The Colby Alumnus is published for the express purpose of bringing the
great body of Colby alumni into closer and more sympathetic touch with the
college. Up to the present time no publication with this definite aim has ever
been undertaken by Colby men and the result has been that many of the Magazine
graduates are today uninformed in regard to the progress of the college, the
personnel of the teaching staff, and the general purposes and hopes of the
administrative officers. While it is possible for a college to thrive and
accomplish a great part of its mission without the spread of important
information concerning it among its graduate constituency, nevertheless, for
the accomplishment of its highest purposes it is imperative that an institution
like Colby should see to it that its graduate body is bound to it in strongest
bonds. And this, in largest scope, is the work of this magazine.If the magazine is rightly managed, wisely edited, and richly merits and
generously receives the support of those for whom it is primarily published,
several important results should become manifest in course of time. One or two
of these hoped-for results may well be mentioned here in order that a clear
understanding of them may make more apparent the point of view from which much
of the matter intended for its pages will be written.The magazine should tend to arouse a deeper and more intense spirit of loyalty
toward the college in the graduate body. Surely, to carry a message every few
weeks from the old college to the man who long ago "Cheered the Halls" cannot
be lightly received by him for whom the message was intended. As years creep
on, the average college man loves to linger o'er in grateful memory the "happy
student days", and whatever helps in the freshening of that memory is hailed as
a bearer of glad tidings. And surely, for the man who but recently left the
college lecture-room to carve his slice from the world-at-large --for the man
fresh from the student activities on the platform, in the classroom, on the
diamond--for him the magazine is bound to be suggestive of an interest
deep-abiding cherished by Alma Mater. If the magazine does no more than deepen
the spirit of interest and love among the graduates for the college it will
merit the cordial reception which the editors and advisory board believe awaits
it.But it should accomplish something more. Through a careful report of college
activities and college needs it should stimulate more Colby men to remember in
generous ways the debt they owe the institution. From time to time the needs of
the college must inevitably be set forth in these columns and to every need
thus set forth there might well arise some loyal son to make possible, through
supplying it, a larger service for the college. The magazine should appeal to
men of Colby to renew often their loyalty to the old college in order that in
proportion as the institution has been of help to them they now in turn may be
of help to it. It is because we believe the college has a still larger mission
to perform and that in large degree the graduates are responsible for the
success of that mission, that the second result of publishing the
Alumnus is confidently expected.
How You Can Help
If the Alumnus is to meet in fullest measure the opportunity so briefly
outlined above, every graduate must have his part in the work. The editorial
board alone can never accomplish the task. With you, Mr. Colby Graduate, the
ultimate success or failure of the venture rests. What is your part? It is
two-fold. First, you can subscribe yourself, and see that the men of your class
do likewise. This may seem a small matter, but it is vital to the success of
the magazine. Unless the Alumnus reaches the entire graduate body, it
must fail of its mission. Secondly, you can send to your class correspondent
every bit of news concerning your fellow-alumni which comes to your notice. It
is the purpose of the managers to make this feature a prominent part of the
magazine. The news of the college itself is easily provided; for the news of
the alumni we must depend upon you. In each issue we wish to present a fresh
and interesting account of the doings of our graduates--real news. This is your
magazine and we want you to appreciate the fact. Nothing which will be of
interest to your classmates and college chums is too trivial to find a place in
the Alumnus. Think how eagerly you will welcome information about the
man who was your room-mate in the good old student days, and remember that he
will be just as glad to hear of your successes. Even so slight a thing as a
change in your street number should be promptly reported.
The Educational Association
On another page will be found an account of the latest movement for the benefit
of the college--the Colbv Educationa1 Association. This is an enterprise which
should awaken the interest of a large number of the alumni. It often happens
that a student who does not wish to accept charity is in need of a small loan
at a low rate of interest. The object of the new Association is to provide for
this need. The attitude of those present at the Alumni Luncheon in June was
most encouraging, but payment of the pledges made has been so slow as to
embarrass the Committee in charge, and the amount paid to the acting treasurer
has fallen short of the actual need for the current year. A friend, who has
already paid his subscription, has offered to advance funds to meet the present
need, but it hardly seems wise to go in debt at the beginning. If all the
pledges are paid within the next thirty days, the Association will be put upon
its feet and all applicants can be provided with loans. Have you paid your
subscription?
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