Valedictory Address

“Farewell U.N.B. Class ’42 Said by Manzer L. Bunker” The Daily Gleaner (14 May 1942): 4. (UA Case 68, Box 1)

Your Honor, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is quite probably that the graduating class of 1942 will never again meet as a class. Today on this memorable occasion, we have assembled for the last time to receive recognition of four years’ work at this University. Four years of striving for a goal which ahs been the ultimate purpose of our sojourn here. To you, the degree is symbolic of a successful completion of our scholastic course. To us, it portrays much more; four years of making friends, of losing friends, four years of happiness, of sorrow, four years of equipping ourselves that we may do our life work efficiently. These will be our heritage.

Many of our class have already left to take their place in the Army, Navy or Air Force. We can expect many more of our class members to join the armed forced in the future.

To those of you who have been fortunate enough to be able to return once more to see your class for the last time, we give a special welcome. To those who were unable to return, we send our sincere wishes for the best of luck, as we feel assured that your hearts are with us on this, our graduation day. To those who have paid the supreme sacrifice, we give assurance that your efforts will not go unheeded. The task to carry on is ours—our comrades shall not die in vain.

Change in Presidents

In our time at the University we have witnessed a change in Presidents. The resignation of Dr. C.C. Jones in 1940, after thirty-four years of loyal service, was regretted by all. In Dr. Jones and his esteemed wife, Mrs. Jones, we definitely have friends in whose hearts in the welfare of our Alma Mater, deeply rooted. We feel we have not lost them. The influence and generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Jones is continually evident in our college activities.

The appointment of Dr. N.A.M. MacKenzie, M.M. and Bar, B.A., LL.B., LL.D., K.C., as Dr. Jones’ successor, gave us a feeling of pride to have such a distinguished gentleman as our University head. He has continued to distinguish himself both by his judgment on international affairs and work in connection with the war effort.

In the two short years which Dr. MacKenzie has been with us, we have learned to respect his advice and to realize his deep personal interest in every phase of college life. No matter seems too trivial to receive his utmost consideration and many students have been aided by his worthy counsel.

In times like these, the responsibility of those who guide the education of our youth is great, for it is on that education of the people that the security and destiny of every nation chiefly rest. No one is better qualified to fill this need than Dr. MacKenzie. Under his able guidance, this University continues to pour out the technicians, and professional men necessary to carry on the many and varied needs of a nation at war.

To the President, his wife and family, we, the graduates, say: “May you find happiness and success in your stay at this University and continue to carry on your splendid work.”

The New Gymnasium

A little over a year ago, we witnessed the opening of the Lady Beaverbrook Memorial Gymnasium. Since the opening its primarily function has been to make and keep us fit for any service which may be required of us. It has also served as a headquarters for military training.

Every time we use this building we realize again and again how much we owe to our distinguished benefactor, Lord Beaverbrook. Let us continue to use this building in a manner which is worthy of its donor, and remember the important contribution which he, Lord Beaverbrook, is making toward eventual security for democracy.

The war has brought many changes to intercollegiate sport. Although intercollegiate sport has been kept at a minimum and intercollegiate titles can no longer be declared, it is not the desire of the colleges to cut out sport entirely as it is a very important phase of our college life. The maintenance of sport which does not entail long and expensive trips has been urged to the fullest. If we are to give our best, we must have a sound body as well as a sound mind. The University is now equipped to give us both.

First Physical Director

This year, for the first time in the history of the University, we have a physical director. This has added much to the University, not only because it allows proper supervision of athletic activities, but it gives every student the opportunity to participate in some sport.

Compulsory physical training for the co-eds and physical training and competitive games through this medium of the C.O.T.C. for the male students, has assured that every student engages in some form of physical exercise. This step is a great advancement toward social betterment. The hope of our future nation is built on a group of sturdy and healthy individuals who have been trained to co-ordinate all their abilities.

Presence of R.C.A.F.

The University now has as its guests, members of the Royal Canadian Air Force. This supplies an excellent opportunity for the University to further its aid to the fight for democracy. Many of the University’s facilities have been turned over to training Air Force men in their important line of work. Theirs is a hazardous job, and to them we give all the credit that is due.

