Newspapers / Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper / Nov. 1, 1956, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Page Two THE PILOT NOVEMBER, 1956 The Trend Of Our Times By JOSEPH GODWIN There was a time when a person In school was busily concerned with the “Three R,’s”. These days I am more concerned with the Three P’s; and to name them is to raise a question of prime significance. In our common prac tices, which carries more weight; Principle, or Prejudice? Prejudice is an opinion based on Incomplete information or on misin formation. A principle is a settled rule of action or a fundamental truth. To encompass one’s religion, social conduct, or intellect with a strangle hold of prejudice is as bad as to enccwnpass one’s neighbor with -bars before his witnesses have testified. Prejudice says, “On the basis of some information, this works—we have always done it this way—it is an old tradition”. Principle says, “On the basis of all the information, THIS would work better”. The strength of an opinion does not determine its correctness any more than the velocity of the wind determines its direction. A discord can be as loud as perfect harmony. The trend of our time is that we seem to have a surplus of prejudices and a shortage of open-minded prin ciples. If we knew the whole truth, that truth would make us free. It has been said that if any one word describes our youth it is “in gratitude.” I fear that statement contains some truth, but I would hasten to add that another word, “intelligence” also describes today’s youth, and serious thought wUl therefore prompt the necessary grati tude. For what shoiUd we be grateful, and to whom? Our thoughts center around Thanksgiving; to the tradi tional feasts and to stories of the early Pilgrims. But another day passed this month for which every American owes a tremendous debt of gratitude. That day was election The right to govern ourselves was not given; it was purchased with human lives. Any of us who fail to exercise our right and be grateful for the opportunity are unfit for the IVY TWIGS Do the American undergraduate colleges confront the youth of today vrith an adult challenge? Or do they fail in this important responsibility to help us to mature Uitelleotually? In the leading universities of'Eu rope the student who wishes to be an intellectual must reaUy work for that privilege. He must face facts, put aside lazy habits, be patient with his dull mind and learn for art’s sake, not because his parents are footing the bills and demanding fair marks in retiu'n. The main trend on the campuses of America seems to be that the main value is placed not so much on studies as on extra-curricular activities. What does all this represent except a miniature of the pride and greed that goes on outside? Did we come to college with some serious pur pose, or did we come for a good Do oiu: undergraduate colleges prepare us for our senior colleges and an active role in public life, or are they merely a place that our parents send us to learn the gentle arts of goofing off and having a ball on someone else’s exfiense? It is a very serious matter, for in a time of world crisis, such as today, the United States must look to its college graduates for help and re sponsible leadership, and what can it do if the future citizen is not trained for the role he must play? Soon we will reach another special day—Christmas. Our thoughts go immediately to the beautiful deco rations, the merrymaking, and the presents. Too often our thoughts linger around the receipt of presents, and therein we miss the whole pur pose, for Christmas is ideally a time for GIVING, as God gave His Son for the world. Three days at this season, then, stand out as times for emphasis on gratitude: Thanksgiving as a time to be grateful for our comforts, pos sessions, freedom, and happiness; election day as a time of gratitude for the right and responsibility given us by our forefathers of electing our governing officials; and Christmas as a time to be grateful to our Heavenly Father for the gift of His Son, who promises us eternal life. Why Can't lohnny Write By KATHRYN COPELAND Now that the schools of education have tabled the problem, “Why Johnny Can’t Read,” English teach ers pose another one: “Why Can’t Johnny and His Sister, Janie, Write?” English teachers, wearily wielding red pencils, ponder this question as they work their way through fresh man themes. Is writing becoming a lost art? By the time another national elec tion day rolls around, will any per son be alive who can write two coherent paragraphs? Is the dic tionary to become a.s outmoded as Grandpa’s Blueback spelling book? It’s obvious that Johnny has little respect for his mother tongue. Any word will do if it sounds vaguely like the right