Meditorials (April 8, 1946)
[The Critograph staff has caught an illness sweeping campus. The Editor-in-Chief writes an editorial fueled by her 110° temperature.]
By Marjorie Harmon
Please, readers, have patience! Whatever it is that is effecting—I mean affecting the rest of my crap—I mean staff—seems to be bothering me also. When the editor of a paper sees stars and hears whistles—smells burnt rubber in the air and has a taste like glue in his mouth (or her mouth)—then heaven help the publishers when they try to unravel the results. Of course, we have no sympathy for you readers because lore than mikely you’re all that way, too.—Just thought I’d explain before I got too deep in this issue’s lecture on the evils of Lynchburg College and why you shouldn’t stay here more than two years (if you last that long).
You’ve all probably already decided that the Ripograph or Crapograph or whatever this paper is called has gone to the dogs when it puts out anything like this—but really you’re behind the times because the day it went to the dogs was when I became editor. I don’t mind saying what I think in this column—it’s the only time or place that I can say what I think without fear of being suspended from school for thinking. Maybe you wonder why I feel so free to lambast the administration and dig apart all the noble efforts of everyone else in these few inches that are allowed me in each issue of this honorable publication.
To be perfectly frank with you it’s because this is one column that absolutely no one reads. I can say what I please here and no one will get mad at me because no one will ever know I said it. Anything I insert in any other column of this paper—in my moments of madness — will get me called up before Men’s Student Government and threatened for my life for making someone feel uneasy.
For the next 265 words that I have left for my incoherent blubbering and incalculable idiosyncrasies I’d like to tell you what I think about the coming elections. What is wrong with the candidates for our offices—don’t they want to win—or do they think they’ll get there by apologizing for their past actions? We might as well have the names Casper Milquetoast and Mildred Meelymouse on the ballots for all the campaigning I’ve heard. I don’t make it my policy to bring politics into this paper but you’d think that all our candidates were on the same ticket—the Know-Nothing Party! I’ve seen no posters—heard no speeches, collected no money (no, I wasn’t going to say that, but I’ve said it and I’m glad!) Now I don’t mean we should have mud-slinging, betting, and graft — but why don’t we have some red-hot campaigning!
(What on earth am I going to say in the next 108 words!)
I’d like to take the opportunity to put in a good word for Prof. Freer (I’m not taking any classes to him so I’m in no danger of being called an apple-polisher). How many of you read his column in the local paper? (It’s one of the few worthwhile pieces of literature to come out of this school.) He sometimes mentions his bird study class in it. Speaking of that particular class, I’d like to predict that it will be one of the most popular courses in the college next year—for the boys. Oh, the sights you can see on a sunny day with those field-glasses! Of course, most of the birds are found on the roofs of the girls’ dormitory on those days.
(Ouch, I went eighteen words over—anyway, here comes Mrs. Horton to take my temperature so I’ll take my turn at drooling on the downbeat in the torrid realms of mercury —110°—now you know!)
For the full issue, visit the Virginia Chronicle
Earth Week Plans (April 10, 1974)
By Laura Hamilton
In the past few years people have become increasingly aware of the problems that wasteful industry and wanton carelessness with our natural resources have caused in our environment. On April 22, 1970, for the first time, thousands of communities across the nation focused their attention on the environment, in an “Earth Day teach-in”.
Following this idea, the Religious Activities Committee and Biology Department are jointly sponsoring “Earth Week” activities on campus. Dr. Gwynn Ramsey is advisor for the program, which is planned for Monday. April 22 through Wednesday, April 24.
For these three days, students who are interested will be able to participate actively in one or several different projects to clean up our campus environment. These projects will include: picking up litter around the shore of College Lake with the help of “Jon Boats”, removing tires, cans and rubbish from Stinking Creek neck of the lake, lining the Environmental Awareness Trail with downed logs, and others.
Everyone has probably seen the new sewer receptor that has recently been installed at the lake. Another beneficial project might be to camouflage this eye-sore with vines or shrubs.
