Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 11 text:

Private. His Army career was short and after his discharge he broadened his education, receiving his M.A. in 1922 and his Ph.D. in 1927, both at Cornell. In 1930 he joined the faculty at Tech as Head of the Department of History and Modern Languages. To him and his staff must go the credit for making a group of non-technical subjects among the most interesting and re¬ warding courses at a technical school. But his achievements are not limited to the educational field alone. After becoming a member of the faculty here he was initiated into Phi Gamma Delta and is now faculty advisor for the chapter. Since his initiation he has con¬ stantly striven to keep Phi Gam in the front ranks of the fraternities at Tech and has seldom missed a meeting or a social event at the house. Although his wife died in 1949 he has the comfort of his two sons, Robert and Richard, the latter being a member of the Tech Class of ’48. And on top of this, “Atty” has the distinction of being one of the youngest grandfathers on Tech’s faculty—no less than four grandchildren. Now a widower, as well as a grandfather, he is still ap¬ preciative of the fairer sex, as evidenced by his loyal attend¬ ance at fraternity and school social functions. But to us it represents, as well, his unquenchable love of music and his fondness for dancing, the natural desires of a person who h-e benefit of any doubt. enjoys life. Among the students Dr. Atwood is known as a man who is, first and foremost, fair to all. The day before finals he can be found in Room 306 in Boynton waiting to give students make-ups for quizzes they have missed even as far back as the start of the term. He is a man dedicated to teaching and often starts his classes as soon as he enters the door, trying to give to each student the maximum possible understanding of the course, whatever it may be. But his classes are not dry by. any means; he always enlivens an otherwise uncolorful section of the work by means of interesting examples or a well-placed pun. Among his colleagues he is described as democratic, kind, and generous. A subordinate of his in the department once remarked, “The professors could not wish for a better departmental head than Doctor Atwood.” To say more about “Atty” would be superfluous. It is indeed difficult to capture in words the feeling of admiration and respect that he has won through his services to the students and to his fellow associates down through the years. In dedicating this Peddler to him, we present our humble tribute to a professor, to a man, and, most of all, to a friend. 7