College Memories, 1864-65 By Daniel Strange '67 (Editor's Note—This poem was addressed to Joseph Warren Gunnison w'66 several years pre­ vious to his death on February 10. Mr. Strange, the oldest living alumnus, recalls in his poem many scenes and activities which you may relive.) I've wandered round the college grounds, I've sat beneath the tree That stood upon the river bank and shaded you and me. And here we are to meet again, how pleasant 'tis, you know, To meet again on these old college grounds of seventy years ago. Seventy years ago, dear Joe, seventy years ago, To meet on these old college grounds of seventy years ago. The river's running just as still, the trees along its side Are larger than they used to be; the stream is not so wide; The old log bridge is swept away, where oft we used to go To take a stride at eventide, some seventy years ago. DANIEL STRANGE, above, stands Seventy years ago, dear Joe, seventy years ago; beside the half-way stone, located on We took our stride at eventide, some seventy years ago. the lawn to the right or the main en­ trance to the Union. How swift the rolling wheels of time, dear Joe, they've sped along Many of you will recall the historical Since that old bell's sweet, loving chime has cheered us with its song, significance of the stone. The late Since we went toiling on our way with footsteps tired and slow Frank Hodgman '62, told it in one stanza Along the muddy road from town some seventy years ago. of his poem from which Mr. Strange Seventy years ago, dear Joe, seventy years ago, wrote his parody, "College Memories." 'Tis hard to see that it can be full seventy years ago. The stanza, which follows, appears on the plaque attached to the stone in the When half the weary way was past we rested by the stone, picture above. Wherein whose cleft a cherry pit had taken root and grown; "When half the toilsome way was The cleft was not so very wide, but half an inch or so, passed, we rested by the stone The little tree scarce touched its side some seventy years ago. Within whose cleft a cherry pit had Seventy years ago, dear Joe, seventy years ago; taken root and grown; The cleft has spread, the tree has grown since seventy years ago. The cleft was not so very wide; just We went along the river bank; the Cedar rolled below; half an inch or so; Then past the red-brick cottages, all standing in a row, The little tree scarce touched its Past pits of clay and piles of brick all standing in the kiln, side some forty years ago . ." Then o'er a rude and rustic bridge across a little rill. The stone really served as a half-way Seventy years ago, dear Joe, seventy years ago, mark between Lansing and East Lan­ Great green oak stumps stood all around here, seventy years ago. sing. Here, of course, students rested and found it a convenient meeting place And when we had the surface cleared, we plowed and dressed it down, for many a social chat. Beginning as a With heavy teams and working tools, and mellowed up the ground. tiny twig the cherry tree's growth forced We hoed the corn and cradled wheat and used the scythe to mow, the stone into two fairly equal parts. For that's the way folks had to do seventy years ago. College authorities desired to preserve Seventy years ago, dear Joe, seventy years ago, the stone so one part was brought to We cleared the campus of its stumps but seventy years ago. the campus to serve as a memorial for The faculty was very small—the men were large and tall: the earlier days at Michigan State col­ Abbot and Kedzie, Miles and Clute, and Prentiss cherished all. lege. The students then, a hundred men, were mostly preps of lore; And co-eds rare can scarce compare with Fern. Sem. girls of yore. Seventy years ago, dear Joe, seventy years ago, J. W. Gunnison But none are left to greet us now as seventy years ago. Dies February 10 But through all changes that are past, and all that yet may come, Our hearts still fondly turn at last to our old college home. OSEPH Warren Gunnison w'66, a life­ She is our joy, our hope, our pride; no other place below long resident of Lansing and vicin­ J Can warm our hearts as she has done since seventy years ago. ity and ill for two years, died February Seventy years ago, dear Joe, seventy years ago— 10 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Paul B. Pierce, in Lansing. He was 91 There's not one left that we knew then—we're only Dan and Joe. years old. —Parody written in 1935. Mr. Gunnison was one of the college pioneers. As a boy of 10 he attended With apologies to our poet, Frank Hodgeman '62. (Please turn to page 14) We won't do worse, we stole his verse, cribbed it without ado. Page 2 MICHIGAN STATE You'll Find .... Page College Memories, 1864-65 2 Spring J. W. Gunnison Dies February 10 2 Along the Winding Cedar where Ten­ College Dedicates New Track 4 nyson's immortal lines are translated Yesterday Had Its Romance, Too 5 into reality. Students Sponsor Guidance Conference —. 