Valedictory Address

Student-Life at U.N.B. Given Review by Valedictorian” Daily Gleaner (13 May 1943). (UA Case 68, Box 2)

Your Honour, Members of the Senate, Faculty, Parents, Undergraduates and Friends:

On behalf of the members of the graduating class I shall attempt to express some of the thoughts which I know every graduate would have expressed to-day. To express such thoughts I find exceedingly difficult, difficult because such thoughts must necessarily be so varied, so widespread, covering a scope reaching far into the past, reaching still farther into the future, and yet seem centred so very much about the present.

To many present to-day this occasion merely means a presentation of degrees to graduates. To us it means much more than that. For every 1943 graduate here to-day this is perhaps one of the most solemn, and undoubtedly one of the most important, days in his life.

To-day represents a climacteric success to four years of working towards this goal. It represents the culmination of comradeship with those around us. It means the passing into a new and strange life, which at present is not too enticing. But above all, to-day means that we have been proved capable of going into the world and assuming positions of leadership in society, in industry, and in the services.

Marked Reduction

This college career has not been an uneventful one. We have witnessed many things. It seems a far cry to the carefree days four years ago when we entered U.N.B. as Freshmen. We were entering a new life then too, but not such a very different one. The great change which had begun to affect the world around us had not seeped in. At that time the class of ’43 numbered one hundred and thirty-four, the largest class in the history of the University. To-day we number only sixty-five. It is to these other sixty-nine that a very special portion of our farewell is directed. Some have left to pursue special studies elsewhere … Some have gone into war industries, and some to every branch of the fighting services. The class of ’43 already have their representatives in almost every part of the world, in the Army, in the Navy, and in the Air Force. What a perfect graduation day it would be if that same one hundred and thirty-four were here again! But life is full of imperfections, and we can only hope that some day they, too, shall know the pride and satisfaction that we have this afternoon.


The Immortal Dead

But there are a very special few who shall never know this satisfaction, they are dead. They are the men who have given their lives that the democracy we have learned to appreciate might live. They have given their lives that you and I, and generations to come, might enjoy the democratic institutions of which this university is a very symbol. No, they shall never get a degree. They have already graduated, and with the highest honours which can be bestowed upon mankind. In the annals of this University, and in the minds of its graduates, they have achieved immortality. As we say farewell to the rest of our college friends we can add a gentle prayer for Winslow Gilbert, Ivan Trafford and Graham Rogers … killed in action … and others reported missing … They have indeed flung back the torch … We shall not break faith. Every member of the graduating class shall be doing his part towards attaining the ultimate victory for which these men offered their lives.

There have been many other changes in the past four years. As has been said many times, the universities of Canada have gone to war, and our university is no exception. The student of to-day has given an unwritten, and unspoken promise that for his four years in college he shall return the leadership and the technical knowledge so vital in the maintenance of a complete war effort.

Service Training

It is towards this end that our Canadian Officers Training Corps has risen from two one-hour lectures a week, without equipment or advantages of practical training, to one of the most efficient of Reserve Units. Through the efforts of Major Jones we shall graduate with the knowledge of at least the fundamentals of the job which lies ahead for many of us. This year the University Air Training Corps has been established under Squadron Leader Miller. This innovation has been greatly appreciated by those who expect to continue as members of the R.C.A.F.

Too Little Recognition

But, it is with regret that we see the recognition of such training falling as the quality of such training rises. Despite the fact that many students have been forced to leave their classes and laboratories, to substitute military training for the so vital technical training, recognition of such training by the armed forces is practically nil, and at best very doubtful. The result is time-consuming repetition both during and after college days. The official standing of university training seems to have been degraded to a poor justification for the existence of the university student, and a still poorer excuse for the existence of the university in wartime.

Of Great Value

This is by no means meant as a suggestion that such training be completely abolished. The value of one or two years of such disciplinary training is unquestionably high. To some of us four years of such training is of unquestionable value. To others the time could just as unquestionably be more profitably spent in equipping themselves with the skill and knowledge which is necessary if they are to fill efficiently even a small number of the many vacancies awaiting such personnel.

