Stetson Weekly Collegiate

Stetson Meekly Collegiate Students' Publication of Stetson University. VOL. XXII DeLAND, FLA., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1909. No. 2 Class Spirit. (Being a series of extracts taken from a speech delivered to the Sophomore class by its retiring president) "No man or woman can be counted worthy of his or her class who will not support that class merely because it refuses to conform itself to individual opinion. Such a spirit is too small for anyone who has attained college rank. "We do not wish the heavy hand of class spirit to be laid harshly upon the shoulder of any one. But as a class we do want the spirit. 1 know this, for some of you have confided individual opinions with me. These are an index to what we want, and what we must have. From the inside I shout to those at the entrance. 'We must have more college spirit of the proper brand. We want it and individual opinion must nol thwart it. So let every body pull together.' '"Personally, I do not believe a student can cry, Stetson! Stetson! Stetson! from all quarters with the true Stetson spirit unless he or she can cry, 'My class! my class! my class! "Because you do not like some persons or ideas in Stetson University you do not say: 'Down with Stetson.' If you were to do so (Stetson would say: 'Down with you,' (and justly, too). In our class it should be the same. Not only in our class but in all classes should this be true. Class spirit does n(ot mean opposition or strife between classes That is an unfortunate incidental. "Class spirit does mean the very best possible, working as a unit, under the circumstances, and making the very best possible with a monetary outlay that works no hardship upon the flattest pocket book in the class. It means consideration for classmates. It means making a noise in the most lasting way. "The most lasting way to make our noise is to prove our manhood and womanhood. Then others will help us make a noise. Of course wt want some of the high sounding noise —yells, picnics, etc. We are all large children, therefore must'have some childish entertainment. But we do not wish to be one sided and see no other form of diversion. Class spirit means more than this. It means learning to work with your classmates to be sympathetic will1 their -wishes just as long as theii wishes do not conflict with good principle. It means eliminating al) friction from your class. There art some ways of making a big noise if a quiet, dignified, lasting way. "Every class that has the propei sort of spirit should be proud of tin. success of any other class. Because custom links certain classes together Dean J. Archy Smith, M.S., Sc.D. Dr. (Smith, who has been connected with Stetson University in an official capacity for the past nine years, has the honor of being one of the five leading mathematicians in the United States according to Mr. Wentworth, who is taken as authority in all matters pertaining to mathematics. is no reason it is right. We forget that college spirit is divided into four parts—or as many other parts as there arc classes in the various departments of an institution. Any man who lacks college spirit is most cordially disliked. Since college spirit is the sum total of class spirit, what ought to be thought of the man or the class that destroys the foundation of college spirit by being devoid of class spirit? Should a man or class be despised by the entire stu dent body for lack of class spirit? It is most certainly a thing of interest to all students. "In being true to our class we can the better be true to Stetson. In being friendly to other classes we can the better be true to Stetson. A class divided against itself can not come up with its share of college spirit. A class that is not proud of those about it will sound a discord when the University swells the 'college spirit' chorus. Basket Ball. Apropos of Dr. Hulley's interesting talk on athletics, with its attendant evils and blessings. What of basket, ball? It has been unanimously decided by all those concerned, that for the welfare of the students Stetson must have an exceptional basket ball team this year. That it is as necessary for the girls to win the laurels, as for the boys to hold the championship of Florida; that in fact, Stetson, without a basket ball team is not complete. To this end a most enthusiastic meeting was held in the parlors of Chaudoin last week under direction of Miss Galloway, president of the athletic association. Now that this important question lias been properly digested, the next thing in order will be to get some basket ball teams organized and begin to work. We have this year a lair outlook for a strong winning team. Nearly all of last year's (S) heroes are back; others have come from rival colleges prepared to stand for us; others still who have never been initiated into the mysteries and wonders of the game are eager to try their prowess; hence Stetson has a line chance of doing "some thing"—don't you think? Miss Anderson, one of the "stars' in athletics last year, will be missed naturally, but no doubt with all the material that we have on hand, some new "satellites" will rise up and take her place. Misses Bunch. Yaekel, Wright, and Vignier are all here just awaiting the opportunity to win anything in sight. "Enuf said."