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

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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

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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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The class is fortunate in possessing several humorists. Bun Smith, Rip Van Winkle, and Fat Sims are each deemed supreme in his field. The vote for most loyal to the class was scattering. The devotion of Benscoter, Macduff, Joe Ferguson, Pat DeWolf and Wherry has, however, been more apparent. There are four nitches in the class temple of fame which are obscure in location and, sometimes thought, undesirable. No class can really succeed without a ' ' knocker. The class are undecided between Fitch, Hopkins, Kohn and Kirker as to who really deserves the blue ribbon. There was no choice for class Freshman, but Hamilton, Pat DeWolf, Lodewyck, A.B., and Slaymaker are prominent among those voted not to have passed the rattle and bottle stage. Conceit is unpardonable, but in the Class of ' 03 easily excused. McNeil, Kohn, Stuart, Hopkins, and Fitch are about tied in the vote for most conceited. The class could not decide who was its biggest joke, but they named Smurthwaite, Hamilton, Lodewyck, A.B., Dillaway and Pat DeWolf as likely candidates. The answers to questions concerning distinctions outside of the class show that Prof. Henry C. Adams is the favorite instructor. Prof. Andy McLaughlin is next choice. Profs. Pattengill, Effinger, Taylor, Hildner, Wenley are in the graces of the class in the order named. The vote as to which is the most popular song is about evenly divided between Goddess of the Inland Seas, Yellow and Blue, Laudes Atque Carmina, and ' Prexy ' Angell Promised Us. U. of M. Daily, MICHIGANENSIAN, Wrinkle and Technic are the favorite college publications, though there was no choice. The best things in Ann Arbor are the Co-eds, U. of M., the Gym. and various thirst joints. As usual, variety of opinion is shown in the vote on the worst thing in Ann Arbor; the water, street cars, walks, Co-eds, lights and exams. are judged to be about equally bad. The answers to what the greatest need of the University show careful consideration and keen insight. Money, scholarships, a saloon in University Hall, larger salaries for instructors, more squirrels, and a new Faculty are some of the needs proposed. 12