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."
