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

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Ima 7 fater, Written for the Index by Charles L. Flint, ' 8i. 0© ROM the standpoint of the undergraduate how enticing the world looks. What possibilities nerve one to prepare for the struggle toward success which, fortunately perhaps, appears so easy of attainment. And none realize this more strongly than those of us whose college days are over, and who are bound to face the stern realities of life, whether we will or not. How gladly would we, if we could, let you profit by our errors and mistakes, that you might leave our Alma Mater well grounded in the lessons which we have been obliged to master, and which seemed to us, as they do now to you, only slightly harder, perhaps, than a little extra grind on physics or geometry. It is hard, too, at times, to overcome the realization that we can no longer assist, decorously of course, in the festivities of Freshman night, or in upholding the honor of Aggie upon the campus. Oh yes, we had our little experiences, in which figured at various times the old chapel, the flag pole, the cannon, and — yes, occasionally perhaps, some of our four-footed farm companions. We had, of course, our proportion of cuts and bolts, no doubt all that were allowed us, and we have been through, as you soon will, one of the hardest ordeals of college life — the parting — the getting through — the end. And how short those four years were as we look back upon them now. The rough edges are all rubbed away, and even those of us who worked while we played, are disposed now, I am sure, to look back with more or less regret toward the familiar college walls. True, we see changes — changes for the better ; it would be ungenerous of us not to wish it so ; but the associations are still there, the general surroundings which call to mind each incident of our college course are ever prominent, and with these before us, very rare is the man who can become entirely forgetful of the institution to which he owes so much.

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Applied Shakespeare and iJickens, Faculty. — We have seen better days. L. F. Clark, Hinds. — You two are book men. Lewis. — From the crown of his head to the sole of his foot he is all mirth. Boarding House. — And men sit down to that nourishment which is called supper. Eaton. — Let no man contradict me for I won ' t believe him. PiNGREE. — I thank God I am as honest as any man living that is an old man and no honester than I. Adjemian. — And now am I, if a man should speak truly, little better than one of the wicked. Prof. Can — n. — The most senseless and fit man. W. H, Armstrong. — It is painful to reflect upon the perfidy of our species. Hubbard. — You must be a common scholar before you can be an uncommon one. Palmer. — Nature and accident have made me an author. DuTCHER. — Some men are remarkable for taking uncommon good care of themselves. ' 98 Index Board. — Some of us will smart for it. Emrich. — When your opinion ' s not wanted, and you ' re not spoken to, don ' t you give an opinion, and don ' t you speak. Junior Electives. — Nothing is past hope. 19

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And right here it may not be out of place to speak a few words in behalf of one who has ever had the very best interests of the college at heart, and who has already proved his devotion to its welfare, our President. We have all at different times come under his careful guidance ; and we would say to you who have not yet received your coveted degree, make the most of him while you may, for you will find very few in after years who will be a truer friend, or who will take a greater interest in your life work and progress than he. We note with pleasure the improvements in the government of the college, and we feel that our trustees have fulfilled their obligations to the best of their ability with the material and resources with which they have been provided. It is said that experience is the best teacher, more often it is the only teacher ; and being but young in years, and of a radically different policy from the older classical universities, it is but natural that our college should have been obliged to feel its way in its own particular line, and that it should have at times encoun- tered obstacles requiring the keenest adaptability to overcome. But we realize that it is no longer an experiment. The people of the State should be convinced long ere this that its usefulness is of a character that will broaden and enrich the powers of our Commonwealth, because it strikes at the very root of all progress and development — production. And we are watching your attainments as well as the college ; for all that you may do, whether for good or bad, is part and parcel of the progress of the whole ; and we can assure you that your influence is very far from being the smallest factor in shaping the destinies of M. A. C. We have watched the development of the Index, from the older issues into the finished volume of to-day, and we are glad that successive classes have kept unbroken the old custom of its yearly publication from the very first. We have followed with increasing interest the continuation of Aggie Life, and trust that its support may be such that it too will hereafter be considered as one of the essential features among the student organizations. We take an interest in your wants and in your accomplishments, because we realize that you are making college history of to-day, as we did in years gone by ; and we trust that these closing years of this century of progress mark but the beginning of a life of usefulness for you and an era of prosperity for our Alma Mater.