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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (May 18, 1966)
' - ..i ... , , ■ ■ ■ ■ 8 * tuss&Oiktmiw mm *** ■ «<*mm ■■ - tourna- •a B anil ipetition, tourna. ind A-l, rob* HORS! id Wool, ^tterns. Browse Drawing Che Battalion Volume 61 COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1966 Number 316 eking dents id by more, ition, ment aver- into L CS-Bryan Clubs Principal Goal To Build Youth By JUDY FRANKLIN Battalion Staff Writer Editor’s Note: The following is the concluding installment of a two-part series outlining the functions and aims of the service clubs in the College Station-Bryan area. Building the youth is the principal goal of the Boys Club of Bryan. Registering more than 100 boys a day, the club attracts young sters who come for the shop and game rooms, which furnish a TV, pool tables and assorted equipment and games. “It’s the second home to many of them and the first for some,” says Board President James W. James. There is an athletic program in the Club for all ages, stressing both game room and physical activities. Boys Club has organized baseball teams, which compete in the Brazos Valley youth leagues, and regular chess contests. James added that they also have a library with a parttime librarian who helps the youngsters with their studies. SUMMER ACTIVITIES WILL include day camp (for the first time) for their cub and boy scout troops, daily swimming classes and special trips to big league baseball games, he said. The club’s cappella choir will also perform at meetings in Brazos County. James, who is in charge of the organization’s $150,000 fund raising drive to construct a new building, believes one reason the Boys Club is so “accepted” is its large number of boys reporting every day. Another reason for its success is the boys are “well- balanced in moral, physical and mental training.” One of the main projects of the Elks Lodge, a charity organiza tion, is helping support the Texas Elks Crippled Child’s Hospital in Ottine where any child is admitted and given free therapy. BILL GOUGH, HEAD of the lodge, remarks that they also donate to local charities. “We contribute funds to as many worthwhile charity causes as possible that are community sponsored,” he said. “We are dedicated to social and community welfare, which in cludes Christmas baskets for the needy.” Elks sponsor baseball activities, Youth Government Day (where local high school senior’s “take over” city offices), an essay contest with cash prizes and girl and boy scout troops. ALSO AIMING AT THE youth, the Jaycees are associated with more than 100 different activities, covering 10 College Station- Bryan areas. Main projects are centered around Christmas. Jaycees sponsor the annual “Toys for Tots” drive, which consists of collecting old toys and repairing them in conjunction with the fire departments. “We distribute them to an excess of 1,000 needy kids,” President James Smith reports, “who normally wouldn’t get presents.” In addition, the group sponsors a shopping tour for needy elementary school children who have been suggested by their princi pals. Jaycees give them money and then take them to local stores to buy gifts for their families. Last year they hosted the state junior track, tennis and golf championship meets, registering more than 2,000 contestants. Smith notes that this year their organization is bringing the Jaycees’ area convention here, which covers one sixth of the state groups. Both Kiwanis Clubs of College Station-Bryan concentrate on enabling persons to receive rehabilitation. Bryan members help with the Rehabilitation Center regularly by sending a monthly check and donating equipment. Perry Shirley, head of the Bryan Kiwanis says: “Our work is mainly with the youth. We provide some help for the underprivileged but mostly for the youth.” AS PART OF THIS assistance, they help with needy projects, like giving money to FHA students who are unable to buy material. In working with the youth, the Kiwanis group sends local high school seniors to the Boys’ State Conference in Austin, grants an award to the outstanding science student at SFA and donates equip ment and money to the Boys Club. College Station Kiwanis Club also assists with the Rehabilita tion Center. It gives money to the Crippled Children’s Clinic at the Presbyterian Church where people can take their children to nurses and doctors for advise in obtaining rehabilitation. They also sponsor girl and boy scout troops and present awards to the FFA, FHA, band and choir. “Most of our work is with students on the A&M campus,” president E. S. Holdredge remarks. During the Easter Holidays, their International Relations Com mittee sponsored a trip for University foreign students to local in dustry and business sites. Ring Dance, Banquet Set Saturday lllf: * S , HI- -/ ^ 's’' Jr I BRITISH-BUILT VISITOR A British Aircraft Corporation 111 makes a airport to take advantage of the light traf- touch-and-go landing at Easterwood airport, fic in this area. The BAC-111 is an executive The twin-jet, owned by Tenneco, was prac- transport powered by two Rolls-Royce Spey ticing approaches and take-offs at the A&M turbofan engines. Commencement Not New For Corpus Christi Family Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Minor of Corpus Christi will be right at home during commencement May 28. It’s the fourth time for them to watch a son graduate from A&M. A Minor has been enrolled at A&M every year since 1951. All majored in civil engineering, as did their father who was grad uated from A&M in 1928. Papa Minor retired in 1964 after 33 ‘Hollow Crown’ To Open Tonight “The Hollow Crown”, featuring Bryan’s newly organized com munity theater group, Stage Cen ter, is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thurs day in the Memorial Student Cen ter Ballroom. Jim Baldauf, MSC Contem