Valedictory Address

“The Valedictory”The University Monthly 22, 8 (May 1903): 197-201. (UA Case 68, Box 1)

Your Honor, the President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Faculty, Fellow Students, Ladies and Gentlemen :

Another year has passed and now the time has come when the class of 1903 must bid farewell to the venerable halls of the University of New Brunswick. Nearly four years have gone by since thirty-four Freshmen wound their way through the maple and the beech which were then beautified by the autumnal tints of nature, giving a magnificent appearance to College Hill. It was with a feeling of nervousness beyond description, that the members of '03, strangers to each other, gathered around the college steps and were there met by the Sophomores with open arms. Many changes have taken place in the personnell of the class since that eventful day in October, 1899. Of the thirty-four Fresh men, only twenty began their Sophomore year, but our number was increased to thirty by the addition of ten Senior Matriculants. In our Junior year we numbered twenty-seven and now at the end of our Senior year, twenty-five of us are about to pass out forever into the wide, wide world.

As Valedictorian of my class, duty bids me to recall the chief events in the history of our course. The first few days of our Freshmen year were coupled with fear and apprehension, and acting on the advice of some of the older students, in regard to initiation we soon found ourselves at variance with the majority of the student body. The result of that advice was most regretable, but happily any feeling of antagonism which may have arisen among us, passed away, and even before the end of the year, the respect for our seniors grew to a wonderful extent, and we began to feel that our truest friends were those who had endeavored to enforce the code of unwritten laws.

As Sophomores we realized more and more the duties of that important class, and were painfully vigilant lest harm in any way befall the Freshmen. In our Junior year the responsibility of College life began to present itself in a far deeper form than we had hitherto anticipated. Our interest in the different College Societies grew deeper and more lasting and we began to see that mere ability to study was not the only characteristic of a good student.

Naturally enough the College man values his Senior year more than any other. He is now in perfect touch with college life in all its various phases, and is competent to select that which will be of most service to him. Suffice it to say that our Senior year has been one of the most successful in the history of the University.

The student, upon entering College, should get thoroughly out of his mind the notion that the College is to be the making of him. The college is simply an opportunity, plus an inspiration. It may have an accomplished staff of teachers for suggestion, inspiration and guidance, it may furnish a vast array of books on many subjects, it may give access to museums and laboratories ; but these will ensure nothing more than a perfunctory and barren results. They are helps, they are encouragements, but they do not ensure his advance. Our College courses are probably made up too largely for the purpose of preventing idleness, and too little for the purpose of affording opportunities for the inspiration of the most diligent and the most enterprising. We do not think that a college should be looked upon as a place for mere study, but for the development of the powers of concentration, and in the attainment of this end, I venture to say that the different college societies play the most important part. The class of '03 while they have always endeavoured to do their duty as under-graduates, regret that they could not do more for the advancement of the organizations of the student body.

Perhaps the most important of these organizations is the Literary and Debating Society, which has for its object the improvement of its members in clearness of expression and power of speaking. Every student should attend the debates on Saturday night, for it is to this Society that many of our most distinguished graduates owe their ability in speaking and in argument. The debates during the past year have been more interesting and instructive and we trust that in future there will be even a more lively interest taken among the students in the working of the Society.

The University Monthly has shared in the prosperity of the year just ended both as regards its finances and its literary attainments. The editors have taken a deep interest in the paper, and to them a great deal of the credit is due. It offers to all students, from Seniors to Freshmen, an opportunity to contribute to its pages and they gain invaluable experience in expressing their ideas. The under-graduates are strongly urged to assist the editors by being ready to contribute and keep the Monthly up to its standard as a representative College paper.

The University Y. M. C. A. was visited this year by representatives from the different Maritime colleges. In this way the Association brings us into closer fellowship with students from our neighboring institutions. The students should attend the Y. M. C. A. meetings if they wish to attain the complete and full expression of themselves during their college course.

The College Glee Club is still the most popular of our Associations. The proceeds from the concerts held year after year under the auspices of this association, are generally denoted toward some worthy College organization. This year, under the able leadership of Prof. Saunders, the club has attained excellent results. The members of the Athletic Association have reason to be proud of the interest which has been taken in Athletics this year. Of the eight match games which the football team played against outside teams, only one was lost. This is a record unparalleled before in the history of the College. With the prospect of such a football season next year and with the material we have for making a good team every effort should be made to cause U. N. B. to come out again with flying colors. Greater interest than ever before has been taken in basket-ball, and the College team has had the same success in that branch of athletics as in the football. The hockey team has labored under difficulties—we have the material for a good team, what we want is a better chance to practice. The golf and tennis club, which was organized in the beginning of the year among the students and faculty, has been a success.

Perhaps the most novel event in the way of athletics at the University this year was the organization of a ladies' basket-ball team, which in many ways surpassed that of the boys. This is certainly a step in the right direction and will doubtless be a great source of pleasure and healthy recreation for the ladies of the College.

