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THE WOLVERINE OBSERVER
December, 1958
WOLVERINE OBSERVER STAFF
1958-59
Editor-in-Chief W. Bembry Shiver, Jr.
Managing Editor W. F. Carmichael
Associate Editor Robert White
Business Manager Curtis Jones
Circulation Manager James Foster
Advertising Manager Bobby Huff
Reporters: Jackie Harris, Mary Fallin, Vivian Perdue, Barbara
Ramey, Patricia Jenkins, Mary H. Smith
Secretary Barbara Ramey
Typists Walter L. Kimbrough, Eloise Gay,
Nellie M. Rogers
Advisors Miss Vera Betnon, Chairman,
Dr. Beulah J. Farmer, Mrs. Ruth Barnes, Mr. John
F. Matheus
The Voice
WHICH ARE YOU-A
BOOSTER OR A FALSE CRITIC?
The student newspaper is a product of the Dean’s (Academie)
office. If it were not for the Dean’s tolerance, the Wolverine Observer
would never get to press. We have an office, but office space without
adequate equipment is useless.
The Dean must wonder at times about which of us has the
priority of use of his outer office. The editor is eternally running
in and out trying to print signs for meetings, calling the printer,
looking for typists, storing materials, typing copies, letters and forms;
and a 1001 other things.
Operations would go on more smoothly if there were more co
operation from the administration and the Observer staff.
Let us now take a brief look at the untactful, unscholarly critics
who are completely ignorant of journalistic procedures. Every time
the editor turns a corner, someone is there to question him, or to
tell him how the paper should be run—(1) “Why don’t you print
more student news?” (2) “You print too much trash such as fashion
reviews.” The fact is this—The Editor prints what is submitted to him.
When the editor asks these same critical people to submit assignments
and stories for the paper, they find inexcusable excuses.
“It is better to be a responsible wprker than to be a false critic.”
The editor of the paper should have attended the journalism
workshop held at Ohio Wesleyan last summer, but the administration
would not sponsor him. The experience at such a conference would
have provided the editor with some of the skills needed to publish
a student publication.
The Wolverine Observer has received communications from Flor
ida A & M University requesting that we send representatives to the
Ninth Annual Interscholastic Press Workshop so that we may obtain
new skills in order to serve you more efficiently. If you would like
to see us go, please write letters to the editor to that effect.-—W. B. S.
A Change of Opinion
Heretofore, the writer stated that the College President’s chair
would be hard to fill because of the complexity of the position. This
problem ceased to exist when the Board of Trustees of Morris Brown
College decided to appoint Dr. Frank Cunningham Acting President
of Morris Brown.
Dr. Cunningham is a renowned scholar and a gentleman. If the
greatness of a president is any criteria by which a college can be
evaluated, Morris Brown must be rated with the best of colleges.
The faculty and student body proudly accept Dr. Cunningham
as their guardian. We feel that he is the man who can lead us to
higher academic standards. Aside from the Morris Brown Family,
members of the entire African Methodist Episcopal Church feel that
Dr. Cunningham is the man most suited for the difficult challenge.
We realize the difficulty in taking on such a task as that of
president in the middle of a semester, but we are confident that
Dr. Cunningham has adequate stature.
The editor and staff of the growing Wolverine Observer wish
to congratulate Dr. Cunningham for his achievement. He is for us
and a part of us; likewise, we are for him.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Recently there was a “cross burning” on our campus. No one
really knows exactly what happened, but there is some speculation.
In the opinions of some students and faculty members, the inci
dent was merely a prank. On the other hand, there are those who
believe that this incident was the work of outsiders.
When one explores the possibility of the “burning” being a
prank, he must consider the amount of work and time involved in
preparation and execution. While the police and detectives were
present, one student remarked: “It could not have been a student;
that job required too much work.” Whether this is the case—or not—
is not the point at issue. The fact remains that a cross was burned
on a Negro college campus.
The five-foot cross was covered with black cloth and white
strings; the whole was soaked with gasoline. Again the question is
asked, “What student would waste the amount of energy required
to rig such a piece of work?”
Most, students of the college calibre realize the seriousness of
such an incident. Their school pride would not allow them to stoop
that low.
If the cross was burned by an outsider, what was or is the source
of his motivation? Could it have been because of our interracial
faculty? We cannot say; no one knows.
