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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 8, 1953)
Page 2 THE BATTALION Wednesday, April 8, 1953 THE AGGIE-nizer A&M Needs Top Students In Addition to Top Athletes By JOEL AUSTIN Battalion Co-Editor A&M’s fine organization of former students is making great progress with its development fund and other projects for the betterment of this college. But there is an underlying motive in the mind of many former students that should be checked be fore it goes too far. This motive, or objec tive, can cause a great deal of harm if allowed in excess. We are speaking of over-empnasis on athletics. There are former students who complain our ath letic program is badly deteriorating and all possible efforts must be made to fur nish the college with top athletes. And if this material they furnish doesn’t produce winning teams, they say get coaches who can win games. Some former students opposed the ex pansion to Kyle Field, which includes build ing a new press box and 2,800 seats in the center section. They contend the money could best be spent on scholarships and fixing up facilities for athletes. One former student be lieves an “all-out” program should be under taken to secure good athletes. “Buy them all Cadillacs, if necessary!” he says. Apparently many of these men are for getting that something more basic, more wholesome is set about in the purpose of an institution of higher learning. This college was established to teach and to educate. One of the college requirements is that students—including athletes — pass a pre scribed amount of academic work to be en rolled. The Southwest Conference has regula tions which state how many hours must be passed by an athlete in order for him to main tain eligibility. Students and exes of the University of Texas are crying because their Olympic track star Dean Smith is scholastically ineligible for SWC competition this season. One re marked recently “I understand the professor that flunked him doesn’t like athletics.” Academics, Then Athletics We recognize the fact most athletes are given special privileges for the time and ef fort they put in training and practicing for their sport. But they should not be given grades just because they perform on Saturday afternoon. We can name any number of these men who are proficient scholastically as well as athletically. The valedictorian of last year’s graduating class, Jaro Netardus of El Campo, was an end on the football team. Academics come first, and then athletics. A college should be great because of the rec ords it establishes in the field of education and in the quality of men it graduates—not because of athletic victories. We believe if these former students who spend so much time trying to provide A&M with top athletes would spend just one-fourth of those efforts in securing top scholastic high school graduates, our academic rating would be upped several notches. The Former Students Association has an excellent program for providing scholarships to needy high school graduates. This Oppor tunity Award program has given boys a thor ough education with a very low personal ex penditure required. Why not include a program to offer schol arships to the top ranking students in Texas high schools, and direct efforts toward gain ing their enrollment at A&M ? Yet many former students continually as sociate nothing but athletics with the name A&M. They talk about more money for ath letic scholarships and getting better coaches. A group is now talking of getting a higher salary for a head football coach and giving him a contract in excess of one year. We re member how some members of the former stu dents group bought up the last long term con tract given a football coach. Remember FSA Objectives Many of the objectives of the Association are being overlooked by our former students. Including aid to the college athletic teams, here are some of the FSA objectives furnished us by their office on the campus: © Increasing student enrollment and im proving its quality through cooperation with A&M men over the state. • Encouraging and cooperating with all A&M clubs and their activities. © Aiding the legislative program of the A&M College System. ® Extending every aid possible to the athletic program of the college and helping A&M men and clubs to do the same. • Administration of student loan funds (in the six figure