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A Successful
School Year
THE BENNETT BANNERv
ollege
G/fc-ensbonj, n,
STUDKNT PUBLICATION OP BENIOyrT CJOIil^FXiE
More School
VOLUME XX
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA, OCTOBER, 1952
NilM HER 3
October 23 Marks Founders Day At Bennett
m
i
Shown are two sculptures, done
by James C. McMillan of the Virgin
Mary, left and Joseph, completed
as a dissertation for a Masters of
Fine Arts degree at Catholic Uni
versity was used in the interior de-
coration of a modern catholic church
in Winnesboro, Louisiana.
Mr. McMillan Returns
Some years back, had we seen a
little boy going from room to room
in a Sanford, N. C. school painting
bulletin boards, honor rolls, and
. oa]?r)ders, we wouldn’t have recogniz
ed him as one of today’s accomplish^
ed artists. In those young years hist
constant companion was a small |
wooden box which he stood on to |
do his art work because he was so
short. Today he carries with him a
deep feeling for art and a strong
desire to be able to paint as he sees
fit in a studio of his own.
The person of whom I speak,
you’ve already recognized I’m sure,
as our own Mr. James C. McMillan,
Mr. McMillan’s interest in art dates
back to pre-school age when he used
to draw characters from the funny
papers. This interest led him after
high school to Howard University
where he studied art for two years
and then decided to try mechanical
engineering. He found this field too
cold and had decided to go back to
fine arts when he was drafted. Aftei
two years in the Navy Mr. McMillan
returned to Howard and finished
vdth a scholarship to attend thei
Skowhegan School of Painting and
Sculpture in Showhegan, Maine. A
year later he became a member of
the faculty here at Bennett.
Mr. McMillan likes to talk about
his experiences abroad and ofteri
speaks of the cosmopolitan atmosp
here which existed there. In his
classes were students of many reli
gious backgrounds from thirty-nine
different countries including Russia,
Australia, India, China, and Africa.
Said Mr. McMillan.
“I was impressed with the fact
that the people were so cordial and
tolerant in spite of conflicting religi
ous and political views. But this is’
characteristic of Paris which is the
cross section of the world. I learned
to speak French fluently in order to
become a part of this wonderful
atmosphere.”
While in Paris Mr. McMilan had
foiir art exhibits of his work. One
was - held at the Avenue L’Opera,
one at Salon de L’Armee, and two
at the Raymond Duncan Gallery,
the owner of which is the brother
of the late Isadoro Duncan, famous
dance artist. The work for which
he received his highest price was
a portrait, done in Paris of the
Hollywood designer L’Tanya.
Since returning to the states, Mr.
McMillan has completed work at
Catholic University in Washington^
D. C. where he received a Master of
Fine Arts degree. Although he spec
ializes in the fine arts and more re-i
cently in sculpture Mr. McMillan,
has varied interests. Among these are
a yen for modern ]azz, ping pong,
and tennis. He admits, “I like noth
ing better than to don old clothes and
explore a place where I am unknown
and which I know nothing about.
Mr. McMillian’s feeling toward
art is a very personal one. He says
that most people consider art aS
only a medium of expression. But
to him it is more than that. For him
art opens up new vistas toward liv
ing. He feels that true art creates
for an individual a “down to earth'
philosophy of life and develops :
searching mind for knowledge and
truth. Or in other words, art is not
Just a process but an attitude toward
living. He says.
“My attitude and experience have
put on me the responsibility of in
stilling on the campus an area for
aesthetic appreciation, the lack of
which seems to exist not only herd
at Bennett, but over the entire Unit
ed States.”
We at Bennett feel that Mr. McMil
lan is a part of us and we are proud
of his accomplishments. So to him
wed’d just like to say,, “We’re glad
to have you back.”
The Fall Schedule of
President D.D. Jones
President Jones’ schedule for the
fall is a heavy and varied one. Be
side the activities on the campus
which will include the Founder’s
Day Exercise and the Trustee Meet
ing, President Jones, on October 12,
13, and 14, will attend the Board
of Directors meeting of the United
Negro College Fund in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. On December 15 and
16, he will attend the Conference on
Wills called by the National Coun
cil of Churches, of which he is a
member. This meeting will be held
in Cincinnati. On December 17, in
Cincinnati, President Jones will at
tend the meeting of the Executive
Committee of the Board of Educa
tion of the Methodist Church. On
January 3, he will leave for Los
Bennett College Fall
Faculty Concert
The faculty members of the music
and English Department of Bennett
College presented a concert in An
nie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel on
September 7, 1952.
