QUIPS and CRANKS Dedicates Its 1959 Edition to Our New President
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
EX LIBRIS Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Lyrasis IVIembers and Sloan Foundation http://www.archive.org/details/quipscranks1959davi ULTRA/ >| • • • JOHN B. H. CALDWELL EDITOR C. C. BREMER ran BUSINESS MANAGER The Annual Publication of DAVIDSON COLLEGE, DAVIDSON, NOR H CAROLINA Contents Introduction !>: Dedication 16 Administration and Faculty 17 Activities Fraternities 54 Beauties Athletics 108 Honoraries 140 The Classes Advertisements Student Directory 238 Index 244 ^^-//Jf' Foreword I The academic years in a sense separate the stu- dent from the active life, giving him a time to broaden, if he will take the opportunity. They are confusing years to many; yet the confused must present a bold countenance in this age when independence is the pattern. Ultimately, the college years are not remembered for the knowledge that is imparted; they are re- membered for the people who became our friends, the people we hod to learn to get along with, the people we thought better of when we gave them the chance to show themselves fairly. The people we will remember. Our associations we will cherish. Davidson is a place to begin learn- ing the art of living, the art of making distinctions, the art of knowing what is important. And so, if in the years to come we recall what Davidson life has meant to us, it will be for these things we sing . All hail O Davidson dear old Alma Mater I A new year with new faces for Davidson College began as two hundred sixty confused freshmen, comprising the largest class in history, arrived on campus early in September to start their orientation period. Optimism reigned as the majority of the neophytes understood little of what was in store for them. However, student advisers attempted to be helpful in introducing freshmen to the campus and in lending scholarly advice. Despair crept in very early after the battery of placement tests caught many a former high school vale- dictorian off guard. Other new faces were seen as nine European students were added to our international set. Old, familiar faces, too, graced the scene with the return of the upperclass- men. Spirits soared as the old gang found a brand new fraternity court await- ing their approval. Hand-shaking and back-slapping were the order of the day either in the long registration lines or in celebration festivities in neighboring Iredell County. Our fathers gave their best to thee Trustees gathered for the February meeting of the Board. I Wherever the September reunions occurred, conversational topics revolved around the new fraternity court and how the Davidson crew captured top honors at Fort Bragg. Others re- ported tales of the West while some boasted of (or confessed about) the courses they "got off" (or repeated) in summer school. Before one could say "I'm going to ball that guy," Rush Week was at hand. Practically all of the Greeks had long been on campus help- ing with the new houses and lining up strategy before the first freshman set foot. This time the maze of names, faces, and shrimp did not con- flict with class assignments, but the freshmen were still bewildered by it all, and after a week- long trial Patterson Court awaited the verdict of the 260-man jury. Still today their loyal sons . ricsiirae;! .v^re jiO'j'.'jd js -ncn'.'JUon commenced. I With the completion of Rush and its usual accompany- ing foibles, panaceas, and opinions, the formal social season started to whirl with the advent of Homecoming. This was the one the alumni, who came in scores, would all talk about. Still the theory that we can't win on the gridiron at Homecoming proved true once again. Yet the jxirty was over and we hit the books in earnest from Homecoming to examinations. This was the period of three reviews a week with term papers and labs thrown in to boot. Of course, there were many diversions from our monastic routine—even on the local scene. Caffeine phi- losophers met daily in the Union snack bar, as it was often necessary to part occasionally from "Phi Bete Hall" where quiet thought was distilled into knowledge. And when the intellectual grind reached the breaking point, "up the road" became a forceful call to action. .'low paths were worn to the new P.O. follow them on . , still pressing on to glories yet to be . I To the envy of senior pre-meds, Dana Science Laboratory construction made intermittent progress between the Church and the library. The distinguished philanthropist himself aroused much controversy at the ground-breaking cere- monies in this citadel of liberal arts when he declared "Science is king," although he was later cited by the Trustees on his return trip for his service and achievements. Only incidental was the fact that his was the largest single gift ever made to the school. Many times our new President was seen in Chambers or walking across our tree-shaded campus. And on each occasion he did not fail to call us by our first names. Although many were truly sorry when suave "Slick" retired, "D. Grier" was acquiring growing popularity among the students in addition to the reputation he has always held as an excellent administrator in financial matters. His understanding of educational ideals along with his willingness to learn would further broaden him. The Dana Science Laboratories under construction. New wing of library extends toward Dana building from background. ^ I The conventional gripes over Vespers were intensified due to the overcrowded situation which the Trustees seemed to overlook,. Chapel remained a study in group psychology, but the talks were unusually interesting this year as several eloquent seniors turned out to be masterful comedians in their quest for zest. But by far the most unusual occasion between the hours of 10:20 and 11 a.m. in Chambers auditorium was the time when the whispering demagogue representing American Viewpoint graced our chapel podium. A second memorable chapel program was that of Dr. Davidson's musically annotated history of the College as reflected in the lives of six of her "heroes." For the most part things were the same as always at D. C. The "P.O." tracks were still well-beaten although this time the paths converged at a new location. Waking up with the assistance of unforgetable janitors was still comparable to suicide. I Classes still followed the cool coffee and soggy bacon. These were note-filled sessions with the professors—men whose eccentricities we reveled in and revered. In a word, complete relaxation and high tension were all part of a day's work. The catalogue of a Davidson week was a full one, one subject to pattern but also to much change within the limits of that pattern. Freshman riots continued to provide an outlet for the yearling's excess energy, and the Court of Control still received its share of criticism from both sides. Many urged the junking of the Court, but others pointed toward the necessity of the age-old tradition for encouraging freshman class spirit and promoting the friendly custom of speaking to each campus passer-by. 10 thy staJirart sous hchijul thee our ^J voices raise . ^^4 gtilMpji.. *a:r ':-•«*<*#. .-J^ # i I Despite her future course, the campus heritage will remain. Davidson College is perhaps all things to all men, and anything one who has been part of her heritage says is necessarily incomplete. It has been said that Davidson is a "way of life, based on things of the mind, tempered by manners and mo- rality." There are many statements such as these in the college catalogue, most of which appraise the values of the small, liberal arts school. And yet the more one considers, the more he realizes the inherent truth in these so- called "pious platitudes." Gradually the tentative friendships made at Davidson are metamorphosed into something deeper — a realization that at college one acquires the knowl- edge a diploma requires, but more about people, things, and life. Many years from now the scenery will have changed, and we will look back on those long awaited Saturdays when, depending on the situation, those so inclined cleared away for a dozen states to "get away from it all." Never- theless, that elusive, all-pervading quality of the Davidson spirit will always be a part of us, not merely a memory far off on the horizon of time. In summary, the informality of each day is offset by a spiritual high-minded- ness and a valued culture which are yours to gain and which belong as rightfully to you as they do to the in- stitution. These are much too intangible to be set forth in pictures, but keep them in mind, and as you peruse the rest of these pages, may you be reminded of your best days at Davidson. 14 rrf ft' casting their spell upon thy sons holding them still in faith and loyalty DEDICATED TO (DavicL '^hWi, WjoudbL It is with great pleasure and pride that the QUIPS AND CRANKS dedicates its 1959 edition to our new President. A leader whose path to Davidson's high office has been varied and interesting, Mr. Martin brings with him years of experience that render him especially suitable for the position he holds. Students and faculty alike have been enthusiastic with him in guiding Davidson College into a "new era" in the educational world. Combining an innate quality of humility and a personal charm with an under- lying confidence, Mr. Martin promises to continue being a courageous and circumspect helmsman.