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

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(lelUf4C4t SiaJuli ei o GoMAiddA. FF Religious Director Sharp advises Handbook It is difficult for the State College stu- dent to think of religious activities on campus without a profound feeling of gratitude — a feeling which daily grows deeper as the gap widens between the broken spirit of the world and the har- mony of faith on his own campus. A sound reason for the existence of this spirit is the United Religious Council and interfaith functions on campus. The 1941 Annual Religious Conference was the best witness to the unified spirit which motivates the activities of the United Religious Council. Religion in a World of Crisis was the theme of the eighth annual parley held at this college on February 12 and 13. In the opening session over which President Baker pre- sided, Dr. Seth Rogers Brooks spoke on Responsibility of the Church and Syna- gogue Today. At the evening panel discussion, the theme dealt with religion in a world of war; the panel members were distinguished: Dr. Philip L. Gam- ble; Miss Doro thy Day, Editor of Catho- lic Worker, New York; Rabbi Barnet Brickner, Euclid Avenue Temple, Cleve- land; and John M. Swomley, Fellowship of Reconciliation, New York. In the closing session on February 13, Dean Machmer presided. Topic of the day was The Individual and His Life. Speaker was Dr. A. W. Loos of Spelman College in Georgia. The Rev. David A. Sharp, the College ' s Director of Religious Education, was general supervisor of the conference itself. Another of the regular religious activi- ties is the Vesper services which are held every Sunday afternoon in the Memorial Building. Protestant, Jewish, and Catho- lic speakers are secured from all parts of the country to speak at these services. Miss PoUtella, Keller, H. Wein Prof. Sharp, Miss Duffy, Ander! , S. Potter, Miss Freedman n. Miss Beauregard, Conley 24

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Hlu4nHl Ganlt i44xdi04 oi 2 a 4fUian ie4. The State campus skyline has undergone a memorable change this year. As a re- sult, 147 coeds and 157 men are able to enjoy the benefits of dormitories in- stead of rooming-houses off campus. To me, these dormitories are the sym- bol of a growing spirit of cooperation be- tween private groups and the govern- ment. With these words, Governor Leverett Saltonstall paid tribute to the work of the Alumni Association. The two new dormitories — Lewis Hall and the women ' s building on Clark Estate Hill — are essentially of same construc- tion, brick throughout and completely fireproof. The luxury of a private dining room in the coeds ' dorm permits an uninterrupted daily schedule. Overlook- ing the Valley panorama, both dormitor- ies will form an important part of the freshman ' s life on campus. In this work the alumni have responded nobly to the needs of their Alma Mater. Moving day! occurred in February when coeds occupied the Butterfield House. Ghosts on campus — coeds and workmen during construction on Butterfield House Two scenes above show progress of work on Lewis Hall, completed in September, 1940 23

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mm r o r. ' f n r r-, P « t • 1 1 It t lll 1 t A H « t t t 1 t t t ■t t H It i t It 1 I t A ' S ■• ♦ «» iKiiiiiii WilUams, Washburn, Wyman, Burnham, R. Walker, Gould, Hathaway, Schubert, R. Smith, Irvine Cole, Andrew, Miss Stohlmann, Miss Spencer, Miss Avery, Miss Lawrence, Miss Moseley, Miss Van Meter, Miss Gold- Misses D. Miller, Duffy, King, H. Smith, Arnold, Van Buren, MerriU, Flagg, Gagnon. S. Burgess Misses M. Davis, Politella, Moulton. M. Grise, Desmond, D. Johnson. De Palma. Judge, Avella. Fislte Effectiveness of Vespers is chiefly due to the music of the choir which is con- ducted under the inspiring direction of music instructor Alviani, State ' s musi- cal bombshell. Famous off campus as well as on campus, the 55-member choir has popularized Vespers, presented sever- al special concerts, and made a number of appearances alone and several more in conjunction with the other musical clubs. Vesper speakers included Dr. Rufus M. Jones, philosophy professor and au- thor; Dr. James Gordon Gilkey; Dr. Ed- win B. Robinson; Dr. Henry D. Gray; and Bishop William Appleton Lawrence. And each year at the last Vesper services, faculty, and students gather to hear a Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant student speak on each religion. The United Religious Council is com- posed of an Advisory Council made up of faculty members appointed by Presi- dent Baker, an Advisory Board composed of clergy and laymen interested in the college, and finally the Student Religious Council composed of representatives from the three major faiths. Most active religious force on campus is the Rev. Mr. Sharp who is also advisor of the Freshman Handbook. His goal has always been to bring religion into the student ' s life. Dr. Seth Brooks, most prominent speaker in February ' s Annual Religious Conference 25