During the course of investigation, one of the probers stated
that many crosses are burned, but there is seldom any evidence to
support the fact that the “burnings” are done by any particular
group.. The investigator went on to say that we must not be upset
by such frivolous incidents.
What is the typical reaction of a college when a cross is burned
on its campus? Should there be grave concern? Or should the incident
be ignored altogether ? The writer believes that the cross-burning
incident was the work of someone other than a student. Who, speci
fically, is to blame? The writer has no idea, nor does he know the
purpose. But the fact remains, the cross was burned!
A Time To
Awaken
By CURTIS JONES
The turmoil of today’s world is
enough to cause the staunchest
conservative to awaken from his
complacency. All around us, we see
gross confusion. The origin of this
confusion is unknown, yet there
are those who would lead us to be
lieve that what is happening is of
no significance.
We, as students, must awaken to
the fact that the fate of tomor
row’s world rests in our hands. In
order to safeguard the future of
the world, we must come to real
ize that there must be a change
in the actions of our groups. All
students must become more con
scious of the need for constructive
leadership, and must take the lead
and initiative in solving the prob
lems confronting them.
Politically, the scene is shifting;
the direction of the shift is directly
dependent on the college student
of today. Our duty is to analyze
the promises, accusations, and past
records of all political candidates,
and from the results obtained,
strive to enlighten the multitude.
By so doing, we can be sure of
helping elect only the best quali
fied persons to serve and represent
us politically.
It is strange, but true, that the
college students are not taking the
initiative in helping to secure
equal rights for all people. It is
pertinent that students become
aware of the need for strong and
courageous leadership in the field
of human rights. College students
should take the role of ambassa
dors for equality of all, regardless
of race, religion, or political affili
ation. If students would take this
attitude, the forces of freedom
would rally around them, and the
security of the world would be
assured.
The facts of life are a challenge
to the ability of all students. Fear
not, fight on, for tomorrow comes
the song of victory. What will we
do about the challenge that is be
fore us?
Permanent Teacher
Certification
Elmira, N. Y.—(I.P.)—The pro
gram of courses leading to a Mas
ter of Science Degree in Education
at Elmira College, effective with
the present academic year, will
make possible permanent certifi
cation for secondary school teach
ers and will fulfill a growing need
for courses on a graduate level for
all teachers and prospective teach
ers.
The College Charter has been
formally amended by the Board of
Regents to permit awarding of the
Master of Science Degree in Edu
cation and the Master of Arts De
gree. Admission is open to indi
viduals who have a bachelor’s de
gree from a four year accredited
educational institution. Work of
fered for admission must be of
quality sufficient to indicate abili
ty to do advanced work. Previous
teaching experience will be taken
into account when admitting stu
dents.
To obtain the Master of Sciene
Degree a student must complete
30 semester hours of approved
work. Of these 30 hours it is rec
ommended that no fewer than 12
semester hours be in professional
courses and that no fewer than 15
semester hours be in general stud
ies. All work for the degree must
be completed within. 7 years from
the date of admission. A “B” aver
age must be maintained in all work
offered in fulfilling degree re
quirements.
The Inscribed Arch
(Continued from Page 1)
porting an arch bearing the in
scription “Morris Brown College,
Class of ’58.” This inscribed arch
stands as the “welcome mat” to
our campus.
The staff of the Wolverine Ob
server wishes to express gratitude
to the Class of ’58 for its magnifi
cent gift in behalf of the Morris
Brown family and feels that this
gift will be difficult to surpass.
WHO WILL SURVIVE?
Today, the question of who will survive is raised quite frequently.
When this question is raised in America, the two countries that are
usually collated are Russia and America.
Some believe that the answer lies wholly in science and mathe
matics. Others believe that the answer may be found in economics..
These opinions, however, vary much with different interpretations.
When Sputnik I was launched, science became stressed more'
than any other subject in higher institutions of learning in the
United States. More scholarships have been provided for students
who possess superior scientific ability. Russia and America are com
peting to see which nation is stronger scientifically. Both countries
are striving to reach perfection in the field of nuclear physics.
Since mathematics is essential with science, students who possess
outstanding mathematical ability have been urged to pursue a career
in this field. Salaries have been raised for these people of special
ability.
With all the emphasis placed on these subjects there has not
been an increase in the number of students choosing these fields.
Statistics show that the number of students in the fields of mathe
matics and science has not increased in the past fifteen years.
