Valedictory Address

"Valedictory Given by Aulder Gerow. U.N.B. Graduate Spoke on Various Phases of Life in World Today" The Daily Gleaner (17 May 1951): 11.

On this day we of the graduating class gather in a solemn and formal fashion to conclude our years of college activity. We have sampled the ideas of others and learned to express our own effectively. We have developed tastes and discussed values. We have chosen a socially useful and personally satisfying vocation that will permit us to use to full our particular interests and abilities. In short, we have been learning how to become human, a process that ends only with death. If we fail to develop, if we lose sight of our goal, if we slip into bovine complacency or grey mediocrity then we forfeit the meaning of this degree--the doctrine of independence, courage and hope.

I would indeed be amiss if I fail to welcome on behalf of the graduating class our Chancellor Lord Beaverbrook. To many of us he is a living example of all that is best in western civilization--humility, benevolence, enterprise, foresight and dignity. We are indeed pleased that you found it possible to be with us on this occasion.

On behalf of the Senior Class I would also like to thank Dr. Baird for his excellent address--"A Liberal Education". It augurs well to have such a man versed in the Humanities as Dean of Engineering.

Traditions of Valedictorians

There are certain traditions among valedictorians at the University so hallowed by time that it would be presumptuous not to adhere to them. Primarily it is the custom of reviewing the expansion and progress of this institution. Notable indeed is the establishment of the Phd., degree in Chemistry. Several of our own graduating class plan to take advantage of this degree. This step is a further sign of the growing maturity of the University as a centre of post-graduate research and study. Dr. Toole and his faculty will add, I am sure, much to the field of original research in Chemistry.

One observation which I feel must not be overlooked is the increased in the women enrolled. this is lauded not only by the senior class but by other students as well. A co-educational institution will bring about many characteristics which are desirable in a university setting. I hope that a few years will bring forth more of the charming sex to this campus.

The Library

Turning to the most notable acquisition of the year, we find the new wing of the Library holding this coveted place. As long as libraries exist and are used we need not fear from the force of tyrannies.  I shall not try to say what magnificence this library lends to this campus, of the splendid and rare volumes, of the spaciousness and brightness of the main lounge. All I might say has been said before but I take this opportunity on behalf of the graduates of '51 to thank you Your Lordship for this temple of scholarship which you have granted to this province and its people.

And so today we take leave of our Alma Mater we say Farewell--farewell to the old campus, farewell to our friends and acquaintances, farewell to those sacrificing people the professors (who sometimes sacrifice us).

Struggle for Existence

Tomorrow morning, or sometime later, most of us will wake up feeling that the great struggle for existence has begun. We will look upon a world torn by treacherous strife, people by panacea peddlers, idealogically divided and morally bankrupt.

That is a dramatic and fearful statement. Perhaps to some a hackneyed cliche. I feel it to be true.

We are faced with a world demanding more strict conventionally or banishment to the nether regions. We are all madly clamouring for security. Fear ridden people strive to find a safe shore. I believe that were the devil to return to the earth, he could buy souls - wholesale simply by promising security.

But what is this thing called security. It is nothing more than fear of the incapability of oneself, of fear of one's neighbours. Someone has said that we are terrified of tomorrow and afraid to die today. Real security cannot be granted as if by magic by the State because it can be as easily taken away. In the same manner one individual cannot find security in another for it may also be withdrawn with resulting chaos. No,--the only security that is of real and lasting value is that which arises within the individual and through his own creations. Lest these preceding remarks appear too grim and saddening I must point out that I do not see a glimmer of some kind. This is the beacon light of intellectual integrity, ambition and originality.

The first, intellectual integrity, need not be explained, but sadly needs application. In this modern world where so many men of great intellect wholeheartedly embrace this or that code where we are told to believe this or that idea as true instead of being taught to be sceptical. The carving of the intellect to fit the state is a problem of dire implications. Do what you will but speak out always. Be shunned, be hated, be ridiculed, be scared, be in doubt but don't be gagged. The Universities of our land must be ever on guard; they must resist jealously all encroachments on their intellectual freedom.

Ambition Often Condemned

Ambition is often condemned. The world of facts proves to us that an enlightened but staunch self-interest is, and must ever remain, the mainspring of human endeavor. As the great Disraeli once said, "The secret of success is constancy of purpose." The greatest glory of New Brunswick lies in the number of her sons who, from small and often obscure beginnings have won their way to the highest renown. But ambition is a stern mistress, intolerant of the smallest infidelity in her followers. She will not permit us to accept the buffets of fortune with the resignation of the fatalists. the comforting notion, so beloved of levellers, that man is the creature of circumstances has no place in the doctrine of ambition. Circumstances are the creatures of Man, and he can mould most of them who possesses the parts and the resolution. We must not be content with raising bulwarks against misfortune; remember rather, Gibbon's fine declaration, "The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigator." I would like to quote a passage from an address by the late Lord Birkenhead, "It will almost certainly not be your intentions, your dreams, or even your enthusiasms which will sway the world, but your actual personality as it penetrates through and illumes your activities."

Initiative and Independence

As for initiatives and independence, to cultivate a general diffuse initiative would be to become a busybody. For a man whose every thought was original the only place would be the insane asylum. As I see it the first and most important step towards cultivating independence and initiative is to treat them consistently as positive factors. To think of independence not as unreadiness to follow or obey or believe other men, but as a readiness and ability to contribute to good causes something more than is contributed by others--to think of initiative not as unreadiness to wait or cooperate or be modes, but as a readiness and ability to more ahead speed up, lead and take promising risks. The truly initiating mind does not imitate less, but more; it initiates more men in more fields in a greater variety of conditions. Originality must not mean weakness in doing routine work in old ways, or any essential dislike of traditions, knowledge or customs as such, or any paucity of fixed habits but strength in doin work that is new or doing it in new ways, an attitude of hoping to change knowledge or practice for the better; an organization of habits that causes their progressive modification.

World Conditions Influence

With your permission, I would like to set forth a few ideas on the world body politic. Some may ask, Why--in a valedictory address? I do so because world conditions as never before influence the whole of our life and even our very existence. In dark days, men need a clear faith and well grounded hope, and as the outcome of these, the calm courage which take no account of the hardships along the way. I believe we should put more of our faith and support behind the endeavors of that little island across the Atlantic. Only lately are the peoples of the world awakening to the sorry fact that the Pax Brittanicus is not there to maintain a peaceful and just universe. Too often nationalism grows as a sinister chauvinistic idea used by pandering peoples for petty power. The only means of preserving world peace is through an international organization and we learn from the golden pages of history the only successful international association has been the British Empire. Let us people of this empire united in loyalty to our king, in fellowship with one another, in knowledge that our laws, parliament and traditions are as one with tenacity of ideals and with a common purpose, go forward to create strength for good which will blaze in untarnished glory down the paths of time to come.

And now, as we of the graduating class draw near the end of our college days and prepare to go forth to dwell among men, let us do so with a belief in the continuity of society, the tranquility of purpose and hope for evolution to a better life. As the great Churchill once said, "The vials of wrath were full, but so were the reservoirs of power."