Valedictory Address

“Supervised Athletics As Part of U.N.B. Course Urged” Daily Gleaner (19 May 1933). (UA Case 68, Box )

May it please your Honour, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Mr. President and members of the Faculty, Undergraduates, Fellow classmates and Ladies and Gentlemen of the audience:-

For four years, we have looked forward to this memorable occasion when we, of the class of ’33, would be gathered together in this hall of learning to receive our coveted degrees.

To our parents, who by their love, their self-sacrifice, made it possible for us to attain this goal, we can offer no greater tribute than this: our solemn pledge to make good for their sakes.

It is hard to realize that four years have passed by and that the class of ’33 is assembled here for the last time. But before we say farewell to the University and go forth to meet the future let us review a few of the events which have marked our short stay here and have gone to make these college years, the most enjoyable and happiest ones of a person’s life.

Period of Growth

We have had the good fortune of attending U.N.B. during a period of rapid growth and development in all departments. Through the support of the Government of New Brunswick, Forestry and Geology building and a Library, both long felt wants, were put into operation at the beginning of our sophomore year along with the Lady Beaverbrook’s Building erected through the generosity of Lord Beaverbrook, in memory of his wife.

Along with the increase of accommodation, changes in and additions to the faculty have been made. These changes made necessary through the increase in enrolment will enable the University to retain the distinct advantage of the small college, the maintenance of small classes and personal contact between the student and the professor.

College life, however, has much to recommend it beside the curriculum. We have our social, literary, athletic and religious activities.

Athletic Competition

Of these, athletics undoubtedly attracts a largest number of students. During the past four years, the Red and Black class teams have brought no little honour to the University. Many championships have been won but more important than the number of victories is the spirit in which our teams play the game, the feeling that “he who plays the game fair, wins even though he loses.” In the last three years three years great progress has been made in having as many of the students as possible participate in some branch of athletics for we believe, as the ancient Greeks did. “In a healthy mind in a healthy body.” When we entered U. N. B. basketball was the only sport in which the general student body were able to participate. The scope of our intramural games has been widened so extensively since then, that now competitions are carried on in almost every sport with the result that the student participation in athletics is exceptionally high compared with other Universities. It was estimated last year that 74 per cent of the students took part in organized athletics during that year.

Dominion Shooting Honors

As a result of the exceptional shooting on the part of the University C.O.T.C. rifle team, a Dominion championship has come to U. N. B. this year. In attaining this honour, which has been sought after for the past few years, the team was able to set up a score which was the highest ever made in a D. C. R. A. competition of that kind.

Dramatics

Under the direction of Professor Robert E. D. Cattley, the Dramatic Society presented a very successful production of the play “Pygmalion.” “Between the Soup and the Savoury,” a play list which had been presented two years ago, was entered this year in the Dominion Drama Festival and placed third in the New Brunswick region.

Debating

Two debates were participated in this year and although both our teams were defeated they made a moat creditable showing. Through the cooperation of the National Federation of Canadian University Students our Ladies Debating team secured a visit from a team representing Upper Canadian colleges. The Men’s team traveled to Antigonish to uphold the negative of the resolution. “Resolved that we imitate the Canadian dollar to place it on a par with the pound sterling,” against the St. F. X. intercollegiate debaters. The Student Body has demonstrated its lack of interest in debating and we hope that in the future it will receive the support it deserves.

Weekly Publication

Last year, the new “Brunswickan” made an appearance and in its two years on the campus it has proved worthy of the change made in it from a monthly magazine to a weekly newspaper. The University had grown to such an extent that it was impossibly to keep in touch with all the under-graduate activities, which had been made possible by the change. But with the passing of the old “Brunswickan”, the Graduation Number was sadly missed by the Student Body and the Graduating class in particular. But for everything that disappears there is another to take its place and so the Year Book was published this year. It has [preyed] a most worthy successor to that number and also a publication which is on a par with similar publications at other Universities.

Changes in Faculty

Two of the Professors, who were with us when we started our course, are missing from the University halls. Death has called Dr. Adam Cameron, head of the chemistry department at the University since 1913. In Dr. Cameron, we have lost a true friend and a brilliant scholar.

Dr. Cox, who had given many years to instructing the youth of this province, retired at the close of our Freshman Year. Through few of us were in his classes, we feel that the University had lost a most capable professor.

To the Senate

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate: We wish to take this opportunity of thanking you for the willingness which you have shown in considering requests made by the student body. Many of those have been granted and it is again left for a valedictorian to bring before you a request which has been brought to your attention in the past. I am referring to the necessity of a full time athletic director being added to the faculty of the University. It is not necessary for me to point the need for one because I am sure that you, while Undergraduate students at the University, realized as we do now that the lack of a physical director is a distinct hindrance to our athletic activities. We realize that this is a period of stringent economy but by repeating this request from year to year we hope to keep the matter in the minds of the Senate until such time as they feel that circumstances warrant the granting of our request. Another request, which may be brought to your attention, is that of a compulsory fixed levy. This year, one of our major sports had to curtail its activities as the result of many of the students failing to pay their Student Union levy. A compulsory levy would obviate the possibility of this occurring in the future, for with this system installed we would know the exact amount coming into our treasury, our budgets could be drawn up accordingly and no activity would be made to suffer. It is hoped that the Senate will give this request every consideration.

To the Faculty

Mr. President and Members of the Faculty: Allow me to extend the thanks of the entire class for your guidance and instruction and the interest you have taken in our work.

To Fredericton

Citizens of Fredericton: We heartily appreciate the many kindnesses which you have shown, not only to these who reside in the city but these who reside in the city but only those of us who are resident here only during the college year. Due Largely to your interest and support our various activities have proved most successful.

To Undergraduates

Undergraduates: in keeping with the expansion of our University, new activities are making their appearance on the campus. For this reason the task of the senior class is becoming more and more difficult. If these activities are to function successfully then it is necessary that every undergraduate give him of her wholehearted support to at least one activity. At the same time do not lose sight of the high purpose for which the University exists. Learn to strike that happy medium between [academic] and extra-curricular activities which will enable you to obtain the most out of your college career. Undergraduates, we wish you the best of success, not only in your remaining years at U.N.B. but in the years that are to come.

To the Class

Fellow Classmates: It seems like yesterday that we began our four years at U.N.B. and it hardly seems possible that we have reached the parting of the years. During those years, we have made many friends and it is with a feeling of sorrow that we are about to say goodbye. Though most of us will be separated by many miles, perhaps never to see one another again, there shall always linger with us a memory of these four happy years just spent on the hill!

In conclusion and with sincere apologies to Longfellow, we now

Must say farewell to U.N.B.
To our teacher rich in wisdom,
To our [ ] and the campus,
To the class that’s now departing
And to those who follow after,
To the city and its people
Fare thee well loved Alma Mater,
O [fare] [thee] well dear U.N.B.