University of Massachusetts Lowell - Sojourn / Knoll Yearbook (Lowell, MA)

Page 9 text:

Message to the Class of 1954 The development of a class during its four college years is a most remarkable phenomenon to observe — the uncertainties and gropings of the freshman year, the expansiveness and explorations of the sophomore year, the coming of age and the critical attitudes of the junior year, and finally the maturity and independence of the senior year. Perhaps the two most important aspects of this growth are a spirit of homogeneity that serves to bind the students into a unified class, and an individual creativity that serves to uncover the student ' s limitations and weaknesses, and his capabilities and talents. Strangely enough, social growth, which often neces- sitates the curbing of individual wishes, and individual growth, which often clashes with tradition, complement one another. When these two opposing forces conflict, a higher degree of both group and individual progress is attained. The greater the loyalty and pride felt in being a member of a unified class, the more fertile is the environment for individual development; likewise, the more fully is expanded the personality of the in- dividual, the more vitalizing is the spirit of homo- geneity which the students feel for their class. It is very significant that you of the Class of 1954 have chosen as the theme of your Yearbook a symbol that exempli- fies simply and directly the mutual complementation of the unified group versus the individual. In your in- stinctive wisdom, you have expressed the homogeneous spirit of your class in an individual and the personal development of the individual in your class. Through an intelligent permissiveness, the good teacher establishes an environment that cultivates the evolution of a homogeneous spirit among the pupils in his class along with the creative development of each of its members. Such a leader encourages his students to be themselves, and teaches them — as they actually are, rather than as they ought to be — to express them- selves freely and yet to contribute to the good of the whole class. May you take with you into the public schools the objective conviction that emphasizes the cultivation of a common feeling among your pupils of belonging to a unique class, and the subjective attitude that emphasizes respect for each individual, who, through the creative development of his own personality, will enhance the homogeneous spirit of the whole class. D. R. Procopio

Page 8 text:

DEDICATION TO MR. PROCOPIO We are proud to dedicate the 1934 Knoll to you, Mr. Procopio, in gratitude and ap- preciation for the wonderful years of guidance and loyalty that you have given as our advisor. Your never-ending patience, your love for and knowledge of your art, and above all, your own personal character will continue to inspire us throughout our lives to become better teachers and better persons. It is extremely difficult to express in words just how much you came to mean to us as we grew together as a class — how deeply we admire your simplicity and sincerity, your warmth and generosity. Perhaps the song we dedicated to you at our first step-singing ceremony illustrates most forcibly our complete devotion to you .... Your smile, your twinkle, we think are grand We ' re proud that you ' ve been our guiding hand Oh, the maze of problems that you have pulled us through You ' ve encouraged and helped us and this much we know is true Forever more you ' re our idol high In none could we have a greater pride Oh, Procopio, sir, we the Senior Class say God Bless You, and here ' s our thanks !

Page 10 text:

President ' s Message The true teacher is an artist who patiently works with living clay. The greatest art has always been produced in troubled times. When were times more troubled than today? In creative striving the artist finds re- lease and his reward is in the joy of his achievement. A recent novel posed the question What good does it do to do good? No true teacher needs an answer to that question. He knows that the important thing in life is not what you do for yourself, but what you do for others, that art and success are not outside extra things but the natural outcome of a state of being, that doing good is its own reward and needs no other. And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only — Amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. It is not what is remembered of you, if anything, a century hence, that matters, but rather the silent diffusion of your thought and action moulded into the shape of other men ' s lives.