Alumni Oration

"The Alumni Oration" University Monthly XIV, 8 (May 1895): 202-206. (UA Case 67a, Box 1)

The Alumni Oration was delivered by Eldon Mullin, M. A., of the Provincial Normal school.

In opening the speaker regretted that he had been called upon at the eleventh hour, but promised to do the best he was able under the circumstances. The opening part of the address was very fine and deserves to be given verbatim. He said: "When I recall the eloquent and impressive addresses which have been delivered by my predecessors on similar occasions, I might well hesitate to attempt to thread in the footpaths of the brilliant orators of the bygone days. But there is something in the memory of the winged words of those who have spoken on behalf of the society in the past which may well challenge the best efforts of anyone who attempts to follow them. The scene itself is full of suggestion. These venerable walls, redolent with the aroma of learning, which the associations of many years have breathed upon them—the record of the broad and liberal lines laid down for the college of the future by its wise and patriotic founders—the memory of those patient and earnest scholars, who in their early days, kept the lamp of learning aflame here while there was as yet but a small constituency for higher education—these are full of inspiration and encouragement for those who know the history of our Alma Mater, and who looking into the future would fain see her usefulness widening and her influence on the life and progress of our fair province increasing with each succeeding generation."

The speaker referred to the approaching centennial of the founding of the U. N. B., and welcomed the future with its promise of success.

Such an audience, made up of the representative of the highest authority of the empire, the majesty of the law, the benison of the church, the gravity of the senate, men successful in the larger activities of life, the faces of the youths who are the latest addition to the roll of graduates, is an inspiration which one must be a Boeotian indeed not to feel.

The speaker referred to the surpassingly beautiful natural surroundings of the college, a setting not matched by that of any other college he had ever seen. The university is as she ought to be, a city on a hill.

The speaker compared the rugged college path to the path of duty, which leads ever upward, till it is lost in the serenity of heaven. He recalled the days of thirty years ago, when as he himself climbed the hill he listened to the Aeolian music of the college grove.

The youngest undergraduate of his college at the time, and since engaged in instructing the youth of the province, he has never lost his sympathy for youth nor the belief that the youth of New
Brunswick hold the keys of its fortunes in their hands.

The speaker gave some very interesting reminiscences of his college life. In, his time the college building did not present as imposing an appearance as it does to-day. Of the staff of professors, "fit though few," but one remains to this day. He recalled to the minds of men present the dignified figure of William Brydone Jack, a scholar representing the best traditions of the greatest of Scotch universities. He praised his abilities as an administrator and as an instructor in the higher mathematics.

He referred to the accurate and eloquent scholarship of the then professor of classics, George Montgomery-Campbell. He paid a high tribute to him as a gentleman and an inspiring teacher.

The greatest of American colleges had just sent Loring W. Bailey, a young man, then, as now, enthusiastic for science in all its departments, which were so numerous that he was accustomed to call his chair a professional settee. He said that it must be a gratification to Dr. Bailey to watch the gradual growth of the scientific spirit in this province, toward which he has contributed the largest share.

The department of modern languages and literature was in charge of Joseph Marshall D'Avray, a dignified gentleman and a courteous man of the world.

In referring to the men of his time he mentioned several notable names such as that of James F. McCurdy, the brilliant classical scholar and orientalist, of whom any college might be proud; George R. Parkin, a Douglas gold medallist in his freshman year, and even then distinguished by the restless energy which later sent him forth on his tour round the empire; James Mitchell, the best mathematician of his time; George Eulas Foster and William Pugsley who were probably the two ablest men ever contained in one class in the history of the university; Wilmot and Chandler, Milligan, Stevenson and Barker, Bridges, Carman, Hazen, Roberts and many others, all distinguished graduates. The speaker laid this long list to effect of good blood and a healthful climate, than which none is better than that of New Brunswick.

The graduates of the university are scattered all over the continent and occupy prominent positions wherever they may be. It is no wonder that New Brunswick schools and colleges have sent out such worthy representatives. The influence of the U. N. B. has not been upon New Brunswick alone, but even upon the empire.

He called upon the undergraduates to uphold the honor and traditions of their Alma Mater, for they were citizens of no mean city, by doing their utmost to increase their own reputation for manliness and scholarship. They were her epistles, read and known of all men. He advocated a moderate use of athletic exercises, but deprecated their being carried too far, as is done in many colleges. It is the tendency of the times to worship muscularity.

He considered the Greek ideal of a perfect manhood to be a noble one. No advance has been made upon this ideal since the days of Aristotle. Physical development should be carried on as necessary to the highest intellectual development.

