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University Daily Kansan Monday. December 13, 1954
Give An Ear, Governor Here's How in England
By KAREN HILMER
Kansan Feature Editor
Most of us at the Journalism school had never heard of the old English tradition known as "swanupping" until we chanced upon one Brian Dunning, a student from London, England, who is here studying under a combination of Fulbright fellowship and a Foreign Student fellowship.
Mr. Dunning informed us he had been a "swanmaster" in London back in 1953. Since we had no idea what he was talking about, we pursued the subject further and so brushed up on our English history.
He started off by explaining that the swan is a royal bird in England and has been for centuries. "No one can own a swan in England without a royal warrant," he said.
"Over the years the custom of keeping the beasts had died out," he told us, "until only two or three institutions maintained them with the pomp and circumstance to which they were accustomed.
"In 1953, to commemorate the royal opening of my university, the University College of North Staffordshire, near Stoke-on-Trent, petitioned the Queen for a pair of her swans. The outcome was a lengthy correspondence between myself and the Lord High Chancellor and Frank Turk, the Royal Swammaster. It resulted in our being privileged to keep the devils." he said feelingly.
Then he told us that the students themselves are given the direct responsibility of the birds, and a swanmaster to take care of the swan is appointed each year. "This is where I came in," Brian remarked.
market.
I was chosen to take care of the brutes and feed them their usual diets of potato peelings, corn, bread and split wheat. But the part I liked most about the job," he said, "was the annual Royal Swan Dinner in the Inner Temple in London. The main dish was always tough, rough, and stringy - roast swan. Even though the meat was hard to chew, they told me it was the tradition that mattered, not how hungry one was."
And now we know about "swan-upping" the term given to keeping and caring for the royal birds of England. But Brian did not let the conversation stop there.
"Now the tradition of keeping swans is something that might be revived on a larger scale," he said. "It has always been one of my pet theories that American universities might catch on to it."
Brian assured us that if we were to adopt the tradition of swumuping here at the University and would appoint our own swammasters, there was no doubt the Queen would send over a pair of birds from the Thames to anyone who wanted them.
"Start a campaign now!" he urged. "And while you're campaigning, set forth the idea of students and professors wearing caps and gowns to class."
We told him we didn't think it would work, but we're "setting forth" the idea. How about it, governors? As for the swans, we have Potter lake, and the gowns would alleviate the problem of washing and ironing. Let us know what you think. M-m-m?
ADVENTURE
There Is More To the Union Than the 'Nest'
Building, remodeling, and redecorating have become so commonplace around the University campus since the end of the war, that many students take these improvements for granted and don't realize what is being done.
Recently, the trophy room in the Student Union underwent a facelifting that has made it one of the most attractive rooms in the building. The pleasant surroundings make it an ideal place to hold those bull sessions and informal discussions which are a vital part of every student's education.
Besides being a meeting place, the trophy room contains a record of the athletic history of the University. The new trophy cases contain a sampling of trophies in each sport. Engraved on them are the names of some of the all-time "greats" in Kansas athletics. They are illustrative of the rewards that have been received for the kind of efforts that have made this school famous.
Puppets Help Beginning German Classes
Hand-carved puppets, imported from the famous Hohnsteiner puppet makers in Germany, are being used in the beginning classes in German this year.
The German department is a pioneer in using puppets for teaching the language. KU is believed to be the first school in the United States to use puppets for educational purposes.
Puppets have been used for education in Germany for several years. The Kaspelerheater, or puppet show, first appeared in Europe during the 16th century. The first shows provided entertainment primarily for children. Later the puppet show was developed as an important phase of folk art. Puppets were introduced into the fields of psychology and education in Germany in the early 20th century.
Helga Vigliano, instructor of German, said that the puppet shows are being used to help students understand better the spoken German language. The main character in the show often converses with the audience. Students write their own plays in German and produce them for the class on a movable puppet stage.
The twelve puppets imported by the department represent good and evil characters. A robber, policeman, devil, king, and princess are included in the set.
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Phone 3126 For Delivery
Use the Kansan Classified Want Ad Section to Get Best Results.
For the special attention of
Electrical Engineers and Physicists
北
HUGHES
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LABORATORIES
Culver City,
Los Angeles
County,
California
announce openings on their Staffs for those receiving B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. degrees during the coming year.
on DECEMBER 14
MEMBERS OF THE HUGGS ENGINEERING STAFF
WILL CONDUCT PERSONAL INTERVIEWS
ON YOUR CAMPUS. CONSULT YOUR SCHOOL
PLACEMENT OFFICE NOW FOR APPPOINTMENT.
For work in
Openings are in these fields:
For work in
ENGINEERING
Technical Writing
Missile Field Engineering
Engineering Administration
Radar & Missile Instruction
Radar Field Engineering
Patent Law
21
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Airborne Radar Systems
Servo Mechanisms
Computers
Systems Analysis
Information Theory
Automatic Controls
Physical Analysis
Microwave Tubes
Pulse Circuitry
Guided Missile Systems
Ground Radar Systems
Solid-State Physics
Transistors
Test Equipment Design
Miniaturization
Electromechanical Design
Gyros
Hydraulics
Subminiaturization
Mechanical Design
Instrumentation
Telemetering
Antennas
Wave Guides