PAGE TWO
CAMPUS ECHO
F E B RU A R Y
19 4 8
Negi'o History Week — Its Challenge
Negro History AVeek is sponsored each' year by the National
Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. It is fitting
and j)roper at this particular time that we pay tribute to those who
came before us and have brought us this far in helping to build up
civilization. During this celebration we should be in meditation
and concentration for the men and women of our race whg have
achiev'ed and progressed in the world.
We colored Americans, as one of the great divisions of the
human, familj^ have as proud an ancestry and as high a civilization
as any race. We are proving' ourselves as progreslsive and, with
the addition of modern culture, civilization and progress, are build
ing our race to a high point of excellence.
We hav^e bridged the ages, so to speak, and are showing our
selves to be saturated with the spirit of a civilizing evangelization.
We are demonstrating every day that we are moving with other
great divisions of the human race, toward that high goal of unity
that :;s tlie evident ipui-pose of God in creating man.
Wo colored Americans are beginning to realize our destinies
and are seizing the opportunities that present themselves for our
benefif; as well as for the benefit of all men.
As Negroes we should be thankful for our heritage, for the
traditions of our people, for a culture which presents such a hope
ful contrast to the artificial and material elements now dominant
in oar modern civilization.
Above all we should be grateful for that inherent spiritual
strengtfi, fashioned iii the crucible of persecution and suffering—
a strength moreover, which must someday succeed in breaking
down fciie walls, the unethical, the unchristian barriers of intoler
ance which have opi)osed the normal development of a great people
prei)ar(Hi and willing to make an important contribution to the
future of America. Thus, the challenge of Negro History Week
strives to stress the importance of Negro achievements in the world
today. As a means to this, we should take advantage of all possible
opportunites for education so as to become trained as leaders in
every field of Imman activity, polities, hnv, government, and labor.
To this we as Negroes must dedicate our knowledge, experiense and
leadershi]). Those achievements of the past are not forgotten, but
it is for us of the present generation to look forward to making
our contributions which our next generation and the generations
to come shall enjoy.
Aiiotiier Chapter In Our College History
Toe eminent James E. Shepard once said “The college must
train it’s own leaders.” This saying became a reality when the
trustee board elected Dr. Alfonso ‘Elder to succeed the late Dr.
James E. Shepard founder and form(!r president of our institution
I t ivas not an easy task to secure “«» nearly Jike Dr.
Shepard.” From their choice it seems that the trustees had real
ized tJiat the ijerson chosen should be one who possessed strong
caraeter, a go(^ educational background, and one who could pro
mote racial understanding as well as head the institution. All of
these characteristics can be summed up as chacteristics possessed
by a person Avho hiis the possibilities of succeeding in every field
of activity connected with the expansion and progress of our
institution. Such a man as Dr. Alfonso Elder is worthy of the
position.
We shall dot say how long ago it was that our new president
was born, for years do not matter. What matter is the smile that
banished tears, the Avords that guided many, and the character
moldeci itself into an example of no'ble and courageous maiihood.
We know that very often a silent partner can be of untold value to
a pei’Hon. A good fellower can made a good leader. All of these
can be said of Dr. Elder. For a span of twenty years he was a
good follower of his predecessor.
' Tbe selection of Dr. Alfonso Elder as president of our insti
tution. begins another' chapter in the great books which could be
easily oalled Our College History. This great book represents our
institution at large, “NOIITH CAROLINA COLLEGE AT DUR
HAM.” It’s first author was it’s founder Dr. James E. Shepard,
and now upon another author rests the resiponsibility of carrying
on it’s authorship. What will be recorded in thi.s book depends
upon tJie contributions you and I are making toward the progress
and expansion of this institution. May the new author carry on,
and may ue as students and faculty of this great institution awak
en tt» our respective tasks so that our instiitution will become one
of the greatest in the country. And may we strive to do our best,
and may “peace be within our portals, for Shepard, our founder
is immortal.”
THE CAMPUS ECHO
published monthly during the school year iy the students of the
North Carolina College at Durham,
Clathan Koss and Perey Qiu:jakd
ASSOCIATE UDITOBS
Lomss Jaokson, fkatubk eoitok Mauoabkt Best, typist
Hksmenia Fitts, sxchanok kditok ^wannik Moobe, business mqe.
KiANB Moobk, sports editor Mary Eason, repoeteb
Waltsk Bkown, sports writer W. Stinson, AovERTisiNa mgr.
Kfr.«BEi> Thojiton, typist Vivi/in Nob'wood, adv. asst.
B. Nathaniel Nils, cibcui»ation manaokr
W. A. Tuck and C. B. Stanback
STArr ADTISOBB
Shrouds Of Shakespeare
T ask Thee not O Lord for fame
For ■wealth or power;
Nor that the world may know my
name
For one great hour.
Kut give me love within my soul
For those I meet;
And confidence in Thee will make
My life complete.
That I may do with all my heart
Each daily task
And faithfully may fill my place
Is all I ask.
MEDITATIONS
T ’is a dreary day at X. C. C.
A dreariness that’s in my mind
1 see I’m slightly forgetting
The goals to which T climb.
T sit starring out the window
On a scene that’s misty and gray
Raindrops falling slowly
T.qidng my happiness away.
Words are like apples, some are sweet
Some are sour and some are so bitter
That the taste never depart..
—rr. UEBM'ENIA FITTS
The Quizzer.-.
By LOUISE JACK SOX
Ye Old Quizzer’s Question is
“What was your reaction to the ap
pointment of Dr. Elder as president ?
