University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

Page 14 text:

6 THE INDEX. take a prominent part ; more than one half of the Wilder Base Ball Nine consists of ' 76 men, and one or two of us can put the heavy stone or swing the heavy ham- mer further than any one in College. ' 76 will graduate twenty-four men, the largest gradu- ating class from M. A. C. since ' 72. We have been pe- culiarly fortunate in retaining our members ; since our Sophomore year, we have lost ' but two men, and their places have been filled with new comers. Since our en- trance into College we have had continually a higher average in scholarship than any cotemporary class, and our members are all singularly equal in rank, the differ- ence between the highest and the lowest in grade being comparatively slight. We hope that, by our perfect recitations, our few cuts and bolts, and by our strict attention to lec- tures, we have demonstrated to our Faculty that our purpose in coming to College is being carried out, and that we have co-operated with them to the best of our ability in their efforts in our behalf. Fellow students, we would say, in conclusion, that through all our course, we have endeavored to do the best for you and for ourselves, and when the time comes for us to leave this institution, which has considerately cared for us for four long years, we sincerely hope that we may retain a bright spot in the memory of all with whom we have been associated. U.

Page 13 text:

, gfp ' 76. In accordance with the regular course of yearly change, the class of ' 76 linds itself enrolled at the head of the College lists. One after another of the classes preceding it have completed their four years journey through the different branches of science, and have departed with their sheep- skins to plow their way to fortune or fame, and ' 76 has been left in the responsible position of Sen- iors, the leaders and mentors of the College. In any question of importance or interest, all eyes are directed towards ' 76 for advice and guidance, and they find us not unprepared. We have only to consider the immeasurable influence that a Senior class may exert up- on the College, to remember that our efforts will be seconded by the other classes, no matter in what direc- tion they may be turned ; to resolve, that whatever in- fluence we may exert may be for the benefit and im- provement of our institution. Already, under our di- rection and management, many of the old fashioned col- lege customs have vanished ; hazing and cane rushing are for us things of the past, and in their place has sprung up a worthy class rivalry in manly sports, that for so many years have been here either entirely unknown, or only very tamely carried on. On every pleasant evening men may be seen, stripped to the waist, running around the mile square, and in every spare hour, during the day, base-ball and other athletic exercises are pursued. In all these various games many members of our class

Page 15 text:

' 77. The earth has swung around again into its former posi- tion ; thus having our premises established, we will pro- ceed with our • communication. Our class numbers seventeen, a loss of one from our number of last year. We are sorry to have him leave us ; his presence is missed. We wish him success in whatever path he may tread. There also seeiiis to be some danger of a loss of two others, owing to their as- pirations. One half of our college course is completed. We have entered the petted Junior year, the prominent feature of which is ease. Alas ! Believe it not, ye young aspir- ants for Junior prerogatives. It is but a fable, a thing of the past, and exists only in song or as a myth. We spend the flying moments thumbing the leaves of an Adler, or pouring over the formulae of Deschanel. We ' ve compassed the farm and tested grapes, the lat- ter going under the head of practical horticulture. These, witli some minor things, such as beating ' 76 at base-ball, occupy our time. Time, with relentless hand, has deprived us of ' 75. We rejoice at their advancement, but mourn our loss. They were our true class friends and did much to initiate us in college w ays ; they seemed to be a set of men bound to succeed in life. We have high hopes of their future. As we advance in our course, do we, as college stu- dents, fill the quota of manners that is expected of us ?