University of Miami - Ibis Yearbook (Coral Gables, FL)

Page 19 text:

 The Student Refund Drive by FOSTER E. ALTER Apter a Supreme Court decision ordered the Florida Power and Light Company to refund excessive rates charged citizens of Miami and Coconut Grove, there began a movement fostered by prominent citizens to interest the refundees in assigning part or all of their refunds to the University of Miami. Phis resulted in the formation of the Fullbacks’ Committee with Attorney D. H. Redfearn as chairman, and in the adoption of a single purpose—to build a greater University. From the Committee's headquarters in the new DuPont Building. 38.000 letters were sent out to consumers of electricity in Miami and Coconut Grove. After sending the letter, members of the committee appeared Indore civic clubs throughout Miami, presented the proposition, and received favorable reactions in the form of resolutions by the clubs to cooperate by personally helping with the project. N'ews-pajKTS. radio stations, theatres—all offered their facilities. But in spite of this, the results were not particularly fruitful. While the committee was pondering the question, a group of undergraduates approached President Ashe to offer their help by personally contacting those to whom the letter had been sent. This meant laying the groundwork with a student committee, the absorption of organization leaders on the campus, and creation of general interest in the student body. The students selected their executive committee consisting of Brad Boyle, chairman; Joe Thomas, Bob Olsen. Lew Duff, Al Teeter. Jack Madigan, Maxwell Marvin, and Charles Guimento. . .. meant more than soliciting funds. Personalities developed; new acquaintances made; closer friendships knit. The committee and others received practical exper-ience by participating in the house-to-house campaign. After several weeks of experimentation. March 21 and 22 were set aside as “Student Refund Days. Orange and green teams were organized to create a competitive spirit. On the morning of March 21, nearly 600 students reported in 275 cars decorated with school colors. They went out in a serious attempt to increase the facilities of the University. The results were gratifying. for the students returned sufficient assignment cards to build an addition already planned by the administration but necessarily withheld. 32,000 citizens in Miami and Coconut Grove were told the story of the University of Miami in as fine a demonstration as any student body has ever given. For the students themselves, it meant that timid personalities developed confidence and assurance, new acquaintances were made, closer friendships were knit. There is yet much to Ik done in the way of follow-up. but the spirit of the entire student movement has been so commendable that completion of the enteqjrise is assured. Kach student who participated in the refund drive may feel justly proud that he has contributed a share in the task of building a greater University of Miami. One may rightly say, “We build ourselves at the University of Miami in many ways. [17] KiilhiiklnMIc ivtuilMit ill llw refund drive rally.

Page 18 text:

 College Life in the Tropics ... is like college life wherever you go - but O, the moon, the sailboats on the bay, the beach, those horses. by HETTY HAYES From Maine to California, from Washington to Florida we find an endless chain of colleges and universities all sizes, shapes, and varieties. Hut on the southernmost point of the United States, on a promontory pointing like a finger to the continent of South America we find the most unique of them all. a typical tropical university. Live with us for a day, wander through the halls and surrounding countryside, listen, and capture the spirit of the tropics. Ours is not a school of imposing buildings and stretches of beautiful campus, but it possesses an atmosphere all its own. Perhaps this is due to the foresight of the founders who based the University of Miami on a spirit of Pan-Americanism, to weld a link Ixtween the Americas. A gesture of goodwill and friendship, and hearty welcome to our southern neighbors. The patio is the Ixginning of all things at the University. Ideas are born beside the pool that shelters coral rocks, botanical specimens, and Joe the Turtle: friendships are former! and lessons are learned beneath the spreading palm trees, and romance finds a beginning on the many benches. Soft grass offers solace to weary siesta-seekers, and the banana tree forms an ideal background for snapshots to send home to Mother, while brilliant sunshine and tropical flowers cast vividness and unreality over all. The patio is the centra! meeting place around which the University literally and figuratively revolves. Classroom life is typical of that of any of the thousands of other schools in the United States, but when the last l cll rings the similarity ends. Ordinarily it would be an unusual sight to see students headed for a few hard sets of tennis, a swim, or a round of golf on a January day. But not so in Miami. At any time one may see happy groups on their way to the beach, sailing, bicycling, picnicking, or fishing. Dawn of many Saturday mornings finds the marine zoology class leaving for a day of deep sea diving from some distant island in search of specimens, or other natural science classes departing in the direction of the Everglades. The beach is also a focal point in the life of the University. Classes seem to adjourn, only to meet again shortly in an atmosphere of sand, bright sunshine and pounding surf, while classes are sometimes abandoned in favor of a lazy day under the sun. Twilight, strains of dinner music from the cafeteria, a soft murmur of Spanish from lingering groups, and the scent of night blooming jasmine are one of the most beautiful parts of the University. Night, and the Miami moon. But night must fall: ami after the last rosy cloud in the darkening sky turns to a silhouette, the typical student returns to resume his intellectual pursuits. Scantily clad, he props his book on the window-sill, and gazes out at the moonlit scene. His roommate also gazes for a few moments before he wistfully wishes that he asked that blond for a date. This leads to a discussion of women in general, who dates who, and what they think of each other. Before the discussion reaches this point, the other students in the building drop in and a bull-session rages on until someone discovers it is time for Cinderella to depart; so the uninvited guests take their leave, and our roommates finally study. But all is not beauty and light. Spring fever often reigns supreme from September until June, and the constant lure of the beach and other equally inviting places makes life one grand bout with temptation. A brilliant moon, smooth waters of the bay, and a wailing sailboat make even the most conscientious student forget his work. Yes, life at the Univesritv is very hard indeed. But beneath the lazy serenity of the tropics is a rush of activity in a forward movement that will eventually place the University of Miami near the top of the collegiate list—the typical tropical University. [16]

Page 20 text:

IVhos IVho Among Students Recognized by prominent college presidents, deans. and business men throughout the United States and Canada as a source lx ok for future employees in many fields. Who's Who Among Students hi American Universities and Colleges contains names and sketch biographies of men and women who have been outstanding in some phase of their collegiate life. Requirements for admission to an organization that stands with Phi Beta Kappa and the Rhodes Scholarship Awards as a standard of student measurement call for individuals who are prominent on their campuses and an asset to their schools. Those chosen have emphasized character, leadership, scholarship, and potentialities in their work. I-'rom the student lnxly of any college or university, not more than one and a half jiercent are chosen to represent any one school in Who's Who, this percentage being distributed proj ortionately l e-tween the men and coeds. In large schools the percentage is even less. Among University of Miami students there arc many whose accomplishments are noteworthy. Several of the most prominent have been selected for Who’s Who by Mary B. Merritt, dean of women; Dr. J. Riis Owre, secretary of the University; and Dr. Harold E. Briggs, professor of history. Ray For dm am, newly elected President of the student body, is a campus independent who has attained success and honors through his winning personality and hard work. He has developed leadership and initiative through the many jobs that have matured him for his difficult task next year. Ray is a self-made man. He started work as a newsboy and tried his hand at being a grocery clerk, a lx at steward, a truck driver, painter, roofer, gigilo. chauffeur, head usher at the football games and at the Ice Palace. In the University he is Dean Holdsworth’s assistant. Ray will continue in law school next year. John Brion is one of those rare politicians about whom one never hears much. He was Chief Justice of the Honor Court during the past year, and managed to settle all disputes brought to him and his court with the minimum of fuss and noise. Personally, he is a quiet, unassuming fellow, well liked and respected. He has been interested in politics throughout his school life; but he managed to keep his |H iitical actions on a level, honest basis, and will no doubt continue this same procedure in his legal practice when he is graduated. Betty Gokp is one of our outstanding woman politicians. Although she plays in the symphony orchestra, she found time to get herself elected Secretary of the Student Association and President of the Florida Student Government Association during her senior year. She took part in most of the worthwhile activities of the University and we prophesy that she will ultimately become another Eleanor Roosevelt if she continues her public career. Joe Thomas probably holds a school record for being the busiest man ever to dash about our campus. Not content with l eing elected President of the student l ody, Joe undertook to manage the school soda fountain and the post-office and bookstore, any one of which is an ordinary man's full time job. Then to lop it all off. Joe decided to revise the constitution of the student government, which successfully served to fill any leisure time he might have found in his life. Joe, who is a member of Pi ('hi Fraternity, was president of his class for two years prior to his election to the presidency of the Student Body. He has been tap| ed for Iron Arrow, and he is a member of Honors Literary Society. Norman Worthington is even rarer than John Brion in his unassuming and quiet jtolitical actions. Few people realize that Norman is even interested in such things. He was student assistant to Mr. McCracken. and a senior senator, and will probably graduate with the highest grades anyone ever attained in this University. But despite his extensive studying. Norman did take part in | olitics, usually playing the part of advisor or balancing wheel to hot-headed politicos. When he graduates, Norman hopes to go away to another school for graduate work and ultimately return here to teach j olitical science. At. Teeter transferred to the University from Columbia in 1936. Since then he has participated in varied phases of University life; in every field that he has Ray Fordham John Brion Betty Gorr Joe Thomas Norman Worthington Ai. Teeter Eddie Dunn Eleanor Matteson Charlotte Meccs Miguel Colas Robert Hance Margaret Shillington Philip Fenigson US]