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

Page 21 text:

FRESHMO Orientation Text 19, Illustration 57, 58, Administration Text 20, 21, Illustration 59, Faculty Text 21-24, Illustration 60-62, Deans and Committees Text 25, Illustration 63, Fraternity and Sorority Councils and Rush- ing Text 26, Illustration 64-65, 82-83, Fra- ternities Text 27-42, Illustration 66-80, Soro- rities Text 43-55, Illustration 84-96, Honorary Text 56, Illustration 97, Intramural sports Text 56, Dorms Illustration 98-99, Freshman Class Text 19, Illustration 100-101, Convoca- tion Illustration 102. 17

Page 23 text:

ORiEwmioni reshmen see life at Maryland at its best. Rushing, registration, and a whirl of dances . . . now only a pleasant memory. Ihe University of Maryland saw the first peace-time year bringing a great influx of students to its folds. The major part of these students were incoming and retiu-n- ing veterans. Emergency housing projects were immediately undertaken, and unused space hastily converted into classrooms. Sorority welcome mats were dusted oflf as 300 quivering and none-too-confident rushees crossed the thresholds of the various Greek houses. After the whirl of parties which lasted for a week, broken only by a Terrace Dance held on the patio of Dorm C and a Religious Life Reception given in the Maryland Room, the bewildered neophytes made their all- important choices of sororities. Following hard on the heels of rushing, not even allowing the girls time to recuperate from the tea and punch epidemic, came regi- stration. Rumors were gathered that regis- tering was a breeze, but these were quickly dispelled when the Freshmen went through sectioning and waited hours in lines for English, Botany, Speech, etc. The second Freshman get- to-gether was a reception a la grand scale held in the Coliseum. There the new students were introduced to the S.G.A. executives and to the leaders of the various organi- zations on campus; old M.U. tradi- tions were reviewed, and, to top off the evening, there was dancing to the music of Walt Salb and his Orchestra. During the football season the students came forth with top spirit and enthusiasm. The Independents took the proverbial cake for the most unique pep rally, although other groups were not slackers when it came to whitewashing and obvious zeal. One of the biggest features of the year was the Academic Convocation for all students and faculty, held on November 8th. The guest speaker was the Reverend Mr. Brown Harris. Faculty, Seniors and R.O.T.C. marched into the Coliseum in file and took their respective places. Elections of Freshman class oflBcers met postponement several times. Finally, after much soliciting and campaigning by the candi- dates and their agents, poUs were opened and votes counted. Those elected to the realm of ' oflBcerhood ' were: Dee Libbey, president; Ray Callegary, vice-president; Betty Banks, secre- tary; Johnny Appel, treasurer; Peggy O ' Con- nor, historian; Ken Fowler, ser- geant-at-arms ; Clifford May, Men ' s League representative; Margaret Showell, Women ' s League repre- sentative. Having accustomed themselves to the tempo of the school, the Frosh sat back, took a deep breath, and wondered, What next? 19