Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-09
Alumni Day at u. of M.
Ends with Annual
Alumni Banquet

xAlu1lllt1 O01t~1 NNO
Especial ii Kennebec JournaD
Orono Me-, June 7S.-Alumni Day
at the University Of Maine ended
Saturday evening with the grand an
nual Alumni Banquet at which 600
members were present. President c.
C, Little was the main speaker and
fiayed the present educational sys-
tenn, pointing out the outstanding
weaknesses and the remedies. Other
speakers on the occasion were Rex
w. Dodge Of Portland; Norman IL.
Mayo, 'O9 and Eric o. Berg, SPRING
field, president of the graduating
class of "a.
During the forenoon and afternoon
the staid and sedate Alumnae and
Alumni and their wives trooped about
the campus taking part in formal
meetings, droll class frolics, and
youthful frivolities.
At 9 A. NJ, the annual business
meeting of the General Alumni As
ISOLATION was held in the chapel.
while the alumnae and wives sought
entertainment on the campus. At
1884 Alumni luncheon and the class
frolics were held at two on the ath-
letic field. At 3 =. NJ, there was a
game between New Hampshire and
Maine. The banquet at p. NJ, was
followed by the informal Alumni hop
in the gymnasium al 3 Z. M.
Thirty-five members OF the class
Of 1914 paraded through Bangor at
noon, clad in regulation Sing Sing
uniforms and escorted by the vigilant
watchmen.
President Little in his speech be-
fore the Alumni pointed out that the
efforts of colleges are not being, and
for some time past have chiefly not
been directed towards the acQuisi-
ton of information concerning the
nature of the students to be educat-
ed.
ITO much emphasis is placed on
the organization of and delivery Of
information rather than on what
happens to the information In the
mind of the pupil" said the presi-
dent. There is too much standard
ization and interest in mechanical
phases of teaching"
Variations exist, and education
should consist in the study of the
abilities of individuals and in train
ing them to bring out the ability
which the study reveals. The State
University, in the working out of a
plan of reform, is of immense inn
portance in that it has the chance
for close cooperation with the pub
lie schools.
The State of Maine, according to
President Little, has very distinct
advantages in making observations
and Investigations, and the trustees,
administrative officers, and faculty of
the University of Maine are at the
present time ready to embark on
such a program in so far as policy
is concerned.
The weakest link in the handling
of personnel and in the organization
of colleges is that there Is no advance
information concerning applicants
for admission, he said; there is no
examinations as regards motives,
maturity. and character, no special
treatment of the brilliant scholar in
college, and no account taken of
capacity to work. Departments or
colleges of education are chiefly con-
cerned with offering instruction in
mechanical phases of teaching. None
of five representative institutions,
Alabama, Arizona, California, Har-
ward and Illinois, have apparently in
mind a constructive program built on
the nature of the individuals to be
educated.
Higher" education at present.
as compared with lower" grades of
qualitatively different steps such as
the development of desire for. or of
the power for thinking and making
second judgments. 1t simply offers
greater diversity of such as the de-
velopment of desire, for, or of the
power for thinking and making
sound judgment. 1t simply offers
greater diversity of subjects, more
required units, hours, courses, or
credits, more specialized teachers,
and more detailed and difficult re-
quirements" that do the lower"
stages Of education. Certain funda.
mental biological facts are inherent
in tire human material to be edu-
Gated, and do not change. II is upon
and around these that we should
build the new system.
"The State University" continued
DR.. Little. has certain valuable as
sets to utilize. for 1t is non partisan,
it has right to hunt for good ma.
terial among the youths Of the State
1t can cooperate with the public
schools, and has the responsibilities
so trained will be more apt to know
the secondary educational system of
than would teachers from other In
situations"
Maine has advantages for most Of
the students are residents Of Maine;
the University is neither too large
to be undieldy nor too small to be
a significant test; Maine has both
city and rural schools of all types
for observation: Maine has social
customs well established and rigid
Id; the University of Maine IL free
in policy-not tied down as other
State universities.
The information collected by the
teacher" concluded President Little
in his summary, will be sent to the
proposed School Of Education at the
University where 1t will be analysed
as a test Of value and effectiveness
of the teacher. basis for judgment
as to the nature and qualifications