Upsala College - Upsalite Yearbook (East Orange, NJ)

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ALPHA PSI OMEGAt-Cured hams Membership in Upsala,s chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the Eta Zeta cast, is a goal de- sired by all Footlight Club members, but is granted only according to the work done in that organization. But the honor is well worth the labor, and the initiation is almost as stiff as the system of awarding points for membership. The colors, blue and amber, are a privilege to wear, for they signify that the wearer has distinguished himself either for exceptional acting ability or deft skill in production, both accompanied by hard, sincere and will- ing work. TAU KAPPA ALPHAehi-octane gas Ninety-six Alpha Psi Omega is not only an honor for the individual student but it also brings prestige to Upsala. The cast holds its meet- ings once a month, to discuss all matters of dramatics. The alumni attend the meetings as enthusiastically as do the active members, and together plans are made for their own plays, for Footlight Club productions, and for Visits to the professional theatre. This year the chapter saw iiTwelfth Night,, and Johnny Belinda? Tau Kappa Alpha is to debate what Alpha Psi Omega is to dramatics, and is today the leading forensic honorary society in the

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well proud? 80 stated Dr. Luther M. Noss, Professor at the Yale School of Music when the choir sang on the campus of Yale Uni- versity. This is only one of the many trib- utes paid the A Capella Choir during its tour. Because of their popularity, many of the numbers rendered in ,40 were repeated. This includes such selections as Lost in the Night? uHospodi Pomiluif, uBeautiful Sa- viorh and Built on a Rock? So it is with pride that we can look to the A Capella Choir whose accomplishments have made Upsala proud. The ofiicers 0f the Choir this year were: Ronni Saslow, Presi- dent; and Secretary, Ellen Mae Carlson. This year Footlight Club was awakened and immediately thrown into action by the new director, John Almquist, whose very enthusiasm revived the sleepy thespians. It wasn,t long after his arrival that things be- gan to happen! First came annual try-out plays-three one act skitsewhich were given in the gym and were so well received that the idea was repeated. The students demand and liking for these short plays was so great that again nBox and Cox,,, A Bright Morningf, and July Harvesti, were immediate successes. THE FOOTLIGHT CLUB - premium hams Almost at once work was begun on the mid-term play, The Guardsmanf another Victory for the Footlighters. Hardly had the curtain fallen on this performance when the call came to begin work on the traditional Spring Week production. It must also be acknowledged here that few organizations on the campus can boast of such membership as the Footlight Club. But then, nearly every individual has a yearning at some time to be somebody he really isn,t. And even though only few make the grade and act in the Spring Week classic, all without exception enjoy the work they do. Footlight Club holds many more than one interest for its members. Beside allowing them to employ and enjoy their ability in dramatics, it affords them an opportunity to work for membership into Alpha Psi Omega, the national honorary dramatic so- ciety. Along with these aims the Club acts for the benefit and enjoyment of the whole school as well as that of its members. The officers for this year were: Robert Banks, President; Secretary; Matthew Kurtz, Treasurer. Margaret Dargue, Ninety-fi L'e

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country. Though given the appellation fra- ternity? the society has realized the forensic virtues of the girls and has admitted them to active, vocal membership. The society,s foundation goes back to 1908 when a group of students interested in de- The training for T.K.A. membership is found in active participation on the Debate Squad. The past year, interest in debate reached a point much above previous years. New members have flocked in; participation and activity have been high. DEBATE-We knOWeall they want are the trips bate and allied public speaking endeavors, organized a society which would serve to promote such activities on other campuses throughout the country. Today the familiar initials T.K.A. are known and recognized in literally hundreds of college forensic societies, for Tau Kappa Alpha has been expanding constantly. Membership in the society is dependent upon the prospective memberis participation in intercollegiate debates and his ability. In view of the national character of T.K.A., membership in the fraternity is considered of some worth. Each year a regional convention is held, with many chapters participating. This year the conference was held at Muhlenberg Col- lege. Virginia Finney, President of the Up- sala Chapter, and Neuman Degler, Secre- tary, attended this convention. The squad, under incessant pressure from Professor Arnold, worked through a closely- packed season from late February to late April; at one time participating in three de- bates on one day. Early in the season the annual trip to Philadelphia was made to en- gage University of Pennsylvania in debate, over the ether waves this time. At another debate, Dick Gibbons was told he was a good debater because his ears became red while talking. Such incidents go to make up a debate season. This year, reversing the former proce- dure, the boys took the Northern trip de- bating Villanova, Hobart, Susquehanna and Moravian. The girls went South to Mount Saint Marys, Washington College, Lynch- burg and Western Maryland. All together the debate teams participated in thirty-seven debates. Ninclyexeven