Valedictory Address

“Valedictory of Class 1929” Alumni Bulletin (June 1929): 8-9. (UA Case 68, Box 1)

W. W. V. Foster, of Saint John, Graduating After Distinguished Course, Bids Farewell to Provincial University –Four Wonderful Years—Expansion and Growth of Institution Apparent—Word to Class of 1929.

W. W. V. Foster, of Saint John, graduating in Arts, with honors, delivered the valedictory of the Class of 1929. Mr. Foster, in addition to being recognized by his classmates by selection as valedictorian, also has taken a prominent part in under-graduate activities for the past four years and represented the university in debate.

His valedictory address was as follows:

For us, the members of the Senior Class, today brings to a close the opening chapter of our careers, namely, the preparation. We have now to face in real earnest, the serious problems of life’s work.

When we entered the university in the fall of 1925 there were about seventy-five of us. At that time it was the largest class ever to enter. Today forty-three are graduating, and with the two members from the Law School at Saint John, we have a total of forty five. This is also the largest class ever to graduate.

We, who have been together for the last four years, are now together for the last time. During these years we have been striving for the good of U. N. B., and working for the main goal which we have reached today. Now, that we have realized the goal, we do not know whether to be glad or sorry. We are both—glad because the university has bestowed its highest honor upon us, the degree, and sorry because we must now leave the university and each other. During these four years we have become closely attached to the old college. Today we realize just what our Alma Mater means to us. Our university is not a large one, where each individual is merely a cog in the machine. Sir George Foster, speaking at this time last year, expressed the hope that we would never be what is classed as a large university. We are a small university, where personal contact counts for much, and the development of the individual is stressed. Thus our Alma Mater has become like a home to us, and we do not like to leave. It is something akin to the small boy or girl leaving home for the first time.

Four Wonderful Years

Our four years together have been a most wonderful four years, both in our main pursuit and in our other activities. One cannot doubt but that they will be numbered among the best, if not the best, in our lives. We well remember our main pursuit and in our other activities. One cannot doubt but that they will be numbered among the best, if not the best, in our lives. We well remember our first day up “the Hill,” and the sophomores of that day. We remember first hearing the lecture bell; our first mathematics lecture where we received a most hearty welcome, and we began to think the “Sophs” were not so bad after all. That first day we were in somewhat of a maze. We did not realize just what it was all about. Yes, we well remember, with a laugh, those early days of initiations. Those days quickly moulded us together and made us know each other.

Looking over those four years, how well we can now recollect lectures, the football games, debates, mock trails and parliaments, “Cons” the “burnings of Anna.” The ladies can well remember their Delta Rhos Junior Teas. There are many other remembrances too numerous to recall just now. It is all these things taken together that make our Alma Mater for us. We are very sorry to leave it all. During these four years of friendship together we have learned to appreciate each other. Any success that is obtained by some in future life the others will enjoy and appreciate:

“It’s the greatest thought in Heaven or Earth—
It helps us know our fellow’s worth;
There’d be no wars or bitterness,
No fear, no hate, no grasping; yes,
It makes work play, and the careworn
free
When I appreciate you and you appreciate me.”

If we would all try to appreciate and understand our fellow-men a little more and be a little less eager to drag them down at the first opportunity, the world would be that much better.

Growing Institution

We also do not like to leave the university because, now at the beginning of its second century, it is entering another period of progress and expansion. We are leaving an institution which has been growing and progressing all the time, and now it is just at the beginning of its greatest period. Through the kind gift of Lord and Lady Beaverbrook, Lady Beaverbrook’s Building will be ready for nest year. As a men’s residence it will be an ideal structure. None can be said to be any better. Work has already started on the new Provincial Building for Forestry and Mineralogy. The construction of the new Library has also commenced. This will be a great asset to the university, and has been needed for a number of years. A fund has been started for a Ladies’ Residence by the Alumnae of the university. The University Forestry association, with the aid of its alumni, is planning to construct a large, new forestry camp on the university forest tract. The Fredericton U. N. B. Club, with the support of the Forestry Association and some financial aid from the Students’ Union, has started construction of the new stands for spectators at the College Field. The Students’ Union plans to re-sod the entire football field in the near future. Yet, with all this new era of expansion, we are not quite perfect. An adequate gymnasium with an instructor is sorely needed to place us on an equal footing with other Maritime and Canadian Universities.

Increased Attendance

For the past few years the total enrollment of the university has been steadily increasing. This year has witnessed the largest number of students the university has ever had. Naturally, the different departments have been correspondingly expanding and their needs increasing. The number of students who have been availing themselves of the excellent courses in the department of Social Sciences has been very noticeably increasing. Coming essentially from this department, as some of us have, we can notice the growth and expansion which is taking place there. One can have no criticism of the work and effort put forward in this sphere. It is of the broadest and most excellent caliber, yet, in all fairness to the department itself, which is at present over-taxed with work, and from its own viewpoint there should be an assistant for the department. With the great economic strides being made by the society every day the social sciences are becoming increasingly important. If our economically obsessed society is to be regulated by a true set of values, then every university, through the realm of its social sciences, should ingrain the right principles or values in the potential leaders. As the demand for instruction in these subjects increases the facilities should also increase.

Past Year’s Events

We of the Senior Class naturally regard the past year as “our year”. We would thus like to consider a few of the year’s events. Both the university as a whole and ourselves share with Jack Babbitt the deserving honor which he has won in being selected as Rhodes Scholar for New Brunswick for 1928. Our very best wishes go with “John” for every success which he may attain. The university has an excellent record in having a Rhodes man selected form it for the third successive year.

