LET US
GIVE THANKS!
Volume 4
NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGE FOR NEGROES, DURHAM, N. C., NOVEMBER 29, 1939
Number 2
Annual Turkey Day Classic To Draw 5000
Student Christian Conference Meets At N. C. C.
Arna Bontemps
Closes Book Week
Grace Broadus and Ruby Jones
Win in Contest
Speaking before the student body
and friends of the institution, Arna
Bontemps, widely read Negro au
thor and lecturer, closed local Book
Week observance in a lecture on Fri
day, November 17, in B. N. Duke
auditorium. Mr. Bontemps is the
only novelty writer and playwright
to draw so wholeheartedly on the re
sources of Negro history for his
unique literary background, exam
ples of which are vividly shown in
his “Drums of Dusk” and “Black
Thunder.”
Opening an abstract field of liter
ature, he applied the simple stories
of “Little Black Sambo” and “Epam-
inondas” to bear out the fact that
that type of literature is still appre
ciated by young and old, citing at
the same time the vast popularity of
these two stories throughout the
United States.
Mr. Bontemps’ keen sense of hu
mor is responsible for his telling the
stories so simply yet, so humorously.
Contest Staged
During the entire week a book-
title contest was conducted through
the department of library science.
Out of a host of entrants, through a
smothering wave ‘ of competition.
Miss Grace Broadus won first prize
and was given the book of her
choice. She chose “Rebecca,” by Du
Maurier. Miss Ruby Jones placed
second and gladly accepted the one
dollar prize, both of which prizes
were presented during the chapel
assembly.
Much interest was shown in the
library exhibitions for which Miss
Lovell, of the Library Science de
partment, was complimented by va
rious opinions of persons who saw
the book week displays.
Cabin Kids Add
Glamor to Campus
Adding a bit of glamor to the
already glamorous N. C. C. campus,
the well known Cabin Kids visited
the college on November 13, stop
ping for a period of three days while
on tour of the Southern states for
the present season.
Visiting the fifth member of their
troupe, Sweetie (better known to
us as La Ruth Hall), the entire com
pany, including Sugar, Honey, Dar
ling, and Precious, left many friends
in its wake as it left to even greater
fame on the stage.
La Ruth, Sweetie, now detached
from the group, is enrolled in the
freshman class here and is making
a record for herself. If present plans
work out, her sister will enter North
Carolina College next fall.
Zora N. Hurston
Directs Dramatics
Frederick Koch, Paul Green,
and Heningburg to Aid
in Productions
Under the direction of Miss Zora
Neale Hurston, the Bri-Dra-So
Stagers has begun a life of high
speed activity, developing among
others things playwrights and actors.
Miss Hurston, famous author of four
widely read books on Negro folk
lore, including our library’s “Tell My
Horse” and “Of Men and Mules,”
comes to us out of her extensive
study of Haiti and southern United
States where her book settings were
localized. Her authentic knowledge
of the ways and means, the strong
points and weaknesses of the Negro,
place her among the country’s best
in the reproduction of Negro life.
Her experience makes the bub
bling enthusiasm of her rehearsals
produce a creative interest in dra
matics beyond our local expectations.
We are indeed fortunate to have a
dramatic director of such national
prominence.
Working with Miss Hurston for a
championship dramatic club are
Frederick H. Koch and Paul Green
of the University of North Carolina’s
famous Little Theater, and Dr. A.
Heningburg, of this institution.
Visits Boston and Hampton
On October 21, Miss Hurston left
for -a northern tour and was for a
week guest at the Boston Gardens,
Boston, Mass., where she was pre
sented to an audience of between
four and five thousand. From the
gracious reception given her and her
broad smiles when she speaks of
Boston, we gather that she loves
Boston; Boston loves her.
On the second week in November,
(Continued on page 4)
Y. W. C. A. Presents
Thomasiiia Talley
The Y. W. C. A. presented Miss
Thomasina Talley in an organ re
cital on Sunday evening, November
12, in B. N. Duke auditorium.
Aliss Talley very appropriately
began the recital with the lovely
“Follow the Gleam,” followed by
“God of Our Fathers,” “Lead Kindly
Light,” “Holy, Holy, Holy,” “Abide
With Me,” “Rock of Ages,” “In the
Hour of Trial,” and many other se
lections, all of which were beautifully
rendered.
A feeling of reverence was felt
throughout the audience as it lis
tened in silence to the melodies of
the Hammond electric organ.
The performance was concluded
with the notes of “Now the Day Is
Over.” All who attended experienced
a pleasant evening.
—^Jessie Colson.
N. C. C. Adds Seven
to Who’s Who
Seven outstanding students have
been recently selected by the Who’s
Who in American Universities and
Colleges from among the ranks of
students on our campus; thus bring
ing the total N. C. College repre
sentation to nine, two being already
listed.
The Who’s Who is published an
nually. Its purpose is to give promi
nence to the deserving students as
well as to form an index for the
businesses and professions through
out the country. Its distinction is
close to that of receiving a Phi Beta
award. Scholarship counts, extra-cur
ricular activities are more important.
Charles Cobb, president of the
Student Council, and John Summer-
sette were listed last year. This
year’s selection includes James
Brown, scholar; Josephine Pittman,
business woman and Y worker; Na
omi McLeon, of the Student Council
and business woman; Earl T. Artis,
president of Forum; Joseph A.
Christmas, editor of the Echo and
the Eagle yearbook; Robert L. Du-
ren, Miss N. C. C.; and Katherine
Goins, scholar and Y worker.
The Who’s Who will be published
in January. Biographies will be sent
to the various papers in June.
