University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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During our Senior year ' ' 1903 ' ' had a marked revival in class spirit and class loyalty. Socials, banquets, athletic teams, and all class affairs have received enthusiastic support from the rank and file of the students. In place of the tabooed Smoker we held this year a series of Banquets at Willet ' s White House (Oyster Bay). These were stag affairs, and our first one, held in March, was perhaps the greatest gathering 1903 ever had. With a vim and spirit never before equaled, toasts, speeches, and songs were given, interspersed with the old yell: Rah Reel Rah Ree! Michigan, Michigan, Naughty-Three. It was at this meeting that the custom of having a bench on the Campus exclusively for Seniors, to be passed on to succeeding classes, was inaugurated. Just as the old clock in the Library Tower was striking for midnight, the Banqueters arrived on the Campus and dedicated the Bench under Tappan Oak with more speeches, songs, and yells. The bench is a meeting place for Seniors at all times of the day or night. It is already proving very popular and bids fair to become a tradition at Michigan. No history of the Class of 1903 can be wholly a chronicle of politics, athletics, and student escapades. There is a great deal under the surface that cannot be written. There is the midnight oil, the aching brain, and the heavy eye, for 1903 has many good students, not to say scholars, and all of us study at times. Without any purpose to make invidious comparisons, out of a host that might be taken, a few at least deserve honorable mention for scholastic attainments. The literary spirit has not been lacking in the Class of 1903. Richard Ray Kirk has been called our poet-laureate. He has been connected with the Wrinkle and Inlander during his entire college career, having spent one year in the managing editorship of each. Miss Lillian K. Sabine was for three years the lone woman ' s editor upon the staff of the U. of M. Daily. Earle I. Houston has been managing editor of the Daily during his Senior year, while other of our classmen have been honorably connected at various times with this publication. Mr. Roy Sellers stands out as perhaps the foremost philosopher of the class, having been President of the Philosophical Society this year. James H. Russell has been in very close touch with the Faculty during his three years ' residence at the University, and is now doing special work in the American History Department. Edward Sonnenschein, who was for three years a member of the Class of 1903, has represented Michigan upon winning debating teams against Chicago, Minnesota, and Wisconsin Universities. And these are only a few of the many who have brought honor to the Class of 1903. Our class graduates at an epoch-making period in the history of the Engineering Department, for it will be remembered that 1903 is the last class in which the Engineering and Literary students are affiliated under one organization. The relations between these two elements have always been the most happy, and there has never been 10

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could take exception to them. But the Smoker in general went under the ban of the Faculty, and ' 03 Smokers, like the rest, passed into history. Naughty-Three held the last Smoker ever perpetrated. In our third year several of our classmen entered the field of S. L. A. politics. John Robinson was prevailed upon to make the run for President. As usual Robbie had the united support of his class and, in fact, of the whole Literary Department in this election. But he had strong opposition in the Law Department, and the Medical electors were an unknown quantity. The Robinson ticket won out, however, by securing 10 of the 19 electoral votes. Soon after this occurred the annual contest for MICHIGANENSIAN editorial positions. Those who were on the inside during these two campaigns know that no city or ward politics were ever more strenuous. Verily, the University of Michigan has some courses to offer which are not in the catalog, and which are withal quite as practical. The Class of 1903 has had a goodly number of men besides those already mentioned who have come into ' Varsity prominence. Herrnstein and Sweeley were for several years two of the very best men on the ' Varsity Football squad. Hernie, with his phenom- enal runs, was always a favorite with the men on the bleachers; and no one who saw that magnificent punt, the last and best he ever made, will ever forget Sweeley ' s wonderful leg. In baseball 1903 claims as her own, Jerry Utley, who has twice captained the ' Varsity team. Cutting has also done good work on the ' Varsity team for 1903. Our class had a championship Tennis-player for three