During the past year interest in all student affairs has been very notable. One would not be far wrong in stating that, proportionally, we have the greatest interest in student activities of any university in Canada. This year there was a marked decrease in the student levy, imposed by the Student’s Union for the purpose of carrying on its various activities. This levy is quite a burden on the great majority of students. The volume of these extra-curricular activities is steadily increasing as the university is expanding, yet, at the same time, every effort should be made to make this levy as light as possible. Toward the latter part of the year several important changes were made in the constituent societies. It is hoped that these changes will materially aid all thus affected.

Athletic Activities

The athletic activities of the year were successfully carried on. Generally speaking, there are two motives in athletics—the game itself, and the motive to win. It is a great mistake to allow the win motive to crowd out the other. In the English universities as many as possibly participate in the various branches of athletics. In our own case it is gratifying to note that a much larger number of the student body are participating that was formerly the case. During the past year intermediate, inter-faculty, and interclass athletic events have increased to a marked degree. In the realm of senior athletics the U. N. B. football team again successfully defended the MacTier Cup, emblematic of the championship of Eastern Canada. This year the cup was defended against the strongest challenger we have yet known, namely, the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association. We always greatly enjoy game with the Montreal teams, as they are such excellent examples of true sportsmanship. It is to be noted that while we won the so-called championship of Eastern Canada, a Halifax team won the Maritime title. Some effort should be made to reconcile these two championships. Both the basketball and hockey teams upheld the name of the university. The latter won the intercollegiate championship of New Brunswick. Tomorrow the Maritimes Intercollegiate Track and Field Meet will be held on our grounds for the first time in quite a few years. We are highly expectant of success.

This year the outdoor rifle team won new honors in capturing second place for the D. R. A. Cup. This cup is open for competition among all the universities of the Dominion.

The Canadian Officers’ Training Corps of the University has become increasingly efficient, and it is now pronounced by officials as being easily among the best in Canada.

Debating

The Debating Society has showed a marked improvement over former years. The interest taken this year was most encouraging. A team from the University had a most enjoyable debate with the team representing the western Canadian universities. This debate was made possibly by The National Federation of Canadian University Students, of which U. N. B. is a member. The aim of the Federation is to promote greater national unity, We won this debate but lost another intercollegiate contest to Mount Allison on a close decision.

The college magazine, the “Brunswickan,” was successfully edited. For the past few years quite a debt has been accumulating against our publication. This year has resulted in a considerable surplus instead of a deficit, with a resulting deduction from the debt. The Engineering, Forestry and Ladies’ societies have all had a successful year in every way. The Ladies’ Society and the college orchestra have been a great aid in all social functions.

Model League

A new activity was created this year in the form of a Model Assembly of the League of Nations. This was held at Mount Allison University. Much of the credit for the success of the venture is due to Sir Herbert Ames. When at the different Maritime universities he suggested the Assembly, with the result that approximately sixty students took part, representing five universities. The proceedings were most instructive to all those who participated. The Maritime universities would do well to make the affair an annual one. Altogether the year has been a most successful one.

Expression of Thanks

To the University as a whole we express our fullest and most sincere thanks. It has given us an increased opportunity for success by making us potential leaders in that path of life which each of us has chosen. Thus we will be able to serve to the best of our abilities, for the future of civilization depends upon its leaders. Those members of our class who have graduated in Engineering, Forestry and Law are now fully fitted for their occupation. Those of us who have graduated in Arts will always be thankful for the great value which we have received from our course. We have obtained on insight into the organization of society. We have a realization and an understanding of those principles upon which must be erected that society and that civilization upon which striving. Through the broad outlook which is now before us we can see what vocation or place we are best suited to fit. Also, what we have learned will undoubtedly aid us in those specific paths which we will follow, for knowledge is power. Alma Mater, you have been a wonderful help to us.

Mr. Chancellor, and gentlemen of the Faculty: We of the Senior Class express our warmest thanks and deepest gratitude for the patience, encouragement and sympathy you have extended to us during our all-too-short time with you. You have untiringly guided us. You have always been ready and willing to help us in both our main pursuits, the intellectual, and in our other activities. May the glory of any success we attain redound to you.

Gentlemen of the Senate: We would like to thank you for your careful guidance of the University, which has meant and given so much to us. We would also like to thank you for your kind co-operation and sympathy in our extra-curricular activities.

Citizens of Fredericton: You have made our stay in your beautiful city most pleasant. You have given a hearty support to our student enterprises, and you have always taken a great pride in our achievements. All of which has given us a stimulus to further achievement.

Undergraduates: You must carry on the name of U. N. B. Always remember that the motto of every student organization should be “U. N. B. First.” We leave it to you to carry on the activities of the student body, but do not let them crowd in upon the main reason for which you are at the University. Always have clearly before you as your main interest that intellectual pursuit in which you have placed yourselves.

To the Future

Fellow classmates: One law of necessity which we cannot govern is time.

“Time like an ever-rolling steam
Bears all its sons away.
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.”

We seem to have just started, and now we have finished. It had all gone very quickly. We have had four wonderful years of friendship together, from which we will always remember each other. Must is governed in this world by chance and circumstance. Larger opportunities will come to some of us than to others, but we must always remember that “where there’s a will there’s a way;” we can all make good.

“When the battle breaks against you
and the crowd forgets to cheer;
When the Anvil Chorus echoes with
the essence of a jeer;
When the knocker’s start their panning
in a knocker’s nimble way,
With a rap for all your errors, and a
josh upon your play—
There is one quick answer ready that
will nail them on the wing;
There is one reply forthcoming that
will wipe away the sting;
There is one elastic come-back that
will hold them as it should—
Make good!”

The world is essentially organized on self-interest. Each must make good in his or her own way, but we must remember that the highest and best interest of all is to be a service to others.

And now we come to the hardest words of all: Gentlemen of the Faculty, undergraduates, fellow classmates, and dear old Alma Mater, Farewell.