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

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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]

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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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Spring and Campus Customs Spring came early to State and with it the good old American custom of baseball, but spring sports were overshadowed by the short- ened semester and the compulsory physical education program set up for all men students. Spring track and tennis were the other usual out- standing spring varsity sports. Perhaps in- cluded in spring sports should be the weekly Tuesday morning R. O. T. C. reviews when a young army paraded up and down campus. Then came the Inter-Greek Ball, cramming the two spring balls of tradition into one evening, Greek maidens wailed when both they and their men had to buy tickets. Mothers ' Day came the first of May, one week earlier than the national day, and had enthusiastic approval as students chose a typical mother. While the rest of the campus was so happily concerned with the present, some students were thinking of the future and taking care of a Freshman Handbook to guide next year ' s freshmen. Reward for merit was taken care of at the end of the year: at the Academic Activities Convocation, late in April, medal awards were made; at the Senior Convocation new Adel- phians were tapped; and at the Junior-Senior Processional, Isogonians tapped new members. The sound of the chimes at 5:15, cokes at the college store. Collegians after convo, bull sessions in the Libe — but days were too full for remembering as Commencement was telescoped into two short days. Senior Convocation and the Senior Banquet as usual prepared the way for Commencement: The Horse Show, the Flint Oratorical Contest, Alumni Homecoming and parade to the baseball game, the Roister Bolster play. Torch Bearers, Roister Doister, Academic Activities, and Varsity Breakfasts, Baccalaureate, President ' s Reception, and Graduation — beloved Campus traditions were kept for the class of 1942. And on the evening of May 18, came their last ball — Soph-Senior Hop complete with the Chapel chimes concert. So with shoulders square and eyes straight ahead, M. S. C. marched through ' 41- ' 42 not to the tune of Heil Hitler but of There is a cer- tain valley by a river ' s golden stream. . . . Qreek maidtni wailed. . . Reward for merit. . . Beloved traditioni kept. [15]