University of the South - Cap and Gown Yearbook (Sewanee, TN)

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YESTERDAY The present subsists on the strength of the past, and Sewanee preserves the ideals of her past in a vision which never changes as year suc- ceeds to year. Tomorrow will bring another Sewanee, but the dream will remain un- marred. It is alive today and tomorrow: a Christian, Southern institution where true learning dwells and peace is wisdom ' s guest. However, this vision is of little value if buried in the mind, for an ideal must be seeded in rich soil so that it will take root and grow in strength. The roots of Sewanee lie deep in a fertile land. Born in the hearts and souls of great Christians, her birthmark of enduring mountain stone is planted in the soil of Church and State. A building incorporating a body of spiritual leadership provides Christian principles of timeless trust. An implicit way of life close to the earth preserves a society of gentlemanly conduct. The vision of greatness is a living presence grounded in the heritage of Christian gentlemen. Sewanee ' s yesterday is the strength of her today. Leonidas Polk: The strength of the idea . TOD AY Though Sewanee ' s ideals are unchanging, the people and places, modes and manners, must adapt to the aspects of human experience which are transitory. While the aim must always be focused on the immutable goal, the attention must turn likewise to that which distinctly belongs to the Sewanee of today, of this time. Here, the physical body is given the opportunity to burn its youthful energy in efforts to realize itself, its sensations, and its innate aspirations. The Sewanee of today is one of humanistic activity wherein the restless student reaches out to understand. The mind, being molded by the sound discipline of watchful teachers, guides the hand through the wisdom of the ages. With the laying out of the uncompleted scheme of man ' s knowledge, the place hopes to implement the idea: to educate Christian gentlemen in a manner which will best en- able them to contribute constructively in the tempered fulness of the human endeavor. This purpose is precipitated through the harmonious blending of body, mind, and spirit in the truly classical tradition. Though this was true of yesterday, as it will hope- fully be true of tomorrow, the people who direct and shape the process of learning today are distinctly of this time. The discriminating person appreciates Sewanee for the people with whom he has played and learned and prayed, an experience of individ- ual quality. The hopes of tomorrow are ful- filled in the labors of today. The labours of today are grounded in the strength of the past, and the vision of to- morrow is the vision of yesterday. But a vision exists that it may be realized, that it may be built into people and places. The thoughts of tomorrow are thoughts of build- ing today. And today, in her second golden period of opportunity, Sewanee is building with hearts and minds and hands for her sons of tomorrow. The measure of her great- ness is the progressive growth maintained within the ideal which is at once her guide and her goal. Perhaps the future will not bring the realization of that goal, but to- morrow will bring a deeper progression toward the fulfillment of the ideal. That ideal is, in its simplest expression, the education of Christian gentlemen under the best direction with the best facilities. The guiding light of her vision will bring a stronger and larger institution of people and places. Tangibly, Sewanee will be different in size and strength, but essentially, in the shadow of her noble dream, she will remain un- changed. With her roots in the past, Sewanee is building for a vision of tomorrow, and as perfection can never be attained, this building will have no end. In the burning of bodily energy . . And for tomorrow, we shall build . .