Valedictory Address

“Valedictory Address”The Brunswickan (May 1928): 4-7. (UA Case 68, Box 2).

This day marks all that we have been striving for during the past four years. Today we, the class of '28, go forth from our Alma Mater with feelings of pride, gladness and yet deepest regret—pride because we belong to U. N. B., gladness because we have our degrees and regret because we must leave the old familiar surroundings and part from tried and trusted friends made during the most plastic years of our lives.

One hundred years ago the first class left the portals of this University, and since that time successive classes have been going forth and establishing the name of U. N. B. throughout Canada and the Empire, and the world. Now we must go forth—conscious of the fact that we must face life in a more real sense and with a feeling that we must be worthy of those who have made it possible for us to graduate today, and that we must measure up to the standards of those who upheld the glorious traditions of U. N. B.

For four years we have climbed “The Hill” and formed part of the life of the varsity. Now we must leave and seek “fresh fields and pastures new.” It is at times such as this that the words of the poet and philosopher Hash through our minds:

“The Moving Finger writes: and, having write,
Moves on; nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Nor all they Tears wash out a word of it.”
Shall lure it back to cancel half a line,

In September, 1924, sixty-three nervous maidens and youths timidly ascended the hill and entered the arts building by way of the back door. We soon adjusted ourselves to the new surroundings and developed our esprit de corps from the rather hearty welcome we received. Gaining the right to speak of our college, our football team, our class, we entered heartily into the life of the University, and with our Freshman drive and dance, our first conversazione and our first mock trail and mock parliament the year passed only too quickly.

As Sophmores we numbered forty-nine, but we ably cared for the large Freshman class and upheld the traditions of the college. Our burning of Anna, which was carried out by the ladies as well as the men, will never be forgotten as long as one member of the class survives.

In our Junior year, conscious of our more important position, we made our influence felt in determining student policies and maintained a high academic standard.

We regard the Senior year as our year. Numbering thirty-seven, we have exercised our authority always for what we thought was the good of U. N. B.; we have made mistakes, for we are not infallible, but we believe that the changes made were for the better. The Senior Council was established as a more effective means of controlling student affairs, and its success would merit its continuance. The annual Conversazione, always enjoyable, but especially so this year, was held in this building instead of in the arts building—a changed made necessary by the increased number of students. A long felt want was fulfilled when a recreation room for the men was finally provided through the efforts of the Senior Council. One of the most interesting events of the year was the special train chartered by the Fredericton U. N. B. Club, which carried practically the whole student body to Sackville to attend the football games between Mount Allison and U. N. B., and did much to stimulate college spirit, which has been especially good this year. The Students Union paid its first fees to the National Federation of Canadian University Students, and D. H. Fulton, of the class of ’28, was a member of the Maritime Debating team which successfully toured Canada under the auspices of the Federation.

The University and our Class share with Burton S. Keirstead the honor which he has won in being chosen Rhodes Scholar for New Brunswick for 1927—an honor won in 1926 also by a U. N. B. man. The best wishes of the students go with “Casey,” and we are sure that he will be a credit to his Alma Mater.

Our football team, victorious for the last three years, maintained their proud position as champions of Eastern Canada and still hold the McTier Cup, while our hockey team was also successful, winning permanent possession of the Sumner Trophy. Although we won two debates, the defeating Acadia and the men St. Francis Xavier, it cannot be said that debating receives the whole-hearted support of students. A Glee Club was organized and several enjoyable meetings held, but the Dramatic Society, like the Debating Society, does not function properly and a radical change in the organization of these societies is needed to stimulate interest in them. The Ladies’ Society had a very successful year, and it is to the ladies that the success of our social functions is largely due. The “Brunswickan” has been well supported by the students, and, being well edited, it has attained a literary standard that compares favorably with that of any college publication in Canada.

The new Provincial Building and the generous gift of the late Lady Beaverbrook assure our University of expansion and development. The hearty support that our college receives from Lord Beaverbrook has been augmented by making it necessary for all Beaverbrook scholars to attend U. N. B. and we might note that five of our class are Beaverbrook scholars.

We are all rejoicing in the progress of our University and are exceedingly glad that it should be so marked just as the University begins its second century. The large and happy reunion which has been held this week, the third within five years, shows that the spirit of U. N. B. graduates and former students is still good and augurs well for the future.

The University suffered a severe loss with the death of the late Dr. W. D. Rankin, of Woodstock. One of the most loyal supporters of U. N. B., a member of the Senate, and a genuine man, he will be missed not only by the University by all those who knew him and loved him.

Undergraduates: We leave you in charge of student affairs. With the new buildings and increased enrollment you will meet new problems—face them with a determination to solve them for the good of U. N. B. Foster the college spirit and do not be afraid to drop or change a custom if it is not good. Play the game, play it hard, but above all play clean. Take interest in all student activities and associations, but do not forget in your zeal for one group that U. N. B. as a whole comes first. Support your college, for it is your college, and remember the words of Kipling:

"It ain't the individual nor the army as a whole,
But the everlastin' team work of every bloomin' soul."

Always keep in mind that every single act you do while u are a student at U. N. B. reflects credit or discredit on your varsity. Citizens of Fredericton: We thank you for the interest you have taken in our college and for the hearty way in which have supported our various activities. Although we may have sometimes annoyed, we ask pardon and beg that you do not think too harshly tonight of the boys "up the hill" when hear the cannon booming the last farewell of the class of ’28.

To you, Mr. Chancellor, and gentlemen of the Faculty, we end our warmest thanks and deepest gratitude for the patience, encouragement and sympathy that you have extended to us during our four years with you. We shall always remember you and endeavour to be worthy of your interest and respect.

Classmates, we are together for the last time; we who ye worked and played together for four years must now separate and leave our Alma Mater.

“’Tis time! O helmsman, to the course! Farewell,
Old comrades, and Godspeed! We’ll meet again.
Farewell, Old Hill, Old Buildings,--we have left
Our youth with you. Your spirit is with us,
And your fond image will unchanging dwell
Throned in the deepest fastness of our hearts.”

Fare thee well old U. N. B.