Training in C.O.T.C.

The added time devoted to the Canadian Officers’ Training Corps this year has caused the life of the average college student to be a busy one. However, the boys have taken the extra burden in good part, and carried it along with their other school work. The work besides being a beneficial disciplinary factor has promoted a co-operative spirit among its members. In no other University in Canada does the esprit de corps reach a higher peak.

The facilities of the C.O.T.C. have been enlarged greatly during the past year and the staff has been increased by the addition of a permanent instructor and a staff sergeant. Much credit is due to the Officer Commanding, Major W.G. Jones. We, as graduates, have learned through experience that his decisions are always for the good of the boys and for promoting the efficiency of the C.O.T.C.

The Blood Bank

Another addition to our University as a result of the war has been the Blood Bank. It has been through the untiring efforts of Prof. C.W. Argue. Head of the Department of Biology, that such a project was made possible at this university. Behind him from the start have stood the students of the University.

This year, under student direction, ninety-nine per cent of the physically fit male students volunteered and gave blood that the lives of other might be saved. In such an effort the college students are brought closer together, to fight for one purpose, the extermination of Hilterism. If these donations of blood can be taken as a symbol of patriotism, patriotism is certainly not lacking among the students of the University of New Brunswick. The Spitfire Fund, the War Savings Project, these and other enterprises have shown that the students are definitely war conscious.

War and Education

The effects of the war are now definitely being felt in our educational systems, and the results of our educational systems will also be felt in the war. It has been truly said, “Education is the nation’s cheapest defence.” That the educational system is an essential part of the nation, cannot be denied. A call has been issued by the government to our schools and colleges to redouble their efforts in support of our cherished democratic institution. Canada will always need men and women with college training. Government and industry alike need skilled technicians of broad understanding and special abilities to serve as leaders of the generations which must manage the post-war world.

Up to the present time opinion has been sharply divided concerning the deferment of military training for college students. From one standpoint, it was regarded as undemocratic to exempt from service those young men whose families were financially able to send them to college. On the other hand, it was argued that trained leadership and advanced technical education were so essential that to withdraw men from colleges was to hamper inevitably the defence effort.

At the present time, there is a total of seventeen thousand college graduates in science and engineering in the Dominion of Canada. This number has been absorbed by industry and a variety of essential professions, and there is now a definite lack of trained men. Where and how are we going to get these men urgently needed in the near future? It is from the colleges and professional schools. At the present rate there seems to be no indication of a sufficient supply being produced. Incentives from other sources provide more immediate rewards to students. The governments of some provinces have already added an impetus to medical education by subsidizing those students. However, the problem of obtaining trained men for mechanical engineering and other professions equally vital in wartime, has not yet been solved. It seems as if the provincial governments in co-operation with the federal governments will soon have to step in and provide for such a deficiency.

Doubtlessly, there are many students who are well fitted to take a college education, but are prevented because of financial disabilities. Why should they be deprived of the opportunity? Can it be said that increasing the number of college graduates would decrease the potentiality of our democracy? Certainly not!

Educate for Democracy

As developments in Europe have focused attention upon conflicting ideologies of government, educators and other interested citizens have become increasingly concerned with education for democracy in our own schools and colleges. The textbooks, yearbook, and magazine articles published, the conventions and conferences held, the patriotic enterprises such as the Red Cross, the radio forum broadcast, all have reflected an intense interest in education for democratic living.

Our system of free public schools has been developed to assist in perpetuating, improving and realizing democratic ideals. Would not a free or at least partially assisted college course provide for the furthering of such ideals? A college should be democratic, not only in its instructional programme, but also in its organization and method.

Influence of College

For the past few years, the University has played an important and conspicuous part in our lives. Here, we have learned the love of truth and sense of duty that signally will characterize our later lives. Here, we have been offered the highest possible training for the beginning of the great professions: law, science, medicine, theology, engineering.

