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THE TWIG
February 20, 1953
GUEST EDITORIAL
(Editor’s note: The following is part
of a letter which Dr. Mary Lynch
Johnson received from LeGrace Gup-
ton Benson, a 1951 graduate of Mere
dith.)
I have had almost two years for my
college days to boil down into their es
sence. In that time, I have gone through
such various stages as the initial shock
and regret of leaving, cynical compari
sons with what, at the time, I thought
to be more favored institutions, and fi
nally to at least the beginning of a
true evaluation.
Since 1951, I have had opportunities
to talk with and in many cases become
close friends with graduates of colleges
and universities as far-flung as Se-
wanee and Greece, Hartford and Lima.
Our conversations were not so much
directly concerned with the various
curricula as they were with art, poli
tics, religion, music, history, social re
lations, literature, or what have you.
In all this, the educational background
of each individual was eminently ap
parent to me almost from the moment
he or she first spoke. Mine probably
was as clearly evident to them, and I
sincerely hope I held the tradition of
Meredith in a favorable light. Incident
ally, it is not at all difficult to tell a
small liberal arts college graduate
from university graduates, and I am
glad Meredith is one of the former.
Making comparisons between any
two institutions is unavoidably super
ficial for one of my limited years and
knowledge. I know you will read what
I say in that light. Superficial as it is,
it is also a natural consequence of that
evaluation I spoke of: comparisons are
inevitable. As a quick glance at my
record discloses, I was not an unusual
student. I may have been on the Dean s
List once; but there are, unfortunately,
some “F’s” and “D’s” also, all averag
ing out to a record that just barely
enabled me to enter graduate school.
And yet, in spite of that, I feel I have
cause to be grateful for the education
I received in those four years.
I have come in contact with grad
uate students who know less of our lit
erary heritage than many foreign
students do. There are those who
remember the significance of 1776, but
are ignorant of the meaning of the
term “Jeffersonian Democracy.” Many
of them have a vague acquaintance
with the Bible but fail to see how west
ern civilization is largely based upon
its teachings. Hardly any of them are
aware of the majestic interplay of his
tory, religion, philosophy and the arts.
Fewer still realize that a college edu
cation is not the culmination but mere
ly the beginning of knowledge in any
area.
It is not theirs alone the blame. Much
of the responsibility rests right in the
heart of the many institutions which
granted and are granting them their
degrees. Too many colleges and univer
sities have slacked down to the point
where they offer students what they
want rather than what they need. At
one university, for example, it is not
necessary to know a single Greek or
Latin word in order to do advanced
study in the classics of those two
languages. I am grateful that Meredith
does not follow such a pattern.
I never thought I would be thankful
that I had to write a seven hundred and
fifty word paper on “Dante’s Inferno
and Milton’s Hell,” or read three hun
dred and fifty pages every six weeks
as history collateral, or study furiously
for a final in Christian Ethics; but I
am. Over and above that, I hold in near
reverence the fact that in every course
I was taught to its fullest advantage
not so much memorization of details,
but more how to think — how to use
that intelligence with which God en
dowed me.
To the Editor:
Officially the World Student Service
Fund drive is over at Meredith. But the
spirit behind our gifts should not be
forgotten. Our sympathetic under
standing must grow; we must feel our
responsibility to participate in our age.
Presumably we, as students, as prepar
ing for leadership, and we have vast
opportunities for this preparation. We
have seen and responded to the idea
that “Tomorrow’s Leaders Need Our
Help Today.” Students in many parts
of the world do not have books, equip
ment, housing, and health facilities, but
they are striving (probably much hard
er than we) to become their countries
leaders despite their difficulties. When
we fail to help them we are not only
hindering their leadership, but also fail
ing to make ourselves into the kind of
people who can be good citizens and
worthy leaders.
The response to the drive was ve^
good in spots and heartbreaking in
others. A few girls were not willing to
give anything. It hurts to know that we
can be so complacent as we face the
needs of other people. A committee
of about thirty girls worked hard, and
they are to be commended highly for
the splendid job they did.
If anyone receives an inheritance and
would like to give a dollar to
W. S. S. F., we will direct it in the
proper channels.
Sincerely,
Pete Hampton
Dear Miss Editor,
Kupo, Korea
January 25, 1953
A bit of news for your paper from
a long way off is in this letter, and
when you receive this, we hope it is
clearly understood that this is by no
means a threat, but a promise! We hope
you’ll print it, for we were proud of it
before and shall be again. Your paper
spoke of it once; let’s hear it again.
A joint meeting was held recently in
the battery command post of a firing
battery in Korea with the subject for
discussion being Meredith College’s
water tank. Having learned that the
U.S.M.C., “our home,” has been painted
over, we voted to repaint it on your
water tank. We hope that you are in
favor of our decision. All surviving
members of the former “painting
party” were present except one. He has
returned to the states to “recon” the
job ahead.
Due to Korea, we have lost some of
the original team, but the remaining
and returning members will carry out
the decision. Five are still here, two
gone.
Until we get home, may God bless
you and protect you.
Well, we can start all over again
now. In case you haven’t heard, the
latest word is “I’m really going to study
this semester.” It takes some people,
me, for instance, an amazingly long
time to realize what they’re here for.
At last I’ve decided to buckle down.
This time I really mean it. No last
minute flurries of cramming for me this
spring, no midnight oil burning before
a term paper is due — boy, does this
sound good!
Cupid has really had his hey-day.
Quite a few girls came dashing to their
rooms on Valentine’s day with florists’
boxes and candy boxes. Theresa got
pinned on Valentine weekend, and
Phoebe Barnhardt was queen of the Mil
itary Ball. Besides, Kay saw Ralph for
the first time since he’s been in the
army.
