University of North Dakota - Dacotah Yearbook (Grand Forks, ND)

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TO THE STUDENTS HE aim of the Dacotah is to have the University pass in review. The purpose of this, as we ordinarily think of it, is that others may see the University as it is this current year. A purpose little less important, let us note, is that we ourselves may see the University as it is today. The first responsibilty is on the class of 1924 and their editors of the Dacotah, for the phases of the University year on which they lay emphasis. Here is hoping that they meet this responsibility in a way to be of lasting credit to the class of 19241. The Dacotah, in reviewing the University of today, will make us realize the growth of the University. The enrolment of students on the ground in the regular semesters this year will be above 1500, and the total year's enrolment above 2100. The Registrar's graph shows an enrolment of students on the ground at the end of the next biennium, 1923-25, of 1790, with a total year's enrolment of 2675. We must not be satisfied with this growth simply as making a good showing for the University. The report of the United States Commissioner of Education shows that two years ago approximately forty per cent of the high school graduates were getting their advanced training outside of the state. These students should have the advantage of more extended training at home, in institutions whose aim is to fit persons as citizens for North Dakota. They should have the advantage of graduating from an institution whose graduates they will find in numbers in any community in the state when they take up their lifeis work. Further, the Uni- versity of Michigan's records, for example, indicate that of the students from out- side their state who have graduated at the University of Michigan something like eighty-five per cent have become permanent citizens of Michigan. We must, then, add to the enrolment not for the sake of the University primarily, but for the sake of the high school graduates and in the interests of the state. The Dacotah will record likewise that three national Greek letter fraternities have established chapters in the University this year. This is in the line of recognition of our University by other universities. There might be some dif- ference of feeling in regard to the fraternity system. There can be no question, however, about the national officials of these fraternities being keen, tried uni- versity men who know what a university is. Their judgment of approval, with that of the delegates from every university having the respective chapters, is very en- couraging and reassuring. The coming of the Greek letter fraternities and sororities is a recognition of you students yourselves, as well as of the University, of your personal worth, your ideals as students, and your university traditions. At the same time, we have the best known national honor scholarship societies and professional fraternities in recognition of the standards of the University and the professional spirit in our different schools. This is the recognition and judgment of others which we properly prize, but we must have even severer standards of our own. We must all 'keep united in standards and aims as to what the University should be. Our 'aim must be that every student that goes through the University is both stronger and better than he would have been had he not come to the University. Sincerely, THOMAS F. KANE. l25l

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PRESIDENT THOMAS F. KANE

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r THE DEANS V HERE is an old house near Sandisiield, Massachusetts, -F which has stood for over a hundred years, and now after long inoccupancy it is falling to decay, but the old stone chimney rises out of the ruin as firm and strong as the day It was set up. Examination of it reveals the use of very little mortar in the joints, but what mortar there is, seems to have grown firmer with the years. In the first instance it must have been well and honestly prepared, and this fact alone explains the enduring chimney. About a mile from this farm is a stone and cement wall which, though it was built less than five years ago, is falling to pieces., The explanation is an improper mixture of the sand, cement and water. The propor- tion was wrong, the cement lifeless or the sand lacked grit. We are made up of thought, will and feeling. When these three wonderful faculties of the spirit are vital and properly I mixed, we can lay the foundation of a strong character. If anyone of these is faulty, a healthy and satisfactory endurance is practically out of the question. There is no guess work about it. Results are as sure with character as they are with the chimney, and in either case, time and experience will become a commentary upon the builder and his work. You can make a fine mortar with three parts sand and one of cement, but you cannot make a mortar without the cement. You cannot make a strong whole- some life without religion, either. You cannot leave God out of consideration. You cannot have a right life without the spiritual element, no matter how capable the mind or how strong the body, We are finding this to be a great fact today in every sort of society. Our life needs the spiritual, as really as our lungs need the air, and they live best who try the experiment. The mortar in the old chimney is hardly in evidence, the joints are not pointed with it, but it holds. So does the spiritual without much show, quietly but surely, hold in one strong piece of workmanship the varied interests of the life that has its true admixture. Every building is a parable of our life. Let us build them well. IF it lay in my power to give gifts of riches, learning, suc- cess or fame, what would I bestow upon the students of our University? I would give them wealth that they might enjoy all the world,s goods. I would give them health that they might never know pam. I would give them success that they might never be discouraged. I would give them learning that they might not be 1gI101'3.Ht of the world's knowledge. I would give all good gifts to them if it lay in my power. But if it lay in my power to give only one gift, I should not choose any of these. I should rather choose to give the students of North Dakota University a humbler but more priceless gift. Inwould say, Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore,get wisdom: and with all thy getting get under- standing., would, therefore, give to all who come within our Sirargfifail? git gif tjle aindeiistandingtpf life, love of humanity. an un , a ience W1 mants W charity for his shortcomlings. I would bestoweilinbfliesgiilardll uates the ability to understand true values, to be able to distinguish between the false and the true, to judge 1-ight- eous judgments. I should want to 'ive to t d t b 1' ' wisdom,-the wisdom of the undergtandingoulilezsirtl. en S a Ove a 1 thmgs, not knowledge, but l26l If .grf U I l l 1 I x l l E 2 4 ! l I 2 5 1 1 i 3 l z 4 1 F I i I 1 S 9 i E: