West Texas A and M University - Le Mirage Yearbook (Canyon, TX)

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, President J. A. Hill

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Jrfmwmci In this 1948 eclition of Le Mirage we pay trihnte to Dr. Hill, our presiclent, in recognition of his retirement from active service. Too, we hope that this hook will prove a inenioriziin to this school year at West Texas State. I, as eclitor, wish to extencl any sincerest thanks to all those who have worlzezl with ine to rnake this yearhook possihle. To the aclininistration, we extencl our appreciation for the extra fnncls which inacle the color plates possihle. It is our sincere wish that you will enjoy your 1948 Le Mirage. ...J

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To all to whom these presents may come. Greetings: As I approach the thirty year milestone as chief administrative officer of West Texas State College and my thirty-eighth marker in the service of the insti- tution, I think I cannot do better than exhibit here a few of the nuggets which I have picked up along the way. There is no particular unity in them or similarity of content except that all, I think, contain elements of gold. Most of them have taken form in the last five years, and I hope that as you assay them, they will not turn out to be fool's gold. 1. My best self deserves a good chance. 2. There is enough potential in the life of every normal individual to make him a great blessing to himself and to his country. Wasted potential is the one great human tragedy. 3. If one would be strong, let him not run from hardship nor regret the ne- cessity for self-denial. 4. It is fine fun to meet a hard job and lick it. 5. No man can do better for himself than feed his mind upon the thoughts of the g1'eat who have gone before. 6. The discovery and exploration of the continent of self-hood is one of the first and main tasks to which the aspiring youth must give sustained and intelligent attention. 7. The most practical man in the world is the idealist. 8. Three things Americans must come to know if this country is to survive: a. The history and nature of their government. b. The sacredness of human personality. c. The sovereignty of the Higher Law. 9. We hear much talk these days about personal liberty. Regardless of gov- ernmental guarantees, no man is truly free until he has captured the enemies of his own soul. 10. He who touches off the spark of aspiration in youth puts the world under everlasting obligation to him. 11. No man deserves the privilege of self-government who cannot govern himself, and a republic composed of such citizens cannot long endure. 12. The girl who encourages too great familiarity on the part of her boy friend is inviting the termites to destroy the foundations of true love and the promise of a happy home. 13. The physically unfit plus the mentally unfit plus the morally unfit consti- tute a national liability that is staggering in its implications. Quick im- provement in all three respects is essential to avoid national disaster. 14. The debasement of one's physical resources is a form of disloyalty to one's self. 15. One good mother is worth a cow-pen full of policemen. 16. The spark of liberty is as unquenchable as God is indestructible. .Mica 41