THE
VOLUME 21
Elizabeth City, N.C.
NUMBER
Two Editors Confer
Shown above are Mr. James Whitfield, State editor of the News and Observer
and Henry Pickett, Editor in Chief of The Compass.
ECSTC Receives Full Accreditation From the
Southern Association Colleges and Secondary Schools
State Editor Gives
Assembly Message
State Editor James Whitfield of
The News and Observer in an assem
bly sponsored by The Compass on
January 19 emphasized the role of
the press in a free society.
Mr. Whitfield expressed the belief
that a policy against secrecy in
government and keeping the public
informed will keep the people of the
United States free.
Believing the Kennedy policy
against secrecy m goveriunent is true,
Whitfield said, “The people, through
a free press in a free society will
know the truth, and the truth will
keep them free.” The speaker based
his statement on a statement by Vice-
President Lyndon B. Johnson before
a group of national leaders.
In noting the important part the
public plays in keeping the press
free, Whitfield said “The public must
be kept informed through its newsh
paper. It must think for itself and
not have to rely entirely on the
opinion of others.”
He described the News and Ob
server as “long a friend of public
education” and told how the news
paper fought to preserve public edu
cation and perpetuate its progress in
the last gubernatorial campaign.
Concluding his speech, the speaker
said that despite criticism of the
American press, “the printed words
of the newspaper do more to keep
the public informed on life about
them than any other media in the
world.”
Mr. Charles Hugo Curl, Associate
Professor of English at the Norfolk
Division of Virginia State College,
made an interesting Assembly speech
recently on “Making the All-Ameri
can Team.” The program was spon
sored by the English Department
under the direction of Dr. Coragreene
Johnstone, former instructor of Mr.
Curl.
Comparing the team in education
with that m the world of sports, the
speaker urged the students to make
the highest achievement possible and
qualify for the All-American Team.
His knowledge of literature and keen
sense of humor delighted the audi
ence.
Beginning with emphasis on the
need of literacy to interpret in the
world today, he gave examples and
illustrations to show how illiteracy
has threatened our common welfare.
Lighthouse Attractions
Members of the LIGHTHOUSE
Program Committee are at work
planning for future events that not
only members of the college family
will enjoy, but second semester Fresh-
During semester break, the
GAMES COMMITTEE will present
a Bingo Tournament. Prizes will be
given to the winning contestants. All
persons who remain at the college
during this period will be invited to
join in the tournament.
The FINE \RTS Committee is
making plans for the presentation of
a Candlelight Hour. Eentertainment
will include the reading of poems and
other forms of inspiring literature.
The DANCE COMMITTEE is
planning a matinee dance in the
Lighthouse during semester break.
Supervised music will be played under
the direction of members of the Dance
Committee.
The EXHIBITS COMMITTEE is
hoping to display the art of Mr.
Hugh Bullock, Art instructor at the
college.
The FORUM COMMITTEE is
planning to make a forum presen
tation near the beginning of the
second semester. As of yet, a topic
has not been selected; but it is possi
ble that it will be centered around;
STUDENTS want to KNOW, or
NEGRO HISTORY WEEK.
The HOSPITALITY COMMIT
TEE is planning a Hospitality Coffee
Hour which will take place in the
Lighthouse.
All of these programs and activities
are to take place in me Lighthouse.
As he continued, he spoke of the
importance of skill, versatility, and
composure in qualifying for a place
on the team. “Literature”, he said,
“gives composure to the soul.” Stress
ing teamwork, he further stated that
in playing side by side with his school
mates, the student comes to under
stand the power of literacy, skill,
versatility and composure.
At the close of the assembly hour
students in activities sponsored by the
English Department met Mr. Curl at
an informal reception in the Lounge
of Hugh Cale Hall.
Here the time was pleasantly spent.
An appetizing repast was enjoyed,
and students and teachers exchanged
ideas with Mr. Curl and Mr. J.
Bowser who accompanied him. There
was manifest a deeper appreciation of
the relation of literature of life as a
result of this experience.
President Ridley, Initial
Assembly Speaker
President Walter N. Ridley spoke
to the college family in Moore Hall
on January 6. His speech was a very
appropriate one, dealing with the
inauguration of Terry Sanford as
governor of North Carolina, and an
article by Robert O’Brien that ap
peared in the January issue of “The
Readers Digest”.
In quoting Governor Sanford, Dr.
Ridley said “A second-rate education
for our children can only mean a
second-rate future for North Carolina.
Quality education is the foundation
of economic development of demo
cracy and the needs and hopes of the
nation.
Dr. Ridley stated that he believed
these words coming from a southern
governor on his inauguration day are
historical words. “We are not going
to forget, as we move into the chal
lenging and demanding years ahead
that no group of our citizens can be
denied the right to participate in the
opportunities of first class citizen
ship.”
Moving to Mr. O’Brien’s article, he
said “There was a time when man
could not predict the future, but
now man has a machine that can
predict the future to the split second.”
In his discussion “How will 1970
be?” Dr. Ridley emphasized several
points. Some of these points are: (1)
the increase in population of the
United States (2) the raising of the
standard of living (3) entrance to
colleges and universities and (4) an
increase in enrollment at colleges and
universities.
