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

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In December, a Community Chest Drive consolidated the former annual Red Cross, March of Dimes, and World Student Service Fund into one extensive victory drive. This drive instigated and guided by Mr. Easton with Dean Machmer ' s help and cooperation set a goal at $1,500 and made it. A giant ther- mometer stationed in front of South College registered the progress of this worth-while drive. Snow, wind, and ice brought winter sports. The boys on the hockey team, although officially an informal club, put as much spirit into their play and as much hard work into their practice as any recognized team. Fairly successful this year among official winter clubs was the basket- ball team with eight wins and three losses to its credit when Christmas vacation came along. After the exam period, the team seemed to have lost its stride though it played some mighty fine basketball against its traditional rival, the Amherst quintet, and against Wil- liams and A. I. C. Bellowed into victory by Joe Rogers, this year ' s swimming team chalked up a record of seven wins out of nine meets. However, the boys were not the only ones with a victorious swimming team, for the W. A. A. swimming club not only won the New England Telegraphic Meet but also won renown through its intricate water ballet. While on women ' s athletics, we shouldn ' t neglect Kate Callahan ' s Modern Dance Club, and for corroboration of its benefits, ask certain football players. The last school week in 1941! Through the clear, cold air on Sunday evening sounded the notes of Chapel chimes in the carol Silent Night! Holy Night! Student voices, aug- mented by the band and Glee Clubs, softly picked up the melody and slowly increased in volume. This traditional carol singing, directed by Doric Alviani, was broadcast over the radio. All in all this week before Christma s vacation was a musical one. At their annual Christmas Concert the band combined with Conductor Farnham, Student Director Al Eldridge, and the Drimi Majorettes to give an excellent per- formance. Two nights later the Glee Clubs and the Sinfonietta gave a joint concert — this program has always been one of the most popular Social Unions. A direct step to real action All in all a musical week. TAP rfiO Snow, tcind, and ice brought. [13]

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Chicken for ' caj ' -slarvcd frosk. Hordes of people found. . Politics never guite forgotten. zealous patriotism of the Victorian era, the shield truly expressed the spirit of November, 1941. Fall brought scholarship convocation. Newly elected seniors to Phi Kappa Phi, seniors doing honors work, and profs all took over the stage — these and the Dean ' s List are a quiet reminder to the unambitious students. But scholarship was soon in the background in the excitement over fall elections, Campus politics, never completely forgotten, emerged in full view, as elections for class officers roiled up the muddy water of politics. Election day, Decem- ber fourth, saw every house on campus turned out en masse to vote. Then War and What Now? December 7, 1941! Attack on Pearl Harbor! With the entry of the United States into the war, a period of doubt and uncertainty ended; but actual fear cropped up in its stead. What now? For a few short days a wave of war hysteria almost submerged campus. Books were thrown aside for serious bull sessions. News broadcasts were fairly eaten up. The situation necessitated a special war convoca- tion for men alone. As they sang the Alma Mater and When Twilight Shadows Deepen, the men of Massachusetts State exhibited a vein of seriousness rarely before witnessed by convo walls. They were asked to remain in college until they were called to service, and suitable credit was promised those having to leave. Familiar khaki uniforms with crossed sa- bers were magnified in importance on campus to others as well as uniform-susceptible feminine hearts. R. O. T. C. was now a direct step to more real action. The military unit this year saw excellence in markmanship, the formation of the Sabers and Spurs Society, and promotion in rank for the commanding officers. Though this may be a war of tanks and jeeps, cavalry troops still have an important place and the usual training was continued. Ranking with R. O. T. C. was the C. A. A. group of student pilots, who, after a strict training, became available to the army. Four short days after declaration of war found campus uniforms tripping the light fantastic toe in Drill Hall. New war economy? No, the big fall formal — Military Ball. [12]

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Atk certain football players. Show of the air. TvHMceeki reign of terror. Defense, Varieties, Calamity Immediately after Christmas vacation the college organized Civilian Defense. Upon the blue signal, A. R. P. groups directed students to the nearest air raid shelter, whether Goodell Libe, Goessman Lab, or Butterfield. Particu- larly noticeable were the number of males who happened to be in the vicinity of Butterfield. In January, too, a new radio show was born, Campus Varieties, an M. S. C. show of the air entirely student planned and pro- duced. The only faculty man concerned, Fran Pray, took charge of the technical end of production. Also student planned and pro- duced were the one-act plays sponsored by the Roister Doisters. Roister Bolsters omitted their usual winter play while Professor Rand took care of a Dramatic Workshop added to the curriculum because of student demand. Sudden calamity descended upon campus as the shortened first semester brought no official exam period but a two-weeks reign of terror with profs able and willing to give in- numerable hour exams. Suffering on campus from January 12-21 was unbelievable, but few fatalities were reported in the Dean ' s Office and second semester started calmly. New war econ- omy and the accelerated program created a shortened second semester to end in May and anticipated a two-semester summer course. Friday the thirteenth and Carnival Ball. Despite Chairman Potter ' s public prayer for snow, there was very little of the stuff. Nevertheless most of the scheduled events — ice skating, wrestling and boxing, snow sculpture, swimming and dancing — took place. Dark- haired Anita Marshall reigned as ball queen. Campus politics again came into prominence with the March election for Senate, Maroon Key, W. S. G. A., Honor Commission, and fraternity and sorority presidents. The week of March third saw the annual High School Basketball Tournament, and on the following weekend the campus was again given over to crowds of people — the Recreation Conference. Another big weekend in March was that of the presentation of the Pirates of Penzance. 114]