Valedictory Address

"Increased Enrollment at U.N.B. Urged In Valedictory Address" The Daily Gleaner (14 May 1937). (UA Case 68, Box 3).

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:

The proceedings you have witnessed this afternoon have severed our connection, as students, with the University. Now we must say our farewells. Our feelings at this moment are mingled ones of sorrow, joy, and hope. This is inevitable. The change of status makes it so. We are sorrowful because we needs must leave. We are joyful because we have completed, more or less successfully, that course on which we embarked four years ago. Now the goal we set at that time has been reached and, as we look about us, we realize that our goal is but a crossroads. We are hopeful because we see the paths of life lying ahead, and thrill at the thoughts of great expectations. We are proud and pleased to be here because this is a proud moment for those who made our present here possible, and a pleasurable moment for those wonderful friends who have our pride and pleasure bind us to the debt we owe to all those who have helped to make this, our graduation, an accomplished fact.

The Sacrifices

Let us never forget the sacrifices made for us in the trying times experiences in recent years. Mere money or whispered thanks can never repay them. Our graduation only helps repay a very meager part of that debt. Nor must we forget those whose guidance we are about to lose. For their efforts on our behalf, we most heartily thank the members of the Senate. We are especially grateful to you, Mr. President, and to the members of the Faculty. In all sincerity we thank you for your kindly interest, encouragement, rebukes, criticisms and advice. Never can we forget the kindness of the people of Fredericton to us. Four years ago we came here as total strangers. You, dear citizens of Fredericton, made us very welcome. Now, as our friends, you watch us take our departure. As we depart let us express our deep appreciation and heart-felt gratitude for the countless kindnesses you have shown us. We regret sincerely that we are compelled to bid you farewell.

The Collegiate Path

We pause now to look back along the path we have travelled. In our mind’s eye we see our start. We follow our stumblings and missteps, and note how our ranks thin out until there remain only those of us who are here today. On our journey we learned the value of friendship, the real worth of study, and noted the unremitting helpfulness of our guides. We came to realize that the more we learned, the more there was to be learned. It became apparent that many things could and should be changed to make the path smoother and the journey more profitable. We noticed a sadly under-manned staff, a lack of facilities and equipment and many other things. The root of the trouble, almost invariably, is a lack of funds. That is the curse which so severely hampers any attempt at progress in the University.

Financial Needs

There are two ways by which the difficulty can be removed. The first is to obtain a larger grant for the University from the Provincial Legislature. Apparently this is not forthcoming. Our government is too concerned with paving the highways of the province. Forgotten is the fact that here is the opportunity for those interested in the directed study of a particular subject. It takes money to start these things, but once started they can be made to pay their way. Money has been fairly cheap in the past few years. Hence the new hard-surfaced roads. I presume. Why cannot our government borrow an additional amount equal to the cost of about twenty-five miles of highway and improve the University? Now is the time. Forgotten also is the fact that here, in part, are being trained our future cabinet ministers. In twenty years or so some of us will be frantic trying to finance the highway problem. In the meantime we can learn how this may be done as best we may. It is not good policy to increase the public debt, but this increase should be made because, at least, the benefits derived will be permanent.

Attracting of Students

The second way is to increase the enrollment of students. “How may this be done,” you ask? Well, I would suggest that this is a matter for the Alumni Society. The methods used by other Maritime Universities and colleges must be met. Some plan can be adopted to do this effectively, I am sure. We need not hold out what I call semi-professional athletics as an inducement. I am sure that if the advantages of the University of New Brunswick were placed more definitely before the parents of prospective university students, our plan would be successful. Hampered as we are, financially, our degree means more to the outside world than does that of any other Maritime University. In fact, to cite examples, our graduates are as readily acceptable at the graduate school of Massachusetts Institute of Technology as those of McGill. This alone means a saving of $2,000 to anyone wishing to obtain further instruction at the Institute. Also, I know that the University of Wales is prepared to accept my degree as equivalent to its own. If I wish to study further. Here are but two instances. Inquire would probably bring to light many more. Why then, with so much more of real worth to offer, can we not increase the enrollment here? I am sure we can, if we try methodically, and try we must.

