Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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Once again we won the rope pull. We also won the paddle rush and soccer game hut lost in football in the Goat’s Head competition. We were quite successful in the informal rivalry and were in possession of the Head for almost the entire year. Once again our Tech Carnival crew came through with a blue rihhon by importing some Chicago atmosphere and showing what goes on under the limelights in the “Windy City.” The athletic picture, also, was one of success. The big one in football was a 21-20 storybook victory over the University of Massachusetts by a fighting Tech team. One of the highlights of the year was the informally organized Boynton Hill Lacrosse Club, a spirited group of Tech men who became the only unbeaten, untied lacrosse team in the United States, defeating some of the strongest teams in the East. Lacrosse has since been partially recognized as an official school sport. Most of us breathed a long sigh of relief at the end of our sophomore year. Probably not so much from the idea that we were now through with elementary physics, chemistry, mathematics, English, and history as from the fact that we could now start on our summer reading assign¬ ments. In September, 1951, we began our junior year. At last we had obtained that coveted title of “upperclassmen.” Again we undertook 34 weeks of classes, homework, and sleepless nights. We had been told that our junior year would be the roughest of all; however, a minor consola¬ tion was that we had no Saturday classes. This year, we were informed, was destined to separate the men from the boys. We who have survived this ordeal are the “men” of the Class of 1953. It was during this junior year that many of our number were introduced to the Worcester Tech version of the “Five Year Plan.” While the government was busy inducting young men into its army program, we at Worces¬ ter Tech inducted the army into our program. Although it did not directly affect the majority of the Class of 1953, the institution of the ROTC initiated a new aspect of Tech life and set new standards for Tech men. As juniors we participated actively in all phases of Tech life. We began to “carry the load” in the various organizations on the Hill. In addition, many of our members were honored by election to the various honorary societies on campus. We made every effort to find and promote an active, wholesome, and diversified life at Worcester Tech. The social success of the year was our Junior Prom Formal Weekend. We danced to the lively melodies supplied by Ken Reeves and his as¬ sociates and thoroughly enjoyed losing many hours of sleep. We enthusiastically supjmrted a revival of the Parents’ Day weekend with all of the depart¬ ments demonstrating their particular phases of engineering. This gave our parents an insight into Tech life and the opportunity to observe Inspector Hector the Vector Director demon¬ strating his reactor factor protractor and similar exhibitions of engineering progress. With assurances from preceding classes that “they don’t flunk seniors,” we entered our final year at the Institute with an optimistic outlook. On October 28, 1952 we were moved with deep sorrow and a keen sense of personal loss as we learned of the passing of our President, Wat Tyler Cluverius, more informally known as “the Admiral.” We had known and respected him for the man that he was. The ideals to which he devoted his life will long remain in the hearts and minds of Tech men. Francis Roys, Dean of Engineering became the Acting Presi¬ dent of the Institute. One of the chief projects undertaken individ¬ ually during our senior year was that of locating a position in industry. Scores of representatives from the industrial world came to Tech and interviewed our members. We are quite fortu¬ nate to be graduating in an era in which engi¬ neers are in great demand. Finally, there was the last mile—the last few months, weeks, and days at Tech—that last whirlwind of events preceding graduation. For a moment we must look back at four memorable years at Worcester Tech. These we will hold always in our hearts. We must look hack also at the knowledge we have obtained here. This we shall keep always in our minds. Together these make up that priceless objective that we have sought here and found. Now, enriched, enlivened, and unafraid we must look to the future.

