Valedictory Address

“The Valedictory”The University Monthly 18, 8 (May 1899): 197-202. (UA Case 68, Box 2)

Your Honor, Mr. President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Chancellor and Members of the Faculty, Ladies and Gentlemen;—

It is now close upon four years since sixteen freshmen wound their way through the debris of the Grove towards these classic halls here to be enrolled upon the University records as the class of 1899. The beech and maple, always a glory to College Hill, were then beautified by the autumnal tints of natural and now in their early summer luxuriance they are about to see another quota of students pass forever from beneath their allowed shades. The class of freshmen assembling around the college steps in 1895 were almost unknown to each other; now after the passage of four eventful years, marked by close association in our democratic college-societies, the members of the same class are about to separate at the same spot where they first met, to separate but to carry with them the pleasing remembrance of the four years spent together during the May time of youth in this noble institution, the University of New Brunswick. It is fitting on such an occasion as this to cast a longing, lingering look behind over the scenes of undergraduate years; gaining encouragement from successes, and, let us hope, warning from failures and lost opportunities.

As valedictorian of the class it becomes my duty to succinctly recall the leading events in the history of our course. On entering college we found ourselves promptly ushered into an unknown world presided over to all appearances by the genii of unwritten laws. Slight differences of opinion concerning the prerogatives of fresh- men caused this early period to be a veritable struggle for existence. Yet how soon our ideas changed! During the second year the wisdom gained from past experience urged us to take a vigorous and lively interest in our Alma Mater. Too zealous application or, perchance, misdirected endeavours towards this end threatened violent disturbance to the even tenor of our way; but a judicious and liberal gift to the University Library had the desired effect of once more restoring equilibrium. The junior year was characterized by the dissipation of early dreams, and a dawning recognition of the realities of life. The feelings of a Senior surpass my powers of delineation.

The chances and changes of four years have rendered the class now on its day of exit from the University scarcely recognizable as the class which entered College in 1895. During the Freshman year our number increased to seventeen. At the close of the Sophomore year our membership had been reduced to thirteen. “We completed our junior year with twelve and now graduate with eight. Of these only four belong to the original sixteen members of October 1895. Additions to the class at different times throughout the course have brought the total number ever included within its limits to the fair average of twenty two.

The great changes which the various classes seem destined to undergo during the four years course is one of the regrettable features in the history of each class. Whatever may be the cause the fact remains. Some flee from pursuing tristia studia to participate at once in the stern activities of life; some leave college and return at a later date; others complete their University career elsewhere. Such factors to a certain extent have produced the metamorphosis in our class. But other and deeper causes affect the stability of classes. Now that we are about to leave the Alma Mater forever we miss from our number one of our most promising students. During the first term of his Senior year Mr. Baldwin was obliged to abandon college work owing to failing health. It was with the deepest sorrow that we heard in April last of his death—the one event tending to spread a gloom over our last days in the University.

Short periods—even the four brief years of a university course — are taught with changes proverbially produced by the callous hand of time. Time alters all things in this transitory world. Change is the inevitable result of a progressing civilization where there is exhibited a happy blending of the conservative spirit of veneration towards structures which have for ages braved the “battle and the breeze” with that liberal spirit which effects the necessary alterations required for adaptation to new circumstances. Thus even in academic retreats changes have been evident.

At the close of our freshman year the University lost in Dr. Bridges one of its ablest professors. Our class, though to quote a U. N. B. song, it is not very classical, yet cannot but look back with pleasure to the learned professor who first opened our receptive minds to the beauties of classic literature. Dr. Bridges’ successor, Mr. Raymond, is by the conscientious fulfillment of his duty still engaged in the difficult task of transporting the youth of New Brunswick—in spirit at least—to the far distant seats of ancient lore, Athens and Rome. The vigorous training resulting from the devoted application to the classical studies has been acknowledged by the learned men of all ages to be a powerful factor in mental development. It is therefore proper that this noble study should be given precedence in our University, and that the honour student should in this subject be placed at the top of the lists.

