University of Western Ontario - Occidentalia Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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CO D u H o fiu CO 2

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WESTERN U GAZETTE 21 Western University Literary Society During the year that is past and gone, Avhat clianges have the rolling seasons seen! When applied to Western in the past year these time-honored lines have a significance of fact which almost justifies their use. Western is at present in the midst of a period of unprecedented growth. Growth means progress. Pro- gress necessitates change, and in the case of W estern it is, we are sure, change for the better. z Nowhere in the university has this spirit of progress worked to better effect than in the Literary Society. Whether the decided success of the Literary Society this year owes more to the executive who framed its program or the student body whose co-operation made it possible, would be difficult to decide. At the beginning of the year the executive unanimously agreed upon a rather ambitious program, Avhieh has been carried out almost to the last detail. This program was the crys- talization of the progressive ideas of Wes- tern and was formed in the determination of the executive to make this year ' s Lit a real Literary Society, to lay the founda- tion for a society in the future which will be all its name implies. The program of the society as planned, and executed during the year, included lectures, debates, dramatic skits, musical numbers and readings. It was carried almost entirely by people connected with the university. Indeed it is the chief aim of the Literary Society to draw out hidden talent, and to afford the students a very valuable training in appearing in public. There must be a number of literary and other lights about the university, and the Lit intends to remove from these vari- ous lights their resi:)ective bushels. Along this line the year ' s work has been very suceessiul, and as a result, the executive found excellent debators, who had never debated before, and actors who did not know they could act. An astonishing number of students of musical ability were also discovered. As a rule, however, these discoveries were only made as a result of assiduous search. It is hoped that, as the tradition of this sort of thing becomes more firmly established, these lights will shine forch of their own volition. The co- operatio]! of the Faculty and Alumnae in the Lit. has also been greatly appreciat- ed. Their presence and active participa- tion have indeed added materially to its success this year. Another very important part of this year ' s program was the system of definite year responsibility. Each year was to furnish one dramatic skit and its share in a series of three debates. Unfortun- ately, owing to unavoidable delay and the near approach of exams, the last Lit. meeting, as scheduled, did not materalize, and in consequence the Freshmen did not have the opportunity of displaying their dramatic talent. The debates, however, were all carried out according to program. The cup which the Literary Society had offered as a reward to the winners of the series, was duly presented to the Senior years. So much for the past. The year ' s work over, and we must turn to the future. After all this year ' s Lit. is but a founda- tion on which the Literary Society may continue to build. Continued growth will bring with it constant change. This must be, and it is right that it should be. Let us hope then that all change will be as truly progressive of that of the last year.

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WESTERN U GAZETTE 21 Western University Winter Sports Club The Western University Sports Club, organized in January, 1920, has just com- pleted the second year of its sueeessfiil history. The club is fundamentally for both arts and medicine, the student execu- tive of nine members consisting of four Arts students and four from Medicine, the president, a woman Arts student. The executive for the 1920-21 season was Hon. Pres. Dr. F. R. Miller, Meds. ; Mr. Arthur Woods, Arts. ; President, Miss Margaret Thomson, Arts. ' 21 ; vice-president, Mr. V. Traynor, Meds. ' 24 ; secretary-treasur- ers, Mr. J. D. MacWilliam, Arts. ' 23 ; Mr. Fred Thomson, Meds. ' 24 ; year represent- atives. Miss Aileen Boomer, Arts. ' 22 ; Miss Mary Granger, Arts. ' 22 ; Mr. Harold Dal- gleish. Arts 22 ; Mrs. W. A. Martin, Meds ' 24; Mr. A. A. James, Meds. ' 23. Mr. N. C. Hart, president of the Athletic Associa- tion, Mrs. Albright and Miss Marjorie Ross, have also been present at the various club parties and have helped to make them a .success. The Winter Sports Club is non-consti- tutional, being conducted according to the caprices of the executive, and of the wea- ther, the latter being the deciding factor as to the date and frequency of parties. The executive places complete power in the hands of the president in order that she might speedily arrange a party when the weather seemed most favorable — it never was entirely so. Few members real- ize the enormous amount of responsibility that has fallen upon her and we wish to take this oi)i)ortunity of thanking her. Before the organization of the club for the past season, the Athletic Association gave a very delightful impetus in that direction when it arranged and financed a hike to the Winter Farm on the Med- way. The success of this was repeated in two hikes given by the Sports Club. A skating party was next attempted but the weather was as usual disagreeable The lunch, however, had been prepared, so a social evening was held in the Artr. building. During the games and the brief l)eriod of dancing, everyone found an o])portunity of becoming better acquaint- ed. This is one of the primary objects of the club. It is ])ractically the only organization in the university, which includes with its original purpose, that of sports, anything of a social nature. It is in this club that students of various years and faculties can really become acquaint- ed and have a jolly time together. The club only succeeded in holding one skating ])arty, and even then the ice was rather weak in spots, so that various mem- bers, whose identity is a deej) mystery, broke through and were in danger of catching their death of dampness. Perhaps the gayest and merriest party of all was that held on Saturday, April 22nd, the final one of the year. It Avas in- tended to make it a hike and hayrack party to St. Johns, but the weather man as usual was most unkind and it was im- l)ossible to carry out the original plans. A hard times party was therefore held in the gym. Everyone came in the worst costumes they could find. Prizes were offered for the best (?) dressed couple, and the executive had the hardest time of all in awarding them. All manner of games were played reminiscent of younger days. After lunch dancing was the popu- lar pastime. All things come to an end, and it A ' as with much regret that the Sports Club held this final party. In spite of the laclc of suitable weather, the success of the club is unquestionable as its popularity testi- fies. It is only to be hoped that in future years there will be some real winter weather. For the success of the year the thanks of the members is due to tlie presi- dent and her executive and also to the members of the faculty and of tlie Ath- letic Association who have given so much valuable assistance.