Valedictory Address

“Valedictory of U.N.B. ’36 By Robert L. Armstrong” (1936): 1-2. (UA Case 68, Box 1)

Mr. President, Members of the Faculty, Citizens of Fredericton, Undergraduates of the University and Members of the Graduating Class:

The expression “It is with mingled joy and sorrow that we are assembled here” has probably often been used on occasions such as this, but in no case do I think that it applies more aptly than concerning the graduating class of ’36. We are indeed joyful, having received our degrees which is in itself a very fitting climax to the pursuance of our studies in the courses which we have taken here, and we feel now that we have a certain degree of ability to cope with the situations which may confront us in later life. The reason for our sorrow is that this day means the actual physical break-up of this class as a unit, but, however, bonds of friendship have been sealed during our stay here which the physical factors of time and space can never break.

Undergraduate History

As Freshmen, the members of this class were accorded the usual greeting of upper classmen in the form of initiation ceremonies, which they all took in good part. It was not long until they established themselves as an essential part of the University and although belittled by upper classmen they proved to be the equal in all respects of any freshmen class which has attended.

As Sophomores we had the privilege of initiating that year’s freshmen which, I may say, lacked none of the essentials. That was a banner year for the hockey team as they won the Maritime Intercollegiate title.

With the halfway mark in our college careers safely passed we came up the hill the next fall as Juniors. That fall the football team won the Maritime title but as has been the difficulty in past years they were unable to carry on in MacTier Cup competition due to lack of funds. In the spring the basketball team reached the Maritime final but were defeated by Acadia in Saint John. With Encaenia in May a very successful third year was brought to a close.

Senior Year

Since the past year concerns the members of this class especially, it will be well to consider in brief some of the events which have taken place. As far as sports are concerned it was rather a mediocre year if we look at it from the standpoint of titles won. However the winning of titles in games is not the only factor to be considered for it is much more difficult to be a good loser than to be a good winner. One point that it is important to notice with regard to sports is the clean manner in which the athletes of U. N. B. have acquitted themselves. They bore no grudges against their opponents and hence the games ere not marred by ill feeling.

The football team lost last fall to their perennial rivals Mount A. but the hockey team reversed the situation by defeating Mount A. in both games. They went on to win the Provincial title but were defeated by St. F. X. at Antigonish in the final. The basketball team lost to Mount A. but by a close margin and in all acquitted themselves very creditably.

Boxing an Innovation

This year saw the innovation of boxing as a major sport at U. N. B. did not win the meet they won two titles and boxing received the stamp of approval of the spectators.

The rifle team has entered D. C. R. A. competition each of the four years that this class has been in attendance. They won the Dominion Championship the first two years and came second each of the last two. This is a record which is a credit to any University.

Debaters

The Debating Society had a successful year debating both locally and across Canada through the facilities of the Canadian Radio Commission. One feature of debating this year was the sending of one of the debaters on tour of several large American Universities. On that tour he performed remarkably well and is deserving of praise for the credit he brings both to himself and to the University. Debating is an essential part of college life and I urge that the undergraduates give it good support in future.

Dramatics and Journalism

The Dramatic Society also had a good year, with much talent being shown both in the “College Night” programme last fall and in the “Spring Play” in March.

The Brunswickan, the college weekly, made a change from the editorial board which functioned in our junior year to two editors in co-operation and this system provided less friction that the former. Much of practical value has been gained by those who have assisted in the publishing of the Brunswickan and we wish it every success in the future.

Intramural Sport

Besides these activities of the student body, intramural sports were carried on to a certain extent. It is the opinion of many of this class that these should be fostered as much as possible for it is often from the ranks of intramural sports that material for the Varsity is developed. A few years ago we had in a single year 100 per cent participation of the student body in sports. This is a standard which should be aimed at in future.

Women’s Activities

Last, but decidedly not least, in the student activities, is that of the ladies in the college. They had a very good basketball team and carry a great deal of responsibility in connection with the social functions of the college. They also supply much of the money for the upkeep of the ladies’ reading room. Apparently for some time after the establishment of U. N. B. it was only for men. Although in those days the college got along without the ladies, we feel that now they form a very necessary part of the student body.