6 • • G Try M. S. C. Summer School 7 LLOYD H. GEIL, Editor Spartan Achievement Day 8 Close Beside the Winding Cedar 9 Glen O. Stewart '17, Alumni Secretary Weather Profit 10 Gladys ML Franks '27, Alumni Recorder Personalities 13 Student Contributors Judge Collingwood Dies 14 Myron McDonald '38 Mirroring the Alumni World 15 Norman Kenyon '38 Dr. Brooks '76, Tells of Early Days 19 Guelda Pike '38 Jean Lamerson '38 Published quarterly by the Publications Department of Michigan State College. Address all Jean Wilson '40 communications for publication to Michigan State College Record, Publications Department, East Lansing, Michigan. Changes of address should be sent to Glen O. Stewart, alumni secretary. En­ Jerome Krieger '38 tered as second-class matter at the Post Office, East Lansing, Michigan. Member of the American Alumni Council. COLLEGE RECORD Page 3 *****"*> MMWMWiMrtNU College hotos by Swingle and Laycock Dedicates New Track By George Alderton NOTHER modern unit was formally ated due to the soft condition of the ABOVE REPRESENTS a pictorial view of some A added to the college's athletic plant track and field. In the evening the of the dedicatory activities of the new track. Left: President Shaw is delivering the principal address. this spring with the dedication of the department played host to guests of Right: Gerard Boss, Spartan track man, is out in new track, to be the home of Spartan honor and sports writers of daily news­ front in the mile race. Later he also track and field teams for many years to papers in the state at a dinner given won the two-mile event. come. With athletic leaders from sev­ in the Union building. Representatives eral midwestern colleges here to help in of Ohio State university, Notre Dame, Teachers, 12-8; Newberry, S. C. college, the dedication, the State team scored a University of Michigan, Michigan Nor­ 8-2; Oakridge Military academy, Che- decisive 88-43 victory over the Univer­ mal college, Western State Teachers raw, S. C, 8-6, and Ohio university at sity of Chicago to give the event a set­ college, Alma college, M. I. A. A., the Athens, 4-3, in 10 innings. The Spar­ ting especially satisfactory to the crowd. A. A. U., and other institutions and tans lost to Duke university, 8-5; Uni­ Although seven inches of snow fell athletic bodies attended. Speakers versity of North Carolina, 7-12; Elon two days before the ceremonies were praised the new track as one of the college, Burlington, N. C, 4-6, and Wake scheduled and rain came down heavily finest in the nation. Forest college, 1-6. for several hours the night before, Coach Dedication of the new track launched This year's team does not appear to Ralph H. Young and staff went through the spring program in effective fashion. have unusual strength. Lack of experi­ with the plans and more than 1,000 The usual complete schedules have been enced infielders is one handicap, while spectators attended. President Shaw announced for all spring sports. In addi­ the pitching has not been up to ex­ personally dedicated the field. With him tion to baseball and track, there will be pectations. Failure of Warren Walters in the speaker's stand were Dean Ralph competition in golf and tennis in var­ to return to college hit the pitching staff C. Huston, chairman qf the athletic sity sports. a blow. George Hill, senior, won his council, and Coach Young. Coach John Kobs, baseball team re­ first game in the south but has not hit The R. O. T. C. band played the turned from the spring vacation trip the stride of last year as yet. national anthem while the flag was into Dixie with four victories and four Prospects are bright for a champion­ raised on the pole at the end of the defeats in the eight games scheduled. ship track team. Coach Young's squad field. Other ceremonies were elimin- State won from Eastern Kentucky (Please turn to page T2) Page 4 MICHIGAN STATE Yesterday Had Its Romance, Too Founder's Day, May 13.