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CLASS HISTORY 1953 George Raymond Polen, Class Historian In the year 1849, a large group of adventure- seekers gathered together their belongings and embarked upon a search for enormous wealth. The determinatian and courage of these pioneers fills many pages in the annals of history. In September, 1949, a century later, a smaller group of adventurers initiated a similar move¬ ment in search of an equally valuable objective. Gathering together in Alden Memorial for the first time, ive became officially known as the Class of 1953. We, also, have a history. Our course was not an easy one. As fresh¬ men we became aware of the fact that the so- called Sophomore class refused to recognize our claims to the title of “Tech men.” Later on we were to learn that the faculty would present an even more formidable challenge to this claim. We concentrated on the immediate objective, however, winning the rope pull and the football game in the Goat’s Head competi¬ tion. When the Goat’s Head itself was being escorted around the campus there were many impromptu and rather informal contests as to which class should take the responsibility for its possession. These informal activities were undertaken with even more vigor than the formal Goat’s Head rivalry. They usually ended good- naturedly, however, with several members of both classes deciding to go over to Institute Pond for a swim. It was not long before we became quite familiar with that peculiar specie of the animal kingdom known as “the college professor.” It was amazing. They seemed quite harmless and almost human. After the first period of ex¬ aminations this initial impression was modified somewhat. Several of our number found the going quite rough and were obligated to heed the immortal ad¬ vice of the esteemed Dr. Masius: “Run over to the Bursar’s Office and see if you can get your tuition back.” It was he, however, who taught us when to “square and add” and when to “inte¬ grate.” He also in¬ formed us of the paramount objec¬ tive of a college education, which is , “to enable the stu¬ dent to become pro¬ ficient in the evalu¬ ation of infinitesimal sums.” We saw our Tech football team win three straight and then drop three in a row to post a .500 season average. One of the victories was a juicy 7-6 upset over a highly rated University of Massachusetts eleven. Several of our men of ’53 saw frequent action throughout the season. We cheered our basketball team on to an equally successful performance, coming up with a favor¬ able showing in the won-lost department. When Tech Carnival time rolled around, our dramatics experts put their heads together and came up with a prize-winning program. It was simple. All we did was to portray a few scenes from our ordinary life here at Tech. We had never realized before just how hilarious it actual¬ ly was. A large percentage of our class partici¬ pated in the fraternity rushing system and almost four-fifths of our number were subsequently pledged to the nine fraternities on campus. Toward the end of our freshman year, we were given the opportunity to select the course in which we would specialize during the following years. As it happened all of our members signed up for some type of engineering. This was sig¬ nificant and rather fortunate in view of the fact that no other major types of courses are offered by the Institute. In our sophomore year we returned with new spirit and enthusiasm. Under the ler.dership of President Cluverius we planted both feet firmly on the deck and looked ahead. We cheerfully accepted the responsibility of indoctrinating the new Freshman class in the traditions of the Institute. We also impressed upon them the necessity for showing proper respect to the upper classes, especially the Sophomore class. They were somewhat uncooperative at first, and we were forced lo instruct them the “hard way.” Dave, John Dave, Dave

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CLASS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE OEOKGE THOMAS ABDOW CMEMICAI. ENGINEERING Football 1, 2, 3. 4, “W”; Golf 1. 2, 3. 4, “W”; Varsity Club 1, 2, 3, 4 ; Tech Carnival 2; I.F. Sports 1, 2, 3, 4 : A.I.Ch.E. 2. 3, 4 ; I.C.C. 2, 3; Bridge Club 3, 4. Permanent Mailing Address 1438 Grafton St., Worcester, Mass. STEPHEN J.ACOB ABRAMS Steve” ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AEH Soccer 1, 2, 3 ; Radio Club 4 ; IF Sports 2, 3, 4 ; A.I.E.E. 3, 4 ; Paddle Rush 2 ; Class Numerals 2. Permanent Mailing Address 1305 E. 18 St., Brooklyn, N. Y. JOHN EDWARDS ALLEN, JR. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Little John” Camera Club 4 ; Outing Club 4 ; I.F. Sports 1, 2, 3, 4 ; A.S.M.E. 4 ; Fraternity Vice-President 3 ; Class Numerals 1 ; W.P.I.A.A. 1, 2, 3, 4. Permanent Mailing Address 71 Church St., Winchester, Mass. ARNOLD ALLENTUCH Arhy” mechanical engineering AEn Camera Club 4 ; Aero Club 4 ; A.S.M.E. 3, 4 ; S.C.A. Cabinet 4. Permanent Mailing Address 31 S. Stowell St., Worcester, Mass. WTO LEON ANDRELIUNAS CIVIL ENGINEERING “Vyt” OK b, IIA E Baseball 1, 2, 3 ; Tech News 2, 3; Sports Editor 3, 4 ; Peddler Staff 2,3,4; Prom Committee 2 ; I.F. Sports : A.S.C.E. ; Newman Club 1, 2, 3, 4 ; Paddle Rush 1, 2. Permanent Mailing Address 90 D St., Athol, Mass. STANLEY CHARLES ANDRUKONIS Stan” CIVIL ENGINEERING 2AE Baseball 1, 2, 3, “W”; Varsity Club 3, 4 ; I.F. Sports: A.S.C.E.; Newman Club 1, 2, 3, 4; Rope Pull 1, 2; Paddle Rush 1, 2 ; Class Numerals 1, 2. Permanent Mailing .Address 18 Trafalgar Sq., S. Barre, Mass.