Miss J.O.Rayner Passes
Outstanding me.mber of the first
graduating class of E.C.S.T.C., 1896,
and Director of Symera Hall from
1921 to 1943, Miss Joanna Outlaw
Rayner, died at her home on Bun
nells Avenue in Elizabeth City, Jan
uary 21.
Funeral services were held at the
Olive Branch Baptist Church on
January 25, with the Reverend W. F.
Elliott, pastor, delivering the eulogy.
The College was represented by Dr.
W. N. Ridley who gave words of
praise for her record as a teacher in
the public schools and as a member
of the College Staff.
European History Contest
Recently two classes in the Social
Science Department competed with
each other in the course. History of
Western European Civilization. One
of the classes meets from 8-8:50
MWF and the other from 8:9:30 T
TH. Both classes consist primarily
of freshman students from various
parts of North Carolina and Virginia.
The classes are under the instruction
of Ansel P. Simpson, and in them the
lecture note-taking method is used.
Performance on the following
examinations was used to judge the
winning class:
Section I: Definition (30) points;
legacy, precedent, urban, artisan,
apathy, balance of trade, Marcus
Curelius, Mercendry, Diocletian,
Constantine.
Section II: Enumerations (10) points.
Geographic features serving as
boundaries of the Roman Empire;
Names of four Greeks who influ
enced Roman Civilization; The
political organization of the Roman
Empire, including names of officers
and areas of supervision: Two
characteristics of the western di
vision of the Empire; Names of the
four elements of the “vicious cycle”;
Names of two Diocletian reforms.
Section III: Brief Essay (30) points,
What present-day use or appli/-
cation is made of “Oedipus Tyran-
(Continued on Page 3)
Elizabeth City State Teachers Col
lege is now fully accredited by the
Southern Association of Colleges and
Secondary Schools.
Notification of this action by the
Association was contained in a letter
from Dr. Gordon W. Sweet, Executive
Secretary of the Association, which
indicated that all notations and ques
tions have been removed from the
name of Elizabeth City State Teach-
err College’s listing in the accrediting
Association’s “APPROVED LIST.”
Such action by the rating association
indicates that the college is now fully
accredited. The college has been on
the “APPROVED LIST” since 1947;
however, its listing carried a notation
indicating a question concerning meet
ing only two standards.
Student of the Issue
MARTHA PURVIS
Martha Purvis, a senior here at
S.T.C., has been chosen Student of
the Issue by the Compass Staff. She
is outstanding in both academic and
extiacurricular activities.
Martha entered the Elizabeth City
State Teachers College in the fall of
1957. She became a member of the
Choir and Band and also secretary of
the Sunday School. She pledged for
the Delta Sorority and was elected
president of The Pyramid Club. At
the end of the school year, Martha re
ceived a prize for being the most
active freshman young lady and for
possessing outstanding personality
While a sophomore, Martha be
came a Delta and also president of
Bias Hall.
In her Junior Year, Martha was
elected president of the Junior Class
and vice-president of the Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority. She was a Junior
Counselor.
Martha was re-elected for the office
of president of the Senior Class and
(Continued on Page 3)
Dr. Sweet’s letter also stated, “The
Committee noted the real improve
ment that has been made and com
mends Elizabeth City State Teachers
College for its progress.”
As a result of this action, the col
lege is listed in the U.S. Office of
Education’s 1960-61 Directory of Ac
credited Institutions of Higher Edu
cation along with other accredited
colleges and universities.
When asked to comment on the
significance of the Association’s
action, Dr. Walter N. Ridley, Presi
dent of the College said, “On the
basis of these circumstances, Eliza
beth City State Teachers College will
be considered for full membership
in the Association at its December
1961 meeting. We now look toward
elections.”
Full accreditation usually preceeds
election of full association member
ship by one year.
The Christmas
Tree Ceremony
The annual Christmas festivities
began with the Christmas Tree Cere
mony on December ninth at sixi-
thirty.
The ceremony was held on the
portico of Williams’ Hall, with Mr.
Carl Franklin presiding. The cere
mony began with the playing of
“Silent Night” by the band, arranged
by the group. Miss Margie Cole, a
sophomore, read the prayer. The
choir sang “When Christmas Day is
Done” directed by Miss Shirley Sims,
a senior.
President Ridley spoke on “The
Significance of Christmas Tree Light
ing.” Dr. Ridley pointed out that
Christmas Tree lights are burned to
symbolize thankfulness, courtesy, and
happiness. “Men of good will,”
stated Dr. Ridley, “also use lights as
a symbol of good will and hope.”
Mr. George Patterson, a sopho
more, lead the song, “Wasn’t that a
Mighty Day.” The meaning of Christ
mas Festival” was read by Miss Peggy
McMillan, a sophomore.
The band played “Joy to the
World,” and the program was con
cluded with the caroling of students
around the campus.
If At First
If at first you don’t succeed
You’re not alone, by far!
Other folks have failed before
They reached the distant star.
Many souls have persevered
Until their dreams came true.
They kept trying and they won—
Which means that you can too!
European History Class
Shown above are the winners of the European History Contest. Delores Moore,
Ranking top in the class, is shown receiving the scroll for the class from Dean
Charles Lyons, Jr. while Prof. Ansel Simpson looks on.
'Making The All-American Team'