Perhaps we should not say we have been through college, but the college has been through us, endowing us with the precepts of virtue and order. It leaves us with qualities which will distinguish us as graduates of the University of New Brunswick. To this University we owe a debt which will forever be unpaid. It has formulated our personality.

Today, we have the degrees of the Universities in recognization of our scholastic merits. To the graduates of 1942, a degree represents much more. Our past years of friendship within the University and with the teachers who keep it alive, cannot be easily forgotten. For four years we have been proud to say, we are students at U.N.B.—in the years to come we shall be equally proud to say we received our degree at U.N.B. And so with sorrowful hearts, to the institution, to its professors, to the bonds which have kept us in co-ordination, we bid farewell!

To Undergraduates

To the undergraduates, I should wish to leave a word of advice. Yours is now an important part. It is upon you who are now receiving a college education that the security and destiny of the nation rests. Now, more than ever before, the need for efficient and properly trained men is urgent. You have the opportunity to help provide these men. The task is yours. We, the graduates, ask you to carry on, in the face of increasing difficulties which are certain to come. Nothing is so good as a university education, nor worse than a university without it education.

With our departure, we leave you to carry on with the job that is yours. May you stick with it to the end, remembering that nothing but the best effort will be instrumental in stamping out the forces of evil which are threatening to overrun the world today.

To Fredericton

To you, we bid farewell, with the words, “Carry On.”

When most of us came to the University, our friends in this locality were few. Since that time we have made friends and new contacts among the citizens of Fredericton. Most of us will have to leave the friends we have made, perhaps never to return. As we depart from this city, our home for the past four years, we shall always carry with us, memories of our college days in Fredericton. Many a spot or happening will remain vivid in our thoughts.

Perhaps we, as college students, have seemed ungrateful. Perhaps we have not always adhered to the code of the city. Perhaps you, the citizens of Fredericton, have misinterpreted our actions. But today we prepare to leave with saddened hearts. You, too, have played a part in our college lives and we appreciate your efforts. Our thanks to you for your hospitality and kindness. May you benefit boy your acquaintance with us as we have by yours.

To the Parents

To our parents, we owe a debt of gratitude. How many of the hopes and fears, how many ardent wishes and anxious apprehensions, how many the deprivations and hardships they have suffered, in order that we might receive a college education.

Today, we have invited them here to witness the fulfillment of their hopes. As each boy or girl marched forward to receive a degree, anxious eyes have watched with pride and some heart has been gladdened.

To those parents whose eyes look in vain for their boy’s return, boys who might have been graduated with us, had it not been for the cruelties of war, we give our deepest and sincere thoughts. Our hearts are with them, and their sorrow is ours.

To Fellow Graduates

To my fellow graduates, may I say the greatest challenge of your career is before you. You are now prepared to take your place in a war-torn world. Your greatest task will be the fight for your country you love. Let not the barbarism which has crushed the hearts and souls of so many of the conquered Europeans be your fate. Surely hat spirit which is emblematic of our college life will serve us well in obtaining the ultimate victory.

The job at hand is great, the hands to do it are few. Many are those who have died that the things they cherish shall not died. We will not betray the trust of our fellow students who already have given their lives.

It is our duty to prepare ourselves for the future, and the hardships and sacrifices it will present. Whatever be your contribution to the common cause, whether it be in the active forces, whether in industry, whether in executive or administrative capacities, let it be with undaunted courage and determination—determination to see peace for all times, cost what it may, so that the culture, the traditions, the freedom, the heritage which has been ours shall be preserved for us, for our children, for eternity.

Personal Farewell

To my fellow classmates, I wish to bid a personal farewell. Among their numbers are my staunchest friends. It is hard to break the bonds of friendship which have grown through the four years of fellowship I have enjoyed with you.

You have been good students, you will be good citizens. I am looking forward with confidence to your success in the future. I am sure you will be a credit to this University. I know that with the courage and endurance which you have shown in the past, you will give worthy service in the professions or spheres of activity to which your ambitions guide you.

My best wishes go with you, as with saddened heart, I say for the last time, “Farewell.”