University of Maine - Prism Yearbook (Orono, ME)

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In their Freshman year they did not receive the proper amount of care from their worthy predecessors —the Sophomores—so they were somewhat handicapped at the very outset. Realizing the sad effect of this lack of training, they generously resolved that those who succeeded them to the title and position of Freshmen should never feel this same sad lack. So they endeavored, by all the means at their command, to give them a fair start and while the Faculty “taught the young ideas how to shoot.” they supplied the requisite moisture and assisted greatly in the care of the rooms and In-ds of the Freshmen. They tried to do their duty by all. although often hampered by the larger number of Freshmen. But they did their best and that is all that could be asked. In the spring term of their Sophomore year, in accordance with the time honored custom, they held their Ivy Day exercises and planted their class ivv with due ceremony. The exercises passed off very pleasantly and creditably, and the only thing to Ik.- regretted is that a part of the day’s happenings inspired one member of the class to “woo the gentle Muse. and preserve those records in a poetical effusion widely circulated. (250 copies.) But their “youth and inexperience” accounts for and excuses all. The Junior year passed pleasantly despite the mighty wrestlings with mechanics and calculus and. although some came out of the encounters rather bruised, all these troubles are now fond (?) memories of the past. During this year quite a number of the class made some experiments, in order to determine the relative values of the 00$ and 10$ systems of escaping examinations, and after exhaustive trial (especially of the 10$ system) it was. I think, almost unanimously decided that the 10$ system could be depended upon most surely, to say the least. They took upon themselves also, the thankless task of establishing precedents. They undertook, and carried to a very successful completion, the work of publishing a College Annual, the first of its kind in the history of the institution, and as a further indication of their progressive spirit, the speakers selected to take part in the Junior Inhibition, appeared on the stage in the conventional cap and gown, a rather startling innovation in this quiet place, and perhaps detracted the attention somewhat from the scholarly themes so ably delivered. In the first term of their Senior year an expedition to l’ushaw Lake, for the purpose of making some practical experiments and measurements relating to hydraulics, formed, for the “civil” section of the class, a very pleasant break in the usual college routine. And some practical results were obtained, to judge by the amount of game “said” to have been killed. While in camp there, some of the members of the class, in accordance with their usual progressive spirit undertook to christen the camp where they were, but the 26

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Senior History. IvI„L. thc-y arc Seniors now. At last their steady perseverance has been rewarded and they have reached that eminence toward which they have been so faithfully struggling for three long, weary years. Yes. Seniors, with the full measure of that delusive quality. “Seniordignity.” As one notes the graceful ease with which they “orate” before the student body in chapel, it is hard to realize that these dignified speakers were once awkward and ignoratu Freshmen. Hut nevertheless, it is an incontestable fact, wonderful as it may seem, and the records prove the fact that three years ago last August they made their debut as students of the Maine State College and mem- bers of the Coburn Corps. Hut what a difference between now and then. Then Freshmen and awkward privates, always worrying for fear they would Ik- late to recitations or drills. Now Seniors and com- missioner! officers, or honored members of the Signal Corps, and ever on the look out for some reason- able (?) excuse for cutting recitations or drill. In the “now” and “then” we have the alpha and omega of the record of 'On's college career. To make this record complete requires only that one should write of the joys, sorrows, trials and tribulations of the intervening years, and make record of the insurmountable obstacles surmounted, and of the various ways and means by which they achieved progress in the paths of learning.” (Classical allusion.) 25

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Professor in charge cli l not smile on their laudable endeavors, so “Fairy Dale Farm” came out of the woods and returned to its old stand. Thus the time passes pleasantly, taken up with the varied occupations and pleasures of college life. Hut the months fly by all too swiftly and the time is fast approaching when they must go forth, armed with a diploma and military certificate, to do battle with the world. Whether these equipments should prove sufficient in all emergencies, time only can tell. Hut with the expectation of some day seeing their names carved on the pillars of fame, we bid them “Eli avant. 27