In economics, America surpasses Russia, but there is a question
of how long it will take Russia to surpass America. Russian industry
is flourishing. Although all the industries are run by the government
and the Communist party, the managers work enthusiastically because
they receive a high salary. Premier Khrushchev has boasted: “By
1970 the Russian industrial output will have caught up with America.”
The Russians are known for converting people to their way of
thinking. When one takes his freedom for granted in America, he
may be reminded of Boris Pasternak whose citizenship was threatened
in Russia because of the ideas included in his popular novel Dr.
Zhivago. In America one does not have the problem of worrying about
thinking or writing ideas that might not please the government. One
never misses rights until they have been appropriated.
We may be able to conclude that future warfare will not be
physical, but ideological. A nation will not be measured by its po
tential number of casualties, but a nation will be measured by its
concepts as a whole. Instead of physical warfare predominations,
psychological warfare will be more important.
We are fortunate in having a freedom of worship in America.
America is a Christian nation, and in that belief we have the key
to the answer.
The Russians believe in discipline physically, mentally, and spirit
ually. The Americans lack this discipline because no ideology is forced
on anyone. The most effective ideology is spread voluntarily from one
person to another. This ideology is a sharp, blazing sword-cutting
all opposing forces for the expansion of its incentive.
The answer to this struggle does not lie in science, economies,,
or materialism. The real answer lies in the heart of man, not the hand.
—Oteal Sloan
Dr. Cunningham, Morris Brown’s
New Acting President, A Good Choice
(Editor’s note: This is a statement taken from the Atlanta Daily'
World which illustrates the kind of respect that the general public
has for our Acting President.)
It is generally gratifying in educational circles and among school
men as well as laymen in general that Dr. Cunningham has been
elected Acting President of Morris Brown College, succeeding the
late Dr. John H. Lewis, who passed on a few weeks ago.
Dr. Cunningham is a career man, having won his spurs in his
boot-training through the channels of the system over which he is
called to preside. For many years he has been active in educational
affairs over the state and country and has been in heavy demand to
lecture and teach as guest professor at times in various colleges and
universities.
He brings dignity to the arena of education in general; his high
scholastic attainments, coupled with his geniality in Captivating fa
cilities for the school and the people. Morris Brown is bound to profit
by ths fine selection of one who is well and widely known among:
financial interests and those who feel disposed to contribute for the
cause of education.
He is young, vigorous and resourceful and has an enviable op
portunity in the promotion of the cause he espouses.
We congratulate the educational area, the trustees and the gen
eral student body in obtaining this excellent service.
Dr. Cunningham is bound to go places and do things.
Again, congratulations!
WHAT THIS CHRISTMAS
MEANS TO ME ON EARTH
The cheerful sights and sounds of Christmas time will once again,
appear. The main streets of our towns, cities, and county will be
festooned with lights, emblazoned trees in public squares, carols and
jingle bells. Santa Clauses will stand on corners or have courts in
bustling department stores. What will the inner qualities of a peaceful
and merry Christmas for the United States be with our many prob
lems? What kind of Christmas can there be with superiority and in
feriority feeling among our races ? “Whither shall we go” as
Americans ?
Realizing that perhaps our nation and world is in need of peace
and prayer today as never before, I would like to quote a prayer as
addressed by Conrad N. Hilton. “Our Father in Heaven: We pray that
You save us from ourselves. The world that You have made us, to live
in peace, we have made into an armed camp. We live in fear of war
to come. We are afraid of the terror that flies by night, the arrow
that flies by day, the pestilence that walks in darkness and the destruc
tion that wastes at noon day. We have turned from You to go to our
selfish way. We have broken Your commandments and denied Your
truth. We have left Your altars to serve the false gods of money and
pleasure and power.
“Forgive us and help us. Now, darkness gathers around us and
we are confused in all our counsels.
“Losing faith in You, we lose faith in ourselves. Inspire us with
wisdom, all of us of every color, race, and creed, to use our wealth,
our strength to help our brother, instead of destroying him.
“Help us to do Your will as it is done in Heaven and to be worthy
of Your promise of peace on earth. Fill us with new faith, new strength
and new courage, that we may win the Battle for Peace.
“Be swift to save us, dear God, before the darkness falls.”
Truly, the prayer, “America on Its Knees,” needs to be whispered
by each of us. May it be the prayer of men on the coming anniversary
of the birth of the Prince of Peace that our nation and world move in
the light and understanding of His words . . . “on earth, peace, good
will toward men.”