Western Military Academy - Recall Yearbook (Alton, IL)

Page 19 text:

ACADEMIC YEAR, Cont. Let us look into the classrooms. We see a brilliant array of cherubic faces, nodding sagely while taking part in the fascinating discussions on such intangibles as happiness, fear, etc., which we are told college professors like to throw into our unprepared faces. It is Col. Persing, expounding techniques of expres- sion and original thought which will later be invaluable. We walk across the hall and find the old master of German and Latin, Maj. Buck, insisting on drill and more drill. It has been said that this man can teach a mule to speak German or to appreciate the works of Caesar, so thorough are his methods. We have a great respect for him as a gentleman and a scholar. In the next room, Maj. Gould is trying to pound algebra, trig, and solid geometry into his solid students. He knows his stuff, and his apt teaching is appreciated by all of the cadets. We hear Capt. Williams, as usual, in the midst of a history debate. Students always consider his classes tough but full of opportunity to learn, and among the most enjoyable on the campus. Down the hall, Capt. Green is holding forth with skill and experience. It is said that he can make an hour of plane geometry seem just like half that time. And across the corridor, genial Capt. McKinney hablas to his prod- igies in Spanish. He can speak like a native and tries to bring his students up to the standard of South of the Border. Major Hinton, a veteran instructor, is teach- ing English, literature, vocabulary, composi- tion, and what have you? He is looked upon by cadets as one of those rare individuals to whom one can take his problems and be as- sured of sympathetic and helpful advice. His work in student publications is outstanding. The last room in the building is the domain of Capt. Lamping, who teaches algebra and mechanical drawing. He shows remarkable patience with younger students. An occasional wrangling can be heard from this room, until the poor student finds that he is going to live. Now let's skip across the campus. There we find Capt. Martin busy with the Lower School l. Short gives Senior speech. Rupe reads re- port in Lower School. 2. Col. Persing confers with Samuels. 3. History class debatef Godfrey, Hazelwood, Gonzalez, Murphy, Allen. 4. Study hour in library.

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CLUB 400-ACADEMIC HDNOR SDCIETY Top Row, left to right f Saul, Silverman, l-laeger, Boonshaft, Ewert, Samuels, S., Karp, McRoberts, Kronemer, Libbra, Benjamin, D. Middle Rim' Bolozlcy, Mathis, Westlal-Le, Costello, Allen, Baker, Faulkner, Schmidt, rl., Cinnater, Goldman, Walker, Ratlitf, Haddad, V. Bottom Rau' f Locke, Newmark, N., England, Waterhouse, Bradford, Hazel, Samuels, A.. Vance, Scott, Pohlmann. These academic pace-setters must make a perfect 4.00 average during one home period in order to join. Hazel and Bradford are 4-year members. The club offers two medals to encourage scholastic progress. ACADEMIC YEAR The sky is a deep azure background for a pink cloud halo above the Western campus. A warm spring breeze and a brilliant sun create an air of exhilaration. Ah , you say, this portends something extraordinary. Surely an important event is about to happen. No, we are anticipating nothing, more than the daily class schedule. You may thinlc this will be dull and unexciting, but how wrong you are! ln the classroom can be found the thrill of an Ex grade, the pathos of impend- ing failure, the breathless moments of class participation. If we have been negligent and slipshod, the instructor is a brute. If we earn superiority, we pat our own selves on the back. That is our nature.

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ACADEMIC YEAR, Conf. cadets. His graduating students have proved the value of his excellent instruction by their records in upper classes. He is an affable man who keeps his students in mind. Downstairs is one of our best new teachers, Capt. Brown. He is a man to be proud of, as he instructs juniors and Seniors in English and literature. His classes speak for themselves, and their work is of high quality. Mr. Toerne also teaches Freshman and Sophomore English classes in this building. He took Capt. Rib- bing's classes at the end of the first semester, and we never see an unhappy face leaving his room. Lieut. R. B. jackson's classes in history and literature are well worth a visit. Here we see classes conducted along the line of strict parliamentary procedure. Lieut. jackson not only does sound teaching but he also shows the systematic way of doing things. Over the Q. M., Capt. Bauer has one of the fullest schedules on the campus, but his classes in bookkeeping, typing, commercial law, and business principles and practice are truly stimulating. He is a friendly instructor, always ready to lend a helping hand, but he demands good work. As our tour of classes nears an end, we must see Capt. Bresson in his general science and biology labs. What an interesting place his room is, full of fascinating specimens and exhibits, and full, too, of some of the best instruction on the campus! And finally down to E , where we find a dynamic redhead, Capt. Lange, busily explaining physics or chemistry. Here is a teacher of the highest capabilities. He is a perfectionist and demands the best, but when all is said and done, cadets know that it is for their benefit. We end our tolli' of the classrooms and the hundreds of little dramas that take place every day. Our instructors are a great bunch of teachers and friends. We are beginning to wonder about that little halo over the campus. But we do know that our academic year is worthwhile and that we are being prepared for the future by a superior and earnest faculty. l. Faculty costume party on Capt. Martin's birthday. 2. Capt. McKinney checks his mail. Capt. Bauer rings up M. sale. 3. Maj. Gould explains solid geometry. 4. Maj. Hinton mimeographs tests. Capt. Martin in a sales talk.