Valedictory Address

“Advertising of University is Urged by Valedictorian of 1940” The Daily Gleaner (16 May 1940): 7, 11. (UA Case 68, Box 1)

Mr. President, Members of the Senate, Distinguished Guests, Members of the Faculty, Ladies and Gentlemen:

The late Lord Tweedsmuir, in an address on the occasion of his installation as Chancellor of Edinburgh University, attempted to define the purposes for which a university stands. Unsatisfied with a formal statement of those aims, Lord Tweedsmuir said that it must be understood that behind them lies the intimate and most human duty of starting youth on its career. We must, he continued, adapt youth and adapt ourselves to the circumstances of a most difficult world, a world where, as it seems to many, the foundations are crumbling. Lord Tweedsmuir spoke those words less that two years ago. Today the University of New Brunswick is fulfilling her duty by starting us on our careers, and we are being sent out into a world even more difficult. Once again, though for the first time in the lives of many of us, Canada is at war. She has rallied for the second time in a quarter of a century to support of an Empire that is fighting desperately for life and freedom.

Already with Armed Forces

Already some members of our student-body have left the University to join the armed forces: doubtless more will feel it their duty to act in a like manner so long as the war continues. One thing that should be certain is that the Class of 1940 shall not be found wanting in the field of public service, whether it be in the military sphere, or in the often equality necessary functions of civilian life. With a fortitude that is characteristic of the British people, and a firm trust in Divine Providence, our Empire shall yet emerge from this conflict united and victorious.

Retirement of President

Leaving the halls of the University of New Brunswick with us this year is a man who graduated from the institution many years ago—a good and kindly man, whose friendship to us during the past four years, and to countless other graduates before us, will never be forgotten. The decision of Doctor Cecil Charles Jones to retire from the presidency of the University, after thirty-four years of faithful and outstanding service, came as a distinct shock to us all. The realization that with him would go his gracious and beloved wife increased that shock. For us who are graduating, the thought that should we—and I am certain that we all hope that we shall—at some time in the future return to this University, we shall not be welcomed in the uniquely genuine manner of both Dr. and Mrs. Jones, could not fail to strike a note of sadness; but at the same time, we feel honored indeed to be finishing our stay here with the man who, on a September day four years ago, started us on our college careers with a word of advice and encouragement.

Growth in Period.

To relate the story of Dr. Jones’ association with the University would be to tell of the advance of the University of New Brunswick from a small and scantily-equipped college, composed of a seven-member faculty and a student body of something over one hundred, to what is increasingly becoming a flourishing centre of learning, with a faculty numbering twenty-two and a student-body of four hundred. I feel, however, that to those interested in the University, her growth under Dr. Jones’ administration—a growth unparalleled in the history of the institution—must be sufficiently familiar as not to require our dwelling upon it at this time. To the Class of ’40 it is not the fact that must of this progress may justly be attributed to the wisdom and energy of Dr. Jones, but rather it is the spirit of fairness and unfailing kindness that he has shown to each one of us in his numerous personal contacts, that is uppermost in our thoughts.

Gratitude of Mrs. Jones.

Dr. Jones, in fact, has been rivaled in his position as our friend and counselor only by his esteemed wife. Mrs. Jones has always displayed the keenest interest in the affairs not only of the ladies’ organizations, but of every branch of college activity. Her advice in a multitude of matters has been sought continually by both societies and individuals, and she has been sought continually by both societies and individuals, and she has been ever willing to give to us the benefit of her long experience. Mr. President, we wish to assure you that you and Mrs. Jones have, and will continue to have, a secure place in our hearts. We wish for you both many more years of happiness.

Beaverbrook Gymnasium

The past academic year, which has brought to us regret in the announcement of the approaching departure of Dr. and Mrs. Jones, has given us occasion also for a profound happiness. The donation to the University by the Right Honorable Lord Beaverbrook of a magnificent gymnasium was greeted with the utmost joy by every student. Since the establishment of the Beaverbrook Scholarships and the erection, also through His Lordship’s generosity of the beautiful Lady Beaverbrook’s Building, the greatest need of the University, from the standpoint of the students at least, has been a gymnasium. Through the kindness of Lord Beaverbrook’s committee, the students have has an opportunity to examine all of the architect’s plans. We are, therefore, in a position to say that the proposed building the construction of which has already been commenced, more than fulfills our highest expectations. Many of the students are awaiting eagerly the day when they will be able to use the building: for the members of the graduating class, the satisfaction that future students will enjoy the opportunities that we so long have desired, is almost equally great.

