The Free lance. (State College, Pa.) 1887-1904, December 01, 1889, Image 19
boring town, for the purpose of playing base ball, was a sufficient inducement for every man in college to try for positions in the club. The completion of a new gymnasium will doubtless fill the clubs with more for midable men. What to me has been the most progressive step was the inauguration of a college paper and annual. The Free Lance has steadily grown in worth as well as size, and must, I am sure, rank high among its contemporaries. The annual, which made its first appearance last year, was a most creditable production, and should be continued. But with all this activity of the under graduates, may we expect them to retain a reasonable interest in their college after they are graduated ? If we are to judge by ninety per cent, of those who have been graduated, we would say emphatically, n‘o, The ques tion which meets the Alumni Association, the publishers of the college paper, or any enterprise which should be of interest to ex students is, can we succeed without any as sistance from the majority of the Alumni ? ’Tis true the narrow scope of the college’s work formerly, and its unenviable reputation abroad, in times past, were not calculated to provoke a student’s enthusiasm or even main tain a decent interest in his Alma Mater. These reasons will not, however, explain the apathy of the graduate of the last half dozen years. We feel that the fault must reside in the management and discipline of the col lege, The Alumni of two and three years are credited with the same indifference as those of a dozen years. There cannot be the same love engendered between the students and those in control as is noted elsewhere, and which instils within a man a lifelong ad miration for his college. An institution of learning does not fulfil its work by giving merely the prescribed instruction in a specific course. Its formative influence should be noticeable in all turns in subsequent life. THE FREE LANCE. The increase in the number of students does not seem to have brought increased fa cilities for handling them. The government is the same old impracticable system that has been in vogue for years. The State College students of to-day are vastly different from those of a farmer’s high school. It is to their credit that they have so long submitted themselves to an absolute ruling, which gives satisfaction to no one, unless it be to the gov erning power. It may be that too many responsibilities are unloaded upon one or two who have the direct authority. With more buildings, stu dents, etc,, should come more instructors and managers. It is not to be expected that one man can represent the dignified interests of the college abroad, and at the same time man age its financial business, look after the farm, have a care of the students, do class-room work and attend to the manifold details in every department. So many responsibilities should not be forced upon one, nor should he be allowed to assume them. The college must suffer, the students’ interests will be neglected. There should be a division. Let there be a remodeling, uproot the dis affecting spirit, give to the students the same generous and manly treatment accorded those of similar institutions, and we shall find the graduates of the future will prove devoted and loyal to their Alma Mater. Alumnus. ’77. Rev. George A. Landes, of Coritiba, Brazil, who has been in America for some months, spent a few days about the college during November. On the morning of the 24th he preached in the Presbyterian Church in the village, and in the afternoon delivered to the students in the chapel a very interest ing and instructive lecture on Brazil. He presented to the botanical department some very valuable specimens of birds and plants which he had collected in South America. He expects to return to Brazil in a short time. PERSONALS