FEATIRK HIGHLKiHTS
(iraduates Atteiulins Homo-
C'oiiiins’, I’s. 3
Boll Ringer of Bennett
(\)llese, I’g. 3
Seniors l>Kllcate Tree, Ps'. 1
THE BENNETT BANNER
ARCHIVFS
Student Publication of Bennett Oollege
OUR
A I) V E R TI Z E R S
VOLUME XV
GRKKXSBORO, N. >IAR('H 1!>4«
Number .">
HOME COMING WEEK-END BIG SUCCESS
Graduates Honored
At Birthday Dinner
The tradUional alumnae bii'thday
iiinner was held in Willnii' F. Steele
Inning Hall, t'ebi'uary 23 at 1 p. m.,
N\ith Miss Jo Ina Ellis, senior, Salis
bury, N. C. presidmg. The dinner
uonored the returning graduates and
ihose born in the months of June,
uUly, and i'^ebruary.
I’layer WeUoiiies (iraiis
The program opened with the sing
ing of the “Bennett Hymn”. Greet
ings to the alumnae were extended
by Miss Willa li. Player, registrar
und director of admissions at the
college .In. welcoming the graduates.
Miss Player said, “Your return here
today is highly significant because
you symbolize a sense of security
tor the college in that you have
ventured into the world and made
successes of yourselves. Here, ou the
A^ery grounds, where you fashioned
your hopes and- dreams, you have re-
Lurned to offer your suggestions and
show your loyalty and devotion to
the alma mater you love. It is with
grateful hearts and opem arms that
we welcome you here today.”
Webb (Jives Resi)oii,se
Mrs. Vina W. Webb, of the class of
'33, gave the response and told what
it meant to have a home like Ben_
nett to return to in the midst of
world strife. Praising the iTistitution
for the commendable job it was do
ing in educating young womanhood,
she entreated the group not to for
get the way of life at Bennett and
to always uphold its high ideals.
With Mrs. Carrie Robinson
Quander at the piano, the audience
sang, The Preference Song, Skin-a
Marink-a Dink-a-Dink and The Ben
nett Ideal. Miss Quander rs the
composer of the “Bennett Ideal.”
The horoscopes for the three
months were read by Miss Constance
Collier, after which the group joined
in singing “Tell Me Why”. The intro
duction of guests was made by Presi
dent Jones, who also read the 'birth
day lists. Brief words of greeting
w'ere extended by Dr. and Mrs. Allan
Knight Chalmers of New York City.
The dinner closed with the audi
ence standing and singing the Alma
Mater.
m
4
GROUP OF OLD GRADUATES VISIT 1N(; BENNETT ON HOME-COMING DAY
UNITED NEGRO
COLLEGE CAMPAIGN
GETS UNDERWAY
With a goal of $1,300,000 the
third annual United Negro College
Fund drive will officially open April
17, it has lieen announced by W. J.
Trent, Jr., executive director. The
organization, which has its main
headquarters in New York City, con
tributes to the financial operating
expenses of 3 3 colleges.
Of special interest was news of
the appointment of former Lt. David
D. Jones, Jr., son of President and
Mrs. Jones, as a field secretary. Be
fore joining the army, Mr. Jones
managed housing projects for the
Farm Security Administration in
1941.
Returning to the States last No
vember, after more than two and a
half years duty overseas in the Medi
terranean Theater of Operations,
with the 408th Port Battalion, Mr.
Jones wore five battle stars. His
position with the Fund will entail
the organizing of alumni groups of
the participating colleges in support
of the coming campaign.
Grads Enjoy A Night Of
Fun At Get-Together
Thirkield gymnasium was again
the scene of gaiety and merriment
when the alumnae gathered for their
Saturday night “get-together”. The
evening’s program, planned by Mrs.
Dorothy Sizemore Smith and com-
mittee, got underway with the group
singing, “Dear Old Bennett”, “Tell
Me Why” and “McNamara’s Band.”