Criticism

It is true that the university student has been open to a tremendous amount of criticism during the past four years. It is true that very little attempt has been made to answer this criticism. We have been accused of wasting our time on too many social activities, too much athletics. Social activities may seem to have become more prominent, but this is not accidental, or nothing indicative of increased spending on the part of the students. It is a part of a very definite plan to bring the activities and the proceeds to the students rather than students to the activities. The proceeds, together with contributions of the students have been diverted to much more beneficial channels. Through our war effort committee we have made contributions to the Red Cross, to the International Student Service, to the Salvation Army. We have raised money as a Spitfire Fund, a Mount Allison Relief Fund, relief funds through the Student Christian Movement. We have purchased several hundred dollars worth of Victory Bonds in the name of the student-body, all in the past two years. The cost of student activities as sponsored by the Students’ council in our senior year totalled just one-half of what they did four years ago, our freshman year.

During the past two years practically every male student on the campus has been listed as a blood donor. Our record of 98 per cent volunteers shall remain a high mark in Maritime Colleges, and we believe, in Canadian Colleges.

To those who have referred to universities as a haven for the so-called “draft-dodgers” we need only make one reply … That the graduating class of 1943 can go on record as having one hundred per cent of its eligible male students volunteer for service in some one of the Armed Forces.

These things are not meant as an attempt to justify our position because we realize only too well that such facts are insignificant alongside the real role we are to play. But they are meant to act as some small proof that the college student of to-day is in full awareness of the great responsibility resting upon him, and also is a proof that we have realized in the past the seriousness of the world situation.

To the Undergraduates

We might also consider it a part of our farewell to the undergraduates. To tell you, the undergraduates, that we really appreciate the part you have played in making our war effort a success. Your attitude, and your actions, have proved beyond doubt that you also are in full realization of the responsibilities resting upon you. The future of this country is in your hands, so as we, as members of the graduating class, leave, we ask you again to shoulder the increased difficulties under which you are working and go on with a new vigour to prepare yourself for the great positions you are to occupy in the future.

It is indeed unfortunate that our paths should have joined and carried us through college at a time when the influence of a turbulent and angry outside world should have altered and curtailed our activities to such an extent. Perhaps in normal times we might have welded even tighter the bonds of comradeship which we feel so strongly now.

But again, perhaps these things have only served to deepen our appreciation of the time we have had together, and to impress upon us the real good fortune we have had to enjoy the opportunity at all.

It has been truly said that the greatest part of the university is its students. As we say farewell to-day, it is with special emphasis that we say, to those students who we leave behind, the undergraduates, “carry on”.

Dr. C.C. Jones

Among the most noteworthy of the changes we have witnessed was the retirement of Dr. C.C. Jones, president of the University. To say farewell to the University is almost synonymous with saying farewell to Mr. Jones. He has become so much a part of it. During his thirty-four years of service Dr. Jones witnessed this University grow from one or two buildings to the extent of the present campus. Through his efforts the university expanded to give practically all the basic courses required for advanced study in any field.

During this time he won the respect of the students by his keen interest in student welfare, his understanding of their problems, and co-operation in the maintenance of student-affairs. It is with the deepest appreciation for his work, and the benefits that we received through his efforts, that class of ’43 says farewell to Dr. Jones.

Lord Beaverbrook

Another name which shall be added to those of the buildings of this university is that of Lord Beaverbrook. The great contributions of this benefactor in promoting the growth of this university can hardly be estimated. His latest contribution, coming in our sophomore year, gave us one of the largest and best equipped gymnasiums in Eastern Canada. This alone is enough to make U.N.B. outstanding among Maritime Colleges. He has also given us one of the most luxurious residences for which any college could ask. His annual contributions in scholarships amount to nearly $14,000.00.

Beaverbrook has won not only the appreciation of the students at U.N.B., but of every person interested in the growth and advancement of our Maritime Educational Institutions. It is men such as this who add a promise for greater educational advancement in the future. Through their efforts, the university may expand to meet newer and greater demands.

To the Faculty

To the members of the Faculty have fallen the greatest responsibilities resting upon any class of individuals … The production of a continuous supply of graduates, equipped with the knowledge and technical abilities which shall fit them to fill a small number of the many vacancies awaiting them.

Members of the Faculty, we realize that if the world today has imposed difficulties upon us, it has imposed many more upon you. Many of you have been required to do much more towards the war effort than your ordinary college work. Hundreds of members of the R.C.A.F. have been trained by you. Now you have the added responsibility of training Navy personnel. Your efforts in this line shall not be forgotten.

