Ursinus College - Ruby Yearbook (Collegeville, PA)

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Senior History. jt . . 7■'HIS record completes the published annals of the Class of 1903. Four short chapters form the written history ; facts are stated ; events are described ; changes are explained ; but the real significance of these years is scarcely suggested. Yet it must be so. In the process of growth, each man feels and recognizes his own development. His memories of college days are largely a recollection of his own inner changes. A history, then, of that collective, abstract somewhat—the Class—necessarily drops this most significant element of college experience, the personal record, and gives a few formal statistics, glowing with that indefinable something, called class spirit. Each man’s personality, however, finds a setting in his Class. There arises Class individuality- not a mere aggregate of the personalities of the members, but a mysterious blending of each man's subtle influence into one harmonious unity. To trace the development of this Class individuality, to find the marks which distinguish 1903 from her comrade Classes—this is the historian’s task. The unique institution, which has concentrated and heightened the intangible class spirit, always maintained by former scribes as the leading characteristic of 1903, is Senior Hall. Here are no loud boasts ; no noisy disputes ; no meaningless uproars ; but a calm air of meditation, an intensive thought atmosphere, a spirit of good-fellowship. And yet monotonous unity does not pervade Senior life ; but rather is there a rich harmony in the various types of minds and ideals commingled. The exclusive element, the steady, conservative policy of the G. P. R. Company ; the broad-minded party ; the liberal wing—all help to preserve a true balance. Weekly phonograph conceits afford relaxation. Games of chess, and ping-pong tournaments are happy diversions. Moreover a cordial hospitality keeps the outside world in close contact. 1903 has thus intensified her individuality in the last stage of her development. The bonds of comradeship have been strongly welded ; and only when they fall will the spell be broken. For each one who has come under its charm a subtle inspiration will be left to buoy him up among the activities of the world. Historian. 27