word. Take this example from his theme: “The martyr was burned to the steak.” Ja:^ does write home once a month. Presumably her letters bring joy to her parents, even If her themes cause her English teacher to reach for an aspirin. Janie chose to write about her sixteenth birthday in her first fresh man theme. Here is a typical para- “My parents gave me a new blue Cadillac on my sixteenth birthday. There is no need to point out that my birthday was a memorial day for What solution do English teachers have to offer? "Nail down new words.” How about this formula? “A word a day keeps the low grade away! Three new ones a day may lead to an A.” How’s your word-hoard? When Two Umbrellas. Get Together By WALTER POPE' My name, is Joe Friday: I’m.an umbrella. I work for the Shelby Police Department. My office is behind the main door of the station. Today I had an a,ssignment. It was raining, and the chief had to get home in time to see “Dragnet”. My job: Keep him dry. Time: 8:40. I was just preparing to leave when SHE came in. I knew immediately that we had something in common. Then it hit me; she was an umbrella too! She came to ward me and sat down, or stood; or squatted, or whatever umbrellas do, and unscrewed her handle. Time: 8:43. She was gone just as quickly as she had come. Then, I saw the paper she had left! I picked it up. It was the missing Hadacol formula. Everything was clear to me now! She was the Rus sian spy who had been thinking up topics for themes at Gardner-Webb! It was my duty to stop her before she could carry out the Diabolical Hadacol Caper! I had to warn the chief! Since I cannot talk to peo ple, I put the formula where he would find it: under his stack of comic books. At first he thought it was the shopping list his wife had given him, but soon he saw the light and sent out a statewide alarm for the mysterious lady umbrella. She was eventually captured and brought to the station. I smiled sadly at her as she waited to be taken away. “I’m sorry things turn ed out this way,” I said. “We could have gotten together sometime.” “That could never be,” she said. “Why not?” I asked brightly. “Because,” she said, “anyone who thinks two imibrellas can get to gether is crazy.” CASE CLOSED!! A robust woman who lost her thumb in an accident consulted her lawyer. Lawyer: “But why do you think your thumb is worth $20,000?” Woman: “Because that’s the thumb I kept my husband under.” GARDNER-WEBB PILOT Published monthly by The Students of Gardner-Webb College, Boiling Springs, N. C. VOL. XI NOVEMBER, 1956 No. 2 EDITORIAL STAFF Editor Bill Kincaid News Editor Prances Causby Business Manager Lib Scruggs Faculty Advisor - John Roberts Photographer - Jimmy Wright Associate Editors ' Ray Rollins 'Ronald Beane Woman’s Editors Priscilla Morgan Harolyn Sparks j Charles Loftin Staff Writers VLouise Allen 1 Rowland Everette ) DUlard Hiatt . BUSINESS STAFF Exchange Editors Max Anne Hamrick Circulation Managers Shirie^Jolly . , Carolyn Crocker Exchange Editors }Buth Lineberger SPORTS DESK Sports Editor Dillard Morrow Clark Hoyle I Ronald wmiams Sports Writers /Duane McDougald A SEASON FOR SERIOUS THOUGHT By JOHN ROBERTS At this time of year it is especially important that each of us give special attention to our heritage. This topic is worthy of our time and thought because our way of life did not come about by accident. Our system of government exists because generations of brave and dedicated men have realized the importance of freedom and individual dignity. Our fredom of worship has also developed through centuries of oppression, cruelty, persecution, and often fear. If we are to be worthy of our religious freedom and our self government we cannot be less than grateful to those who, through sacrifice and privation, made these things possible for us. responsibility and unworthy of our FROM THE EDITOR'S VIEWPOINT DEMERITS vs. MERIT The demerit system was established last year to curb gross violations of the college regulations. The system’s value is being seriously undermined, however, by the policy of giving demerits indiscriminately to every girl in the dorm for minor whims and housekeeping carelessness. Recently every girl in the dorm got demerits because a few coke bottles were found in one of the upstairs storage rooms. Many of the girls have never set foot in that room and some had no reason to know of its existence. This constitutes un democratic mass punishment of the innocent, and the PILOT deplores it as unfair. We also feel that it undermines the effectiveness and very purpose of the college’s demerit system. OUR NEW LOOK Gardner-Webb has a new look these days and has high hopes of looking even better in the near future. The grounds around the new dorm are shaning ud Into a nice lawn and the building and grounds