Here’s some doggerel on how to lose
friends and induce enemies:
Very truly yours,
Sgt. “L”
Sgt. “P”
Sgt. “E”
Cpl. “F”
Pvt. “G”
P.S. Sure was a job finding stamps.
Usually we write free with our names,
but naturally, that’s no good.
A student poll taken by the Associ
ated Collegiate Press showed that other
students across the nation are pessimis
tic about the situation in Korea and
peace between Russia and the United
States. When students were asked if
they thought the Korean War would
be over within six months, eighty-two
per cent voted “no;” when asked what
they thought the chances are for a
peaceful settlement of differences be
tween Russia and the United States,
fifty-four per cent of the students said
the chances are poor. The students that
do think there is a chance for peace pm
their hopes on a civil war in Russia,
Soviet fear of Western power and
U. S. “patience and diplomacy.”
ly amusing, except your instructor’s
witticisms.
5. If you must ask a question, be sure
that it is completely off the subject, or
one that the professor cannot answer.
The usual number of fraternity pins
are still popping up at Meredith. I won
der if anything happens around here
like what happened to a boy at North
western. A classified ad in the Daily
Northwestern read: “Lost . . . Beta pin.
Last seen on a westbound Alpha Chi.
Finder may keep pin; please return
girl.”
Living in a community of young
women students, the invaluable ex
tra-curricular” companionships with
faculty members, the emphasis on a
living Christianity — all of these con
tributed to the goodness of my educa
tion. My only regret is that I did not
take greater advantage of these things.
I have not well suceeded in telling
you all that my years at Meredith con
tinue to mean to me. It is impossible.
If you feel peeved at your professore
after exams, maybe you’ll want to join
a club started by a columnist for the
Plainsman of Alabama Polytechnic In
stitute. He calls it the “I Hate Profes
sors” Club and here are a few of the
simple rules:
1. Be late to all classes at least half
the time. When entering a classroom
late glare at the professor and insin
uate that he started the class ten min
utes early.
2. Talk to one or more of your class
mates in a whisper just loud enough
for the instructor to hear you, but not
loud enough for him to understand the
words.
3. Fifteen minutes before the end of
the class hour, begin to stack your
books neatly, put on your coat and
look expectantly toward the door.. Keep
one eye on your watch throughout the
entire period and the other eye looking
out the window. If a window isn’t
handy, stare at the ceiling from time
to time.
4. Laugh at everything even remote-
If you’re a great fan of the State
basketball team, maybe you get peeved
with the referees sometimes. Perhaps
something like this should be done:
Basketball fans at the University of
West Virginia are being passed out
“sportsmanship” sheets at the games,
in a drive for more humane treatment
of referees.
Each graduate will know it. The pity is
that one cannot possibly know how
valuable the experiences at Meredith
are until the entire four years can be
seen in retrospect.
Former friend, I assure you
Nought will appease me;
Nothing you say now
Ever can please me.
No love, I can tell you.
Is there from my heart sent
(She’s the girl who’s been knocking
my major department!)
You can criticize Stalin,
Or rave about grades.
Or even trump your partner’s
Poor ace of spades.
But you’ll never have love — no.
Not from my heart sent
As long as you’re knocking my ma
jor department!
And so now, arch enemy,
I wish you would go.
My temper is rising—
Please, don’t you know—
The first word you uttered.
Sent enmity—
Mctrbci
Pbsocicdecl Gofle6>cte PVeu
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor Doris Perry
Assistant Editor Joan Langley
Managing Editors Marjorie Blankenship,
Nancy Brown, Becky Calloway
Feature Editor Ann Ipock
Art Editor Ann Bruton
Music Editor Betty Miller
Sports Editor Lorette Oglesby
Columnists Bobbye Rice, Alyce Epley
Reporters Celia Wells, Louise Edge,
Joyce Stephens, Leah Scarborough, Eve
lyn Boone, Georganne Joyner, Ruth
Jeanne Allen, Nancy Hall, Barbara White,
Betty Smith, Pat Eberhart, Mary Whis-
nant, Betty Hockaday
Typists Joyce Phillips, Janne Dawson,
Mary Ann Casey, Joyce Brown
Faculty Sponsor Dr. Norma Rose
' BUSINESS STAFF
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Bullard, Becky Barnhardt, Martha Snow,
Barbara Propst, Sara Mangum, Peggy
Bennett, Nancy Carpenter
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Entered as second-class matter October 11, 1923,
at postofHce at Raleigh, N. C., under Act of March
8, 1879. Published semi-monthly during the months
O, XOia. ruiJiioiicta
of October, November, February,^ Marc^h.^Appl, and
May: monthly during the months of September,
December, and January.
“Al' (or a ioiisy piece of cheese!"
The Twig is the college newspaper of Meredith
College, Raleigh, North Carolina, and as such is
one of the three major publications of the institu
tion—the other two being The Acorn, the literary
magazine, and The Oak. Leaves, the college annual.
Meredith College is an accredited senior liberal
arts college for women located in the capital city
of North Carolina. It confers the Bachelor of Arts
and the Bachelor of Music degrees. The college
offers majors in twenty-one fields including music,
art, business and home economics.
Since 1921 the institution has been a member
of the Southern Association of Colleges and Secon
dary Schools. The college holds membership in
the Association of American Colleges and the
North Carolina College Conference. Graduates of
Meredith College are eligible for membership in
the American Association of University Women.
The institution is a liberal arts member of the
National Association of Schools of Music.
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