Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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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

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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

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It is also interesting to note the requirements for admission at that time, as are laid down in the following newspaper article. From “Wor¬ cester Daily Spy,” Sept., 1868: ORCESTER COUNTY Free Institute of Industrial Science. The First Term of this Institution will commence on TUESDAY, Nov. 10, 1868. An examination of candidates for admission will be held in the Chapel of the Institute, on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 9 o’clock a. m. An examination for advanced standing, on Friday, at 9 a.m. Candidates will be expected to give satisfactory evidence of their acquaintance with the usual studies pursued in the District Schools of the County of Wor¬ cester, especially Arithmetic, Geography, and the History of the United States. Applicants for admission to the examination are required to present, in writing, through the Post Office, their request, addressed to Hon. D. Waldo Lincoln, Secretary, enclosing a certificate from some responsible individual, stating the age, residence, name of parent or guardian of the applicant, and testifying to his good character and habits, and his intentions in entering upon the course of study pro¬ posed in the Institute. A circular, containing a description of studies and other particulars, will be returned to each applicant, or sent to any person desiring information. Tuition to residents in Worcester County, FREE. To all others, $60 per annum. The Professor of Chemistry, C. O. Thompson, has charge as Principal, with competent Instructors in the several Departments. STEPHEN SALISBURY, President. DAVID WHITCOMB, Treasurer, D. WALDO LINCOLN, Secretary. EMORY WASHBURN 1 ICHABOD WASHBURN, ALONZO HILL, GEORGE F. HOAR, J. K, PURVEAR, J. B. BLAKE, C. H, MORGAN, A. HARDING, S. SWEETSER, Worcester, Sept. 19,1868. } Trustees. sept 23-8w Growth of the Institute in Numbers But perhaps the most exact way of showing the growth is by actual numbers. The first class consisted of 32 or 33 members, of whom 16 were graduated. The first catalogue was issued in 1871 and was a pamphlet of twelve pages. The students all came from Massachusetts, when it was first started; now nearly every State is represented, there being besides eleven or twelve students from foreign countries. The percentage of Worcester County students is decreasing and the number of students outside of Massachusetts is increasing. The following will show the exact growth along these lines: 19