Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 27 text:

Front row, left to right: Mr. R. E. Richcson, Prof. E. Higginbottom, Prof. T. H. Packard. Back row: Mr. W. E. Sellers, Prof. A. A. Kennedy I T has been observed in many engineer¬ ing circles that the subject the gradu¬ ating engineers are deficient in is — Eng¬ lish. Therefore, the English department was formed on the Hill, so that Tech stu¬ dents will be better equipped to express their thoughts—as unusual as they may be. After years of deliberation and consider¬ able study, the department decided that the best method of acquiring a knowledge of the language was through consistent writ¬ ing of themes. Along with the weekly themes was, of course, an outline which, oddly enough, was due before the theme. It seems that before this plan of action was put into effect, the outline was done after the theme which rendered the outline absolutely useless. Needless to say, the weekly works of art were the downfall of many a freshman who lacked a vivid imag¬ ination — or some other source of material. It was also very discouraging to complete a theme and then find that the professors read the same magazines. Along with the themes went reading of the works of such authors as Freud and Hayakawa. No freshman was ever as con¬ fused over a formula as he was after read¬ ing the abstractions of Hayakawa. The English Department is proud to have claim on one of Worcester’s finest poli¬ ticians, Professor Higgenbottom, who has been head of the department since 1944. The staff of the department also include the congenial Ted Packard, Arthur “The Elf’’ Kennedy, W. E. Sellers, and R. E. Richeson, Jr. Though seemingly misplaced in a tech¬ nical school, these experts of literary art deserve much credit for broadening the background of the Tech engineer and pre¬ paring him for his future in industry.

Page 26 text:

Left to right: Prof. T. H. Roddenbery, Prof. N. L. Oronato, Dr. J. F. Zimmerman, Dr. A. J. Schwieger. A S the happy-go-lucky engineers of Tech merrily move along their tour of the Institute to their ultimate goal, namely, graduation day, they are given a sigh of relief and a chance to increase their knowl¬ edge by being introduced to the Economics Department of W.P.I. This blessed event comes about at the commencement of the junior year. The Department is headed by Professor Schwieger; and then come his cohorts, Pro¬ fessors Rodenbury, Zimmerman, and Oran- Supply and Demand (Ed. Note: The final counts two-thirds) ato. These fine gentlemen provide many interesting moments and tests for the “Liberal Arts” students. This year the junior course has been re¬ vised. Its basis is the subject of Political Economy. This Department offers the stu¬ dents a great saving on paper, so the rumor goes. Eor just the price of one thin dollar (legal tender) approximately twenty pounds of paper are given to the s tudent containing information as valuable as an encyclopedia. Many interesting sidelights are brought out during these educational informal meet¬ ings. One prime example of a quiz question which proved to be a stumper was, “Who is John Podres?” Very few students gave the correct answer to this question which is, of course, a Mexican explorer and Zse- Zse fly exterminator born about the year 1267. Another question which proved to be most enlightening was, “Can one ex¬ change U.S. currency for gold if one is abroad?” As we end our gay ascent up the ladder of success to graduation, we look back, far back, upon the “Eco” Department and we give thanks for providing us with a most interesting subject which we both loved and passed.

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' rtyi twuf eutct W HILE walking through the corridors of Boynton Hall, one is almost certain to hear the underclassmen expressing their ‘•fondness” for the History and Language Department. “Why should I have to spend six or seven hours a week with the history books when I want to be an engineer?” When making such statements we certainly do not realize the problem that confronts an engineering school, that of producing well rounded individuals who will be con¬ cerned with the world about him in other than scientific and technical lines. It is for this reason that Tech continually places more emphasis on the liberal art subjects in our curriculum. The History and Language Department effectually shoulders its share of the load. After a short leave of absence from Boynton Hall, which saw the department scattered from Washburn Shops to Kinni- cutt Hall, they are again solidly located in the newly renovated building. Here, in his new plush office, Dr. Leland L. Atwood leads the department. In class, Doc has the invaluable talent to put across his subject with a combination of seriousness and gayety. He has an endless line of experien¬ ces and jokes which are quite unpredict¬ able. One of the most respected members of the entire faculty is Prof. Claude Scheifley who, as chairman of the Inter-Fraternity Council, has been able to achieve closer student-faculty relationships. Also ranking Learned and thoughtful high in student rating is Dr. Donald John¬ son. One does not have to have a great love for history in order to really enjoy Doc’s classes. They are often mixed with bits of his philosophy which tend to breed lengthy and interesting discussions concerning sub¬ jects other than history. It is hard to distinguish whether Prof. Arthur Bach’s first love goes to the student or his course, History, but a sure wager is that it’s a close race. Although in class he is all business and “straight to the point,” one finds a warm and unfailing friend when counsel is needed. It will probably not be until future years when we can look back at Tech with an outside view instead of our usual warped picture from the inside that we will begin to really see the achievements of the de¬ partment: that of helping to produce mod¬ ern engineers for modern society. Left to right: Prof. C. B. Scheifley, Dr. L. L. Atwood, Prof. A. W. Back, Dr. D. E. Johnson 1 24 I