Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 23 text:

ing to note the changes that forty years have wrought. In two score years Worcester has built around Tech, until, witli Institute Park, Bancroft Hill and Tower, and the many handsome residences, it has the most desirable situation in Worcester. Customs The school has seen nearly as many customs and traditions come and go as it has years. Let us mention a few of these. For over thirty years the seniors had a class-day, with the planting of class trees and the various class-day exercises. The commencement exercises lasted all day. In the morning the seniors read their theses before a board of examiners—a cus¬ tom which was continued until the classes became so large that only a few of them were chosen, and it was finally given up entirely. In the after¬ noon the regular exercises were held, consisting ot ' a number of addresses and the presentation of the diplomas, very much the same as it is today. It was also a custom for many years to hold a bonfire at commencement, and incidentally the burial of text-books in geometry, the burning of 17

Page 22 text:

looked before Boynton Hall was built? To go back forty years, imagine if possible a round hill covered with a thick pine grove. This was cut away, and 15,000 yards removed in grading for the winding drives and walks. West street then extended from Salisbury Street to the top of the Hill. Institute Road, then called Jo Bill Road, was merely a wagon path, and followed a straight line over the Hill, instead of going around as at present. From the corner of Lancaster and Highland Streets to the foot of the Institute Hill was a swamp with no houses, until the President’s house, (now occupied by Dr. Jennings) was built. Dean, Wachnsett and Lan¬ caster streets were unheard of. On the west there were no houses for a considerable dis tance, except a one-story hut at the corner of Highland and West streets. What is now Institute Park was then merely a field running down to Salisbury Pond, which, before the steel mills were built, was a brook. An arm of Salisbury Pond at the time the Institute was opened came up to Salisbury Street, opposite to Dean. Running from Salisbury Street to the pond, opposite to the Institute drive, was a low stone wall, at the end of which was an old apple tree, where the early students spent their study hours in swimming. The base-ball field was where the tennis courts are now. Bliss Field was then covered with bushes and stumps. In brief. Tech was all by itself, out in the country, and it is certainly interest-

Page 24 text:

effigies, et cetera. This was discontinued when a former Professor disap¬ proved of the compliments bestowed upon him. Until comparatively recent years there has been an annual cane-rush between the sophomores and freshmen. It has long been and is now a custom to try and prevent the juniors from having their “Half-Way Through.” An annual Tech play was started, but this, too, was unfortunately discontinued—unfortunately, because a great deal of good can be derived from such a custom. At pres¬ ent athletics is the only competitive thing in the Institute, and opening competition along this new line, we believe would help Tech spirit more than anything else. Another custom still in vogue is the annual “Mount¬ ain Day,” when we all get a breath of fresh air, and a view from Wachusett or a peek into Purgatory. Last year a custom long buried was renewed when the seniors played the Faculty at baseball. It was the custom for a long time to have a chapel exercise. Attendance was at first made com¬ pulsory, then voluntary, and finally it was abandoned by the vote of the trustees. It is the earnest hope of the class of 1908 that in the near future some suitable building will be erected in which this custom can be renewed, and the whole body of students brought together at least once a week—a thing that we have not seen in our four years at Tech. Another custom is the annual Tech banquet, which has proved a greater success each year. Long may this and other customs live, and may the time soon come when Tech will have an assembling place of its own, where these affairs can be held! Growth of the Institute—Instruction One way to show the growth of the school is to compare the force of instruction of today with what it was at first. There were five teachers in all to teach all the different branches of engineering. These were as follows: Mr. C. O. Thompson, Professor of chemistry and principal. Mr. G. E. Gladwin, Instructor in free hand and mechanical drawing. Mr. G. I. Alden, Professor of civil and mechanical engineering. Miss Harriet Goodrich, Instructor in elementary mechanics. Mr. M. P. Higgins, Superintendent shops. Compare this with a list of those who today pull the wires. 18