Swarthmore College - Halcyon Yearbook (Swarthmore, PA)

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new Prexy in his first appearance as President of Swarth- more. Previously he had been mistaken for the eighth book-and-key man. Following the President ' s address they were ushered up to Collection Hall, where, sprawled on the floor they were entertained by the ever reliable Mortar Board and Book and Key, who prov.ded them with some original skits, with Fred Reed and Henri Kirn playing the parts of bewildered Frosh. After a pleasant evening ' s enter- tainment, the greenhorns retired to their rooms for their first night in the new mysterious surroundings of Thomas, Foote, Wharton, Pitt and Parrish. Throughout the rest of the week the Mortars and Bookkeys continued to dole out their generous services; and even though the picnic in Crum was driven into the field house because of adverse weather conditions, it was no less successful. Ross Clmchy and Elliot Alexander organized a gigantic basketball game, which was fun for all, except possibly for one unfortunate forty-fourette who was hit squarely in the face with one ball while trying to dodge another. Grant Heilman had the whole class singing The Old Beer Bottle in a short time, and this plus the sweet refrains of Kwink were excellent material for the highly important singing repertoire. Naturally there was some time taken up with more serious affairs, such as talking Vv ' ith professors and deans, taking placement tests, and preparing courses for the long hard year to come. All too soon came the realization that the week was approaching its end; and then loomed the terrible fact that in one more day the upper-classmen would return and seize their little world forcing them into humble sub- mission. Nasty rumors were crculating, to the effect that Dinks and Name Cards would soon make Ufe miser- able for them. That Tuesday found the 44 s cowering in the corners, awaiting the incoming tide. And it came.

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FRESHMAN CLASS The largest Freshman class in Swarthmore ' s history came surging m on the afternoon of Thursday, September 19th, 1940. Standing before them staunch and gray stood the buildings and campus over which they were to rule for one glorious week. Magill Walk presented a panorama of scores of puzzled faces, each one seeming to say What do we do now? ' , while others seemed to reply, Don ' t ask me, I ' m a stranger here myself. Mortar Board and Book and Key took a last deep breath and settled down to the tremendous task of entertaining two hundred and fifty freshmen. Overwhelmed by his iirst glimpse of the campus, some carefree Freshman started to — of all things — sing! In a few minutes another pioneer joined in, then another. Spontaneously the members of the class of 1944 had found their favorite type of entertainment; and as a result, acquired their first nickname — the Singiest class that has yet appeared. The process of registering and iinding where one ' s room was took most of Thursday afternoon. When this was over, ' 44 paraded into the dining room for its first meal at Swarthmore. Those little slips in the baskets at the dining-room door, directed each Frosh to the mixed table where he was to sit. The system of mixed tables was the ideal way to get to know one ' s classmates; and It was at this point that the questions began that dom- inated the conversation throughout most of Freshman week: What ' s your name? then Where do you come from? then What ' s your major? After supper the class gathered in Clothier for their first Collection, where they were addressed by one who described himself as another freshman, namely our 18

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but to the surprise of the inferiors, they were left un- scathed by the deluge. Perhaps some of the Sophomores, who for the first time had someone to look down on, felt a little superior, but that was only human : and they like the juniors and seniors approached their new underlings with a genuine and warm desire to make new friends. The new class has since this time proved itself a lively and interested group, and the mainstay of many college activities, such as the Phoenix, the Glee Club, and the Band. Athletic coaches found themselves besieged by the biggest squads in many years. Aided by the unusually eificient Executive committee, the Freshmen have put on several parties of their own, proving themselves to be a wide awake, fun-loving class. Further proof is the fact that the numerals on the water tower were the neatest and boldest in many years. It will be three years before the Class of 1944 can rule the roost again; but in the meantime they won ' t let the upper-classmen forget that here they are . . . and rarin to go.