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

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un SENIOR CLASS OFFICERS President Fred Safford Vice-President Jerry Cleaver Secretary Jeanne Bennett Treasurer Louise Vance

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Junior Promenade. In past years, this Prom had been the annual highlight of Maryland ' s social season, but due to wartime conditions the dance had been left off the social calendar since 1943 (the year of the famed trolley car prom). The Class of ' 47 set to work to revive this time-honored custom at Maryland and the result was one of the most colorful dances in Maryland history. Bobby Byrne and his orchestra, who have played at other out- standing Maryland dances in the past, were engaged to furnish the music in the impressive ballroom of Washington ' s Willard Hotel. As of old, the dance was strictly formal; and in the best Maryland tradition, the upperclass- men promenaded to the strains of the Grand March which climaxed the evening. Earlier, there had been a moment of suspense when announcement was made of the selection of Bert Williams, Tri Delt, to reign as Miss Terra- pin of 1946. The Terrapin queen this year was chosen by the victors of the Rose Bowl, the University of Alabama ' s football team, who selected the winning candidate on the basis of beauty, brains, and intelligence. In between dances, the tux-clad gentlemen and their elegantly attired ladies found refresh- ment at the soft drink stand specially set up for the evening by the Prom committee. By unanimous consent, the Prom was the high- light of the 1945-1946 season. Later in the spring, the juniors inaugurated a new class custom when, in conjunction with Mortar Board, they took over the responsi- bility of sponsoring the annual May Day cere- monies. As in past years, May Day left an impression of charm and beauty witnessed in an appropriately charming and beautiful set- ting. To the Class of ' 47 goes thanks for carrying on a significant Maryland tradition. Big night for all . . . . . . Sponsored by the Junior Class. 25

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of 1946 No more of this . . . or this. October, 1942., despite the impact of Pearl Harbor, saw a record number of rats and rab- bits descend on the Maryland campus. These neophytes, the dignified seniors of 1946, made their debut at the University first in rat hats and pig tails, later in tuxes and tails at the traditional Freshman Prom. With the dousing of their arch rivals, the sophomores, in Paint Branch, the nevvr class established themselves as a group to be reckoned with in Maryland life. Despite the loss of men to the armed forces and the lapse of class organization for the next two years, the present seniors held the class together during the difficult war years, and, with the revival of formal class organization this year, they once again became active. Early in the fall they elected Fred SafFord, president; Jerry Cleaver, vice-president; Jeanne Bennett, secretary; and Louise Vance, treas- urer. These officers were responsible for ar- ranging the traditional Senior Class Com- mencement Week activities. As a result of their planning, the annual senior banquet was held in the Statler Hotel ' s Congressional Room. Under their guidance also, the graduation cere- monies and baccalaureate service were planned and carried out. Climaxing this week of cere- mony and solemnity, the seniors of 1946 gave their final collegiate social function, the time- honored Senior Ball, thereby completing their four year rise from humble wearers of the rat cap to proud bearers of the Mortar Board. But this . . . and this. 11