Valedictory Address

Delivered by John B. McNair

This Encoenia day of 1911 marks in the history of the University the dissolution of another graduating class. Four years have rolled by since this class assembled in these halls, four years rich in valuable experiences and influences. Our college life has been one of training and equipment fitting us up for a life of effort and achievement, the end of all true education. The period of initial preparation is past and today we step out to join our foster-brothers who are carrying on the work of the world.

Yet it is with no ordinary emotion that we leave these halls for the last time. The old associations and friendships are not lightly severed. Fond memories rush upon us and for a moment we would fain linger and prolong our stay where we have passed so many happy days. But the call of the untried attracts us, the lure of the future is upon us, and we turn our faces forward to follow through prairie and forest the great trail of human events and to seek our destinies in service.

The class that graduates today is beginning with golden opportunities. Our country, rich in natural resources, is entering upon a period of increased prosperity. From the surging Atlantic to the azure Pacific its smiling expanse stretches, calling upon the man of science and of letters alike for effort. Canada’s is a wonderful heritage with her lofty mountains and fertile prairies, with her noble rivers and rolling forests. A land the fairest and richest the sun ever rose upon, - a land possessing opportunities never before equaled, holding inspirations never held by any other, which, when infused into the minds and spirits of men will become mighty factors. Then too, the national life presents vast fields for effective achievement. We want our Canada to be great, strong in virtue and integrity that she may win and retain the admiration of all races. Her future lies in a clean citizenship; the character of a nation is but a reflex of that of its people,-as the individual is, so the nation is. Canada’s birthright is her honor; her honor should be the pride of every citizen and must be upheld by his ideals and strivings.

What shall be the part played in that great work by the graduates of this day no one can tell. As valedictorian this afternoon well-established precedent would have me relate the history of this class. To do so would be to delineate in great part the future. For the ideals and aims of today are the habits and deeds of tomorrow. But no intellect can grasp nor mind can trace the subtle influences that for four years have wrought upon the material and moulded in us a character. Our lives here cannot be reckoned as a mere succession of events. Out of it have come the larger visions, the purposes and the aspirations of a fuller existence. These things are of the unseen and do not allow of measure. It is not that we can determine the future by an observation of the past; but that the future, in relating the stories of these twenty-nine lives, will reveal what college has been and done for us.

It was in the fall of 1907 that our class came together for the first time. In conformity with ancient usage, our reception into the student body was heralded by elaborate initiation ceremonies. With their passing we experienced a new dignity and entered zealously into the life of the College, feeling that we had aims and interests with our superiors. The year soon passed. In the class-room we acquired knowledge. We have remembered a little of it; forgotten much. Another autumn found us again assembling but under conditions far different. The old simplicity was gone. In its place had come the qualities peculiar only to the Sophomore. Responsibilities were also falling on us as we entered more fully into the College activities. Our Junior year was not unlike that of any other class. Care, as yet, had touched us lightly, but there was dawning on us the truer meaning of our College mission.

The past year marked still greater changes. We came back to the class-rooms in a serener mood, eager to seize all opportunities for higher study and development. This year, too, found us as the Senior class, grappling with the problems of the College world. We have tried to meet them squarely and solve them honestly. Mistakes have been made, but we have never claimed to be infallible. Yet, all things considered, we have surpassed the hopes of the most sanguine. Former generations had thought us a feeble class. Strong individually, we have never been, but as a class we have stood shoulder to shoulder and out of our weakness have developed power. Unity has been our motto. Then, too, we have been unexpectedly strengthened. Twelve ladies, the largest group that any class has ever graduated, have furnished a support that no one had dreamed of. With the true spirit of co-operation, they have stood steadfast and loyal to the College, endeavoring ever to further its best life and interests. We are justly proud of the number and quality of our ladies, and gladly have we seen them well rewarded today.

The year just passed has on the whole been a successful one. The different societies which constitute the student body politic have been well controlled. These organizations are open to all and should form an integral part of each student’s life. They do not give the booklore, but neither does this alone give the true education. Learning is of value only as it ripens into effective execution. Participation in the various College activities develops habits of friendly intercourse and calls out executive and administrative ability, both necessary qualifications for effective service.

