Worcester State University - Oak Leaf Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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THE IVY ADDRESS The planting of the Ivy represents a tradition which has been cherished at Wor- cester State Teachers College for many years. The planting of this ivy, however, is more than just a tradition; it is a testimonial to all the beloved people responsible for our success; to the teachers, parents, husbands, wives, and friends whose encour- agement and devotion aided us in achieving our goal here at State Teachers College. We hope that this ivy will remind all lower classmen of the time and effort, the success and failure, the joys and sorrows which were an integral part of our four years. We, the Class of 1959, shall plant the roots of this ivy deep and firm, with the hope that it will remain growing and blossoming, just as we, now teachers, hope to grow and blossom intellectually. May we accept the challenge of our profession and achieve its goals successfully. ANTHONY J. MARINO 15

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CLASS PRESIDENT ' S ADDRESS We, the class of 1959, have passed through a period of expansion here at Wor- cester State Teachers College. Materially, our campus has its new building. Mentally, we have kept pace by maturing to the high intellectual level befitting college graduates. Without the astute and patient guidance of Dr. John E. Sullivan and the faculty, and the sacrifices of our parents, we would have had a great deal more difficulty in achieving our goal. So to each of these we express our heartfelt appreciation. Today we stand on the threshold of a new adventure. Our hopes and ambitions Inspire us to go forth prepared to meet our destinies. Let us fearlessly meet the future and remember the goals of our dedicated profession: to help mold better Individuals, and to prepare them for America ' s future. If we always keep these thoughts in mind, we shall be assured of success in our endeavors. ROBERT E. DUNNE 14

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CLASS HISTORY As we, the Class of 1959, launch our rockets of learning into the firmament of tomorrow ' s classrooms, we pause a moment to reminisce about the four years which we have spent together. It all began in the month of September in the year 1955. Fresh from a year as the ruling class in our respective high schools, we were now on the bottom of a new academic ladder. But we were in college, and that was quite a distinction in itself. We now had a common goal: teaching. The year was full of new experiences, all of which constantly reminded us of our responsibilities in a profes- sional school. We faced the class alone on many occasions to give reports, good training, we were told, for the day when we would have to face a class of our own. There were six sections In our freshman class, but as yet, no mention had been made of either elementary or secondary. The division was purely alphabetical. How quickly we learned whose name came Immediately before our own and who was destined to sit on either side of us in almost every class! This was a big social year for us. We had been In the school only a week when we were honored at a Welcome Freshman Dance sponsored by the sophomores. This was held In the gymnasium, that area of the old building which our class still remem- bers in all its former glory. October brought with It All College Week, during which we made our first effort as a class, presenting a successful variety show. Most of us were somewhat stunned by the prospect of a half-dozen research papers which were required during this year. Almost any Saturday morning, a class reunion could be held in the public library as we became Intimately familiar with the Reader ' s Guide. Scarcely had we survived that ordeal when we discovered that the time was approaching for our first brush with mid-year exams. Many of us could not imagine any exam lasting two hours; at least we couldn ' t until we saw those first essay questions! Our big social event of the season was scheduled for January 13, 1956, a Friday evening. But we weren ' t superstitious; why should we have been? Moonlight Mist was an unqualified success, and Judy Maynard was a lovely queen. In April we held our extra dance, Let ' s Make Believe. By that time, the lovely spring weather was making us wish that some of our classes could be held outdoors so that we could enjoy the beautiful, unbroken landscape which Is no more. In June we realized that we had actually survived a whole year of college; nothing could stop us now. Sure enough, during the summer, a metamorphosis transformed us from fresh- man caterpillars Into sophomore butterflies. We were upperclassmen! We could sit In the middle of the auditorium! With our new-found wings spread, we extended our sphere of interest In ail directions. For example, the more artistic of our number demonstrated their ability to copy the beauties of nature at Elm Park with Miss Jayne. One divis ion In geography set out, pencils In hand, to count the fire hydrants and 16