About 20 students have been recruited from various organizations, such as Circle K and Iota Beta Gamma, as work leaders. Each leader will be in charge of one of the various projects. They will recruit people to help them, along with volunteers from the student body.
The Maintenance Department has offered trucks and other equipment that might be needed for the projects.
Besides creating an opportunity for concerned students to pitch in and improve our campus environment, the “Earth Week” program will provide L.C. students with opportunities for educational enrichment. Dr. Guy Rivers will give a lecture on Monday, April 22 at 7:30 P.M. in Hobbs 101. His topic will concern ecology. The lecture is open to all students.
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings there will be film showings, from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. also in Hobbs 101. Each night, three color ecology-related films will be shown. The film schedule is: April 22. A Strand Breaks [ecology), (web of Life Series), A Strand Grows (ecology)’, (web of Life Series), World in a Marsh; April 23, The Changing Forest, The Spruce Bog, Life in the Woodlot; April 24, The Ecology of Polluted Water, (slide show with cassette tape), The Aging of Lakes, The High Arctic Biome (ecology).
Since 1966, members of the biology department have attempted to have the woodlot behind the greenhouse fenced in, to be used as an arboretum. If it is to be used for educational purposes for biology students, and for the Lynchburg community, the woodlot has to be managed. This cannot be done properly if the area is not fenced in. The fence needs to be raised now if it is to be done at all, as the cost of the fence is continually rising. Another “Earth Week” endeavor is to raise at least part of this money. Danny Guandolo is working with the Development Office on this project.
Beginning next week a table will be set up in Burton Student Center with a list of the various projects of “Earth Week” and the times they will take place. You are encouraged to devote one or two hours of your time to one of these projects. With your cooperation, “Earth Week” will be a success.
For the full issue, visit the Virginia Chronicle
The Commentator (April 13, 1949)
By Frances Epes
A number of things were brought out at the assembly program, Tuesday, April 5, and among them was that a course in parliament procedure for class officers, student body officers and just for people in general might add order and coherence to our meetings. Even with the vocal part of the assemblies back of his actions, our president was out of order several times, and several of the student’s making motions from the floor should peek into Robert’s Rules of Order, (of which they tell me there are several copies on the shelves of the college library.)
Evesdropped remarks concerning the three assembly meetings Tuesday included sentiments such as: (1) Many of the most vocal speakers had not read the proposed constitution as it appeared in the Critograph but were taking their stands on what they had heard. (2) There was a marked tendency to exchange remarks loaded with supposedly clever sarcasm and personal insinuation rather than with any bearing on the question at hand. (3) That many rose to ask questions which had just been answered or to make glowingly-eloquent restatements of what had just been said.
Heard several level-headed students question whether the same would not be true in the motioned—for joint meeting of the student body. To this commentator the answer can be found in thinking back over most joint meetings called to discuss. The sound of one’s own voice is a more powerful intoxicant than some others which our Board of Trustees labels “forbidden.” And too often its victims hold up the “waging of the war” just to listen to themselves.
As to the new constitution: unquestionably it has its flaws, but it also has its good points, which to “us’ overshadow its flaws, particularly since its flaws are those to be found in the old constitution. This old constitution by the way is the alternative to accepting the new one, a fact which many heard by us in the assembly seemed to overlook. And few will deny that the old constitution has a number of flaws corrected in the new one. No one claims the new constitution is perfect, least of all its ‘‘drawer-uppers.” But it is a sincere attempt on the part of our student government to give us, the students, what we have been begging for so long, and we should at least give it our consideration, and reading. Wondering muse: just how many students have read, even skimmed the proposed constitutional changes?
Second wondering muse: Just what was the purpose of filling up the hole in the wall between the kitchen and the main room in the student lounge. Third: how many times the plasterer who did the fill-up job was asked “why”.
Have you noticed the progress being made in the kitchen of the lounge by the way? (No one ever says which way they mean so why should we) Looks rite puny don’t it. Getting real anxious to see it opened up. Also noticed the grass on the far side of the biology building and on this side too, looks like spring.