The aim of the present address is to find out how can the university best be helped? How can she help herself? The answer is by aiming to give her students a thorough, sound, general training. The U. N. B. cannot hope in the near future, to be a large college, but she can improve her opportunities for individual work among the students. The aim of a small college should be a comprehensive and liberal general course of study. She should not attempt undue specialization.

Again, said the speaker, the university could enlarge her usefulness by establishing more intimate relations with her feeders. Her large, freshman class showed what might be done if there were more individual work done in the grammar schools. Students usually go to the colleges to which they are most strongly advised. There is a little too much modesty about the merits of our college. Who, he asked, but those in her circle know that as to a museum, observatory, modern and expensive physical and engineering apparatus, she surpasses any other of the maritime colleges. Her staff is certainly second to none. He did not believe that it was equalled himself, but that was a matter of opinion. He spoke in the highest terms of all the present professors, and his sentiments were heartily endorsed.

He attributed the comparatively small number of those taking the university course to a lack of information on the above points.

The religious, physical and educational facilities of Fredericton are unsurpassed. All the U. N. B. has to do is to speak a word in season to prospective matriculants. The university authorities and the Alumni society should do more in the future than they have in the past to induce students to enter the only college which is in vital connection with our system of public schools. He advised a gradual raising of the standard of admission to prevent students graduating too young. Many men failed to assimilate as much of their college course as they should or account of entering college too young. Raising the standard might diminish the number of matriculants for a few years, but the speaker believed that it would pay in the future.

There is no better way a college can publish the excellence of its course and the completeness of its methods than by making its degrees stand for sound and accurate scholarship.

The speaker said that the Alumni association could help the university, first by a larger and more united and more energetic association. Instead of a score of active members it should have one hundred on its rolls. It is at present so small that it exerts a comparatively feeble influence. If there were a large and influential association of graduates, having the interests of the college keenly at heart, its representative in the senate could speak with more authority.

The society ought to be able to devise some means of enabling the graduates of each year to unite with it. At present very few of each class find their way into the ranks of the society. The young men of '94 did a proper and generous thing in founding a scholarship. Such men are needed by the society. A larger society with a larger membership fee could do much toward aiding deserving young men in obtaining a college education.

The speaker advocated the founding of an Alumnae association. There have been sixteen lady graduates and fourteen more are on the list of students. This might be the nucleus of a powerful auxiliary to the older association. We have in the past been proud of the men graduates, we may in the future look with equal pride on the achievements of the lady graduates.

The speaker said that the alumni could help the college by promoting some plan by which college residency may be offered to those who wish it. There may be different opinions as to the expediency of residency, but there is no doubt that there is an influential constituency in favor of it. Most admitted that something ought to be done. Surely there must be a way to do it.

The speaker outlined a plan by which residency might be obtained. He advised that the cost of erecting a suitable building to accommodate 20 or 30 boys be first ascertained as a preliminary step. Then let the government be solicited to increase the grant sufficiently to pay the interest on the amount for a term of years. Then let all the friends of the university take stock in a company to be formed after a thorough canvas. The college ought to give a site. In all other respects but interest, about $200 on $5,000 to start with, the institution would be self-sustaining from the first. If successful, it would be easy to increase accommodations.

There are no millionaires among the alumni, but there must be many willing to aid in supplying what is felt to be an important factor, especially if the alumni put their shoulder to the wheel.

Dr. Johnson said "there are objections to a plenum and there are objections to a vacuum, but a plenum or vacuum it must be." So there may be objections to this plan, but if every plan is thrown aside on account of objections, a vacuum will continue to occupy the space which should be occupied by a residency building.

So far as the U. N. B. needs the sinews of war her greatest hope is in increasing the number of her students, since it is unlikely that the province will be able to contribute much more largely to her exchequer than she does at present. It would be a good thing for the university and the schools if arrangements could be made for a regular visitation of the latter by professors detailed in turn. No doubt calendars are dead. The living presence of a college professor would be far more effective. University extension has been a good thing for the cities and the university, but an equal amount of energy would obtain greater results in arousing a desire for a collegiate education in the students of the public schools.

The speaker pointed with pride to the grand work for higher education done by the university, and to the full appreciated of what she is now doing. He hoped that she would be able to draw within the circle of her influence more and more largely of the ingenuous youth of this fair province, and send them forth equipped to play a worthy and patriotic part in the development of the highest interests of their nature. He advocated strongly union and enthusiasm for the work. The speaker said that we were acquainted with the noble and symmetrical model on which her lines were laid down.

"We know what master laid her keel."
"In what a trial and what a smoke
Were forced the anchors of her hope."

The speaker, in conclusion, said we knew what her history has been, and today we can say to her with full confidence of the future —

"Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea.
Our hearts, our hopes are all with thee."