Statement By Donor

As president of the Student’s Representative Council, it was my privilege to express to Lord Beaverbrook the thanks of every student for his splendid gift. Lord Beaverbrook wrote in part in reply: “I hope that the gymnasium will add to the happiness and health of the students of the New Brunswick University, and that it will prove to be a useful addition to the equipment of the University, enhancing its reputation, extending its popularity, and enlarging its power to serve and young people of the Province and of the Dominion.” I am certain that it is not only the sincere wish, but also the firm conviction, of every student that Lord Beaverbrook will not be disappointed.

People’s Institution

The interest that Lord Beaverbrook has shown in the province where he spent his youth, and the method which he has chosen to give evidence of that interest, namely, through gifts of Much-needed facilities to the University of New Brunswick, brings to mind a question to which the people of this province should give some thoughtful attention. It is the question as to what extent New Brunswickers feel that the University of New Brunswick is really their own institution of learning, and how great a part they are allowing it to play in their lives. The University of New Brunswick has experienced a period of remarkable expansion. Her faculty, student-body, buildings, trust, funds and scholarships have all grown to a size that makes it possible for the University to become the centre of culture in the province. But one wonders if on the part of the people of this province there has been a corresponding intensification, of interest in the affairs of their university. Do they turn to this University for leadership in their thinking, do they look forward to the time when they may send their sons and daughters here, do they, in fact, take sufficient pride in their university and seek to have its work extended for the betterment of all classes of our people? Not for a moment should either the past assistance which the University has been given, or the gratitude with which that assistance has been received, be underestimated. But rather than a sense of appreciation on the part of the university authorities should it not be a sense of keen satisfaction on the part of the people of the province, that marks achievements affecting the welfare of this university?

Greater Publicity

To further this end, we should like to see a more extensive campaign to advertise the facilities which the University offers a more frequently voiced invitation to all who are interested to inspect personally those facilities, and, as soon as it may be attempted with a reasonable anticipation of success a University publication of interest and help to those outside the University who may not have the privilege of attending this or any university.

Words of Farewell

Mr. President, members of the Faculty: Many times, we should venture to say, you have felt that your efforts on behalf of most of us have been to little avail, that we have sought knowledge neither for its sake nor for our own. Though to be honest we must admit that such a view contains an element of truth, we hasten to assure you that our association with you has been more fruitful than you may think. We know, moreover, that we shall appreciate your efforts more deeply as time goes on. We shall endeavor to make that gratitude more evident in the lives that we lead than we have, perhaps, in our studies.

Our Parents: We are proud to have so large a number of you with us to-day at this Encaenia, which is for most of us the culmination of our training for life. Many of you have, through no small personal sacrifice, given us educational benefits which you yourselves did not enjoy. Above all, you have given us encouragement when we needed it, and praise when we deserved it. We trust that the events of to-day have brought to you a certain measure of satisfaction: it shall be our purpose for the future to convince you further that you efforts have not been misdirected.

Citizens of Fredericton: Your hospitality to those of us who have been strangers here will remain one of our most pleasant memories of college days. Likewise shall we recall your kind and generous interest in our activities, together with the understanding that you have displayed in the face of the occasional outburst of overzealous college spirit. The natural beauty of Fredericton’s surroundings and the ever-friendly manner of her people have formed for us truly an ideal of what a university city should be.

Undergraduates: It has been our privilege to share with you the responsibilities and the joys attaching to student life. As a class we have tried to set the pace in solving certain of our common problems, but we realize that we leave must yet to be accomplished. While you have one of the most democratically constituted systems of student government in Canada, your student’s council is still forced to suffer, from an antiquated method of financing extra-curricular activities. The resulting situation, it should be understood, was not so serious when once before it was brought to the attention of the University Senate. We feel, therefore, that if next autumn full information were placed before that body it might well see fit to grant the authority to effect such changes in the council’s financial set-up as would make it adequate for the needs of a growing student body.

During our time at the University, we note with satisfaction, the publication of a U. N. B. year book has been promoted. We trust that succeeding classes will continue to lend encouragement to this project, and to make the book increasingly worthy of a fine institution. With these evitable few words of advice, we –our leave of you who have been comrades in both the co-operation and the rivalry that are essential a living and worthwhile college spirit.

Classmates: We have a lifetime before us: let us make it a lifetime of service. I have no doubt that we all realize the needs of our country at this time. But when the war ends, our country will have probably an even greater necessity for assistance of all who are ready to serve. Let us fight the battle of peace with as much vigor as shall fight the battles of war. As now, on behalf of each member of the class, I say farewell. I wish for all of you the best from what the future has to yield.