By April C. Armstrong *14
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a new game is loved and hated, the College president asks parents to help encourage better behavior among graduating students, and more.
February 2, 1984—A new craze is sweeping the campus: People are playing Trivial Pursuit virtually everywhere now that the Canadian best-seller has become available in the United States. The U-Store has sold out of game sets but has a waiting list for interested customers. Leslie Tucker ’86 doesn’t see the appeal. “People get too into the game and act obnoxious. People yell, ‘I know, I know,’ and you just want to hit them.”
February 3, 1854—After the winter break ends, locals remark on the difference having classes in session again makes: “The return of the students enliven[s] the place very materially.”
February 6, 1837—James Carnahan writes to appeal to parents of students to help reign in the debauchery of Commencement, which usually begins with a “ball and supper” the night before:
So great are these excesses that, we are persuaded, no parent could witness them without painful emotions… And before decisive measures are taken by the government of the College the interposition of parental influence and authority is most respectfully and earnestly requested. If the advice of parents and guardians should not be sufficient, they can withhold the means of dissipation.
February 8, 1922—John G. Hun writes to the “Student-Friends of Tim” to ask that they stop inviting Tim to spend the night in their rooms.
Tim is the most democratic and sociable of Irish Setters. This trait, while very delightful for the casual human acquaintance[,] is a source of considerably trouble to my children and wife. It is bad enough for the dog to be gone a large part of the day, but, when he spends the night away from home, we are all much worried.
Did you read the previous installment in this series?
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