bracket). • Promoting, encouraging, and organizing various A&M former student activities such as class reunions, Muster Day programs, annual meetings, etc. ® Cementing and keeping alive the deep affection of A&M men for each other and for their Alma Mater—and concentrating and ap plying the influence of A&M men for the ad vantage of their school and for themselves. We believe a statement to ex-students of the University of Kentucky by its former pres ident Frank LeRond McVey has particular sig nificance in this discussion. “The great alumnus is the one who re joices in the advancement of his Alma Mater and does not mourn for the old days. He has a kindly memory for those days and looks back upon them as something to be cherished and as a happy part of his life. If he is a great alumnus, he knows his university cannot stand still. “New faces must appear in the faculties, new buildings must be built on the campus, and changes must take place in the curriculum and its procedure of his college. • His university must be a contributor to the life of his time as it was in previous generations. YOU and Mediocrity Educators Should Cor^ HarmfulEffects of'Eq ^ eball t From the Purdue Exponent: but here the idea starts to break wouldn’t >rce Bit “Are we placing a premium on down. stock ol noon a~®i mediocrity?” This question is well Just as it is commonly obser- and then;n Hou ss- worth consideration, and it should vable that all men are not created possible . “. . . 1 have often thought the reason for especially considered by the equal in physical stature, it is only possess! itai-ted alumni’s being so enthusiastic about athletics field of education. naive to believe that all men are Wouldrs last is that they do not know much elese of what q u1 . coun try is founded on the created with equal abilities. On top take prijhe Be»_ their Alma Mater is doing. Perhaps institu- principle of equality, but contrary of this inequality of ability, there complisk wildne =r- tions have been neglectful in not giving to -^3^ SO me would have us be- is also an inequality of those fact- let some picked lieve, there are several limiting ors which enable men to exploit can’t do! the sec^r factors to this concept. We can and make use of talents and abili- Isn’t t zed guarantee equality before the law ties. criminati walks by the protection of certain rights Instead of feeling sorry for our- Why r. tches ^ and we can provide, in as much as selves and others when we find that mes alumni the plans and difficulties of the insti tution.” A&M’s Distinctive Qualifications A&M has many things to be proud of. r sib1 *- •O'-"* «"**<» »» '«<*«« - ■ aft this land-grant college has established itself in an important place in the educational sys tem of the country. Dr. David H. Morgan, dean of the college, has compiled a partial list of particular dis- JUST TOO DARNED BUSY Included in this list tinctions A&M enjoys are the following: ® Basic Division—A&M is one of the few colleges in the country with a Basic Division in which all freshmen enroll for administrative purposes in an effort to see the new student will be adequately supervised to assist in his adjustment to college life. ® Agriculture—Sixth largest in the US; one of the most modern and best equipped col lege dairy, poultry, and livestock plants in the country. • Arts and Sciences—Graduates about 20 pre-medical and pi'e-dental students every year and their record at dental and medical schols is among the best in Texas; one of five top colleges in US offering instruction in oceanography. © Engineering—Largest engineering en rollment in state; the various departments are gaining national fame for research on techni cal projects; only school in this section of the country that offers a degree in geophysics; Personal Aircraft Research Center is the only agency of its kind in the world. © Military Science—A&M has one of the most comprehensive programs of training in military and air science in the nation; it en rolls the largest corps of cadets in the country and is the nation’s greatest source of trained officer reserves for the Army and Air Force. ® Veterinary Medicine—One of the 17 ac credited vet schools in the US; has graduated 1,045 DVMs. ® Graduate School—A Masters degree program in more than 40 fields; PhD degree programs in more than 15 fields. We suggest that members of the Former Students Association consider these fine quali- Funeral