committee, with Mr. Dixon as chairman, hopes to have a layer of green on the lawn by Christmas. The recently laid walks add much to the distinctiveness of our campus. Gardner-Webb is beginning to look more like a twentieth century college and less like a run-down school. The officials at the college have plans for many more improvements in the next few years. With the completion of a new gym nasium next fall, the way will be open for further improve ment. The recently completed, dorm has recived many compli ments from visitors. It has the reputation of being one of the best, if not the best, dorms in the state. Yes, Gardner-Webb is going places, and I predict even greater things in the not so distant future. , FROM THE INTERCOLLEGIATE PRESS Bethlehem, Pa.— (I.P.)—Grades based on “performance” instead of on a numerical average have been approved by the faculty of Moravian College. Under the new grading system, the “alphabet grade” policy will be retained however, the basis for these grades will be the performance, relative to the sub ject material, of -the student as determined by his professor. It is expected that many professors will continue to use a numerical average in determination of grades. In such cases the professor will no longer be bound to follow a strict plan as in the past. For example, in some courses an average of “50” might be considered passing while in others an average of “95” may be necessary for an “A.” The result expected by the faculty is that in courses ele mentary to a major field or necessary as basic credits toward graduation, a high percentage of the final marks will fall into the “C” or average rating while a much lower percentage will fall into either extremes—the “A” or the “F.” In advanced courses a much higher concentration of “A” and “B” is antici pated. The conditional grade, or “E,” has been dropped and no re-exams will be given. Abs. (absent) and Inc. (incomplete will automatically become “F” unless otherwise graded within six weeks after the final examination. In determination of the final grades the term mark will count approximately two-thirds and the examination mark no more than one-third. Former policy was to consider the exami nation mark one-third, no more—^no less. Urbana, 111.—(I.P.)—“Wholesale flunkout” of students not capable of doing needed college work is “inhuman,” accord ing to President David Henry of the University of Ilinois. He predicts overcrowding of colleges for the years ahead. “Whatever methods we may use to make sure that stu dents in college can do and are doing college level work,” Presi dent Henry said, “one of the screening devices we must not use is the inhuman wholesale flunkout.” . He said a high school diploma is no guarantee of a pupil’s readiness for college because of the diversity of subjects taught in the high schools. In addition to entrance examinations, he said that the colleges should evaluate high school grades as a basis for admission to the universities. THOUGHTS OF THANKSIVING By FRANCES CAUSBY As the thoughts of Thanksgiving come to us, what is our reaction? Do we merely observe Thanksgiving because it is a holiday from school, or because we have a large diimer, or do we have a sense of the real meaning of this holiday? We are prone to think of this day only as a day of pleasure. This day, as in the case of many other days set apart, has lost much of Its original meaning to us. In our land of plenty we sometimes see no need to give thanks to God. We think of ourselves as a nation of right acts and high principles. Is it not true, though, that we take all our blessings and pause only occa sionally to ponder on our good fortune and to give thanks unto Him who gave it all to us? It is my opinion that we are negligent toward remembering where aU our blessings came from, except when we are together for service. In the quiet moments we should think of our blessings. As we are home this Thanksgiving Day, gathered together to eat our meals, or enjoying our families, or special friends, if we would each take time out and pause for a few seconds in thanks to God, we would each feel better and by maintaining this practice, we will influence others and make the world a better place in which to live. SOPHOMORE BULLDOGS Due to the heavy rains which fell on Friday night and Saturday the ball game with Georgia Military Academy was called off. Our sophomore Bulldogs have done an excellent Job this year, and the whole team has made a good record. Sophomore Bulldogs are: Paul Roberts. Jr., Jim Johnson, Joe Dysart, Paul McLendon, BUI Stephens, Bob Tomblin, Arnold Isaacs, Landon Deal, John Holland and manager, Edwin Peeler.
Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Nov. 1, 1956, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75