porary Arts chairman, announced Stage Center’s premiere as his committee’s final program of the spring. “It is a series of dramatic con cert readings and songs depicting the history of the British mon archy from William I to Queen Victoria,” Baldauf explained. “The rulers are characterized through legends, chronicles and their personal papers.” The cast of readers include Rebecca Landmann, William H. Andrew Jr., Bill Bridges and Vic Wiening. Singers are Ken Nicolas, Mary Anne Kell and Myra Bahme. Music director is Frank Coulter. years with the Corps of Engi neers. Bob, the last of the Minors, will receive his diploma and com mission this year. He was six years old — a first grader — : when his oldest brother, Bill, enrolled at A&M 15 years ago. His second brother, Joe, came to A&M in 1955 and stayed to receive a Master’s Degree. John followed in 1957. Few hrticles were tough enough to be passed down to Robert. “Bill’s senior boots wore out after Joe and John used them,” Robert noted. “Most of the books were out of date when my turn came to use them.” A metal box, full of drawing instruments, did survive. “I’m probably the only student who ever used a 15-year-old pen cil,” the youngest Minor mused. One civil engineering professor, Dr. Samuel R. Wright, taught all the boys and their father. Re tiring this year, he joined A&M’s staff in 1923. Several faculty members taught the four young er Minors. All the clan will meet at the family home in Corpus Christi before the trip to College Sta tion. Bill will only have to travel across town. He is a design engi neer for the Texas Highway De partment in Corpus. Joe comes from San Antonio where he is First Bank & Trust now pays 414% per annum on savings cer tificates. —Adv. senior research engineer with Southwest Research Institute. John lives in Fayetteville, Ark., where he is an associate profes sor of civil engineering at the University of Arkansas. Bob doubts that he will be the last Minor to cross the stage for an A&M diploma. “Bill and Joe are bringing their sons to see me graduate,” he re marked. “So I’ll save our box of pencils for a few years.” Senior Weekend Features Humorist, Brock Orchestra “Our Years at A&M” will be the theme of the annual spring- senior Ring Dance at 8:30 p. m. Saturday in Sbisa Dining Hall. Immediately preceding the dance seniors will hear humorist Newt Hielscher at their banquet in Duncan Hall. Tickets for the 6:30 p. m. affair are on sale for $4 per couple in the Finance Office of the Memorial Student Cen ter. They go off sale at 5 p. m. Friday. Billed as the “humorist with a message,” Hielscher has appeared for more than 15 years either as guest speaker or master of ceremonies be fore conventions, service clubs, school banquets, sports banquets, testimonials, church groups and general meetings. He has addressed audiences throughout the Southwest in cluding the Texas State Teach ers Association, the Louisiana Municipal Association, the U. S. Air Force Military Appreciation Banquet and a recent A&M foot ball banquet. The Ring Dance will feature the sound of Buddy Brock and his 24-piece orchestra complete with strings and female vocalist. According to senior class presi- fl dent Norris Cano, students in at tendance are in store for a “unique, special presentation.” He also said the ballroom will be decorated in the decor of A&M tradition, with representations of such symbols as Sully, the bon fire and senior boots. As tradition dictates seniors will turn their rings around, al lowing the year to face outward. The dance will end at 12:30 a.m. Ducats for the formal ball may be purchased at the Finance Of fice for $5 per couple until 5 p.m. Friday, and again at the door. One picture at the dance costs $1.50, with an additional $1 for extra prints. GEN. DUNN Funeral Services Conducted For Chemistry Prof Danti Funeral services were conduct ed this afternoon in Bryan’s Memorial Funeral Chapel for Dr. Alfred Danti, 34, associate pro fessor of chemistry who died at noon Tuesday in a Bryan hos pital. An A&M student, Derek Clague, took the professor to the hospital from the Department of Chemistry at 11:40 a.m. Clague is a chemistry graduate student. Danti came to A&M in 1961 and resided at 50-A Culpepper, College Station. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Ferdinando Danti of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two brothers, Leo of Pueblo, Colo., and Antonio of Colorado Springs, and a sister, Mrs. Levia Headley of Lawton, Okla. Danti earned the bachelor de gree in chemistry at Colorado College in 1954, graduating sum- ma cum laude. He was awarded the Ph.D. at Massachusetts Insti tute of Technology in 1958. A Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi member, Danti was a National Science Foundation fellow. He researched infrared spectroscopy under a grant from the Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society and lectured on tour for ACS. The professor, born Feb. 9, 1932 at Tioga, Colo., was a mem ber of ACS, the Optical Society of America, the American Asso ciation for the Advancement of Science, Colorado - Wyoming Academy of Science, Spectro scopic Committees of the ASTM and the New York Academy of Sciences. 