services have been set fications — and hundreds more — which have for Dr. Thomas H. Haltom Sr. and been gathered to show reasons why A&M is Dr. Royce H. Leroy, A&M chemis- outstanding, in addition to the athletic pro- try professors, who were killed gram. Saturday in a boat explosion on not admit sad wor; 1 equal? ■ We retgjtf ment, for L be no ikm i nmc If terns. If 1 students q g AT ft on the StafL : penalty -24 - 7 : ^ for six ni that this5 There place the.; and to ti/tfi dividual that h u" educators-! cognize th not equal-"“h SHER? they be- pulate six CAB I ' Funeral Services Set For Haltom and LeRoy College benedict ply has: state IxiajStYW ManhjES't supply got], u 100 rating Mayor £■] tified efbj (ieorge W. I ceiv Making: < engineer Ch| trict engit i Perhaps these men would be interested in the Neches River near Beaumont. obtaining a complete list of Dean Morgan’s findings to help in securing academically out standing high school graduates. A&M needs athletes, but it also needs stu dents with a high academic potential. Why can’t a little of the work directed toward get ting athletes be shifted to getting boys with high school marks ? A college proves its worth in the men it educates, not in the number of athletic con tests won and lost. The funeral of Dr. Thomas H. Haltom Sr., 505 Bryan Ave. of Bryan, will be held at 2 p. m. to- Mary LeRoy; a son, William Leroy, and one grandchild. Family Requests The family requests that flowers —- not be sent to the service but that and city sn) 1 — ° n ■■ - ed - contributions to the Heart Fund or L. P. Dula.- , to other charitable organizations "I \varA caf erii be made. Leroy joined the A AM teach , day in the chapel of the Hillier ing staff five years ago and he 1'igh sanit L officials f itUret 1 < BF Home in Bryan. Dr. W. H. Andrew, was active in chemical pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bryan whei*e Halton was a research. His body is being taken over land to Houston from Beaumont by The lat mev, T put signs pney- i the city sat 1/1 member, will officiate. Interment the Williams Funeral Home of ply Appro' ^y & ] will be in the Bryan City Cemetery. Born in Benchlcy, May 12, 189(i, Haltom was 56 years of age. He Beaumont for cremation. The two were accompanied at the time of the accident by Elmo NEWS BRIEFS Pageant Ticket Sales Start Honor Code Vote Results Unkown was a member of the teaching Daunie, a Texas Gull Sulfur Coin- staff of the A&M chemistry de- P an y employe, He was also killed. nicnt of Hi Ran Bosw be ready it College from the c partment. He was involved in chemical research. Haltom was a 35 years resident of Bryan. Haltom’s Survivors A GOODWILL TRAIN contain- p.m., will be greeted by representa- ing 160 Shreveport businessmen tives of the Bryan-College Station and manufacturers will make a two Chambers of Commerce and Col- hour stop here Thursday, said Less- lege Station Development Associa- lei Kelly, of the Bryan Chamber tion. They will have lunch with of Commerce. the College Station Kiwanis in the The visitors, arriving at 12:05 MSC, they leave for Houston. The Battalion MOTHER’S DAY activities will be discussed in the Student Senate meeting to be held Thursday, ac cording to Robert (Bob) Travis, president. Other topics of discussion are student-professor relations, Aggie Muster, Senate banquet, and a writing of constitutional amend ments on elections, Travis said. Results of yesterday’s vot ing on the honor code have not been reported to deans of the schools. The trio was conducting chemical research in the Neches River. The bodies were found near the re mains of a 23-foot fire-razed cruis er which the men had rented for Stale PIS 1 Set for Survivors are his widow, Mrs. their work. Sybil Johnson Haltom of Bryan; The Texa; Show will k nwiL Observers from Beaumont said three sons, Bart Haltom of Cleve- an explosion ripped the boat. The ^May, Ma; hull was found burned to the wat- Science uc Ballots were distributed in some of the classes but the re sults have not been tabulated. Many classes have not yet voted. land, Lt. Col. Charles Haltom of the United States Air Force stat- erline near an island in the river, ioned in Germany, and T. H. Hal tom, Jr. of Bemchley; two sisters, Mrs. L. E. Sikes of Bryan and Mrs. Roger McGee of Navasota. Also Wives Club Holds . Three electrical engineering surviving are five grandchildren. Bridge Tourney Lawrence Sullivan