mathematics is pushing its way into our college curriculum under forced draft. On the prac- tical mathematical knowledge of our college men, our future oflicers, rests the success or failure of this war. This study enters all th-e fields of combat. If it were not for a thorough knowledge of mathematics, navi- gators would never be able to direct bombers to their objectivesg battle-wagons would be unable to fire at targets sixty-five miles away. Likewise this knowledge is needed by submarine officers to ascertain positions of enemy ships. By the same token our battle fleets would be unable to cripple en-emy submarines. lt is practically impossible to overemphasize the importance of trigonometry, algebra, and geometry in times like these. To our instructors in the art of the compass and slide-rules should go all due credit for their excellent job in forging tools for our officers to work with in this struggle. Only by appreciating fully the mathematical principles can we realize the job before our professors.

Page 34 text:

6? at fs Align, MR. WEISI-IEIT Mr. Charles Weisheit in- jects zest and spirgit into his teaching. Combined with an active humor, he helps to remove the bookishness from eco- nomics and sociology and makes them real to the student. 'UU DR. MELLBY Dr. Carl A. Mellby's in- dustriousness and acu- men are a cause of amazement to students and younger faculty members alike. Even amid the busy task of teaching, he finds time to be friendly with his fellow teachers and stu- dents. DR. BORAAS The inspiring and hu- manizing teaching of Dr. Iulius Boraas have gained him a great many friends on the Hill. He always stresses the functions and skills acquired in educa- tion. Ever trying new methods of teaching, his classes are never dull. t g: iv '1 'C '4' Mm ' ww . 2 I Q yr Slllll THE SOCIAL se1ENcEs are maintained to give students the benefit of the experiences of man through the ages as he lived in organized communities. They at- tempt to teach ways by which students can cope with all types of environments as they me-et them in life. If man is ever to have the peace that he claims to seek, he must be educated and trained to live A' in harmony with his neighbor. Someone once made the statement, History teaches us that history teaches us nothingf, ln looking back into the past, one is in- clined to agree with the statement. However, it does not mean that man cannot learn from history. Grad- ually we acquire the realization that our instructors in these social studies have more than their share of work as they att-empt to instill in us the prop-er con- cern for the ultimate significance of thoughts and actions of capricious mankind. We, of this generation, are indeed fortunate to have a group of professors who are not only experts in their respective fields, but have a wealth of experience founded on cold facts with which they aid us in understanding the complexities of our modern life. History is the record of man's economic, political, social, educational, and psychological trends and ac- tions. Even now we ar-e pouring into the t-est tube of life the constituents which constitute history. DR. HANSON 1 Although psychology is V a science, Dr. Abner -.W . Hanson is primarily in- . t terested in individuals. He attempts to help stu- ' dents shape their person- alities by revealing the true self of the student.