4th Army Head To Address New Officers The commander of the 4th U.S. Army, Lt. Gen. Thomas W. Dunn, will speak at commissioning ex ercises May 28. The Fort Worth native will ad dress Army and Air Force sen iors receiving reserve and regu lar commissions following gradu ation. He will also serve as re viewing officer during the Corps of Cadets’ Final Review. Dunn was graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1930. His World War II serv ice included a tour in Brisbane, Australia and New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon and Japan. He attended the National War College in 1949. After gradua tion from this school he became a member of the Strategic Plan Group for the Joint Staff. In 1953 the general became 40th Division artillery commander in Korea and later I Corps artillery officer. He returned to Korea 10 years later as commanding general of I Corps. He was chief of programs divi sion for Supreme Allied Powers, Europe. Dunn spent one year in Killeen as commanding general of III Corps at Fort Hood. His most recent command before moving to San Antonio was assignment as commander of the 1st U. S. Army and senior Army representative to the United Nations’ Military Staff. I Status Uncertain For Campus Landmark ^ By JOHN FULLER definite action will be called had the reputation of being the of the most pressing needs of As Aggie “fish” traditionally Committee To Study Old Guion Hall Battalion Staff Writer An A&M landmark with a his tory spanning almost a half cen tury faces an uncertain future as the result of recent action by the Board of Directors. The directors have appointed a committee, headed by Auston Kerley of the Counseling and Testing Service, to study the pos sibility of building a new audi torium to handle most of the activities of Guion Hall. This appointment has led to speculation as to Guion’s dis position after the proposed re placement is built. Dean of Student James P. Han- nigan, though emphasizing that no decisions or even concrete proposals have been offered for the situation, says “one of the most probable alternatives would he to install a good public ad dress system, replace the present seats with those of the class room variety, and turn the the ater into a large lecture room.” OTHER SPECULATIONS in clude turning the building into a campus store, converting it to office use or tearing it down. “But such ideas are still pure ipeculation,” Hannigan pointed out, “It’s still a long time until for.” The auditorium has gradually become less noted as a campus cultural center. Once the scene of weekly non sectarian chapel services, con tinuous motion picture showings and lecture series, Guion Hall is presently noted chiefly for its basement, home of A&M’s “ex perimental wing” playhouse, the Fallout Theater. Hannigan predicted that Fall out’s activities will “presumably continue as long as the building remains.” Built in 1917-18, the structure has been “a failure as an audi torium from the beginning,” ac cording to University Archivist Ernest Langford. “The oddly situated balcony sections and the poor acoustics are the main flaws in design.” LANGFORD JOINED the Uni versity Archives department in 1957 following some 40 years with the architecture faculty. He is a 1913 graduate of A&M. In “Here We’ll Build the Col lege,” a documented study of buildings which have been part of A&M campus history, Langford writes: “For years on end, Guion Hall most “loquacious” building on the campus. Echoes bounced from wall to wall, floor to ceiling, in such a way that people sitting near the center of the auditorium often heard the voice of a speak er and its echo almost simultan eously.” He adds that draperies were hung, carpet runners installed in the aisles, and acoustical ma terials added to walls and ceil ings to remedy the situation to some degree. “The plan of Guion Hall was far from what one would expect in an auditorium,” his report con tinues. “This was especially true in the arrangement of the bal cony, where people sitting along the sides faced each other rather than the speaker or whatever was going on stage. “Heatng the building was also a problem; cooling it was practi cally an impossibility.” THE TWENTIETH Biennial Report of the College in 1917 contained the first official men tion of the auditorium in the Uni versity archives. The report included the follow ing information on the then-pro- posed structure: “The 34th Legislature met one the College by providing $100, 000 for an auditorium, and the contract for this building was let Nov. 29, 1916. The building is to be 93 X 180 feet”. The report anticipated comple tion of the building before the opening of the session in Sep tember 1917, but according to Langford it was not finished until the early months of 1918. The actual cost also ran some what different from the report’s estimate, close to $109,100. The auditorium was named for Judge John I. Guion, a member of the college board of directors from 1911 to 1918 and board president for the last four years of his tenure. LANGFORD WAS PRESENT at the dedicatory exercises in May of 1918. Two of the speak ers at the event, Major L. L. Mc- Innis and President W. B. Biz- zell, later had buildings on the campus named for them. “Dr. BizelTs address was an impassioned plea for the acquisi tion of knowledge and the com plete elimination of ignorance from the face of the earth,” writes Langford of the remarks explaining the inscription on the front of the building. have learned, the inscription is a quotation from Shakespeare: “Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge, the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.” J. Gordon Gay, general direc tor of the A&M YMCA, said the first major use of the auditorium was as a chapel. The Cadet Corps regularly marched to the Sunday morning nonsectarian services from 1918 to 1930. In 1932 the services were discon tinued. GAY SAID the speakers at the Sunday chapel included “the cream of the crop among Texas ministers.” He added that music was provided by what was then known as the Aggie Glee Club. Later, the Town Hall Lyceum and Lecture Series used the building for its regular presenta tions. Probably the most famous speaker during this period was lawyer Clarence Darrow. In 1941-42 the YMCA began operating movies in Guion Hall, and for several years a regular, continuously-showing movie the ater was housed there. The showings gradually tapered off in number as costs increased, and disappeared entirely two years ago. GUION HALL campus landmark generally empty today.