Parting thought: if the students had to walk through the mud and dirt between the library building and the road think of the squak they’d raise. But seeing as how there is a paved road for them to walk in they prefer to walk in the straw and dirt. Human nature is funny, ain’t it.
The club is following the campus trend and making plans to join a national honorary fraternity. Herbert Lovell made it known that for the first time this year the Business Club is awarding a $10 prize to the outstanding business student at L. C.
It was suggested that the Student Body elections be postponed a week because campaigning and elections would come during Holy Week. A tentative schedule was drawn up. Campaigning is to be the week of April 18th to 22nd; Elections, April 22nd; Run-off, April 26th; and installation, May 5th.
The current campus question, the new constitution, was brought up, and an hour’s discussion followed. Definite steps toward the planned joint assembly were taken. This assembly will be in the charge of an impartial chairman and a Student Cabinet panel will be ready to discuss controversial points of the constitution.
Copies of both the new and old constitution are to be printed so individual students may make comparisons. The Critograph has offered its Commentator column to the Council and it was suggested that Prof. Walter Wineman make an unbiased analysis of the constitutions. Leroy Moran will be asked to assume chairmanship of the meeting. The date and time will be announced soon.
For the full issue, visit the Virginia Chronicle
Star Interviewed (April 10, 1964)
By Suzanne M. Brown
The matinee is over, and as theater patrons stream out of the Broadhurst Theater on New York City’s 44th St., two very nervous young ladies (Carole E. Edwards and I) wait anxiously in the wings to meet one of the start of 110 in the Shade. Two shrieking teenagers and a couple of doting grandmothers precede us into his esteemed presence. It is obvious that this man’s fans are not limited to any particular age group. We are determined to discover the reason for the apparent magnetic power of Robert Horton. At first glace we have our answer, for Bob Horton exhibits an infectious grin and a boyish charm capable of melting any gal’s heart!
Highly personably and very cooperative, Mr. Horton was eager to answer our questions, and did so with quick witted rapidity. A recent migrant from TV to Broadway, he was able to compare the two dramatic mediums. He values his experience in television, especially his role as the scout on “Wagon Train,” because it not only brought him fame, but taught him many acting skills as well. He pointed out that a television role is demanding as an actor must be able to act “now and all the time.” There simply is not enough time to develop a role and each performance must be done well so that the viewers will continue to tune in to the show. For this reason, TV presents the greatest possible training ground for an actor.
Broadway Contrasted
Whereas the television actor does not see the “finished product” until later and then as a member of the audience, the Broadway actor knows instantly how his performance is being received; he gets immediate satisfaction. Moreover, in the theater, an actor is able to expand and extend his performance because of the greater time element. The basic interpretation of the role remains the same, but various values change within the interpretation such as the addition of new bits of business. Horton feels that most people have greater respect for Broadway actors; therefore, one has greater prestige.
Asked if he got tired of playing the same role over and over, Horton vehemently replied that his role has never seemed stale; rather, he enjoys his work and strives to maintain the illusion of the first performance.
Not Type Cast
An actor of amazing drive and versatility, Horton denied that he has been type cast. He considers himself suited to rugged outdoor roles, but pointed out that there is a difference in playing a cowboy on “Wagon Train” and a westerner in a dramatic musical. He has created several Shakesperean roles such as Benedict in Much Ado About Nothing and professed desires to play Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet and Prince Hal in Henry IV. His favorite role is Hal Carter in Picnic.
A native of California and a graduate of UCLA, Horton has enjoyed visiting New York and appearing in his first Broadway play as Starbuck, the rainmaker, but he is already making plans for the future. He has had two film offers; one, a safari picture to be made in Africa, and another film to be done in England. However, after “110,” he hopes to do some nightclub work. He is recording his first album for Columbia Records, which will be released this summer.
Explaining his ventures into many different entertainment fields, Horton said that he was interested in a career, not just a job. He feels that an actor should be flexible and able to function in any dramatic environment.
For the full issue, visit the Virginia Chronicle
