Valedictory Address

"Valedictorian Urges Greater Attention to Student Opinion" The Daily Gleaner (17 May 1945): 5. (UA Case 68, Box 1).

Your Honour, Mrs. President, Distinguished Visitors, Ladies and Gentlemen:

This is a day which we long have awaited. It marks the culmination of a pleasant and profitable sojourn “Up the Hill”, the hopes and aspirations of the graduating class, and the fulfillment of the long-felt desires of our parents. Four years have elapsed since we first accepted the ringing challenge of a university career. At that time we wondered at the need of further education for our minds were well-developed – we thought. The experiences of the past four years have changed our opinions considerably. No longer do we feel as though we have reached the zenith of our academic career, for now we realize that our education is just the beginning. We have discovered that it requires far more than mere classroom studies. The university has caused us to become less of schoolboy savages and slightly more civilized beings. At a university one gets an inkling of the wonderful creative possibilities of human talents. Henceforth the task will be to develop these possibilities in the special field of study undertaken.

University and War

The achievement of such training has involved long and tiring hours of work. To acquire such knowledge has meant that many medically fit men have remained in university in preference to joining His Majesty’s forces. This does not mean they have enlisted in the rank and file of the familiar “draft dodger” to be so slovenly labeled “zombie”. Early in the war federal authorities recognized the need of university education and gave it high priority. As a consequence of their decision, Canada today is in a far better condition educationally than her great neighbor, the United States, which early in the war, banned higher formal education. These tearing emotions have pervaded the student thought, creating anxiety and bewilderment in their minds, impeding the task at hand. Yet those who have graduated before have proved well their merits. Many enlisted in the armed services to become leaders and planners of the greatest military operations in history; others, unfit for military service, entered essential industry to design and assemble the necessary weapons of a fighting nation. The time spent for their education was not in vain.

Not in a few of our original class of 104 have enrolled in the fighting forces.

Young Lives Given

Several have paid the supreme sacrifice. One Lieut. Harry Saunders of the class of ’42 heroically gave his life on the Holland-German front. A strong supporter of campus societies and an enthusiastic sportsman, Mr. Saunders was well known to the present graduating class. He was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Two members of our class have died as a result of injuries. Lieut. Walter Ross succumbed to injuries incurred at C.O.T.C. Training camp in Sussex last May. Flying Officer John Stewart of the R.C.A.F. was killed in an airplane crash in Prince Edward Island. Another classmate Ivan Loring died this Spring in the Victoria Public Hospital as the result of a serious illness. To the wives, relatives and friends of the deceased we extend our sympathies. They live on in the thoughts of their friends.

Late Dr. Keirstead

On November 5th, 1944 the campus was saddened by the sudden death of one of its greatest educators, Dr. Wilfred C. Keirstead, for many tears Professor of Philosophy and Economics. Members of the class of ’45 were among his last scholars before his retirement a year ago. The fields of philosophy, logic and ethics, psychology and sociology, economics, politics and education were unfolded in his teachings. Centre of the Arts Faculty for thirty-six years he served diligently to perpetuate a high standard of education. Our condolences are sent to his family and friends.

The Ex-President

With us as President for our first three years was Dr. N.A.M. Mackenzie. While here, he and his wife formed many friendships, not only among the student-body, but also with local and provincial citizens. Our loss is British Columbia’s gain, We wish them a prosperous future.

The New President

Successor to Dr. MacKenzie is Dr. Milton F. Gregg, V.C. who came to us as a Brigadier from the Army. Since his appointment last Summer Dr. Gregg has toiled diligently and ceaselessly to learn the students’ way of life. Ever ready to lend a guiding hand, he has assisted numerous scholars in solving many of their difficult problems. Because of his vast army experience, Dr. Gregg will prove beneficial in the rehabilitation and reallocation of members of the armed forces. Veterans and other incoming students will discover, as we have found, in Dr. Gregg and his most charming wife, a very social and admirable couple. As we depart from the University we thank you for your gracious hospitality and wish you continued success.

Return of Veterans

The arrival on the campus last Fall of the veterans of World War II marks the beginning of a new era on university life. Their ranks will be augmented in ensuing years by others of the same class. May they who have served so nobly, find in the university and its environment the essential features which will help them to return to civil life, and at the same time grasp the necessary training which will prepare them for industrial and commercial enterprise. One concern of the veterans will be to adjust themselves and associate freely with other students; a responsibility of the students will be to assist these war heroes in every way possible. The task is mutual. Executives and members of the staff will also have additional work to do. More instruction and tutoring will be necessary. But, at the same time, too much stress should not be placed on any one group. The needs and requirements of the general student body, as such, must not be overlooked.

Quality Not Quantity

The quality and not the quantity of the graduates is a measure of the status of an educational institution. Yes, size is not precedence, and numbers do not make a university. The quality and temperament of U.N.B. graduates are due largely to the ability, perseverance and influence of the professors. The student body being small, it permits closer associations between the professors and their pupils. The members of the faculty have been patient with us. They have endured our stupidity to show us the rudiments of education. It is with fond regret that we must bid to you, the professors, our sad farewell.

In Sports

The class has taken a keen interest in sports, as spectators and participants. The sports programme outlined by the Physical Director has served to the advantage of many; however, there is the need of greater participation by the students. This year the basketball team won the Dominion Intermediate Basketball Title. Members of the winning team were: Professor Ryan (coach), Ralph Ayers (Manager), Ed Mitton (captain), Ted Owens, Dave Stothart, Gerry Lockhart, Art Demers and Neil Elgee. Our class was ably represented by the captain, Ed Mitton and Manager, Ralph Ayers. The team is to be heartedly congratulated. As spectators we have witnessed four years of outstanding basketball. Your achievements have brought fame to the University, and distinction to the capital city of Fredericton. Linked in the fond memories of U.N.B. will be recollections of a fine team – good sports and gentlemen, all.

There has been a marked increase in intramural sports in the last few years. Winners this year in interclass basketball and champions for four years has been proud of its record. Football, Hockey, Boxing, Track, and Swimming have been other sports in which the class has taken as active part.

Fredericton

We shall be sorry to leave the citizens of Fredericton and their attractive city. The majority of the students have worked during the summer in various centres of Eastern Canada. They have founds new places which could match Fredericton for its cleanliness and grandeur. Scarcely could they discover communities of such cheerful and amicable people.

Undergraduates

The friendships formed with the undergraduates will remain long in our memories. The responsibility of directing campus affairs remains in your hands. We have left undone many things. Take hold and be firm. Realize that recognition of student opinion has dwindled. Only this past winter has someone appealed for proper illumination on the path down the hill because a member of the Senate or Faculty had sustained a broken limb, lights undoubtedly would have been installed. But no, it was just a student who broke his ankle. Consequently, lights have been installed, at a cost to, not the University, but the Students’ Representative Council. Far too often students are squelched in their recommendations and in the same breath are told they are the future leaders of the nation. Which is right? Even the best of people make mistakes! This question must be answered by you in the succeeding years. Be not afraid. Stand strong in your convictions. We regret that time doth us depart.

The Goal Reached

Our goal has now been achieved. After today our ways diverge. War still prevails and many graduates will take up arms against Japan, the remaining corner of a once tremendous totalitarian triangle. Here as in the formed Germany, brutality prevails. The word civilization has been blotted from their memory and erased from their vocabulary. Other graduates will proceed to the practical field of their respective courses. Whatever we do, may we perform it well, for in the words of Thomas Henry Huxley, “The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man’s foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher.”