We begin to feel keenly the need of an efficient gymnasium. No one can study properly unless plenty of exercise is taken. The fact that the ladies have taken up basket-ball is another argument in favor of a new gymnasium. A college student should be an all around man, well developed both physically and mentally and it does not seem right that the students are forced to go to a poorly equipped gymnasium in the centre of the town, in order to obtain that exercise which is absolutely necessary for health and
study.

We feel it our duty to urge upon the Faculty and Senate the necessity of an efficient gymnasium in connection with college life.

In view of the fact that a gymnasium is so much needed at present, the class of ‘03 have decided to give $600.00 toward the building fund. Each member is to pay $5.00 per year for five years.

There is one matter which has been frequently brought to our minds during the past two years, and which deserves more than passing notice. I refer to the L. A. Wilmot Scholarship. It seems a pity that the most important scholarship we have is now granted to those entering on the second year, thereby encouraging a three years course. A student may actually be in his Freshman year and yet by passing the Senior matriculation not only regain that year but incidentally (if he be the only candidate) capture the most valuable scholarship in the gift of the University. This looks indeed like placing a premium on failure. This scholarship was formerly open to candidates taking the Junior matriculation examinations. Under the present system the number of competitors has been greatly reduced. It is certainly most unfortunate that the Asa Dow scholarship should have reached the vanishing point and the Senior matriculants thereby deprived of the encouragement intended by the donor of that scholarship. We feel that this regulation is a very absurd one and we sincerely trust that provision will soon be made whereby the Wilmot scholarship shall be awarded to the Junior matriculants and another scholarship be provided for those taking the Senior matriculation.

We are gratified to know that our College has this year the largest number of students in its history. Almost every part of the Province is represented. The Engineering Department, which has come rapidly to the front within the past few years, has this year succeeded in attracting more students to the drafting room than ever before. In view of the fact that the University furnishes an education which is non-sectarian and practically free, and that it forms the crown of our educational system, it deserves the loyal support and patronage of the people of this Province. It needs something to act as a lubricant, something to make the wheel of progress move a little faster, and this something is money. We need more money from the Government. Expenditures made year after year on things not half so important do not offend the public conscience of our day. But when it comes to the State University which ministers to the educational needs of the people as a whole, a legislator who would cut down appropriations to the minimum amount is praised and petted as a "Watch dog of the Treasury" and is supposed to be animated by a stern sense of duty.

We need increased salaries for instructors, and more attraction for students in the way of Scholarships. The University has already lost several Professors through inability to pay as large salaries as other Colleges. Last year we lost Prof. Stockley and Dr. Davidson. The former on account of his ability and energy in working on his subject was looked upon as the leading authority in the province and is well known throughout the Continent. The latter was connected with this University for more than ten years he was recognized as one of the highest authorities on Economic subjects in the Dominion and was bringing the University forward by leaps and bounds. It is to be regretted that all for the sake of a few hundred dollars, those in authority will allow such men to sever their connection with the college.

We notice today the absence of our Chancellor, but the cause of his absence is a source of pride to every friend of the University. He has accepted an invitation from his Alma Mater to be present at Dublin on June 8th to attend an interesting function. While a student at Dublin University Dr. Harrison won the highest distinction an undergraduate can secure. The scholarships which he competed for, were open to twelve hundred candidates, and it is interesting to note that one of the men whom Dr. Harrison defeated went to Cambridge, England, and secured there a high place in the Mathematical Tripos.

At the beginning of the year we welcomed Prof. Clawson and Dr. Riley to the University. Both these gentlemen have made many friends and we wish them every success in their future work.

Time presses and we must say farewell. To the people of Fredericton we wish to express our gratitude for the kindness with which we have always been treated during our stay among them. We keenly, appreciate the encouragement and patronage they have always given our college affairs. Our social sojourn in the celestial city has been extremely pleasant. To them and their beautiful city, farewell.

Gentlemen of the faculty, we thank you for your faithful counsel and affectionate instructions. We thank you, who have climbed so high up the hill of science, that you condescend to pause a moment in your course and bestow a cheering, animating glance on us, who, almost invisible in the distance are toiling over the roughness of the first ascent. May you go on your way in peace and have every success in your work. May the light of your example long linger in blessings on those of us who now pass into the
broad and busy world.

And now, fellow students, I turn to you. Long and happy has been our connection as students of this University ; but with this day it must close forever. No longer shall we sit in these seats to listen to the voice that woos us to be wise ; no more shall our voices blend in college songs. Other scenes, other societies other pursuits await us. We must part ; but parting shall only draw closer the ties that bind us. We shall still be reminded of the scenes that are past.

And now to patrons and friends, to instructors and associates, we tender our reluctant and affectionate farewell.