University of Southern California - El Rodeo Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

Page 19 text:

College Tradltlons just as experience and habit serve largely to mould the personality of the individual, so it is that tradition and custom are most important factors in creating the atmosphere of an institution. There arc few institutions to which tradition means more than to colleges. ln fact, it is tradition largely that controls the life of a collegeg and woe to him who disregards it! For nearly thirty years our University has been growing, and nearly thirty different classes have had a part in making and preserving the traditions which we so honor today and which add a peculiar interest to the years we spend here. VVC have enough of tradition to initiate the Freshman into our honored company with all due impressiveness, and enough to lend an air of fitting dignity to the Senior's farewell. It is not expected that the Fresh- man will grasp immediately the full significance of the term tradition, but it is expected that he will learn from experience. So it happens that before he has spent many days in our halls of learning, he suddenly finds himself in the midst of a great rush. a terrible mix-up of heads, legs and arms that belong to numerous Freshies and Sophs struggling in a determined effort to defend their chosen colors. This inevitable class rush has sometimes led the zealous rivals to the roof of our highest building, sometimes to the dark depths of the old duck pond. A rather violent introduction to college customs, 18

Page 18 text:

Q-2 V U Ries - V GD . ..gfE ' U - . .:,::-f:::2f2-s22:. 'flfSIP22f'f':2If:'fIf:l2i'flfi2f:21f2f2:2ff2ifF2' - A The Presidents Message The need of the world today is for the trained mind, for the college man and the college woman. This is now universally recognized, and he who is deficient in this regard finds himself at large disadvantage in the varied activities of life. It must be our task to learn what we are and how to use ourselves, and to develop those powers and forces which are characteristic of man- hood and womanhood at their best. The spirit of commercialism is at present well-nigh dominant, but should not be the controlling motive in our efforts, although it cannot and ought not to be wholly ignored. We seek educa- tion because it means power, and that awakening of the mind whereby it becomes productive and sensitive to every influence for good. Variety, versatility, and productiveness in every part of our nature constitute a very important if not the chief element of genuine happiness. The man who has an open understanding and lives in the full possession of educated faculties, has re- sources which no selfish nature can touch and no human decree eradicate. The University of Southern California does not claim to offer final institutional training for all the various callings for which extensive preparation is necessary. It does claim to develop in the student systematic habits, and to give him such control of his intellectual powers as will enable him to direct them success- fully in any ,field of investigation. Through its engineering de- partments and professional schools it gives technical training of a high order, scientific in character, and based on.adequate and liberal preparation. The recent rapid growth of the University is gratifying to its friends. This growth is due in large measure to the enthusi- astic loyalty of the students, the efficiency of the faculty, and the high standards maintained in both scholarships and morals. To all departments of the University I extend most cordial greetings, and to the Juniors, my hearty congratulations. GEORGE FINLEY BOVARD. ff . vt as 'N ,. ., :: qv' ...zssfszass::s2ssfses51551515552as55.55.2222as5'5512155552511131553itiiiiiii'iii553:55'Fifi'553555519iiiiiiffiiiiiiiifii - , -1 , f52E1EEfE5E2::. :Pax 17

Page 20 text:

4,4 A A a 1 ! lx -:--,W - 'quiz 6' s V 'V 'w 1' W : 5: i ' 1 1 , as ' ' A , . I V Q 1 .,,. . 'Q .Q . ,M ru filfyj 'Q '- V-. ir f t.-I ' f If - K i- ' W ' 1 k '-f-:un . ,J- to be sure-yet it is an experience far dearer to the Freshman heart than any class-room honor could be. Tradition places next in the college year inter- class football games. Not only do the Freshmen and Sophomores engage in this strenuous sort of contest, but even the two upper classes forget the dignity of their positions and meet in open combat on Bovard field. The struggle between the under- classmen however is by far the more important, for its result is regarded as a fair indication of where the honors will rest throughout the year. This year for the first time a debate was introduced into the program of underclass contests, a prece- dent which bids fair to be followed 'by future classes. The willing rivals find that college cus- tom offers other opportunities too for matching their strength, and with irrepressible spirit they continue to divide honors. It is said that some years ago a similar spirit of rivalry found its way into the ranks of our Faculty, who, deeming it beneath their dignity to strive with one another, undertook to give vent to their surplus energy in a baseball game with the Seniors, the most harmless looking of the classes from the stand- point of athletics. So every year the Faculty and Seniors try their hands at baseball: the former in the hope of administering the Final touch to four 'iv 19