In athletics we think we have had a successful year. We think, we do not know. For the real value of sport is such that no measure for it has been devised. The ideal of the early Greeks, the first to practice the manly contests, was one of harmony and order. Athletic games were valuable in cultivating the habits of a virtuous disposition; and in building up a healthy body, necessary attribute to a strong mind. The palm of victory was to encourage and promote an active interest. But he who considers the success of an athletic season can be reckoned by a mere weighing of victories against defeats has mistaken the means for the end. Its value can only be reckoned in terms of character. We think we have the right spirit at U. N. B., the spirit of co-operation and fair-play. Our disgust of unfair tactics in sport may to some seem extreme or even a fault; but is so, it is a fault in which we glory.

In passing we note with pleasure the increased grant to the University. We congratulate all those who have labored so faithfully for a larger and better college. We remark, too, the resignations of Professors Cartmel and Georghegan from the faculty staff. The former began his work here at the entrance of our class. Throughout all he has striven manfully to fulfill the responsibilities of his office. We cherish the hope that he will long prosper and succeed. In Professor Geoghegan the University loses a man of sterling qualities. Quiet and unassuming, he has by his friendly manner and loyalty to duty won the highest respect and esteem. This class unites in wishing him prosperity in the new chair to which he has been appointed.

And now, your Honor, time bids me be drawing to a close. Before we go we must pause and say farewell. It is no easy task that the events of the afternoon have been leading up to. The associations of four years are not easily broken.

To the City of Fredericton we can only voice our gratitude. This little city, quaintly nestled among its protecting hills, with its air of calm and serenity, has proven an ideal haven for study, Its image will long remain with us. We have found its citizens at all times gracious; the spirit of their lives is one of hospitality and fellowship.

Yours, Mr. Chancellor and Gentlemen of the Faculty, is our especial recognition. We came distrustful of you; the old idea of pedagogue and the rod still rankled in our minds. We part today feeling that you have been our friends. In all our relations you have been prepared to guide, not drive us; to meet us as persons whose opinions were worth considering, though often crude. In the class-room you have given us the highest in culture and learning; and by your personality have won us to effort when otherwise we might have proved indifferent. It is no small debt we owe you; four years of personal contact have made us better men and women.

To the undergraduates we must say farewell. You have honored us as a class and ably assisted in our work. In hockey and football and in the forum our aim has been in unison; and you have never failed to respond nobly in all that upheld the dignity and fair name of the “College on the Hill.” As we leave you, a parting word of advice might be pardoned. Not too great a trust in honors; it is those extra hours that sap the vigor and impair the health. A crammed head and a bit of parchment are of small avail with a body ruined. We offer this advice kindly and wish you ever unqualified success.

And finally, fellow classmates, we must part from one another. These years have woven ties of deepest friendship. Community of interest, a common purpose, have drawn us close. We have learned to lean on one another, and not the least our comradeship has done has been to teach us the value of co-operation and enlarge our sympathies. Today our Alma Mater has placed her seal upon us, and thus endowed has sent us forward to claim the honor that is her due. And what a glorious heritage is ours! To be graduates of this grand old university whose personality has inspired so many noble minds and fired them with worthy aims. Our indebtedness to her is great; and whatever our lives shall produce should give a share in her behalf. Today our gratitude is imminent; time may dim but duty demands that we give freely of sympathy and influence to met her growing needs and to equip her for her vital part in the onward march of progress. This day we pass beyond her portals to begin a life under strange conditions. Afloat upon the great sea of existence many conflicts will come; buffets and reproofs will daunt us. and the means of escape will tempt us. But let us bear in mind that it is these very rebuffs and adversities that will bring out the golden and mould in us the character, the only attribute worthy of men and women; and let us so work and live that in the quiet evening of life when the journey is done and the summit attained, our fellowmen may truthfully say of each of us:

“He was one who never turned his back but marched breast forward
Never doubted clouds would break,
Never dreamed, though right were worsted, wrong would triumph,
Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better.
Sleep to wake.”

And now to Faculty, Students, City and Friends, one final word- Farewell.