years in Danforth, while Wherry was a close second. It speaks pretty well for Michigan tennis and for 1903, when the finals in singles at the ' ' Western Intercollegiate ' ' have to be played off by two Michigan men. McNeil also won honors for the class in this line. In the management of Athletics 1903 has had an unusual amount of talent Danforth for Track, Potter for Baseball, and Ralston and Mason for Interscholastic, while Lloyd has held the position of Financial Secretary of the Athletic Association. Upon the Board of Control we have had Herrnstein, Robinson and Wherry at various times. MacAfee has been a very efficient leader in ' Varsit}- yells. Robbie Robinson, Captain of this year ' s ' Varsity Track Team, has won many honors for 1903, as also did Herrnstein on the Championship ' Varsity Track Team of 1901 . Our class has been well represented upon the University Musical Clubs. Among these makers of glad noises were Macduff, Stevens, Ralston, Stuart, Morton, Jampolis, Ferguson and Lloyd. In this, our last college year there occurred a very spirited contest for the class offices, in which well-known politicians were much in evidence. Two full tickets were in the field, with one candidate running independently for Orator. For this office there was no choice on the first ballot, thus necessitating a special election. Max Finkelstein finally won. The utmost good feeling prevailed, however, upon all sides, and the campaign, upon the whole, was a benefit to the class. People took an interest in class affairs and thus became acquainted as they never had before. This election had the effect of bringing out the largest class meeting ever held in the history of the University. 9

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any sentiment in favor of separation. We are all gratified that such action was not taken by our class, because we believe that mutual benefits resulted from the association. And now as we look back as a class over our four years of college life, we can see some mistakes and failures to be sure, but on the whole our successes have been frequent and always merited. In the years to come many of us will show results of labor here, results which do not come easily or quickly, but which are nevertheless inevitable. Our class will be scattered far and wide, but the mutual interest and regard which comes from four years of pleasant association, and our many joyous times together, will not be forgotten. If we ourselves have been loyal to the Class of 1903, it is not because we have had any the less feeling for our Alma Mater, for in the years to come our devotion to class will be merged and find a deeper expression in our love and remembrance for simple, peaceful Ann Arbor, and glorious old Michigan. Statistics of 1.903 In volume 1464 of his love letters, page 894, Solomon says: He that hath two evils to choose from is lightly burthened, but deeply is he mystified who must choose the winning horse from a good field; yea, verily. The deep wisdom in this proverb is but again made evident by the lack of consensus as to who is who in the ' 03 class. Statistics show that there is an abundance of good material for every office. Still a few names are found ahead of their tickets. Robby Robinson is the people ' s choice for the most popular man of the class. For the most popular girl there is no such unanimity. Miss Christopher has a plurality of the votes. Miss Snitseler and Miss Sabine are next in the number of their admirers. Danforth is thought to have won most honors for the University by twice winning the tennis championship for Michigan. Utley and Sweeley are also prominently mentioned. Prexy Foote, the majority of the class believe, will, in spite of his name, head those of the class who will become famous. Ray Kirk, John Robinson, and Earle Houston, in order named, are expected to cross the tape in the mad race for fame. The vote for shrewdest politicians proclaims Coon the most efficient in bringing out the votes for the right side in an election. Foote, Robinson, Finkelstein, Danforth, Wherry, Lloyd, Benscoter, Kirk, Smurthwaite, and Macduff are also believed to be effective cogs in the political machine. Bob Cutting wins the beauty prize by a nose, Jay Harris coming in a close second. The vote for the prettiest girl in the class is about evenly divided between Miss Una Palmer, Miss Christopher and Miss Bogle. Miss Post also received a number of votes. Herrnstein is the favorite athlete, though Robby, Sweeley and Utley also stand high in class favor. In a class of the scholarly attainment of ' 03 it was, of course, difficult to choose the best student, but Miss Bissell, Messrs. Russell, Bassett, and Sellers are about equally supported. It is thought that the double consonant in the name had much weight in the selection. 11