The University is about to lose the services of Prof. Downing. I feel sure that I voice the sentiments of my class when I wish our genial professor every success in his new sphere of action. Through the instrumentality of Prof. Downing the college has during the past year been the thankful recipient of a three Kilowatt motor and dynamo presented to the Electrical Engineering department by the Canadian General Electric Company of Toronto. The introduction of incandescent lighting into the college last year was due in a great part to the energetic interest which the same gentleman exhibited towards the college. A general interest in the properties of electricity has so affected the college that a private telegraph line has been run recently between the college residence and certain houses in the city. Obscure rumors have reached us of all night contests in the intellectual game of chess conducted over this worthy line. On returning to college in our second year we might almost have repeated with truth, “The old order changeth yielding place to new.” Residency had been re-established in its old quarters. The old reading room, where many a rollicking hour was wont to be spent, had been transformed for the services of a gentler and more refined order of undergraduates. Last of all the face of the taciturn porter was missing. Alas, his very bell has fallen into disuse, being heard only at Glee Club Concerts and annual auctions.

Residency, though a pleasant feature in college life, has not received general support from the students. The chief objection has been the expense. We are pleased to learn that the board has been reduced, and that in the general management of affairs certain powers of supervision are to be allowed to a committee from the residency students. Owing to these increased benefits, residency should flourish more than ever.

During our third year the subjects of study for the Senior year were made largely elective. This change has been beneficial. We believe that an elective course for Juniors, though perhaps more limited in extent, would also be beneficial; and we trust that measures having this in view will demand the early attention of the faculty. Concentration on particular subjects during the last two years of his college course will aid a student in preparing for his special calling better than would a smattering of the multifarious subjects now included within a college curriculum.

A new regulation has been enacted this year demanding from an honor student a higher standard in the ordinary, as distinguished from honor examinations in those subjects which compose his honor work. Debates on economic questions have been held weekly during the past term as part of the regular work in economics. This new feature in the class work has aroused among the students a greater interest in the current events of the world.

We trust these debates will be continued and become more and more successful in the future. It is of great significance that all the criticism hurled at our University show a decided tendency to avoid attacking the curriculum. We believe that, by greater unity of action among the professors, by a stronger and more lasting interest taken in their Alma Mater by the members of the Alumni Society, and by a greater feeling of responsibility among the undergraduates, the University of New Brunswick will soon be in a position to invite criticism at all points without trepidation. Even now “our antagonist is our helper.”

The ordinary course in Astronomy has been somewhat improved during our career. An examination in this science is now required in order to keep the junior year; but only two or three migrations have been made by students under the guidance of a professor to our well equipped observatory, The observatory has been greatly modified recently in order to render the telescope capable of being used with great facility. Yet one of the greatest anomalies of our college is that with the best observatory in this part of the country, the use of the telescope has been practically withheld from the very students for whose benefit presumably it exists. We would suggest and urge upon the faculty the desirability of utilizing the many great advantages which the University enjoys. Among these certainly is the observatory. Many students have graduated without so much as seeing the interior of that building. Its existence is only recollected by many from the annual huddling together in an angle of its outer wall on three memorable occasions in the first three years of their undergraduate life. But now we desire admittance to the mysteries within. Only by making the best of all its opportunities—and these are more than many believe—can the University expect to “See golden days fruitful of golden deeds.”

The engineering department has come rapidly to the fore within the past few terms, and this year has succeeded in attracting more students to the drafting room than formerly. By an Act of the Local Legislature the University has been authorized to confer degrees in Engineering in the future, and we are pleased to say that the first Bachelor of Engineering graduates from the University with our class to-day. Extensive operations are about to be undertaken towards erecting a commodious Engineering building, which when completed will assure to the University the bulk of the Engineering students of the Maritime Provinces.

During the year Mr. J. V. Ellis, who always takes an active interest in the college, has established for four years a benefaction to be awarded to one of the students entering the college from the St. John Grammar school. Such gifts bespeak the esteem in which our University is held by those who are competent to judge of its qualities.

Although the greater part of an undergraduate’s time is necessarily spent upon the subjects of the prescribed curriculum, still the benefits derived from study alone are one-sided when not dtrengthened by the manifest good resulting from active participation in the student societies. The invigorating contact with others in managing college affairs supplements and balances the purely academic studies. He who graduates without having identified himself with the various associations will have neglected a means of developing there traits of character which will make him a readier man in his future contact with others in the greater university. Moreover, he will have deprived himself of the most enjoyable phase of college life. It is, therefore, gratifying to know that the different college societies have flourished during the past year.

The Young Men’s Christian Association, by steadfastly maintaining its former good work, tends to improve the moral standard of the College. Through this Association we are brought from time to time into union with our sister universities. Last November we had the pleasure of meeting many students from their colleges during the Maritime Intercollegiate Y. M. C. A. convention, which met in U. N. B. at that time.

