Suffolk University - Beacon Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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1974-1978: A RETROSPECTIVE There is no period of time that appears as extended and distant in prospect as four years of col- lege attendance when con- templated on the day of freshman orientation. Con- versely, that same four years shrinks into a series of short memory flashes when recalled a year following graduation. Of course, this statement suffers, as do all generalities, when indi- vidual experiences are lumped for historical purposes; but it may be stated with more than a mod- icum of truth. The years 1974 to 1978, when viewed against the turbulent period that preceded them, could be characterized as confused in the beginning and purposeful at the end. Student attitudes in 1 974 were mixed. There were serious doubts on the value of an educa- tion. There was great hesitancy in choosing career goals for there remained segments of the great crusades of the late sixties and early seventies. These aims post- ulated that only social goals were of any value and dedication to world peace, elimination of world hunger and injustice alone could satisfy mankind as educational goals. It may be said with some cer- tainty that by 1978 the situation has changed. The dedication of youth to justice has not been elim- inated and never will be. For love, hope and the will to improve our social attitudes and environment are special to the young and es- sential to our periodic renewal. But, existing in a co-equal post- ure is a more pragmatic realiza- tion that energetic group idealism will not accomplish what can be done by the perfection of per- sonal skills in preparation for a well occupied and personally productive life. We should never ignore the impact of external influence on the individual. It is difficult to live through Watergate, the resigna- tion of a Vice President, the forced resignation of a President, the celebration of the Bicenten- nial and the shock of the energy crisis without being profoundly moved through cynicism, indig- nation, anger, great joy and seri- ous concern. We learned that power-hungry, small-minded men can tamper with revered institutions to such an extent that faith in the founda- tions of our republic can be se- verely shaken. We learned as well however, that our land and its time-tested government were harmed only in our minds. These offending individuals were shunted to the sidelines with no apparent damage to the demo- cratic system that has ennobled us in our concern for each other and the life we lead which is still the envy of the world. The 200th birthday of our na- tion which occured in the middle of your college career was really remarkable for its- outburst of joyous patriotism. Celebrated as it was at thousands of local civic parties, it provided a respite from turmoil and protest. The nation was ready to pronounce with grass roots sincerity that our constitution has stood the test of 200 years of assault and interpre- tation and has emerged as the bulwark of freedom and the creed for just self-government. Had the Divine Architect pur- posely place the Bicentenacry where it occurred in our history it could not have happened at a better or more necessary time. Rather than an end, it served as a beginning, a moment in the de- velopment of our nation to heed the events of the recent past and commence the building of the fu- ture. Time alone will tell, but 1975-1976 could be the entre acte period that marked the end of the wide open, expansionist, laissez-faire, non-personal years of American social and industrial history. When I was a boy, we were taught in geography and civics that the United States was capa- ble of any expansion that the creativity and ambition of its citi- zens could devise. We were told that the riches of the sea, the oil and minerals of the land, the timber of the forest, the size and quality of our lakes and streams were sufficient to support our children and our children ' s chil- dren. To be sure, there were some words of caution spoken quietly by a small number of thinking persons, but sobriety did not have popular appeal. Now, a mere fifty years later, we can count the number of our fishes, measure our oil and min- erals, record the limits of the productivity of our forests and seek to discover new sources of and a means of purify our waters. We are discovering to our chag- rin what has been known in Europe for centuries, that physi- cal resources must be used care- fully; and even more importantly, that individual life styles must be tailored to live within those re- sources. In many ways this may be good, fot it will focus our at- tention on the one unlimited re- source available to all — the in- telligence and creativity of our people. During your academic career, you shared the new realization that learning is a lifetime experi- ence. You were able to share the joy of a man who earned his bachelor ' s degree at the age of four score year and two and to attend class with contemporaries of your parents and grandpa- rents. This was thrilling for them and enriching for you. America had rediscovered a new and excit- ing resource. In all, you experienced four years of inevitable change that ran the gamut of the emotions — from hostility to happiness. These were lessons learned, some tri- vial, some great, but all contribut- ing to a lasting memory of an ex- citing period of discovery and new wisdom. THOMAS A. FULHAM PRESIDENT OF SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY