University of California Berkeley - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

Page 18 text:

Vnivcr ' gtiy of {gulHav sssa ienced teacher, and nothing is wanted except some additional apparatus to make this one of the most complete gymnasiums in this country. Every student, as he feels himself daily growing physically and mentally stronger under its health-giving stimulus, can not but cherish in his heart the kindliest feelings toward the gentleman who has been so generous a benefactor to the University. The College of Mechanic Arts, which has been in course of construction during a part of the last year, is now completed, and stands upon the campus, a model of strength and grace. The plans for the erection of a building to hold the Art Collection, donated by Mr. Bacon, of Oakland, are now in the hands of a committee and work will soon be commenced. Besides being an art gallery, it will hold the library of the University, which will contain, besides the books at present in the library, 5,000 volumes given by Mr. Bacon, together with the books to be purchased with the $50,000 donated for that purpose by the late Michael Reese. The above mentioned advantages are those which have accrued to us through outside aid. No less pleasant is the task of describing the doings of the students themselves. These achievements, though they may not seem on so grand a scale, yet they are no less important in their results. Of course, in the narrow space allotted us we can only hope to give a brief outline of the work done. It is a deplorable fact, but one that can not be concealed, that our liter- ary societies have fallen behind their record of last year. This is not due to the officers, for they all have worked zealously to make these societies popular and instructive, but it has mainly arisen through the lack of in- terest displayed by the students, members of these societies, in attending and being prepared to take part at the weekly meetings. The Durant Society, which was as old almost as the University itself, was, through the uninterestedness displayed by its members, obliged to dis- organize, but its place has been filled by a new literary society of the same name, and it bids fair to become as popular as was its name-sake in its halcyon days. The meetings of the Neolean Literary Society, though seemingly not so popular as last year, sttil enjoy a fair attendance. We welcome to the ranks the new literary star, the Parthenian Literary Society. It is wholly managed

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BI. HE Ecliptic has again been traversed since the Class of ' 79 published the fifth volume of the BLUE AND GOLD. The Class of ' 80, having determined to follow out the example set by preceding Classes and perpetuate this custom, has summed up and set forth in the following pages the inner life and social aspect of the students at our College as they exist at present. The aim of the BLUE AND GOLD has been so often told in preceding volumes that for the sake of variety we will omit it here, merely mentioning the fact that we do not expect nor desire the compliments of those who have suddenly been made famous through these columns ; nor need any one feel envious if his name is accidentally omitted from the catalogue. In reviewing the events of the past year the thought naturally arises what object to be chronicled is most worthy of precedence. Undoubt- edly the most prominent object, and the one that will confer the greatest benefit upon the whole body of the students, is the Harmon Gymnasium, built and given to the University by A. K. P. Harmon, of Oakland. This elegant structure, under the guidance of a committee from the four classes, has been put on a sound basis. Regular instruction is given by an exper-

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TIjc X!Iuc s.url Otolrl. 5 and guided in its work by the lady students of the University. It is a proud monument to the untiring energy of the co-eds of our young institu- tion. Our University supports two college publications. Their tone has been ever manly and independent, and we think that it has always been the course of the editors to conduct them so as to subserve the best interests of both Faculty and students. The Berkeleyan since it has been changed into a monthly magazine has been ably edited and has won many warm encomiums from the college press in the East. The CEstrus, although not aiming at a high literary standard, has gained a fair reputation among its Eastern brethren, and enjoys the confidence of a majority of the students. In the matter of athletics a praiseworthy advance has been made. From the daily practice in the gymnasium we hope in time to develop some first- rate athletes. A series of base-ball games has been played between the four classes. If the scores have not been so low as those in the games played by professional nines, it has been as much the fault of the grounds as of any defects in the nines. With our new ball grounds we hope to make a better record. In foot-ball an effort was made to bring the twenties of the two lower classes together in a friendly contest, but the Sophomores failing to come to time the game was declared for the Freshmen. Field Day has been in- troduced here this year for the first time. It is to be hoped that this day, which is almost general among Eastern colleges, will be kept up and be- come popular here. In reviewing the classes we shall only speak briefly of the most promi- nent things that present themselves to our mind. Anyone wishing a more minute description is respectfully referred to the respective class histories, where such details properly belong. The Senior Class has the satisfaction of graduating a larger number than any preceding class, and larger than any class will probably graduate for several years to come. They have at present about 60 members and the number of graduates will not fall many short of that number. ' 79 has also the satisfaction, if it be any, of issuing the largest BLUE AND GOLD of any preceding class. We cannot but regret the want of harmony existing be- tween all the members of the Senior Class. While the dissensions which have arisen in the class cannot but be deemed unfortunate for ' 79, it may prove of great benefit to succeeeding classes to beware of the same results.