Valedictory Address

“Valedictory Address”Alumni Bulletin 4, 2 (June 1926): 11, 15-16. (UA Case 68 Box 2)

Four years ago the Encaenia for the class of 1926 seemed a long way off but the time for which we have been striving for is here and we, as graduates, are about to pass through the portals of our Alma Mater into a different phase of life. We are leaving the life of a society with a simplified, purified and graduated environment and entering into the larger and more complex life of the Great Society. It is with regret that we sever our connections with this University and its pleasant associations to put into practice the knowledge we have gained here. And now that the time of parting has come it is but fitting that we briefly review our sojourn here, and give a brief sketch of the activities of the student body during the past year.

One beautiful September morning in the year of 1922 a group of some thirty five youths and maidens might have been seen hovering at the foot of College Hill, then slowly ascending with hearts aflutter and with many a misgiving. About half-way up we were met by the Sophomores who conducted us to the gymnasium where we were given our rules and regulations. Shortly before nine o'clock we were escorted through the back door of the Arts Building into the presence of the Chancellor who gave us such a hearty welcome that we felt inclined to doubt the words of the Sophomores and believe that we were indeed members to the student body. Soon we had entered with zeal into our work and even the restrictions imposed hy the upper classmen did not dampen our spirits.

We started our second year with only twenty-six in the class—a small number to be guardians of an unruly freshman class of some sixty students. However, our duties were performed with efficiency as the present Junior class will bear us record. As Sophomores we entered more whole-heartedly into the social functions of the student body and received some distinction in interior decoration when we constructed a reproduction of King Tutankhamen's Tomb in the Old Chapel as part of the decoration for the annual Conversazione.

In our Junior Year we started with twenty-seven, but during the year two of these dropped out so we began our Senior Year with a class of twenty- five. Seven students from the Law Faculty in Saint John now join our ranks, making a graduating class of thirty-two.

As we finish our last year here our hearts are saddened by the call to the Great Beyond of Raymond Moore, one of the graduating class from the Law Faculty. It is with sincere sympathy that we remember his dear ones whose sorrow will be touched anew on this our graduating day.

An Endownment Fund for the University was begun last year—a plan full of economic foresight adopted by the Senate, which we owe to the Rt. Hon. Sir George Foster. It requires for its fulfillment the co-operation of all who have the interest and the future of the University at heart. Lately an encouraging beginning was made by the Chancellor and the special Committee concerned, of which you will have been elsewhere informed. Among ourselves the Forestry Association has pledged the sum of five hundred dollars. The class of 1926 is prepared to do its share and already many of its member have given pledges for contribution to this fund.

The several athletic activities and social functions of the past year have been carried on with a marked degree of success.

This year's football, hockey and basketball teams have all won intercollegiate championships. The crowning success was the winning by the football team, of the McTier Trophy, emblematic of the championship of Eastern Canada—a title to be envied by any team or college.

The championship game was played in Montreal and was regarded by those who saw it as an exhibiton of good, clean sportsmanship and thorough combination in which each worked for all and all for each. These two features, together with the help afforded by the excellent turn out to practices, are indispensable to great success in any line of athletics.

The team of the recently formed Rifle Association made a good showing in the annual competition for the D. A. R. Cup. It lead the Maritime Colleges and came fourth in the Dominion.

Our debating teams have made a very favorable showing in the intercollegiate debates, but much of the enthusiasm and co-operation evident in athletics is lacking in debating. We hope that in the future the whole hearted support of the student body will be given to the President of the Debating Society. By so doing the lack of interest could be and would be acquired.

The Engineering Society, Forestry Association, and Ladies’ Society have had a successful year. All have co-operated under the Students’ Union with a unity of purpose—to boost the U. N. B. in all its activities. The members of the Ladies Society are especially to be thanked for their untiring efforts in helping to make the social functions of the Students’ Union a success. Another help to the social life of the college is found in having an efficient five-piece orchestra which has always been willing to give its services whenever called upon.

Mock Trial and Mock Parliament were again carried on according to precedent and again drew large audiences. The second session of Mock Parliament was of more than social value as it was resolved into more or less of an open forum where student activities and grievances were frankly discussed. If mock parliament were run under the guidance of and as a function of the debating society, instead of under the Student’s Union, it seems very probable that debating would benefit by the change.

This year has seen another addition to the equipment of the Athletic Club House at College Field, the construction of which was started last summer. We do not wish to forget that it was largely due to the generosity to many of the citizens of Fredericton, graduates, and friends of the College, in giving financial assistance that the students were able to complete this club house.

Many things, such as, the completion and equipping of this new memorial building; the addition of a broadcasting set to the Electrical engineering laboratory; and success already achieved in the plan for the endowment fund; go to prove that we are leaving an institution that is growing and progressing along every line, an institution that will continue to be ranked high among the colleges of the land. But is it because of the growth of the University by reason of its augmented enrolment and added equipment that we feel more that ever the need of a well equipped and well organized library under the supervision of a man who is in a position to give his undivided attention to it. We do not wish to be left behind other universities of the Maritime Provinces in this respect and earnestly hope that the Senate will do what it can for us in the coming year.

And now before leaving, I would like to extend to you, Mr. Chancellor, and gentlemen of the Faculty, our heart felt gratitude and appreciation of your efforts in our behalf. Your patient instructions and interest in our future welfare, will be a stimulus to our success through life and may the glory of any success we may attain rebound to you.

To the citizens of Fredericton, we extend our sincere thanks for the numerous ways in which you have made our stay in your beautiful city so pleasant, and also for the ever ready assistance rendered to student enterprises. Your interest in our activities, your ready response to our urgent needs and your pride in our athletic achievement will spur us on to greater victories.

Undergraduates, we depend upon you to faithfully carry on the glory of the U. N. B. From the able and willing support we have received from you during the past two or three years we know that the truth is not misplaced.

Classmates, our friendship has been sweet and the parting is difficult. Let us go forward into this broader and more complex society with a determination to be leaders.

"One ship drives east and another
drives west
While the south same breezes blow;
It's the set of the sails and not the
gales
That bids them where to go.
Like the winds of the seas are the
ways of Fate
As we voyage along through life.
It's the set of the soul that decides the
goal
And not the storms or the strife."

And now the last and hardest word of all to utter. Faculty, Citizens of Fredericton, Classmates, dear old Alma Mater, Farewell!