In January of this year the British Empire experienced the greatest loss of all, that of the death of her Sovereign, George V. His death was mourned the world over and it ought to be a very significant fact to us as citizens of the Empire that at a time when monarchies have been shaken and often overthrown by revolution, the British Monarchy stands as strong as ever. We all hope and feel sure that His Majesty King Edward VIII. will enjoy as much confidence and popularity as his father.

Improvement Suggested

I should like to take the opportunity at this time of drawing to the attention of the members of the Senate the condition of the men’s reading room in the basement of the Arts Building. As it is at present it is somewhat of a disgrace to the University. True, the furniture had not been handled in an altogether gentlemanly fashion by some of the boys, yet I think that if the room were properly cleaned and furnished much more care would be taken of it.

Question of Attendance

The fact that the attendance at this University has fallen considerably in recent years is one that should not be passed by unnoticed. Surely if all the people of the Province knew of the opportunities offered in the different courses at the U. N. B. the attendance would rise. Whether it is a reasonable suggestion of not I am not absolutely sure, but I would suggest that this University be more highly advertised than at present and that if possible a more extensive system of scholarships be provided so that those who have the ability needed for a university course and yet are financially unable to attend could be materially assisted in this respect.

Words of Farewell

To the President and members of the faculty: To you we owe a great debt of gratitude for your unceasing efforts to help the members of this class in whatever task have confronted them during their course here. The only actual duty of the members of the Faculty is that of lecturing and examining, yet whenever they are called upon by the students to assist in extra-curricular activities they are glad to do whatever they can to help. It seems to be a requisite of college life that the Faculty make the interests of the student body their interests also.

To the citizens of Fredericton: To you we are indebted chiefly in the realm of extra-curricular activities. It is greatly due to your support that athletics are carried on to the extent that they are at present. We are grateful to the churches and societies which have welcomes our membership while we have been here. The Brunswickan has the merchants of Fredericton to thank for their support in advertising, while the support of the citizens as a whole is gratefully acknowledges by the Dramatic society the Debating society and the other social endeavors of the students.

To the Undergraduates: Yours is the duty to carry on and uphold the traditions of the University. Do your best both in curricular and extra-curricular activities. Try to get an equal or even higher standard than that set by this graduating class. May every success attend your efforts.

To the graduating class: You have finished your course at this University have passed another milestone in your lives. Your occupations in later life will in all probability be varied, as has been shown by the different courses taken here. Some may be teachers, some doctors, some lawyers, and, in general, men and women of nearly all professional occupations, but whatever may be yours occupations you will be afforded an opportunity to influence members of the community in which you may live. Whenever this opportunity is given to you make use of it to better the conditions of your community. Upon you I place the responsibility of using your influence on the public to do two things: First, that you endeavor to enlarge to the fullest extent the opportunities for secondary education in this Province, and second, that you initiate a movement to rid this country of the spoils system in party politics.

Secondary Education

About secondary education it is my opinion that all who have the necessary ability and desire to carry on in secondary schools should have the opportunity to do so. This Province spends less per capita on secondary education than any other province in the Dominion. Secondary education in England is nearly as democratic as elementary education and this should be the case in Canada.

Spoils System

Little need to be said about the evils of the spoils system. It is looked upon with disdain by the more advanced democracies of the world, which in most cases make use of the merit system. By the merit system the persons are employed according to their capacity to learn and ability to perform certain tasks, as shown by examination, rather than being employed purely for reasons of party politics with little or no regard to their efficiency. I do not attach the blame for the spoils system to the present government, nor to the past government: it is an evil which has grown up with party politics but which must be done away with before efficient government can be reached.

With especial emphasis on the above mentioned responsibilities it is the duty of members of this class to accept certain responsibilities as citizens, which include duties of Church and State and whatever other duties society demands, for the more we do for society as a whole the more benefit we derive as individual members.

Bearing in mind our responsibilities as citizens I leave you now with the sincere wish that God may bless us all, and Farewell!