Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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WILLIAM WARREN BIRD “ Piggie ” m w After having “Pigg ie” in classroom work, we regretted that we did not have the good fortune of meeting him before our Senior year. One never left his class without a clear understand¬ ing of the subject matter of the day. Even the com¬ plicated problems in Shop Management with the ever bothersome “Production Credits” and “Shop Credits,” were straightened up with his guidance. It was easy, it seems, to see things after “Piggie” had reduced them to a “basis.” In Abstracts, however, he was at his best. After patiently listening to the “abstract of the day,” then came his turn. From the questions that fol¬ lowed, we soon learned that he knows a great deal about a variety of different subjects. Not only is Professor Bird an able teacher, but also he is a staunch friend. He has the welfare of the students continually in mind. This and his congenial spirit, and his appreciation of humor has won for him the admira¬ tion and respect of us all. PERCY ROBERT CARPENTER “Percy” S A E Percy Carpenter seems as though he ought to be the busiest man on the Hill, when you go over and talk with him, and hear of the various schemes he has planned and is operating, but still he manages to get time for them all. He is the man that built the much-loved Physi-Ed department, and it is he who does all the worrying and much of the work con¬ cerned with the success of our athletic teams. When anything needs efficient management the job is turned over to “Percy”; as was the case with the Book and Supply Department. We predict that if the rat-hole should change managers, he would be elected. Professor Carpenter’s ideas are what have helped the Institute most, for he seems to have them in abundance, coupled with the executive ability to carry them out. We have him to thank for bringing the N. E. I. C. A. A. meet to Worcester this year. 23

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ALEXANDER WILMER DUFF “ A. WArner” 3 2 K 2 E Do you remember the day that “A Wilmer” grabbed hold of some high-frequency and the sparks shot off his coat-tails? And the Sophomore Banquet with Dr. Duff, and his ghost stories and poetry? These are just some of the high spots which stand out in the picture which his delightful personality has im¬ pressed indelibly on our memory. Of Dr. Duff’s ability as a scientist, little need be said. After hearing him speak casually of experi¬ ments and research conducted in various univer¬ sities all over the world, and after hearing his “Physics” denounced in glowing terms by unam¬ bitious students in many American colleges, we could but realize how fortunate we were to be under his guidance. And we, who recited under him, and saw him do complicated mathematics in his head more caught a flash of the uncanny ability behind his ARTHUR WILLARD FRENCH “Pa” 2 H As underclassmen, we knew “Pa” only by reputa¬ tion and by sight—and neither was at all reassuring. But the intimate personal contact of the Senior year turned all our early misgivings into a hearty admiration and respect. Strict we found him to be in insisting upon a man’s best effort, and uncanny in his ability to uncover a bluff, but always abso¬ lutely square, and never too busy to assist in straight¬ ening out a difficulty. And his class-room hours will be recalled quite as much for the principles of plain common sense there laid down, as for the technical knowledge gained. “Pa” has little regard for solutions-by-formula. and the “pocket-book engin¬ eer”; and the ability to attack any problem through a firm grasp of its fundamentals, rather than by rule- of-thumb methods, is a large element in the heritage of his Civils. accurately than we could on paper, reputation. 22

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ALTON LINCOLN SMITH “A. L. “Ding” “Dingtoe” 2 S “Dingtoe” ought to make a great poker player, for it is impossible to guess what is going on behind his glasses. Even when chiding the Senior Mechanics for starting their eight o’clocks at eight ten, or for he preserves that calm demeanor and quiet way of taking a recess lasting from fifteen to twenty minutes, speaking. But don’t be fooled, he means what he says. Those of us who met him at the “Faculty Ball” saw in him a cold hearted man, whose advise “to do better” seemed superfluous. On better acquaint¬ ance, we found that he had a sense of humor, ex¬ emplified by such remarks as, “That wouldn’t be strong enough for a doll carriage,” referring to our brilliant designs of a forty-five ton punch. “A. L.” is the friend of all earnest workers, and we shall always remember him as one of Tech’s most loyal supporters. JOSEPH OLIVER PHELON 66 T 99 Joe ATO TBIT S H “If the fellows would only realize that there are only a limited number of legitimate questions that can be asked, and that every fraternity house has at least one set, then perhaps yellow papers in the E. E. Lecture Room would be less dreaded.” So spake the spry middle-aged Professor of the E. E. Dept. “Joe’s” diversions other than teaching on the Hill are many fold, ranging from home life and tinkering with a “Hupp” to putting “sprouts” into his garden. He is one of the favorites of the whole student body, and no wonder, for he claims that he would enjoy teaching if he wasn’t required to hand in grades. If there were only more like you, “Joe,” we’re sure that names on the casualty list would be fewer, and memories would be more pleasant. P. S. (As we go to press) : Did you hear about the sensation Joe created at the faculty masquerade? 24