The Biology Department has been largely responsible for the success of the Red Cross Blood Bank. Through untiring efforts of Prof. Argue a continual supply of blood serum has been processed, to go out to our forces all over the world.

As members of the graduating class we shall go into the world with the deepest appreciation of the effort you have put into our education.

President MacKenzie

Dr. MacKenzie, to you we say farewell both as students to the president of their university, and as to one who has proven himself a friend of every student on the campus. During your three years with us we have come to know you as one who is only too glad to assist us with our individual problems, as well as our collective problems. Your attitude in promoting student independence on the campus has led to a form of student government which we can say is one of the most democratic systems in any Canadian college. Your co-operation in obtaining compulsory levies on the campus averted a threatened complete breakdown of our student administration. Your assistance in obtaining Government scholarships added many promising students to our ranks.

These and many other things, have won the respect of us all. As we say farewell we wish you the best of success in the future, and may your stay at this college be a long and happy one.

To the Parents

To the parents who are here today I can express only too inadequately the heartfelt appreciation of your son or daughter. To many of you their presence here has meant hardship and perhaps years of saving. It has meant that perhaps you have been forced to share with us the sorrows and anxieties of our college career. We hope that it is some compensation for you to be able to be here today, and to see your son or daughter walk onto this stage, and receive a degree, a symbol of success and proof that your efforts have not been wasted. Every one of us in the graduating class is thankful for the advantages that you have bestowed upon us. Perhaps in the future we can repay in some small measure the great debt we owe to you, perhaps we shall receive some opportunity to prove just what this day has meant to us. To the parents assembled we say an inadequate and humble—“Thank You”.


To Fredericton
No farewell to a university life would be complete without a word to the City of Fredericton and to the people of Fredericton, both of which have had such an influence on our activities during the past four years. The City of Fredericton has become, to many of us, almost like a home. The city, with its long avenues of trees the beauty of the surrounding country, shall always remain in our minds as the ideal setting for a university such as ours. The people of Fredericton have become our closest friends … Their hospitality and kindness shall not be forgotten.

When we entered U.N.B. four years ago we came, many of us without friends, to a very strange and, to us, a very new locality. Since that time things have changed very much. The people of Fredericton have been largely responsible for a successful and a happy university career.

For all of your kindness we thank you. As we say farewell to you we take the liberty of asking you to treat future college students as well as you have us. We assure you that it will not go unappreciated.

To Fellow Graduates

And now we come to the most difficult and to us the most important part of our farewell … the farewell of one graduate to his fellow graduates. As we gather here to-day we do so with the realization that many of our friendships formed through companionship and comradeship of four years are coming to an abrupt, unkindly, end. As we meet each other for the last time the full significance of this day is cast upon us.

As we say farewell we automatically look into the past for a brief review of our friendship, and look forward into the future wondering if we shall ever meet again.

We have said that it was unfortunate that we should have met at such a time as we did. It is even more unfortunate that we should be forced to part under present conditions, with the future of most of us so much in doubt. Every member had long ago chosen the road which he intended to follow towards his ultimate goal in life, but we had not counted on a detour over which we must now fight our way again to reach the road to our goal. It is a sideroad which we must travel in one way or another, and which leads to the defeat of Hitlerism. It shall not be easy. It is no exaggeration that to some it may prove impassable. To others it means, however, they shall always be able to look back and say that victory was not lost for the want of their efforts.

We have been warned from every quarter that upon us, the present generation of college students, rests the responsibility for the leadership of our nation, and the leadership of the people of our nation in a postwar world. We shall be the supervisors of a great reconstruction which will ensure that our sons and daughters shall never be forced to fight and die for the right to live in the freedom and liberty which is their rightful heritage.

A Nearer Cause
We need not be told that before we can do all this we must apply our leadership to a much nearer, and a much more urgent cause. If our sons and daughters are to enjoy at any time the liberties which we enjoy to-day we must first fight to maintain that liberty. We are graduating into one of the most difficult times in the history of this nation. We are faced with a task which shall require all our ability and courage. In every field let us go forward with resolution and determination, and the firm conviction that we shall succeed … and when we succeed, perhaps, our paths shall meet again and we shall renew the friendships which had their beginning on this campus.

As we part to-day let us look forward into a brighter future in which we shall have reached our goal, and, having attained success, look back to days at this university remembering, most of all, our friends in the class of ’43.