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THE MAROON TIGER
Page 9
A REVIEW
September 18. 1929, opened the college career of the Class of ’33. One hun
dred and twenty-eight green, fresh lads beseiged Morehouse on that date. They came
from far and near—“to be ministered unto and to minister.” This group represented
one hundred and twenty-eight different ambitions, hopes and sets of traditions. Soon
these personalities became conjoined, with one mighty aim—to radiate the light of
Morehouse College in all directions.
This Freshman Class of ’29 was not the largest “green invasion” Morehouse
ever had. But it was the last of the larg« classes. The selective process had come
into use in 1929; but despite that, this one hundred and twenty-eight men qualified.
The general decline in the enrollment of college students was felt by this class,
so that the sophomore group contained only eighty-one men, and the junior year
found fifty-seven left. At present we are forty-three in number.
Horace A. Richardson was chosen president in 1929-30. He served throughout
the year. During this period we each pledged our support to the Morehouse Endow
ment Campaign. In athletics, we tied for the intra-mural football and basketball
championships. Debating, dramatics and the glee club all were loyally supported
by this group. No phase of activity on the campus was left unsupported.
William H. Shell was the 1930-31 president. His administration was character
ized by the originality that this class has ever possessed. Far from being led blindly,
we investigated and then lent our support. It was during this year that the unique
form of student government was inaugurated at Morehouse. While we make no claim
to having caused a change, it is to be remembered that we walked out in a body
from a meeting under the old haphazard form of government. It is significant to
note that our present government, shortly afterward, evolved. Again, on the athletic
field, we tied for football honors.
The junior year. 1931-32, was the most brilliant period in the history of the
group. Thomas A. Dawson was our president. We began by taking the football
championship. The basketball title was added in due time. On the cinder-path,
“Red” Smith led us to victory amid a blaze of glory. Finally, the baseball title
became ours and the Class of ’33 became undisputed intra-mural champions for
1931-32. In other activities our voices were heard. The debating squad, glee club
and orchestra, Y. M. C. A., and dramatic club, were all improved by our presence.
The year came to a brilliant close when, in accepting the challenge of the Class of
’32, we presented twenty-five dollars to President Archer’s Emergency Fund.
Edward C. Mazique has led us through the year, 1932-33. This period has
been one where much of our work has been of a social nature. Such projects as
the local Community Chest, Scottsboro Case, etc., have been given our support. In
athletics, the grade-point system of crediting was instituted. We amassed 430 points,
but the lowly Freshmen chalked up 500, forcing us into second place. Our partici
pation in the Student Activity Committee deserves mention. Three of its members
are Seniors; its second president being E. R. Rodriguez. Again we have, through
expression of our talent before the public, been able to amass a sum approaching
twenty-five dollars for the President’s Emergency Fund. It is useless repetition to
chronicle our participation in debating, music, Y. M. C. A., etc.
The mere mention of our participation in extra-curricula activities is not a true
indication of our capabilities and talents. We have among us a promising young
painter, two poets, a local Y. M. C. A. representative, two short-story writers, and
four or five would-be radicals.
This class has always been represented on the college quartet. At present, we
have three representatives on, perhaps, the most famous of all quartets since it broad
casts weekly and has been before the President of the United States twice. In foot
ball, we have seven varsity men, headed by the all-American “Red Smith. In bas
ketball, track and baseball we had had three, two, and seven representatives, re
spectively. The Maroon Tiger has ever had the support of the Class of ’33, hav
ing on its present staff ten of us. There are three debaters, twelve “M” men, eleven
members of the glee club and orchestra, and nine Horse Kollars.
We make no fantastic boasts of having brought the collegiate world unto our
feet. Neither do we exclaim fame from the house-tops that ours is the only class. But
we proudly proclaim that the class of ’33 has no pier among its predecessors, for
we have been with Morehouse during her crisis.
—N. A. Harrison, ’33.