Weber State University - Acorn Yearbook (Ogden, UT)

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4 11 TKo Acorn PRINCIPAL DAVID 0. McKAY “The time has come, they say, for us to part; And thou, our dearest friend, art going away; Still know that thou shalt live in each one’s heart Long after we are free from mortal clay. The seeds that thou hast planted in each life— Some on rich soil and some on harder sod— Will help us live above earth’s care and strife, And lead us back with thee, our friend, to God.” With all the gratitude we feel for our unnumbered blessings, with all the happiness and satisfaction we enjoy at the close of another well spent year, there is mingled a feeling of deepest sorrow when we think that the year is taking with it the Principal who has become so dear to us. If the hand of Death had taken him from us, how quickly we should realize all he had done for our Institution, and how eager each would be to tell of personal inspiration received from association with him. Heaven has dealt, this time, more kindly and we are thankful; but let us be just as appreciative of his noble efforts for us, let us mingle our thanks with our good-byes and while he can see them and love them, let us strew our flowers along his pathway. He became Principal of the Weber Stake Academy when it was unpopular, when it could boast of but a handful of students, and most of them entered late in the Fall, and left early in the Spring. The pros- pect was not a very bright one, but he accepted it cheerfully and has worked untiringly and uncomplainingly from then until now. Surrounding himself with a faculty willing to work at the pace set by their energetic leader, he commenced planning for the future. The attendance increased rapidly and friends to the Institution were made on every hand. It is surprising to us, even now, when we think how quickly the old building became crowded and there was loud clam- oring for more room. When he first suggested a new building he was alone even in the hope of a realization of his plan. It is true he was surrounded by loyal men and women in the Faculty, but the New Building seemed so

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A FAREWELL TO PRINCIPAL McKAY There are men of strength and courage, There are men both wise and true; But in few men are there centered Virtues as there are in you. Long we’ve felt your noble presence, Long we’ve learned beneath your care, Learned to find in what seemed worthless, Beauties bright and lessons rare. Oft your influence has taught us How our lives may brighter shine, How by purity and wisdom, We may reach a life divine. Still we feel not to detain you From a higher, broader life, Where your wise and kind direction Will bring peace and joy from strife. Though of next year now we’re thinking Of your presence, bright, bereft, Still we feel that in each student Part of your great spirit’s left. So we join to wish you progress, In your work in God’s great plan; And our earnest prayers may help you Give out light and truth to man. —R. D. L.:09.

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THe Acorn improbable. The members of the Board of Education who had borne the burden since the birth of the Institution were still struggling under the debt of the first building, and they could offer no encouragement. In spite of all this, he obtained their permission to assume the re- sponsibility, himself and commenced that Herculean task alone. When they saw his determination, the Faculty entered the work with greatest enthusiasm and have stood by him to the end. When his public work increased, those who were nearest him begged him to give up his school work, but he insisted that it was a pleasure and that he could remain until the completion. During the past year we have enjoyed the result of that labor, but only a few realize how much of the best of his life he has given for us and the New Building. Within its walls there is no tablet engraved to his honor, no stained window reminding us of his nobility, no bust or painting of him—the modest man would not have it so—but the hal- lowed and sacred memory of a life so pure, so full of sympathy, energy and faith will brighten throughout eternity, while monuments are crumbling to dust. Fortunate indeed are the students who have been in his classes; for when he taught religion he gave truths he believed and had proved by practice; his lessons in literature were interpreted in the light of love and charity for all mankind, and his moral teachings had behind them all the force of a perfect moral life. Now he is about to leave us, there is but one heart in the school and that’s sair,” but we are thankful that we shall ever be able to count on his love and interest, and wherever he goes, we desire him to feel that he has the admiration, esteem and prayers of every loyal heart in his school—the Weber Stake Academy.