(FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1911.)
To see nearly four hundred Colby men gathered in the old gymnasium; to join
with them in Colby songs and Colby cheers; to hear the college band play
inspiriting selections; to listen to stirring speeches from enthusiastic
graduates,-- in short, to be a part of the Colby Day exercises in this goodly
year of nineteen hundred eleven;-- was to have an experience one is not likely
to forget soon.Those who have enjoyed the privilege of participating in recent observances of
Colby Day can have no doubt that these gatherings are an important factor in
the growth of the Colby spirit in its best sense. But how communicate the
enthusiasm to those who are absent? The stirring impulse gained by personal
contact cannot be reduced to cold print, and any report of the exercises loses
much in the telling.That the personal magnetism of President Roberts pervaded the evening goes
without saying. His sturdy loyalty and sane optimism awoke an answering fervor
in every breast as, with terse and telling phrases, he introduced the several
speakers. His brief opening remarks emphasized the fact that it is not numbers
but quality which counts in making a strong college, and that it is quality for
which Colby has stood and will continue to stand.The speakers were six in number. Judge F. F. Lawrence, 1900, of Skowhegan, came
first. Seldom has a stronger address been heard at a Colby Day rally than his
appeal to the undergraduates to make the utmost of the varied opportunities
presented to them in their student days. Principal George S. Stevenson gave as
a concrete illustration of student loyalty the story of a young man he had
known, whose spirit of devotion was shown in the class-room no less than on the
football field.Rev. Cyrus F. Stimson, '93, spoke largely in a reminiscent vein, arousing
frequent laughter by his amusing anecdotes of student days twenty years ago. He
told of sacrifices made then for the college and urged that present day
students show the same spirit of loyalty to the college and all its
interests.Dr. J. F. Hill paid a glowing tribute to John W. Coombs, '06. Coach McDevitt
and Captain Bagnell, '12, spoke of the football season and its prospects. The
President read a telegram of greeting from Coombs. The formal exercises closed
with a rousing Colby song. The remainder of the evening was passed in the
pleasant interchange of experiences by the alumni present, and many were the
cordial hand clasps of those who met again after months or years of
separation.
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