University of Maryland College Park - Terrapin / Reveille Yearbook (College Park, MD)

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?|istorp of tije Class of ' 06 T SEEMS scarce a year since the birthday of this Class of Nineteen- six. By what act of Providence, by what peculiar coincidence did Cambrid ' e, Buffalo, Frostburg, Venezuela, Beltsville, Luray and many other equally unknown places decide to be represented in our class roll in the fall of 1902? The problem has no solution, but yet we came, lots of us, and what a sorry spectacle we presented. But there was great consolation in the way in which we were received, especially by the Class of 1905. Their kind and generous hospitality was unsurpassed, and the ways and means which they had at their command to show us a good time were to be com- plimented. Nothing daunted, however, we bore up bravely and completed the Freshman year without any serious accidents. The following year we returned, forty strong, advertising the fact generally that we were It and Old Boys. Having been taught by the class before us to be generous, considerate and kind, we bestowed these virtues upon the Class of 1907, who thanked us most heartily for our attention. It was about this time that the ' 05 ' s air castles were torn asunder, and that their hats fell down over their eyes. We did meet their football team upon the campus and hold them down to the score of 5 to zip. It also happened during this term that we demonstrated before the eyes of the world and the high priests, our skill and ability in rasing Hob, generally, on Hollow ' een night. However, we burned with envy and jealousy toward the Class of 1907 because we did not receive the great honor of being termed Mushroom Heroes. In studies, we were an accomplished and brilliant class, breaking several records for high stand- ing. We even received fewer zeroes from Professor Lanahan than has any Sopho- more Class in the history of the institution ! Although our class roll was deplora- bly thinned out at the beginning of our Junior year, the old saying that Fine goods come in small packages was especially applicable to the noble sixteen which returned that Fall. We now came to realize more seriously than ever before, that we were sent here for a certain purpose — that we were here to lay the foundation upon which our life work should rest. We saw clearlv the necessity of making this foundation 26

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LEMUEL FERDINAND ZERKEL, Major Luray, Va. Classical. Assistant Manaq ' cr Football Team ' 04, Class Historian ' 05,, Chairman Programme Committee Morrill Lit- erary Society ' 05, Manager Football Team ' 05, Secretary Athletic Council ' 05, Secretary Class ' 06, Editor-in- Chief Reveille ' 06, Secretary Ross- bourg Club ' 06, Chairman Reception Committee Rossbourg Club ' 06, Presi- dent Morrill Literary Society ' 06, De- bater in Intercollegiate Debate ' 06, M. A. C. Curator in the Association of Maryland Colleges ' 06, Chairman Re- freshment Committee June Ball Or- ganization ' 06, Salutatorian ' 06. I have speech of fire, that fain would blaze. — Shakespeare. The subject of this sketch was born at New Market, Virginia, on February i8th, 1886. After a few uneventful years in this burg, he crossed the mountains to r)ld Lura}-, and it is supposed that he first appeared to the general public wan- dering in the Luray Caverns, a three weeks ' growth of red bristles on his chin, with various treatises upon physiology, psychology and the occult sciences under his arm, and rehearsing an oration upon student athletics, labor organizations or some kindred subject. He was early attached to the executive stafT of the Luray Caverns Co., and was soon promoted to a responsible and influential position furnishing the much-famed echo. He received his first enlightenment in the public schools of Luray, but early betook himself to the source of all learning there to join — now to prepare the way for the illustrious class that now claims him. He has the honor to have led his class during the last two years of his course. More studious than strenuous, his athletic abilities were not disclosed until his class needed him for an end in the Junior-Sophomore football game. The beginning was not the end, however, as he now appears regularly upon the base- ball field. To the great misfortune and regret of all concerned. Ferdie ' s career of activity seems to have been permanently checked by the premature disabling of both wrists. Moral — Look before }ou leap, or beware of Hyattsville. 25

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rigid, lasting and strong, so tliat we buckled down to hard work with renewed earnestness an d enthusiasm until we fairly astounded the Faculty with our knowledge and wisdom. It was in this year that there appeared in our midst a specimen from the Hub of the Universe, a man of lengthy stature, of set features and Yankee ideas ; a valuable addition to our number. At last came the height of our ambition — the Senior year — and with it the proverbial dignity and stately bearing. We were now a dozen in number, with Ingram, a baker ' s dozen. In accepting the additional responsibilities, we exerted every effort to make this, our last year, a successful one, a year which should be an honor to our class and to our College. The term has passed by swiftly and smoothly and, we are sure, satisfactorily to both the Faculty and to ourselves. During our stay within these walls we have suffered the loss by death of two very respected classmates and we wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families. And now the time has come when me must lift the protecting wing of our beloved College and go forth in the wide world to meet the trials and sorrows, the pleasures and sad moments which the future has in store ; and, above all, to carry on the good work, which was so well begun, of the honorable Class of Nineteen-six. Class ScribK. 27