Dr. Elder is well liked by the students
because he is friendly and seems gen
uinely interested in our development.
This month’s question aroused a fer
vor of interest and enthusiasm, but
we can only give you several of
numerous commentaries from various
students.
lioy McLeod, Freshman, Montclair,
New Jersey, says “1 was very favor
ably impressed when I heard of the
appointment of Dr. Elder as pre.sident
of North Ci^rolina College. I thi^k
he is well-suited for the position,
well-liked by the students, and he fits
naturally into North Carolina Col
lege’s trend toward growth and de
velopment.
Miss Kathryn Whitaker, Junior,
Whitaker, N. 0. says: “When I heard
of President Elder’s appointment, I
was full of anticipation wondering
just what he would be like. So far I
can say that he is real ‘ great ’ . ”
“I was immediately thrilled and
happy when I learned of Dr. Elder’s
appointment because T heard that he
was a capable person for the "position,
and I visualized the continued growth
of North Carolina College under such
capable guidance as his,” says Jli.ss
Evelyn Ramseur, sophomore, Win.ston
Salem, North Carolina....,
William Simms, Freshman^ Water-
bury, Conn. says, ‘ ‘ When I heard that
Dr. Elder was appointed president of
North Carolina College ,I was quite
happy. Because since hearing him
sptak during Freshman Orientation
Week, I had decided he woTild be very
liberal. Now I am doubly sure of it
because of the few changes he has
made since he became president. ’ ’
E. Preston Mitchell, Senior, Phila
delphia, Pa. says: ‘ ‘ My reaction to
appointment of Dr. Eldef as presi
dent was one of hope. Realizing that
Dr. Elder is well equalified to serve
in the office, and understanding that
his association with North Carolina
College has given him insight nto
the problems here, I feel that he can
and wll lead North Carolina' College
to a higher educational status.”
B. F. Creech, Junior, Dnrham, N.
C. says: “I was extremely delighted
that Dr. Elder was appointed presi
dent. He is a man of great integrity
and who is sincerely interested in
educating students. I think he is very
capable for the office.”
"IT'S THE FINEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
BUT WE'VE GOT TO MAKE IT BETTER."
TO SECUI?E
THESE EIGHTS:
I. THE «?ISHT OP SAFETY
ANDSECURrryoriHIPtRSOM
2 “tME RI6HTOr Cin»MSHtP*
AND ITS PRIVILESES
THERVSm'OFFRSDOMOF
CONSCIEHCE AND E^PRESSiaN
4-. THE RI6HTOF EQUAUTY
OF OPPORTONVTY
TjKOMMlHr
DA-nONS
OFTHE
&SS
National Labor Service
"Labor approves the Report of the President's
Committee on Civil Rights."
. _ _ _ . r
Zenith Of Stupidity
The student body of North Carolina College showed in a chap
el program, Monday, February 16, that they were not ready for
complete democracy. The Student Council, a group chosen by
the students whose job supposedly is the governing of student acti
vities appeared to have been voted out of existence. The students
did not seern. to grasp the latent power the Student Council possess
ed or that it could come forth while all its magnificent glory if given
half a chance.
The students voted to place the ta.sk of “rethinking the philo-
osphy of North Carolina College” in the hands of an incompetent
and a non-representative group of autocratic heads of student
JllODOpoJioS. , . ,
Little do they realize that unless there is a strong student
governing body, complete freedom of expression is impossible. To
vote against the right of the Student Council to outline a liberal
plan of administration is synonomous to vote against the right of
Congress to govern the United States.
Fellow students, can’t we realize that we have let the gi’eat-
est opportunity yet afforded us slip through our hands; can’t we
realize that there is no salvation now; we realize that the only
organ strong enough to voice the opinions of an intelligent student
body is dead. We have ceased to go forward, we have begun an
ill-fated period of retrogression.
Let’s look at this thing together so that you can see my logic
for I sincerely believe that those students who voted for the pres
idents of the various organizations voted not so much tor them as
they did against the Student Council.
A person who is not affiliated with any organization has no
chance now of voicing his opinion. AVe all know that most clubs
and organizations are composed of the same “cliques.” What
chance will the “little man” have now. Whom are they account
able to other than the few who make up their respective clubs. >
|If this is a showing of the intelligence of an educated race I'
want no part of it; if this |s a policy of the Negro of taking out of
command a group just whtiji it is beginning to realize satisfaction
for its manj' months of Idbior, I’m afraid to think of the depts to
which w'e might descend. | - ,
'Student wake up, this no time for retrogressing, your recent
act is a travesty upon Demiifcratic thinking. — P. B. G.
6
I
LackHClf Philosophy
Here at North Carolina. College one of the most capable facul
ty staffs of any Negro college in the nation is assembled. Some of
the most capable graduates are being produced by virtue of such
faculty. Graduates who have the necessary knowledge and equiii-
age to enable them to master the fundamentals of their specific
fields of endeavor are being molded yearly. However, the faculty
fails to instill in the students that vital something that will enable
them to cope with the problems of a complex, turbulen’t world.
This vital something is a philosophy.
The lack of a definite philsophy here on the part of the facul
ty has an adverse effect upon the students. As the situation is the
student gets varied philosophies, from different instvuctors and
this is wholly confusing. To confuse a student is to destroy
..partially his faith in the faculty as a whole, and to hamper his
ability to think and rea.son logically.
Consequently, the student wtvndei's around lost and confused,
figuratively speaking, %\ondering which is the right principle to
accept in approaching all problems. There must be a concerted
effort on the part of the faculty to instill in the student the need
See LACK OF PHILOSOPHY Page Five ..