Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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V THE AFTERMATH MORTON MASIUS Professor of Physics Ph.D., Univ. of Leipzig, 1908; Whiting Fellow, Har¬ vard, 1908-09; Instructor in Physics, W. P. I., 1909-15; Assistant Professor, 1915-19; Professor, 1919-. Dr. Masius or “Dutchy” as lie is more com- monly called is one of the most colorful person¬ alities on the Hill. His many mannerisms and ready wit as well as his willingness and ability to share with us his splendid knowledge of Phys¬ ics have endeared him to all with whom he has come in contact. “Dutchy” has no equal as a mental calculator and his ability at belittling us by easily lo¬ cating our foolish mistakes makes us marvel. One might think that “Dutchy’s” ever-present red necktie would make him hot under the collar but he really has a very even disposition and we may well count him as one who has helped us greatly in our search for knowledge. “ Dutchy ” CARL DUNHAM KNIGHT Professor of Experimental Electrical Engineering B.S., W. P. I., 1903, and E.E., 1908; Instructor in Elec¬ trical Engineering, 1904-08; Assistant Professor of Ex¬ perimental Electrical Engineering, 1908-20; Professor, 1920-. When Prof. Knight herded us Electrics to¬ gether a year ago last February to start us in on our year and a half of Electrical Laboratory work, he little dreamed what abysmal ignorance he had to cope with. But he has carried on very patiently, with the result that to-day we can blow a circuit-breaker quite artistically. “C.D.” has always been a thorough Conservative, both as to dress and as to policies, and it came as a distinct surprise, on our Inspection Trip last summer, when he appeared in plus-fours. This one small failing, however, made him more of a favorite than ever with the boys, for it showed that even so lofty a mind as his is sometimes concerned with earthly matters. 21

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THE AFTERMATH ‘Dinny” 2S DANIEL FRANCIS CALHANE Professor of Industrial and Electro-Chemistry A.B., Harvard, 1894, A.M., 1895, and Ph.D., 1904; As¬ sistant in Chemistry, 1899-1903; Instructor, W. P. I., 1903-13; Assistant Professor of Industrial and Electro- Chemistry, 1913-18; Professor, 1918-. “Dinny’s” middle name should be versatility, for he teaches subjects as diverse as Scientific French and German, and Industrial and Electro Chemistry. In “Electro”, “Dinny” must have been discouraged at the large resistance which his students showed toward absorbing the theory of electrolytic conduction. Among ourselves, however, we doubt if “The Great H.B.” himself could grasp it all. “Dinny” has as much, if not more, true interest in the welfare of his pupils than any prof on the hill. One of his favorite expressions is a fitting ending to these com¬ ments: “Now I dont expect you to remember all this; this is simply for reference”. HOWARD PARKER FAIRFIELD Professor of Machine Construction Instructor in Machine Design, Drawing and Shop Work, Case, 1891-99; Machine Construction, W. P. I., 1899- 1914; Assistant Professor, 1914-19; Professor, 1919-. While the significance of some nicknames must always remain a dark and dank secret, the “Pa” in Pa Fairfield signifies only esteem and appreciation of his kindliness. We oiled away many greasy hours knocking chips off cast iron test bars and the like in ma¬ chine shop; hut time always slipped away smoothly under the serene supervision of the Professor of Machine Construction. We could always look forward to a pleasing, restful lec¬ ture hour full of common sense and delightful anecdotes. In patience and forbearance he is on a par with “C.D.” himself. The only dissonant note in machine shop is ' ‘Pa” the squeek of the planer. 20

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n THE AFTERMATH LEON E. JENKS Professor of Chemistry B.S., Hamilton College, 1905, and M.S., 1908; Assistant Professor of Physical and Metallurgical Chemistry, Cooper Union, 1916-18; Professor of Analytical Chemist¬ ry, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 1918-19; Inorganic and Indus¬ trial Chemistry, Univ. of Buffalo, 1919-21; in charge, Division of Technical and Economic Chemistry, the College of the City of New York, 1923-24; Professor of Chemistry, W. P. I., 1924-. Whenever you see a large stack of books moving across the corridor on the third floor of the Salisbury Laboratories, you will prob¬ ably find Prof. Jenks the diminutive prime mover. He believes that the more books con¬ sulted, the more nearly the student approaches the proper perspective. Prof. Jenks’ principal burden is Freshman Chemistry, and he certain¬ ly carries it with conscientiousness. His inter¬ est in those who are out of luck is unsurpassed; he will sympathize with you on any subject from love affairs and the consequent financial embarrassment to food analysis. For this rea¬ son, Prof. Jenks’ office is the seat of countless exhaustive, and very satisfying “gab-fests.” “ Shorty ” y v HARRIS RICE Professor of Mathematics B.S., W. P. I., 1912; A.M., Harvard, 1922; Instructor in Mathematics, Tufts, 1915-19; Harvard, 1918; Assistant Professor, Tufts, 1919-20; W. P. I., 1920-24; Professor. 1924-. “Ricey” is rather diminutive as to size, but his mental powers are enormous, and as for his voice, when he holds forth to his Math classes, it can only be described as stentorian. Local history has it that he developed his vocal chords when he used to call in the “caows” down on his farm in Millbury. And he is probably able to keep in practice, too, for he still goes back and forth to Milbury every day in his snappy little roadster. Prof. Rice has had no little share in making our course at Tech an interesting one, and the value of the training he has given us would be hard to overestimate. “ Ricey ’ 22