Valedictory Address

“Valedictory Address” University Monthly 34, 7 (May 1915): 11-15. (UA Case 68, Box 1)

Your Honor, Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Senate, Mr. President and Members of the Associated Alumni, Mr. Chancellor and Members of the Faculty, Fellow Students, Class Mates, Ladies and Gentlemen :

"Time rolls his ceaseless course."

For four years we have looked forward with a feeling of pleasure to the closing exercises of 1915. We feel a joy, now, for we have gained our reward; the goal is reached. Today, we go out to come back no more as students of the University of New Brunswick. This thought fills us with sadness. Next September when the students reassemble on this "old hill" we shall not be among them, but the thought of past joys and successes, twined with richer blessings yet to come, will cluster round the remembrance of our Alma Mater.

We recognize that this is one of the memorable days of our lives. Our past and future seem to blend. We look, now, back to the days of work and play, then on into the unknown years before us. Today, we are students ; even so shall we be tomorrow; for we are going out into a larger, broader university, the university of the world, where each day will present its problems to be solved, even as they have come to us here.

Our course is finished ! Behind are the struggles and the victories. Before is a future unread and unconquered. Today, we pass out to this future but, as we go, we would say a word of farewell to those surroundings and these old halls which have made our college life so dear to us.

Class History

Before we say farewell it is perhaps in order to review briefly the history of time spent here. One morning, in early autumn of 1911, a group of 28 youths and maidens, endowed with the verdancy characteristic of Freshmen, ascended the rocky pathway toward this University. We were guided by those, who seemed hideous to us, the upper classmen, toward the back door, which we entered with fear and trembling. Some of our number were exceedingly bumptious but the stately Seniors prescribed the remedy, while the lordly Sophomores completed the cure with parental care. As a Freshman class we were up to the average in ability and above the average in athletics, which record we have maintained throughout our college course.

As Sophomores the class numbered thirty-three, having lost five and recruited eight members during the year. On us, as Sophomores, fell the duty of being the guardian angels of the incoming class and to teach them, as we were taught the year previous, how to walk the straight and narrow path.

This duty gave us a deeper insight into college life and enabled us to shoulder more arduous duties that fall to a Junior class. As Juniors we numbered thirty four, having lost seven graduated and gained eight classmates during the year. This year was marked by a strong determination of the student body to promote the best interest of this University. But changes cannot be brought about and moulded into the highest degree of efficiency in one year so it came to us, as Seniors, to take up the good work and bear it on to a successful conclusion.

Success in Athletics

Now custom bids me give an account of the past year, our Senior year. In athletics we have scored a decided success. For eleven years the football teams of this University have struggled to land the coveted prize, but our efforts were at last rewarded, when last fall we inflicted upon our opponents the most disastrous defeat they have ever experienced in their history and thereby hangs a tale—the trophy came to U. N. B., there to remain—let us hope.

But we must not leave our football season without mentioning an event which occurred on October 29th, 1914. On that day a special left Fredericton, carrying "our champions" and their very numerous enthusiasts to Sackville, where "our boys" delivered the goods. This event will go down in history as the most successful, both from an athletic and financial standpoint, ever experienced at U. N. B.

But shortly after the close of that most glorious football season, some thirty members of the student body, including nine members of the Senior class, took a deeper aspect of what they owe their country and British institutions. When the call came their answer went out at once, and it went in that classical language of the British answer to the call to duty : "Ready, aye, ready."

Classmates on Active Service

To those who have left us to fight and perhaps die for their country in this great crisis, we send our deepest pride and admiration, and we do it with a feeling that wherever they be called, either on the plains of France or Belgium, they will nobly respond with a full hope as to the ultimate result:

"For freedom's battle once begun,
Bequeathed from bleeding sires to son,
Tho' often lost, is ever won."

But war has not been the only calamity that has befallen us during this college year. Shortly after the beginning of the new year we were all shocked to hear of the death of one of our number, Miss Neales. Jolly, ever ready with a smile, she possessed all those qualities admirable in a classmate and a friend. The sympathy, not only of her class, but of the whole College, goes out to her bereaved parents.

"But wherefore weep? Her matchless spirit soars
Beyond where splendid shines the orb of day,
And weeping angels lead her to those bowers
Where endless pleasures virtue's deeds repay.
Yet is remembrance of those virtues dear,
Yet fresh the memory of that beauteous face ;
Still they call forth our warm affection's tear,
Still in our hearts, retain their wonted place."

In debating, keen interest has been shown. The Saturday night debates have been very well attended and usual inter-class contests were carried on during the fall term.

The usual Mock Trial and Mock Parliament were held with great success and lively interest.

The "College Monthly" has been well managed. Although the war has taken many of our best journalists but still the Monthly has prospered.

The various Ladies' Societies have carried on their work successfully. Not only have the ladies been prominent in both social and athletic affairs, but they stand among the leaders in the honors of the day.

Harmonious Relations

To you, Mr. Chancellor and Gentlemen of the Faculty, as we leave you today, we desire to thank you for the care and interest you have taken in our welfare. You have ever been ready to help us ; ready to rejoice in our successes ; ready to give us the benefit of your knowledge and experience. In the future thoughts of our Alma Mater will always bring thoughts of you and what you have done for us. Therefore, in gratitude and friendship, we say, Farewell !

People of Fredericton—as classes come and go, each finds a warm welcome among you. For all you have done to make the time spent here a pleasant one, we, the class of 1915, thank you while we bid you a kindly, Farewell !

Today, fellow-students, with keen regret we leave you and U. N. B. We have spent many happy hours with you. The associations of our life on this old hill will long remain in our memory.

We have tried to be true to U. N. B. We have tried to uphold her glorious standard. May you be true to her always. Where we have erred, you seek to rectify. We leave you to take up our tasks and fill our places.

No Initiation Next Fall

Keep before you high ideals. Keep college affairs more to yourselves. To those unworthy opponents of this University, who circulate our initiation against us in getting students, we say, that for this fall the usual initiation will not take place. Now, fellow-students, we say, Farewell !

Dear Classmates, must we too say farewell, to part today, perhaps never to meet again? Today, we go forth into the great mansion of the house of life. May we be servants of truth, each in his vocation, doers of the word and not hearers only. May we be sincere, pure in heart, earnest, enthusiastic. Let us cultivate the wisdom of experience and ever maintain the hope of youth. Today we are standing on the threshold of a new age—an age when empires are locked in a death struggle ; when old empires are decaying and new empires are being born; an age which is testing the manhood and womanhood of our country. Today, when our comrades from the U. N. B. are doing their duty on the plains of Flanders, let us go forth and do our duty to ourselves and to the world.

"Adieu thou Hill ! Where early joy
Spread roses o'er our brow ;
Where Science seeks each loitering boy
With Knowledge to endow-
Adieu, my youthful friends and foes,
Partners of former bliss and woes."