Evening star., 1949-10-30
Grid Victory Sets Off
Homecoming Gaiety
AT Maryland U.

Al Maryland U.
1t was a happy homecoming for
thousands of University of Mary
land old grads and undergrads
yesterday.
Nothing as trivial as few drops
of rain could dampen the exulta-
ton of a surprisingly easy AT
football victory over the Univer-
sity Of South Carolina.
That set everything up fine for
last nights grand finale, a big
dance in the armory. with Gov.
Lane handing out prizes for the
best sorority and fraternity house
decorations and the best float in
the parade.
Crown Homecoming Queen.
Other events during the day
long observance included a lunch
con attended by a record crowd
of about $500. and the crowning
of Miss Ruth Averill, 20, of 1926
Forty ninth street NV, as home.
coming queen.
Miss Averill, a sophomore in the
College of Education and mem.
Der Of Delta Gamma Sorority
won over % other candidates. She
was crowned by Gov. Lane be-
tween halves of the football game
The university's campus at
College Park took on a festive ap-
pearance for the celebration, with
flags, bunting and banners hung
on many of the buildings and
dormitories. The grassy slopes
and concrete walks were thronged
with alumni, many of whom
gathered in small knots to greet
former classmates and reminisce
over college days.
Tydings Urges Education.
Principal speaker at the lunch
con was Senator Tydings, Demo-
crat, Of Maryland, member OF
the university's board of regents
He stressed the Importance OF
education in understanding and
meeting world problems.
With the world threatened
with communism and aggres-
sion." he declared, there never
has been a time when education
has been so necessary as it is
now"
He said the University of Mary
land, under the leadership of its
president. DR.. H. c. Byrd. fills thi.
need in the State as we'll as ir
other parts of the country through
its students coming from othel
States. He also complimentec
Gov. Lane for the sympathetic
way in which he has treated
budget requests of the university
Lane Praises Byrd.
Joining Senator Tydings II
praising DR.. Byrd were the Gov.
ernor and DR.. Bell, of Baltimore
ernor and DR.. Robert Bell, of Bal.
timore, chairman of the univer.
sity's alumni council. All three
declared most Of the credit fol
the university's growth, both ply
sically and scholastically, should
go to the university's president.
DR.. Bell. who presided at the
luncheon, also extended his thank:
to the General Assembly, many
OF whose members were present
"for supporting the university
without having any influence
brought upon it, He said the
schools scholastic standards "are
known throughout the country
and don't let any newspaper tell
you any different"
There were "a floats sponsored
by fraternity and sorority houses
entered in parade which pre-
ceded the luncheon. The theme
in the majority of the floats was
the hoped-for defeat of the Uni
versity Of South Carolina Came
cocks. One float, however, bore
a small replica of "The Dove, -
the ship in which Lord Calvert
came to this country to found
Maryland. Those manning the
float enlivened the proceedings by
shooting confetti from its four
guns by means of fireworks.
Air ROTC in Lead.
Leading of the parade was the
university's Air ROTC unit. Next
came the university band with
members wearing colorful red
jackets and white trousers. They
were headed by three high-step-
ping drum majorettes. Scattered
through the line of march were
~--- ~-------.,-. >.pdido%as
Just before tlle football game,
the university honored its first
cadet band. whose members were
graduated In 1909.