Tau Psi Observes
National Negro
Achievement Week
The Forum hour on Wednesday,
November IS, was given to Tau Psi
chapter. Omega Psi Phi fraternity,
which in turn presented ,Rev. W. T.
Nelson, prominent and popular Ome
ga man, and pastor of the Pine Street
Presbyterian Church of this city, who
spoke on the subject, “Get What You
Want—Regardless.” While his sub
ject varied from the theme of the
week, “The Negro in Government,”
it was exceptionally interesting as it
dealt with a new angle on school
spirit.
On Sunday, November 20, Tau
Psi met with Beta Phi, Durham
chapter, in a joint observance at the
Pine Street Presbyterian Church.
Tau Psi was organized at N. C.
C. in November, 1931, and since
that time has increased in its influ
ence and popularity. Having lost
seven members last June, it now
boasts nine in number with Charles
E. Cobb, Basileus; Earl T. Artis,
V'^ice Basileus; Joseph A. Christmas,
Keeper of Records and Seal; W.
Wilbur Francis, Keeper of Finances;
Manly F. Michaux, Chaplain; Er
nest Ramsey, Keeper of Peace; and
Charles B. Lassister, Dean of
Pledgees. William Page and Robert
Bond complete the roster.
Dr. Harkness, Messrs. King
and Critz Principal
Speakers
The leadership conference of the
Student Christian Movement in
North Carolina which met at North
Carolina College for Negroes proved
to be a great success. It was attend
ed by 177 members of various col
leges and universities. The theme of
the conference was “The Christian
Faith in a Critical Period.”
After the registration at 9:30, we
assembled for the opening worship
program which was conducted by
Floyd Saunders of Duke University,
and Robert Bond of N. C. College.
This program consisted of a call to
worship; hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy”;
responsive reading, prayer, reading
by Floyd Saunders; and benedic
tion.
The purpose of the conference was
to draw all students together for the
purpose of helping to understand
each other’s Christian faith. Miss Ce-
lestine Smith, prominent leader in the
Student- Christian Movement in
North Carolina, told us in her ad
dress on “National and Internation
al Aspects of the Christian Move
ment,” that we are members of four
world-wide movements. The seven
ways in which we participate in this
world-wide movement were as fol
lows: first, representation on the gen
eral committee; second, participation
in all world conferences; third, visi-
taitions to other countries by federate
staff; fourth, through special world
wide observances; fifth, intercollegi
ate projects; sixth, sharing of
thoughts, and seventh, financial sup
port through the federation.
At 10:45, there were separate
business sessions of men and wom
en, after which we all assembled to
hear Mr. Herbert King and Mr.
Wiley Critz. They brought out some
points on our “Christian Purposes
and Program Emphases.” Mr. Her
bert King told us that a real self
is one that cannot live by itself. He
also brought out in his discussion
what Christian Religion is and what
elements of suffering and struggle are
connected with our religion and
faith. Mr. Critz brought out the fol
lowing points in his discussion on
the scope of our program: deepened
understanding, economics, race,
peace, financial structure, coopera
tion with other organizations, cooper
ation with church projects and stu
dent groups, and participation in the
National Intercollegiate Christian
Council.
At 12:30 lunch was served, which
was followed by a period of recrea
tion and fellowship. At 2:00, Miss
Augusta Roberts gave us the follow
ing points on the local needs and the
Christian Association purpose: the
purposes are; interpretation of a way
of living and thought, brotherly love,
(Continued on page 4)
Eagles to Battle Bulldogs;
Game to Decide State
Championship
All over the country Turkey Day
revives traditional rivalries in foot
ball. All over the country teams,
strong and mighty, battle for the
long end of the football horn. This
year, more than ever, this is espe
cially applicable to the schools of
North Carolina, for on that day,
two of the greatest teams in the C.
I. A. A., North Carolina College and
A. and T. College of Greensboro, will
battle on O’Kelley Field, Durham,
North Carolina. A crowd of at least
5,000 will witness this battle of the
old rivals; this battle of the century.
There are several reasons why this
game is expected to be of great sig
nificance. Both of these teams are
eyeing longingly the coveted C.T. A.
A. championship title. Both teams
have made an enviable record this
year; both have good reasons to ex
pect the title. In fact, many believe
that the Thanksgiving classic to be
played here November 30 will be
the championship game. Besides, the
fighting spirit of both teams is at its
peak, for last year the A. and T._
Aggies upset the iond hopes oi Vhe
N. C. C. Eagles by a decisive score
of 25-0. This year anything is liable
to happen. So they say!
The Eagles are rustling their
feathers, brushing up on their plays,
and stiffening their defense for a
battle in which they scorn thought
of defeat. Of course, the N. C. Eagle
fans are expecting a victory. Why
shouldn’t we? We have the team, the
will, and the ability.
All the students are filled with
anxiety. After each football game of
each team, the questions are, “How
did A. and T. come out?”, or “How
will A. and T. and State come out?”
But beneath all this, there is a cer
tain assuredness possessed by all the
Eagle fans that North Carolina Col
lege will come out at the long end
of the horn.
Look to the Eagles on Turkey
Day.
Hampton Business
Students Visit Campus
Visiting North Carolina College
for the first time, the senior class
in the business school of Hampton
Institute, Hampton, Virginia, was
welcomed to our grounds and class
rooms, led by Dr. S. A. Rosenberg,
who spoke briefly in the method’s
class.
Arriving Sunday night, November
19, the class stayed until Tuesday,
during which time, the members
made a thorough survey of the com
mercial school here and general
business conditions in Durham.
The class included Laura Mason,
Georgia Albright, Lucy Scott, Irving
Finley, Cortez Puryear, Kelly Bry
ant, Charles Murray, Raymond Cox,
and Thomas Gardner.
WELCOME A. AND T. AND VISITORS