The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-03-08
zeaLLEGESAND THEIR ALUMNI

: - COLLEGES AND THEIR ALUMNI
1t is our custom to speak what We
think about whatever pertains to the
interest of the community and the
country generally. And we think "a
word OF two about the education and
educated Of Eastern Carolina will not
be out Of place. 1t is the custom with
all car colleges to have an Alumni
Association at each annual Com
mencement for the purpose of doing
something. We have never been able
to ind out what. If the Alumni Asso-
Citations have ever accomplished
much for the colleges We have
yet TO learn what it is. We are glad
20 see that all the educational jour-
nails published at the colleges are
sa, ing more about the Alumni Asso-
Citations than they have been doing
heretofore. 1t seems to be the pre-.
vailing opinion tina, the associations
ire merely social gatherings, at which
I'D acquaintance may be renewed,
college days aud student lie be
talked over, congratulations given for
success in whatever peIsuit or pro-
fession each may be engaged-sim-
ply this and nothing more. But we
think that the alumni OF the different
colleges could do much good in
spreading the influence Of these COL
Ieges by having some special object
to bring before their association
which would, in some way, enhance
the interest of the "O''es,,-.c ley rep
..csIr:.
Let the alumni of the University,
davidson, Wake Forest and Trinity.
ne sure to attend the approaching
Commandments. Ana let them
make it known while there, by the
active parts they take in such meas
ures as themselves and others bring
before the associations. that they are
identified with every interest of their
college, just as they supposed they
would be when they first left its halls
to engage in the business Of life.
The demands of education make it
encumbent on every intelligent citl-
zen of the State to do all in his power
towards sustaining the institutions
of learning in the State. and to make
every effort possible towards spread
ing their influence. Every college
has right to expect such Efforts of
it's alumni, and those who do not rem
der their alma mater such service are
not worthy to be called one of her
sons. If an endowment is to be rails
ed or funds of any kind, why
cannot the members of these associa-
tons do their part in such work by
bringing it up at their annual meet
ings? We think q reasonable amount
Of such work can re done more effect.
ually among the alumni in this way
than in any other. ... -
We are glad to see in the February
number of The Wake Forest Student
that one Of Wake Forests most ener-
yetic, enterprising alumni proposes
q plan whereby the endowment for
that institution may be greatly in
creased. Let those to whom that APP
peal is made bestir themselves and
come up next Commencement pre-
pared to enter fully into the work Of
the association. We like the idea of
an alumni supper" indeed, We would
likc to second that brothers motion.
We think that something Of the kind
would have great tendency to in
crease the interest Of the association.
Though in many portions Of the
State the people are waking up to
the Importance of both common
school and higher education !; yet the
cause is still suffering, and it is large
ly in the hands of those who have
enjoyed higher education to enliven
the interest aud give new impetus
to the cause. We would bespeak q
full attendance at all our college
commandments. 1t shows an inter-
est in the cause. 1t encourages
young men they feel when they see
many old Students at their Com
meneements that they are regarded by
the best element OF society and the
best citizens OF the country. And then,
nothing so encourages the instructors
in our institutions of learning as to
see, at the close of ten months
hard labor, an appreciative audience
to witness the exercises for which
they strive SO earnestly to efficiently
prepare their students. GO to the
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