The Debating Society is the great field of action for the student body. On Saturday nights varied forms of grandiloquence have been heard in the old chapel; while the culminating point of oratorical endeavors is reached when the vexed questions of Dominion politics are thoroughly threshed out in our popular yet dignified Mock Parliament. The weekly meetings of the Society have been fairly well attended during the year. The proceedings have been orderly, and the general standing of debating high. We would advise every student to make it his pleasant duty to attend and take part in the debates each week. Here he will learn to express his thoughts clearly, and will gain skill in refuting the arguments of his opponents. It will be of especial benefit to the members of the under classes to attend the society now that debates on economic questions are to form part of the ordinary work in political economy.

The University MONTHLY has been issued regularly on the 20th of each month during the past college year. The magazine has, we believe, been quite up to its former excellence. Greater interest has been taken in its welfare by the students; and this year the novel but gratifying phenomenon of an over supply of copy has facilitated the labors of the editors. May the same phenomenon continue to delight the hearts of the literary editors, and may increased funds permit the wearied business manager to cease bemoaning the recently imposed postage on papers.

The University Athletic Club is the unseen power regulating the invigorating contests which are the delight of athletes. There is always special interest attached to the meetings of the Athletic Club. The freshman on entering college meets immediately with the yearly interest in foot ball. The inevitable defeats awaiting the college team force him to uphold the University's honor against the diminutive and unfeeling Philistine below. Then as a senior his last connection with undergraduate life is practically finished after the May sports. The sports this year were a success. Four new records were made, and the events proceeded without a hitch. Yet there were not so many entries for the various events as is desirable. The field will need the attention of the student, and the council would prefer active to moral support.

The Glee Club still flourishes under the kindly guidance of Prof. Stockley. Even the non-musical among us have been fired with a spirit of emulation when the strains of dulcet symphony have descended to the lower hall. By recognized custom, when this emulation reaches a certain pitch, it is a signal that Glee Club must adjourn and Debating Society open.

The public lecture course during the past year have been of unusual interest. Much thanks is due to Dr. Davidson, who is always ready to give the committee any required help. For several years the library has been increasing at the rate of three hundred volumes annually. During the coming long vacation the books are to be catalogued and facilities provided to accommodate future additions to our valuable collection of literature. The students are learning to use the room more and more for research and reference.

There is one matter which has been frequently brought to notice during the past months and which deserves passing notice. I refer to the College customs. A discussion raised accidentally by means of an article published in the October MONTHLY has not yet died out. Now, those who declare that anything degrading finds place in our college customs are greatly misinformed with regard to the present state of affairs. As to the past we are ignorant, but we say unhesitatingly that our college customs—properly so-called—are deserving of an epithet entirely different from degrading. Our college customs tend to keep a healthy relation among the undergraduates. Let the old Alma Mater ring with jubilant undergraduate life and never let the noble customs die out.

Next term our University enters upon what promises to be the most active year of her existence. Next Encaenia the college will celebrate the hundredth anniversary of its foundation. This occasion will be full of importance to all University affairs. The class of ‘99 proposes to leave $5 each to be expended at the discretion of the students, but with the approval of the Faculty for the Centennial exercises of Encaenia 1900.

And now the time has come for us to say farewell to the associates of four years. The class of '99 is about to put aside the undergraduate gown, preparatory to entering the wide, wide world. We pause with awe upon this solemn occasion. We recognize the chances that have been ours during our college course and can never forget our happy days at the U. N. B.

To you Mr. Chancellor and gentlemen of the faculty we wish to express our sensibility of the impartial and just treatment we have always received at your hands. We thank you for the painstaking efforts you have always taken in our instruction. Much of the knowledge gained at college will doubt- less soon fade from our memories, but our debt to the University is none the less. Under your guidance we have received the valuable training which must now stand us instead. In bidding you farewell we wish you every success in the future.

We bid farewell to those of our friends who are still undergraduates.

It will afford us great pleasure to hear of your success in the College Societies. Make good use of the opportunities afforded you by a College course, but remember that there are other advantages to be gained besides those obtained from study alone.

To our friends in the city we extend thanks for the encouragement and patronage you have always given to our college affairs. Your approval has ever helped us in our legitimate undertakings. Socially our sojourn in your beautiful city has been made very pleasant by your hospitality. We bid you farewell, but hope soon to revisit the Celestial City where these last four happy years have been passed.

Finally, we bid farewell to our Alma Mater, who seems at such a moment almost to be endowed with a personality of her own. May we always recollect with honest pride that this day we have been duly pronounced by our worthy Chancellor, “Baccalaurii in Artibus in hac Universitate.”