Ross, Founder of Aggie Traditions “Soldier, Statesman, Knightly Gentleman” The Battalion, official newspaper of the Agricultural and Mechan ical College of Texas, is published by students four times a week, during the regular school year. During the summer terms, and examination and vacation periods. The Battalion is published twice a week. Days of publications are Tuesday through Friday for the regular school year, and Tuesday and Thursday during examination and vacation periods desk, and the summer terms. Subscription rates $6.00 per year or $.50 per month. Advertising rates furnished on request. COTTON PAGEANT and Ball ticket sales started today, said Fritz Welsch, head of the arrange ments committee. Tickets can be purchased at the Student Activities Office, Room 201 Agronomy building, MSC main Lipscombs Pharmacy and sections have been working un der the code for a week, said H. W. Barlow, dean of engi neering. “I have no idea how many classes will vote for the code, but I don’t think it should be pushed too fast,” Bai'low said. Memorial services for Dr. Royce H. LeRoy, 53, of 1010 Foster Dr. at College Station will be held Friday at 4 p. m. in the A&M Methodist Church. Ferris Baker, It is an 1 show in * judged ap iru s.\ rather than other. Tropt Jl Grand Chn: '' three divinkl During th rfel/P; bership in The Aggie Wives Bridge Club will sponsor Saturday a bridge tournament in the MSC Assembly Room at 8 p. m. The contest is open to everyone, general mantis director of the Wesley Foundation The admission fee will be $1 a cheries and -' at Denton will conduct the service, couple. The tickets can be bought on, owner at the door. Ideal Haleb Science CM ^ Joe Fechtel: Jmfei Entered as second - class matter at Post Office at College Station, Texas under the Act of Con gress of March 3, 1870. Member of The Associated Press Represented nationally by National Advertising WSD Clothiers in Bryan. Reserve tickets ai-e $1.50 and general ad mission $1. Services, Inc., York City, Chicago, Eos Angeles, and San Fran cisco. TWO GRADUATES of A&M received advanced degrees recent ly from Harvard University. of republication of all other matter herein are also reserved. leceived his bacheloi of aichitec- ture from Harvard and John B. News contributions may be made by telephone (4-5444 or 4-7604) or p a xson of Houston, BS in agri- at the editorial office room, 202 Goodwin Hall. Classified ads may be cu ]ture, 1948, has received his placed by telephone (4-5324) or at the Student Activities Office, Room 209 Goodwin Hall. Master of Arts degree from Har vard. FRANK N. MANITZAS, JOEL AUSTIN Co-Editors Ed Holder, Jerry Bennett Managing Editors Harri Baker 1 City Editor Peggy Maddox Women’s News Editor Today’s Issue Ed Holder Bob Hendry Gus Becker.. Managing Editor News Editor .Sports News Editor Bob Hendry, Joe Hipp, Chuck Neighbors .News Editors :ry es, Guy Dawson, W. P. Franklin, ipp. Gus Becker, Bob Boriskie, Jerry Estes Bob Alderdice.AI Leroy Bruton, R. D. Gossett, Carl Hale, Donald ter. Bob Boriskie, Vernon Anderson, Frank Hinei . Franklin, x^. n,. vn,.,.,.„,<„m Kemp, Alfred McAfee, Bill Rogers, Ray Smith, Jerry Sonnier. Edward Stern, Roy Sullivan, Jon Kinslow, Dick Moore, Lionel oody, Bob Palmer, Bill She /. . Sports News Editors COST AND PROFIT CONTROL will be discussed at the sixth an nual accounting conference here April 17-18. The main speaker will be Fred V. Gardner of Fred V. Gardner and Associates of Mil waukee. Ivan Oden, auditor, Texas division, Dow Chemical Co. in Freeport, will preside at the ses sion. which will begin on the after noon of April 17. Garcia, John Moody, Bob Palmer, Bill Shepard Jerry Wizig, Jerry Neighbors, Hugh Philippus, Bill iry. ter. rry Jerry Bennett, Bob Hend Dick Por rd Staff News Writers Thomas Sports News Writers Amusements Calvin Pigg City News Writers Manager Jewell Raymond, J. R. Shepard, Fred Her- Staff John Kinslow, Conrad Strain Circulation Lawrence Casheer, Charles F. Chick Circulation Bob Godfrey, Davey Davidson, Roy Wells, Keith Nickle, Melvin HBI ngra Gene Rydell, Perry Shepard, John Merrill Advertising Representatives Herman Meiners Photo Engravers Dean Kennedy File Clerk SECOND LIEUTENANT David O. Cravey ’51, A&M industrial engineering graduate from Hous ton, was awarded April 2 his pilots wings at Reese AFB. He entered the Air Force immediately after graduation and received primary flight training at Bainbridge AFB, Ga.