Johnsonc'smIth^ Student
The University Student
LUX ET VERITAS
Vol. 4. No. 5.
JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY, CHARLOTTE, N. C., FEBRUARY, 1928.
JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY TO
HAVE NEW GYMNASIUM.
Charlotte, N. C.—Johnson C. Smith Uni
versity is to have a new gymnasium.
President McCrorey made the announcement
at the morning chapel exer-cise on Saturday
morning, January 28th. The President
further stated that work would begin on
the gymnasium at once. The gymnasium
i.» the gift of Mrs. Jonnson C. Smith, the
Universily’s benefactress. Mrs, .'jhnsrn
C. Smitn has already given to the mstilu-
tion the following buildings: The Johnson
C. .Smith Theological Dormitory, Berry
Hall, a dormitory for college students, the
Science Hall, three cottages for teachers
and a beautiful arch at the entrance to the
University campus. The gymnasium is
given in memory of Mrs. Smith’s nephew
and wil^ be known as the Hartey Wood
Gymnasium.
Although the gymnasium had been
promised, when the announcement was
made on Saturday morning, both faculty
and students were surprised that the gym
nasium would come so soon. The stu
dent body and faculty expressed their ap
preciation of Mrs. Smith’s generosity in a
very demonstrative way.
Johnson C. Smith University has a mod
ern and well equipped plant for the carry
ing on of its work and the addition of a
gymnasium will materially increase its fa
cilities. Under the efficient leadership of
Dr. H. L. McCrorey, the President, the in
stitution has rapidly forged to the front.
It is now an A rated college, so rated by
the North Carolina State Department of
Education, and a member of the Associa
tion of Colleges for Negro Youth.
SENIOR EVENTS
Thos. A. Jenkins, ’28.
In a few more days the beautiful green
will be seen peeping from beneath the gay
colors of winter, causing many hearts to
rejoice that Spring has again appeared in
full splendor. Of all seasons that are to
come, there is one that is really on the
minds of the Seniors, the Summer season,
which bringeth forth commencement. Past
seasons on the campus have not at all
been dull. Fate has been rather kind, pro
ducing “politicians,” “lovers,” “philoso
phers,” “social kings,” and most everything
else. Everybody seems satisfied and well
contented at present.
But just suppose:
All do not have 128 hours each to their
credit June 6th.
Chapel services were compulsory.
Battle was not allowed in Cherry and
there was no plank road for C. E. Williams
to travel.
Steele would never receive any mail from
Baltimore.
Haircuts and shaves were regularly do
nated to a certain classmate.
Charlotte people knew about the little
boxes Alston received so often from out of
the city.
Massey knew why he finds nothing but
door knobs on Brevard Street.
Plair had not met disappointment in his
first love affair.
Caviness and McKeithan could not be out
on the campus around 8:15 A. M.
Perry would receive another upset in
Greenville.
Gilliard and Belton knew all that hap
pens on Fisk’s campus (socially).
Beavers would stop overcharging and
disappointing students and profs.
The University was many miles from
Charlotte’s society.
Shute, Edwards and Foster were slims
instead of shorties.
This last college semester was our first
or beginning.
All the above statements were true.
Then what would happen?
THE MATT90N LITERARY
SOCIETY
By S. H. Travis, ’31.
There are three qualities imparted to us
by the thinkers of the past which justly
characterizes a versed man.
Reading and writing, the first two of
these three essential elements that consti
tute an efficient man, have been duly em
phasized by educational systems of the
world.
But the third, the art of conference, no
less important than the other two, has, in
a numbei' of instances, been sadly neglect
ed, but its necessity in the life on one who.
may be termed educated should not be sub
ordinated, Realizing the omission oral
composition has received by students be
cause it is not largely stressed in the
class room, there has been organized in
institutions of learning societies that pro
mote public speaking and stage decorum.
Here at Smith we are proud of the Mat-
toon Literary Society which has satisfac
torily met the needs of the students who
have desired to improve themselves along
these lines.
The 11th of February marks the begin
ning of a new administration in the Soci
ety. The retiring cabinet has served well
and is to be commended for the untiring
labor they gave a worthy society. The
meeting on election night was made inter
esting by the emotional flights of rhetoric
used by the members in their nominations
and the rivalry shown for various offices.
Quite frequently Mr. C. H. White, a strict
interpreter of the constitution, and one who
knows all articles contained therein, was
called upon for advice of a legal nature;
while Mr. B. E. Lowe was very scrupulous
about parliamentary usage and near the
close of the meeting succeeded in obtaining
the floor and advised every member to
make a study of Roberts Rules of Order.
Finally when the confusion died away the
officers elected were as follows: A. A.
Jones, President; H. Brown, Vice-President;
C. C. DeVane, Secreatry; C. D. DeVane, As
sistant Secretary; L. L. Blakeney, Treas.;
H. L. Marshall, critic; J. J. Jordan, Sear-
geant-at-Arms; S. H. Davis, Reporter to
The University Student.
This administration promises to be a
prosperous one as we have much to look
forward to in the Spring. The Society will
also be represented in the Annual.
AGENT FOR NEGRO PERIODICALS
‘The Charlotte Post,” “The New York
Age,” and “The Pittsburgh Courier.”
G. W. Jones, Room 12, Carter Hall, John
son C. Smith University.
By A. J. Clement, Jr., ’30.
Price 10 Cents.