“Since I Left Bennett” w'as the
unique caption of the “old-fashioned
hen session” whrch brought many
laughs as graduates told “all” about
themselves since leaving their alma
mater. Surprisingly enough, the ma
jority of alumnae have no families
and have found the lure of the school
room so compelling that they have
devoted their efforts to teaching
others. But not surprising was the
fact that a good many of the gradu
ates are just home-makers.
With Miss Roberta Favors as quiz
master, representatives of the var
ious classes, tested their wits on
“Bennett's Brain Busters”. The quiz,
which was based entirely on facts
concerning the college, brought eager
partici'pation from the audience, all
of whom were anxious to help their
class take top honors. The outcome
—no winner but a great deal of fun
was had by all.
Celebrities of 1946 featured a gala
flooi- show of freshman talent. Saxo
phonist Charlotte Davis and clari
netist, Vivian Greenlee gave out with
the sweet refrains of “Sentimental
Journey” after which the Andrews
Sisters (Frances White, Vilma Eason,
“Opening Doorways To Economic
Security” Is Theme Of 20th
Home-Making Institute
The question of full employment will be panel discussions and ad
dresses on pressure groups, organiz
ed labor, and governmental regula-
lioii.
The institute w'i’ll close Sunday,
March 24, with an address by Dr.
and its effect upon the Negro and
the nation will . furnish the basic
theme for the 2 0th annual Home-
maki'ng Institute, March 18-24. The
institute is held each year with the
purpose of bringing about a closer
relationship between school and
community. In devoting careful study
to timely topics, it is hoped that a
greater awareness regarding signifi
cant problems will l)e created.
It is the desire of the commtttee,
headed by Miss Barbara A. Ware,
Home Economics Director, as chair
man, to promote a keener apprecia
tion on the part of students and com
munity people, of problems related to
full employment.
Highlighting this year’s sessions
Fi-ank P. Graham, president of the
University of North Carolina. Other
outstanding speakers to be heard dur
ing the week are C. C. Spaulding,
president of the North Carolina Mu
tual Life Insurance Company, Dur
ham, N. C.; George W. Streator, first
Negro reporter appointed to the New
York Times; Miss Bertha Diggs, Sec
retary of I^bor of the State of New
York; John R .Pinkett, real estate
broker of Washington, D. C.; and
Mrs. Sara Spencer Washington, presi
dent of the Apex Hair Dressing
Company, Atlantic City, N. J.
Record Number Of
Graduates Re-Live
College Experiences
The college campus hummed with
excitement as former graduates re
turned to their alma mater for the
annual home-coming, the week-end
of Fel)ruary 22nd. More than fifty
alumnae were in attendance to par
ticipate in the busy week-end of ac-
livities.
Extensive i>lans were made for
the graduates, by the Home-coming
Committee, headed by Mrs. Juanita
Pope Morisey as chairman. They be-
jan arriving on the campus Friday
afternoon and were welcomed by the
registration and housing committee,
headed by Miss Dudonna Tate as
chairman. From then on, the long
awaited anticipation of setting toot
on old familiar ground and of seeing
former college classmates, was great
ly in evidence. Without a doabt the
setting brought l;ack many happy
memories.
Friday evening, after dinner, the
group attended the opening perform
ance of “Suspect,” presented by the
Bennett thespians in the Little
Theatre and which w'as one of the
scheduled events for the week-end.
Later that same evening the an
nual alumnae dance was held in
Thirkieldi gymnasium. For four fuu-
fested hours “old acquaintances” met
again and' danced to the strains of
l)eautiful music played by Max
Westerhand and his orchestra. In
the receiving line were President
and Mrs. David' D. Jones; Mrs. Grace
C. Gates, president of the Alumnae
Associ’ation; Mrs. Juanita Morisey,
Home-coming Chairman; Miss Willa
li. Player, director of admissions and
registrar; and Mrs. M. B. McLaurin,
association treasurer. Misses Peggy
Toatley and Mary Whitfield w'ere co-
chairman of this affair.