The program opened with Mr.
Cooper at the organ playing Bach’s
I Stand at the Threshold.”
Miss Beverly Ann Wofford sang
with artistic finesse and interpreta
tion, “He Shall Feed His Flock Like
A Shephard,” from The Messiah, by
Handel. She closed with a French se
lection, “Ouve Tes Yeux Bleus,” by
Massenet.
Miss Majorle YoungDlood beauti->
fully played,” Prelude in B Flat
Major”, from Bach.
Miss Constance Johnson, drama
instructor, read excerpts from “Faust”
and modern poems from modern
poets.
Two piano selections were render
ed by Mrs. Nina Kudrick. They were,
Chopin’s “Polonaise in A flat major”
and “Soirie de Vienne”, by Grun-
field.
Three Foreign Students
Choose Bennett
Annie Merner Pfeiffer
Memorial Service
Our first vesper service of the
year was in honor of Mrs. Annie Mer
ner Pfeiffer, a Christian woman and
benefactress of Bennett College.
The message was brought to us
by Dr. James P. Brawley, president
of Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Brawley, who had known Mrs.
Pfeiffer personally, imparted to us
the Christian life of the great philan
thropist. He used as a subject, “Chris
tian Stewardship.”
Mrs. Pfeiffer was a humble and
faithful servant who gave not only
of her wealth but herself. She saw
in wealth a chance not to enjoy
luxuries but to help humanity.
A lady of great poise with a deep
sense of human and high spirit; shq
gave because she believed in Christ
ian stewardship. Mrs. Pfeiffer once
remarked that shrouds had no pock
ets. She lived according to this adage,
because she gave nine-tenths of her
wealth away and retained only one-
tenth.
Mrs. Pfeiffer had a keen interest
This year we are privileged to | in young people which was not
limited to any particular race or
conntr.y Her wealth spreaded to
many lands aiding the sick, aged
have three girls from foreign coun
tries as fellow students. The first
one to arrive on our campus was
Shoko Yoshikane who came from
Japan. Her father owns two small
department stores in Yamaguchi
City which is near Hiroshima. Shoko
travelled the great distance from
Japan by boat and train, and her
first happy surprise about America
came when she discovered the many
different flavors of ice cream since
in her home she could only get
vanilla. Shoko’s major, at present, is
Elementary Education, and after'
finishing at Bennett, she plans td
attend a university. Her hobbies are*
playing the piano, singing, and read
ing.
Lien-yun Chien arrived shortly
after Shoko. Lien-yun, or Lillian as
she is now called by her freshmen
buddies, is the daughter of a Chinese
Nationalist Government official. Be
cause her father is a member of the
military circle, Lien-Yun and her
family had travelled extensively
throughout China and now make
their home on Formosa where the
Nationalist Government is function
ing. She made her long trip to Ben
nett by air, arriving on our campus
after spending a few days in New
York.
Pei Lee Ho arrived on our campus
after a very long and tedious jour
ney by boat and train. She is the
daughter of American-educated par
ents who now, because of the polit
ical circumstances in China, reside
on Formosa. Pei Lee has two sisters
living in Michigan and attending the
University of Michigan. Although
she has not yet decided on her major
course of study, she is resolved to
work and study very hard in order
to make her stay here in America
and at Bennett a successful one.
A1 three of the girls have ex
pressed the hope and desire for a
pleasant and successful year. Wo
and orphaned. Her greatest interest
was in young students who were lim
ited in finance but were trying to help
themselves and then to serve others.
One of the greatest symbols of
Mrs. Pfeiffer’s life is seen in our
beautiful chapel, which is the center
of our religious life here at Bennett.
Her life was like the lofty spire,
pointing us to high Heaven.
A.ngeles to attend a series of meet
ings and conferences, among which | here at Bennett must help to make
will be the meetings of the Ameri- I the hopes and desires of these three
Sara Lou Harris Will
Visit Bennett
Miss Sara Lou Harris, one of New
York’s busiest models, night club
singer, radio, and television artist,
will represent the graduates on the
Founder’s Day program.
