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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 1942
The KANSAN Comments...
WHY GO TO COLLEGE
By E. F. ENGEL
Professor of German
Editor's note: The following editorial by Professor Engel is a reprint of one written by him in the September, 1891 issue of the University Review. This was at one time the literary monthly magazine. Professor Engel, then a senior, had been elected editor for 1891-2. We believe our readers will be interested in comparing the views expressed fifty years ago with those of the present day.
The question is often asked, what will a college course do for a young man or young woman? And why is it that so many students attend a college or university for half a year, a year, or two years, and then drop out with their hopes of a college education banished forever?
Looking at the first question from an a priori standpoint, the answer will depend upon the disposition of the student and the purpose he has is going to college. It is hard indeed to prophesy the effect of attendance at higher institutions of learning upon this or that young man or woman. Nearly every one has a mental outline of a college student. This notion, or outline varies somewhat in the cities and in the rural districts.
A country boy goes to college, and when he returns at the end of the first year he can neither act naturally or unnaturally without unkind remarks made about him. If he acts refined and makes use of his newly acquired knowledge in common conversation he is branded with the "big-head." If he has not changed in his manner and conversation it is insinuated that his college course is doing him no good. The citybred young man is less watched in this respect than the farm boy and yet the effect of a college course is quite as uncertain as with the latter.
From an a posteriori point of view it is easier to see the results of a college course. But even here we must guard against being led astray by appearances and false notions. The amount of textbook knowledge does not determine the success of one's college career, nor is it an indication of its failure if one does not crowd into some profession or into some intellectual line of work. Bishop Vincent, in one of his lectures, once said that if he had a boy who intended to be a blacksmith he would give him a college education. College-bred blacksmiths are indeed few, but what a change there would be in this world if all blacksmiths were college graduates.
We are about to look upon a man's time and money spent at college as wasted if he afterwards settles down on the farm, in the shop, or in business. It would be quite as reasonable to think that every man who is a good marksman should make his living by hunting whether there is any game or not. Such is not the case. A college course should make a man better qualified to live, whatever kind of work he may take up. It should make him refined in manner and conversation, tender and compassionate in heart and disposition, honest and energetic in seeking the highest plane of human life.
As to why so many students do not finish their course, we have this to say. In most cases the fault lies with the student himself. Very few things indeed can keep one from finishing his course if he has the love of knowledge and the ambition to do so.
January 1942. Since the above editorial was written, our country has been through two wars and is now marshalling all her forces for the
prosecution of a third. These wars, especially the one in progress, have emphasized the value of, and put premiums upon college education. We would all, no doubt, agree that to divert to the purposes of war all the powers and capabilities which college training develops is to prostitute higher education, which the early founders of our college never dreamed of.
In times like these, our prospective and actual college students might ask: Why should I discipline and enrich my mental and physical powers only to be made a target in war and thus increase the cost which the casualties of war entail? One answer might be that the government and the home, which give you this opportunity for self-improvement, can rightfully claim all you have and are to defend and perpetuate them. The fact that gold and diamonds may be ornaments in a "dive" does not detract from their value as adornments of beauty and virtue. If we are to have a warless world, the leadership which America will furnish in the march toward that millenium will come from among college men and women who have dedicated themselves altruistically to a program of international justice, understanding, and good will.
So, looking forward to the future, when staggering problems of peace must be faced and worked out, we must open the way for an everincreasing multitude of men and women to receive the benefits of college education.
Ad in the classified section of a New York newspaper: "For Sale—Four almost new deluxe white wall tires and tubes for $450. Throw in '38 Lincoln-Zephyr coupe."
OFFICIAL BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Vol. 39 Sunday, January 18, 1942 No.74
Notices due at News Bureau, 8 Journalism, at 10 a.m. on day of publication during the week, and at 11 a.m. on Saturday for Sunday issue.
TAU SIGMA will not meet until the first Tuesday and Thursday next semester.—Anna Jane Hoxman.
Seniors in the School of Education may make appointments for early enrollment. Last day for early enrollment is Monday, Jan. 20.-A. H. Turney, Education Adviser.
ENGLISH MAJORS: Students desiring to begin or continue Reading for Honors in English may consult Miss Burnham in 211 Fraser, between 2:30 and 4:30 on Monday, Jan. 19 or between 3:30 and 4:30 Tuesday, Jan. 20. Please consult catalogue in advance—J. M. Burnham, for committee.
All students not now registered in the Teachers Appointment Bureau, who expect to use the services of the bureau in seeking teaching positions for the school year 1942-43, are asked to attend a meeting in Frank Strong Hall Auditorium, Wednesday, January 21, at 4:30 p.m. The services of the bureau will be explained and registration blanks will be ready for distribution. H.E. Chandler Secretary.
Men students who desire to apply for Templin, Battenfeld, and Carruth Hall Scholarships for the second semester should do so at once. Application forms may be obtained in Room 1, Frank Strong Hall—Men's Residence Halls Scholarship Committee, Gilbert Ulmer, Chairman.