After a busy night, the group
started Saturday off at 1 p. m. with
(Continued On I'age Three)
Chalmers Delivers
Homfi-Coming Address
The recent visit of Dr. and Mrs.
Allan Knight Chalmers to the campus
proved lioth interesting and highly
educative. Dr. Chalmers, one of the
most outstanding Christian leaders
of today, was the vesper speaker, tor
the alumnae home-coming, Sainday,
February 24.
Greatly sought after as a speaker,
Dr. Chalmers is an author of note,
having written several books on re
ligion, and an extensive traveller with
numerous interesting experiences.
During their stay on the campus.
students and faculty were privileged
Elsie CrifflTi) sang “Accentuate The 1 qj. ^nd Mrs. Chalmers
at great length and to learn sorne-
Positive” and “Put Your Arms
Around Me.” Marion Dorsey and
Margaret .Ann Boatwright followed
with a dance routi'ne, and then Elsie
sang, “My Heart Sings’’. A tap dance
by Gwen Cann and a recitation by
Margaret Pleasants provided a fitting
climax for Motley and Rogers “Com
bination Boogie” which closed the
program.
The evening ended wrth the Ben
nett Sister Circle and the group sing
ing “Bennett’s Ideal" and the tra
ditional “Alma Mater.”
thing of their varied unusual experi
ences. Among some of the topi’cs dis
cussed were his thrilling visit to the
leper colony in the Virgin Islands,
the time he went to Detroit in an
effort to avei't the race riot, and his
mission to Puerto Rico on a trouble
shooting job.
Mrs. Chalmers addressed many
student groups and was guest speak
er Sunday inorning during the Sun
day school hour. After her talk she
(Continued On Page Two)
Seniors Dedicate Tree In
Honor of Late Benefactor
The traditional Senior Day exer
cises. at which time members of the
graduating class received their caps
and gowns, took place Friday, March
15, at 10:30 a. m. in Annie Merner
Pfeiffer, Chapel
Appreciation from the class of ’40
v.as gi'ven Ijy Miss Nancy Pinkard.
The senior day address was delivered
by President David D. Jones, who
presided.
Following the chapel exercises the
audience assembled on the campus
for the customary “tree” dedication
honoring the late Mrs. Henry
Pfeiffer, benefactor, who made such
an outstanding contribution to the
growth of the college. Miss Beatrice
Martin gave the dedication speech
and the Seni'or group rendered a
choral arrangement of “Trees”, l>y
Miss Camille Dunham, of the class
of ’46.
Other highlights of the day were
the senior banquet and dance.
A woman said to her husband,
“I don’t think I look thirty, do you
dear?” Her husband replied, “No,
darling, not now'. You used to.”
“SUSPECT” OPENS
HOME-COMING EVENTS
Enthusiastic applause rewarded
the commendable character portray
als of Yvonne Peeler, and Delores
Newsome, of a clever psychopathic
case, in the psychological drama,
“Suspect”, Friday and Saturday
evenings, February 22-23, in the
college Little Tlieatre.
The actresses received worthy
praise for the impressionable re
sponse they gave to the role of a
character who had been accused of
committing a horrible murder many
yeai's ago and freed by lack of evi
dence. Miss Peeler was starred Fri
day night and Mi’.ss Newsome, Satur
day night.
Frank Cuthbertson and Walter
Lewis gave splendid interpretations
of their roles as Sir Hugo Const,
former reporter who had attended
the sensational trial, and Dr. Randle,
the doctor, respectively.
The intensity of the drama was re
lieved l)y the drollness of the village
Iiriest played by Jatha Cow'ard.
Supporting roles were played by
Irene Pickens, Ruth Sydnor, Charles
White, and Margaret Caldwell.
Directed by Miss Constance John
son, instructor in speech and dra
matics, the play was one of the events
of the Home-coming w'eek-end.
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