Miss Harris, in private life Mrs.
Buddy Bowser, is a native of Wilkes-;
boro, N. C. She will spend the entire,
week on the campus and will meeti
with students in dormitory sessions'
at which time she will discuss groom
ing, career opportunities in the en
tertainment world, and her experi
ences as a model, singer, actress, and
mother.
Her husband. Buddy Bowser, is a
member of the popular New York
dance team of Howell and Bowser.
Pfiemiefie
October 12—Mr. B. Tart Bell,
Secretary of American Friends Serv-^
ice Committee will be the vesper
speaker.
October 24—Annual meeting of.
the Board of Trustees will be held;
in the Seminar room of the Science! directors; _Mrs. Nettie
can Association of Colleges, the , girls become realities. It will be oiu- i Banks, Nursery
Association of Methodist Colleges, | small contribution toward fostering | j Orial Banks,
and the winter meeting of the Board. better understanding among the] October 26—Dr. Allen Knight! Activities; Mrs. Mary Woods Davis,
Dr. Allan Knight Chalmers, of the
Boston University School of Theology,
will bo chief speaker at the seventy-
ninth annual Founder’s Day Celebra
tion to be held in Annie Merner
Pfeiffer Chapel on October 23, 1952,
at 4:00 p. m.
Dr. Chalmers is a well-known au
thor and lecturer. Among the import
ant books he has written arc The
Tragedy of Ineffectual Prayer, The
Commonplace Prodigal, Candles in
the Wind, and As He Passed By. Be
yond his teaching and writing activi
ties, Dr. Chalmers has participated
vigorously and energetically in many
religious and social organizations. He
is a member of the Executive Com
mittee of the Federal Council of
Churches; a member of the Board of
Directors of the Executive Committee
of Religion and Labor Foundation; a
member of the National Association
for the Advancement of Colored Peo
ple; a member of the Fellowships of
Reconciliation; and a member of the
American Civil Liberties Union.
Though the theme of Dr. Chalmers’
address is not yet known to us, we
may be sure that it will be interest
ing, challenging, and profound. Gifts,
for the endowment of the college will
be presented at this service. The 1951
endowment gifts received totalled
$2,306.50.
Dr. Player Leaves
For Interview
On Tue.sday, September 23, 1952,
Dr. Willa B. Player, Director of Ad
missions at Bennett College, departed
for an interview in New York City.
When she arrived at the station,
several Bennett students softly sang
the “Preference Song,” and presented
her with an orchid. The seniors show
ed their gratitude by sending Dr.
Player a telegram of good wishes.
We, the Bennett family, wish for
her the best that life affords.
New Members Of Bennett's
Faculty And Staff
The Bennett Banner extends a
hearty welcome to two returning
faculty members, Mr. James M. Mc^
Millan and Miss Constance Johnson.
To the new members of the Ben
nett faculty and staff, the Banner
extends the Bennett hospitality and
best wishes for a most successful
and pleasant school year. These new
members of the Bennett Family are
as follows: Mr. Van S. Alien, Science
instructor; Mr. Authur B. Coleman,
English instructor; Mrs. RebeccH
Dawson, English instructor; Miss
Wilhelmina J. Gilbert, Commercial
Education instructor; Mr. Francis L.
Grandison, Psychology instructor;
Mr. Herbert I. Kenny, instructor of
Fundamentals in Social Work: Mr.
V/illiam B. LeFiore, Science instruc
tor; Dr. Sophie Steinbeiger, German
instructor; Miss Beverly Ann Wof-
fard. Choir Director and Music in
structor; Miss Majorie Youngblood,
Music instructor; Miss R. A. Hatten,
instructor of Physical Education;
Mrs. Nannie McAdoo Alston, Mi.sa
Lucretia Haywood, Miss Darina
Foushee, Miss Dorothy Martin, Dor-
N.
Education; Miss
Director of Student
of Directors of the United .Negro; m.any culturally-different people of i Chalmers, Boston University, School
the world. | cf Theology will be the guest speaker.
College
i^eiqn 9)b3ioh
Bookstore Manager; and Miss Alice
Rhodes, Assistant in F^-cords Office.