H. E. Chandler, Secretary.
NOTICE TO ALL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS—Dr. E. T. Gibson is at the Watkins Memorial Hospital each Tuesday afternoon from 2 to 4:30 P. M. for discussion with students on problems of mental hygiene. Appointments may be made through the Watkins Memorial hospital. Ralph I. Canuteson, Director, health service.
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Student Paper of THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Lawrence, Kansas
subscription rates, in advance, $3.00 per year, $1.75 per semester.
Published at Lawrence, Kansas, daily during the school year except Monday and Saturday. Entered as second class after December 24, 1976, office at Lawrence, Kansas, under the Act of March 3, 1879.
DEAN OSTRUM
Although the Pi Phi's swear it's the truth, if it had been anyone else but Jill Peck, I wouldn't have believed it.
It seems that Friday afternoon Jill called boy friend Garland Landrith on the telephone to break her dates for the weekend in order to get ready for finals. The conversation tottered along for a while with several other topics coming up for discussion.
Not satisfied to sit at home alone that evening, Garland finally thought of a brilliant idea. "Let's go study together," he suggested.
"What?" Jill asked.
"Let's go study," Garland repeated.
"Ju-st a moment," Jill stammered unable to believe her ears. "I'll call you back in just a moment!"
Slamming the receiver, Jill jumped from the phone booth. Amazed and almost afraid, she ran downstairs for advice. "It had never happened to her before quite this way," she thought to herself, "but then, Garland was different from the rest."
After an hour of thought, Jill had made her decision. She phoned Garland.
"Garland, this is Jill," she began breathily not waiting for an answer, "and I've been thinking this thing over. After all we're only so-sophomores—and then too, it's January. If it were spring, Garland, it might be different. Honestly, I just don't think we'd better!"
"What ARE you talking about?" Garland began.
"Why you know, silly, about you're asking me to go steady," she explained.
"Oh." Garland wailed, "I said go STUDY!"
Speechless, Jill waited for her strength to return and then said meekly, "Well, O.K."
It wasn't told to me—I only heard. B.M.O.C. Mike O'Donnell and colleague Ribby Woodbury are candidates for president and vice-president of the "Let's Mess With Other Peoples" Messes" Club.
Could it be they're stuffin the ballot box?
In December Mary Morrison, 1244 Louisiana, received a letter from her honey, Cadet Arthur J. Sebesta at West Point, written on a stiffly starched shirt cuff. For weeks Mary has been thinking of novel ways to answer her correspondence and at last she thought of one.
With the help of her roommates, Mary is cuffing off to Art on 52 yards of adding machine tape. She got the roll of tape from the Ellsworth county courthouse while home for the holidays, and every girl at 1244 Louisiana wrote ten or twenty feet. The letter took approximatel twenty-four hours to write and almost that long to rewind.
Only problem now is how to mail 1,944 inches of tape.
Delta Gamma pledge Helen Lowenstein was glad to see warm weather foal a change. She says she was getting a little tired of wearing her pajamas to school under her slacks to keep warm.
Understand, I only heard.
Daily Kansan Completes 30 Years of Service
From the 1912 files of the University Daily Kansan:
On Tuesday, October 1, 1912, Dr. T. M. Sudler, dean of the medical school, warned the University students against overwork in an address to the student body on "Student Health." "Too often the comment is heard," said Dr. Sudler, "That a girl entered the University rosy cheeked and healthy but left it pale and wan."
Headline from the Kansan for Friday, October 18, 1912:
W. Y. MORGAN URGES VOTES FOR WOMEN
Former Regent Declares That
Deadlier Sex Should
Have The Ballot
From the Kansan, October 24. 1912:
A Fine Arts professor speaking on furnishing women's rooms declared that, "There should be good books and pictures. Reproductions of masterpieces cost little, and add a taste of refinement; also it pleases to see several pieces of statuary around.
"... A set of Shakespeare, Kipling, Stevenson or any other good author . . . and wall pictures such as Sir Galahad and Hope or beautiful photographs of picturescenery ... The whole effect should be one pleasing to the most sensitive eye."
From the Monday, November 11 issue of the 1912 Kansan;
David Starr Jordan, president of Leland Stanford University told the University students that there might never be another great Eureanean war.
"There probably never will be another great war in Europe among civilized nations," said Dr. Jordan.
Editorial comment from the Kansas for Thursday, December 12, 1912.
"Some of the professors have become excellent marksmen. It is hoped that this shooting craze does not develop into a mania for giving 'shot-gun' quizzes."
Headline from the Kansan for Friday, October 25, 1912.
MOZART CLUB INSISTS
BAND PLAY ONE RAGTIME
Prof. Croissant May Succeed In
Getting Marine Organization
To Consent
Headline from the Kansan for Thursday, October 31, 1912:
GIRLS WILL DARN SOCKS
FOR COLLEGE BACHELORS K. U. Women to Open Patching Bureau on Campus for Benefit of Students and Professors
Virginia and Ohio have produced half the presidents of the United States.