Valedictory Address

“Valedictory”The University Monthly 41, 7 (May 1922): 223-26. (UA Case 68, Box 2).

The valedictory of Russell Robertson Sheldrick on behalf of the Class of 1922 was as follows:

The college year is almost ended and now another graduating class is about to leave behind the halls and lecture rooms and pleasant haunts of this old University, to say farewell to teachers, students, friends and to each other and to pass out forever from these walls to follow each his several way. As we stand, at this crisis in our career, upon the threshold of the future, and hear the call to service urging on to new and other fields, it is only natural that there should come crowding back upon us memories of pleasant associations, of hours spent in study or in sport, of failures and successes, and happy comradeships. Four years we have ascended the hill to the terrace to the tune of the Cathedral chime; four years we have listened to lectures and shouted over games together; and at this last time of meeting we beg you to pardon us for dwelling a moment upon some of the past activities of the class.

THE CLASS

It was upon a bright September morning back in 1918 that we first assembled upon the campus with the usual feelings of expectancy. Some of us perhaps can remember how, on the day before opening, so seemingly short a time ago, they advanced alone in the dusk of evening through the shadows of the grove, caught a first glimpse of the old stone buildings frowning down upon them, saw pale lights glittering within and, with a vague sense of awe, paused in uncertainty, wondering what manifestation of learning they might portend. Even 4hen, perhaps, they looked forward with aspirations born from early childhood to their graduation time, to this Encaenia Day, thinking that with this attained, they would be the very embodiment of learning. But how quickly have these childish visions dissolved into reality and there has been seen but a glimmering prospect of the way!

Although the days of initiation had passed away before the college life of many of us began, our welfare was by no means neglected by the upper classmen and at the time of the Freshmen’s reception, we were beginning to feel at home. A number of returned men who joined us during our Sophomore year generously handed on the benefit of their earlier experience that none of the old college spirit might fail; and as Seniors we have endeavored to maintain our traditions and to see that the new men were led to a true understanding of their duties and obligations with impartiality and without injustice.

Our social functions, from the time of the first college drive of our Freshmen days to the pleasant events of the past week have all been carried out with enthusiasm and success; and especial credit is due to the lady members of our class for the able and loyal support which they have -always given, in spite of the smallness of their numbers.

THE PAST YEAR

During the present year, in athletics U. N. B. has been remarkably victorious. Our football team restored us the Clark Trophy and won the championship of the Western Section of the Interprovincial Football League as well; and while we measure our success, not by games won, but by the physical development of the spirit of true sportsmanship, we trust that on both accounts we have just cause for pride.

The efforts of our Debating Society have been attended with unusual success. The U. N. B. team won the decision in the Intercollegiate Debate with King's University. Next year we debate with St. Francis Xavier and if our students will give their support, if the members of the team will do earnest and conscientious work, the victory will at least not be lightly won.

This year has been characterized by masked improvements in our social organization. Both the Glee Club and the Dramatic Society have been revived and have already yielded abundant returns both of pleasure and profit; but the most striking and radical of our changes has been the establishment of a more efficient instrument for the management of student affairs. The Students Association has been superseded by a Students’ Council, in which both professor and lady students as well as the men are represented, which will promote the solidarity of the student body and co-operation with the faculty. This measure is largely due to the efforts of Mr. White, whose name should pass down in the annals of the University and in the memories of her sons.

During the past year, to the list of Rhodes Scholars from U. N.B. there has been added another name. Mr. Joseph Sears has our best wishes for a successful career, and we feel sure that his record at Oxford will reflect credit upon his old Alma Mater.

THE NEED OF A RESIDENCE

Although from time to time our class has lost some of its original members, the graduating class of 1922 is larger than that of last year, and the large Freshman classes of the past three years give us cause to hope that for U. N. B. there is destined a period of expansion. We feel that this could be more adequately provided for if one of our needs were supplied—namely, the need of a residence. A university, in the earliest sense of the word, consisted of a group of men who gathered together to seek the light of learning by contact with a great personality. Learning came, not by study, but by inquiry; and the essential was not the teacher but the corporate life of the students. Few of us can dispense with the stimulus of regular instructors, and we have this in contact with the personalities of our professors; but by contact with the personalities of one another, the conversations of all would become a series of lectures to each and a spirit of mutual helpfulness and an atmosphere of open-minded inquiry would persist with greater strength and continuity. A residence would provide this corporate life; and we of the graduating class wish to express our sincere desire that a conviction of the needs of U. N. B. may be so felt among the people of this province that such forces as have been and will be initiated will work together in accomplishing this end.

As we read over the records of the graduates of U. N. B. we are struck with the large proportion who have achieved great things in every walk of life. Some of them are with us today; many are taking their part in the outside world; more live in the memories of men for what they have done. Who can say what part the residential life at this University in early days may have had in the shaping of their
lives. Could it not help us, too, today?

The remembrance of these great men is to us a source of inspiration, and we feel that, in a sense, it is our duty and privilege to make our lives worthy of those who have gone before us. To some our university life has been an excursion into the practical realms of science, attended by the busy hum of dynamo and motor; to some it has been a breathless hurrying through a land of wondrous beauties offering fleeting glimpses of fairy seas of thought where we would gladly wander, but must tarry near the shore; but to all it has been discipline, and has taught us to find our highest reward in service to our fellowmen. We are as yet, as it were, without the gate of the garden of the Universe, and as we gaze ahead through its spacious portals we would gladly believe that we might reach some green retreats where none had wandered before us. To learn to think for ourselves is the greatest of lessons, and if we can add one thought to our heritage we will not have lived in vain. Such aspirations, though ever unfulfilled, can still point out to us the way.

And now, Your Honour, the words of one who has seen but a brief prospect of the world do but distract from those we have heard this afternoon. They will remain in our memories, and for them we return our sincere appreciation. To our professors, who have not only instructed us but taken a personal interest in us as well, we are very deeply indebted and take this opportunity of wishing them every success in their future work, of expressing our gratitude for what they have done for us and of assuring them that we will try to be worthy of their tuition. Henceforth, the world will be our judge. Here, we will not be missed; others will fill our places as well or better than we; and with confidence we leave in their hands the fair name of U. N. B. We would fain linger and look upon the old familiar scenes and faces before passing out into the world; but to you, Mr. Chancellor and the gentlemen of the Faculty, to the citizens of Fredericton, to the undergraduates and to our Alma Mater, we must say farewell, for at last the time has come when we must go away.