Work Begins on New Gymnasium
V. H. Chavis Elected Editor of Student
COLLECE GLEANINGS
This month “The University Student
presents to its many and varied readers
a new Editorial Staff, recently elected by
our College Department. The personnel
of the new staff is as follows: V. Henry
Chavis, Editor-in-Chief; Baxter E. Lowe,
Associate Editor; Prof. T. S. Jackson,
Treasurer; M. Jackson Whitehead, Sec-
retai’y; C. H. White, the very efficient
Circulating Manager, was i-e-elected; and
Edward McDowell, Business Manager. The
student body was extraordinary painstak
ing in its selections, and we are confident
that these men will fulfill the hopes of
their selectors and electors.
The coming of Dr. J. M. Gaston our un
derstanding mediator, and his interesting
revelations during his stay here were sin
cerely appreciated by the student body. His
greetings from our much loved Mrs. John
son C. Smith and his personal gift to the
library are truly valued.
Messrs. “Barney” Whiteman and Leon
Steele are zealously working in an endeavor
to give Johnson C. Smith University its
first Annual. With the leadership of these
hard working pioneers who are really blaz
ing a field heretofoi’e unworked we hope
every student, alumnus and friend of our
University will assist in making this Annu
al an unrivaled success. For an Annual
will be an illimitable aid in making John
son C. Smith an indispensable asset to our
race.
On the 27th of last month first semester
examinations came to a desired end. All
connected with them were delighted by
their termination. Somehow exams are
as demanding of instructors as they are of
the instructed.
Debating is in vogue on the campus just
now as the men are trying out for our Var
sity Debating Team. Last week in one of
the try-outs, Messrs. Scales, Brewer and
Powe defended the affirmative side of the
proposition: “Resolved: That the Curtis-
Reed Bill providing for a Department of
Education Should be Enacted;” the nega
tion was represented by Messrs. Terry
Steele, Macon and Clement, Jr., Next week
the same question is to be again debated
with Messrs. Leon Steele, Dawson and R.
Jones on the affirmative; and Lee, Clement,
Jr., and Edward Jones on the negative.
The Kewpie Cousins were hostesses at a
rather unique social affair last month. The
occasion was most appi’eciatively enjoyed
by its attendants.
It has been learned that Messrs. Gilliard
and John Martin have incorporated their
amorous businesses in Greenville. Each has
special days and hours for calling on the
“Jolie Femme.” This systematic and con
ciliatory plan eliminates unnecessary meet
ings of the two “Pardners.”
We are also glad to state that the clever
Mr. W. A. Perry has vanquished all com
petitors and he has resumed his occupation
of the “Greenville District,” after com
pletely annihilating the resources of the in
trepid adventurer who sallied forth under
the sobriquet of “Naps LeDilberre.”
The Ace of Clubs charmingly entertained
a large number of its friends last week.
The Ace of Clubs’ pins are adorning the
hefty lower bosoms of a few upper class
men; from this, one is tempted to believe
that there is a brotherhood of the said
Club on our campus. If so we know that
Mr. A. C. Caviness and Mr. George Mc
Keithan must be charter members of the
local brotherhood.
Messrs. Hawkins and Powell are seekers
for the favors of one of Charlotte’s most
bewitching maidens. May the gods smile
upon them( the seekers).
Why, when and how did Mr. V. H. Cha
vis place a sign on Seventh Street which
reads thus: “The bump not allowed?”
Three gallant, nonchalant and debonair
gentlemen have united for a concentrated
assault in an attempt to gain the devotions
of Caldwell Street. Mr. George Dockery’s
presence is generally augmented by Chem
istry and English there.
Why does “Sparky” always rei yon Ricks
for the Lady Friend ?
THE PHILOSOPHY CLUB
By Leroy Young, ’28.
The scientist’s God which was an as
tounding question, January 17, for philos
ophic reflection and countless deliberation,
having been sighted as more than abstract
01 intangible force, involving a greater
scope than a mere biological phenomena,
a spawing, a struggling, decomposing
farce, in which a perishable being or mol
ecule of matter will yearn and dream an/,3
battle to survive in life than lose itself.
The scientist’s God involves ratioi'^1
principles based on logical sequences and
facts, and also includes that mysterious
urge beyond the vale of remorse which
speaks to us through rising sap, and
thrusting root and all the ordered marvels
of the universe. The word of God is used to
describe that which is behind the mysteries
of existence.
The paramount contribution and earliest
scientific investigation which was made by
such men as Pasteur, Sir Isaac Newdon,
Galileo and others who were not only reli
gious men, but faithful members of thei.-
community considering the ideal summit
on the fixation of moral and spiritual val.
ues.
Mr. A. W. Waddell’s essay on compila
tion of facts relating the origin, motivation,
and of early scientific discovery, stimulated
the entire group. Every one followed at
tentively his perusal in all its excellences,
reflecting and masticating along with him
the contents of his discourse. In conclusion
he seemed to have harmonized science and
religion, stating that there is no scientific
basis for denial of religion nor was there
any excuse for the conflict between the
two, for the fields were entirely different.
The possibility of religion and pure sci
ence ever conflicting becomes evident when
one examines the purpose of each respec
tively. The latter’s object was to develop
without any preconception a knowledge of
facts of the laws and processes of nature;
the former, a more important task to de
velop the ideals and aspirations of man
kind.
Come out and join us in our interesting
discussions.
JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY
PRESENTS
The University Glee Club
In a Concert of Spirituals and Choral
Numbers
at
The City Auditorium
Wednesday Evening, March 7, 1928,
8:30 o’clock
Orchestra, 50c. Balcony, 35c.