For Female Students

When we have become successful our successors can enjoy the benefits of those necessary, but at present, lacking things. The Alumnae Society have undertaken to fill one of these needs. I refer to the projected Ladies’ Residence. We lose many students because we possess no supervised Ladies’ Residence. The Alumnae Society is to be congratulated on its foresight. We must, however, include in our curriculum more subjects of interest to lady students. The increase in revenue resulting from increased enrollment would finance the plans of the Senate to improve the present courses of study. The existing shortcomings and weaknesses are as obvious to them as to us. Whenever the present plans of the Senate are completed, I hope they will obtain an assistant for the Mathematics Department. Not that any blame attaches thereto. The present entrance requirements in the Mathematics Department are so low that too much is left to be taught in too little time. Consequently we do not have the mathematical tools for other subjects when they are required. With an assistant, this could not only be remedied, but a welcome course in applied mathematics could be instituted. Until such time as these plans can be carried out, I feel that interesting “side-issue” courses should not be pursued too far. For instance, the major part of a term is spent in sketching geologic fossils would, in no case, have been better spent learning Wood Structures. We also see the great need for a modern gymnasium and a men’s Reading Room. All these difficulties are removable when an improved financial status exists.

Student-Financing

There are two criticisms of policies which I feel must be advanced. First, I cannot see why the fact that student activities require financing, should be kept in the outer darkness. Athletics require financing. The students have to provide it. Since this is so, why not say so in the Calendar? Each year money has to be borrowed from the bank for this purpose. The officers of the Student Body are responsible for the repayment of this loan, until the student levy is collected. No guarantee is afforded that an unpopular government is not going to be placed in a serious position. All that is necessary is for the students to say “We won’t pay”. This situation could not exist if everyone knew that payment was necessary. I say, make the fact that there is student levy clear. Put it in the University Calendar. Every other college makes it plain, to some extent.

Society Financing

Second, we have the matter of Faculty society finances. Any activity worthy of the name requires finances. Money has to be raised somehow. Just now, the only successful way is to organize a dance. This is done and then what to we find? We find that we have to hold our dance – a college dance – in a public dance hall in town. Well, there is nothing wrong with that, except that one must invite members of the Faculty to act as a chaperone in the place where they have no authority to regulate any unseemly conduct. This should not be, to my way of thinking. It places the chaperones in an unenviable position. That, however, is not all. It does not seem right or consistent to me that, where societies need to raise funds chiefly for paying their contribution to the University, they should be denied the use of the Hall for their money-raising efforts. I feel that student effort to fulfill financial obligations should be given every assistance, not placed at the further financial disadvantage of paying rent for a hall.

To Undergrade

These suggestions and criticisms we have offered for the benefit of our newer friends, the undergraduates, who are still travelling along the path we have so recently left. To them, I would say – “It has been a pleasure to know you – you were worthy and very doughty athletic opponents. Through your participation in this and other student activities, we have come to know you well. We suggest that you do not do exactly as we did, but toll a little harder and play a little harder. You will never regret it. Whether you accept our advice or not, we feel sure that you will prove very worthy successors in the societies and activities we not are handing to your care”.

The Class of ‘37

Now, fellow classmates, our little pause is over, and we return to our cross-roads. We realize that here our guides leave us; that here, largely, our intimate associations will be broke up; that here a more or less sheltered life ceases. Life with all its mysteries lies before us and the path we choose as we leave this crossroads in the too-near future can lead us to greater achievements or lesser. There will be difficulties, trials and disappointments waiting each one of us. Let us not be discouraged but face the future hopefully and expectantly. In the words of James Russell Lowell, we must remember that-

“New occasions teach new duties;
Time makes ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still and onward
Who would keep abreast of truth;
Lo-before us gleam her campfires!
We ourselves must pilgrims be,
Launch our “Mayflower” and steer boldly
Through the desperate winter sea;
Nor attempt the Future’s portal
With the Past’s blood-rusted key.”

We must remember that the finer our motives, the nobler our service and the greater our sacrifice, the sweeter will be our rewards. To you, as I say goodbye, may I also add my hope that the separation about to take place be not allowed to sever our friendships. A poor man is he that hath no friends, and for our friendships we are richer, finer men, I wish each one of you every success on your chosen path of life. May your example be someone’s guiding star in years to come.

Now, to you, fellow classmates, and on behalf of each of you, I say – “Farewell, my friends.”