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Change and Achievement Mark Year,
Review of 1942 Happenings Reveals
The University ofRochester had a notable year in 1942.
It was a year of profound change, of accomplishment.
The war made its influence felt in the classroom and in
the executive's office, and affected the lives of hundreds
of alumni and alumnae. Here is a brief review of some of
the major University news of 1942:
Accelerated Schedule-To enable students to complete as
much as possible of their college work before entering
military service, and to train physicians and to make
technically-trained men available to the armed forces and
to war industries as rapidly as possible, the University
inaugurates an accelerated program, with a summer term,
that places the colleges on what is virtually a year-round
basis. A student can now obtain his degree in two and
two-thirds years instead of the traditional four years.
University Mobiliz.es for War--Research facilities of the
science departments and the School of Medicine and
Dentistry are placed at the disposal of the Government.
Specialists in various research fields are given leave to
carryon vital projects for Army, Navy, and Air Forces.
New Fund Plan-Alumni and alumnae associations
adopt plan of seeking direct contributions to the University
to replace former system of membership dues;
graduates accept plan heartily, send in record amounts
in support of scholarships and other educational projects.
Perfect Basketball Season-Lou Alexander's quintet
makes University history by defeating all of its 1941-42
opponents, scoring victories over such formidable foes
as Princeton, Yale, Michigan State, Vermont, and Colgate;
and in December topples Cornell, Harvard, and
Ohio State to make it an undefeated year.
Military Intelligence-Approximately 650 alumnigraduates
of the College for Men, Eastman School of
Music, and School of Medicine and Dentistry-were in
uniform in 1942. Alumni Office sends out special biweekly
bulletin to service men. Alumnae enlist as
WAAC's, Army nurses.
Best Glee Club-University Glee Club wins national
contest sponsored by Fred Waring, and is awarded silver
cup to signify its triumph over all of its collegiate rivals.
Exclusive Circle-The University of Rochester is admitted
to the select company of members of the Association
of American Universities, in recognition of its excellence
in research and in graduate teaching.
New Dean-The Division of Graduate Studies becomes
the Graduate School of the University of Rochester,
with Donald W. Gilbert, '21, as its dean.
Women Sleep in Cutler Union-Forced to provide sleeping
facilities for half of the students at the College for Women,
authorities converted the third floor of Cutler
Union into a dormitory, accommodating thirty-three
out-of-town undergraduates.
John R. Slater Retires-ProfessorJohn R. Slater, beloved
chief of the department of English, retires after thirtyseven
years of teaching at the University. Alumni and
alumnae honor him, and an entire issue of THE ALUMNI­
ALUMNAE REVIEW is dedicated to him.
Trustees Become Alumni-All trustees holding degrees
from colleges other than Rochester are officially adopted
as alumni, made life members of the Association, presented
with bottles of dandelion wine, "Vintage of
1850."
Alumnae Sell Securities-Women graduates staff booth
at McCurdy's, sell record number of War Stamps and
Bonds.
DeGroot Does it Again-The Rochester football team
wins seven of eight games, losing only to Amherst and
rolling up 242 points while holding its foes to eight
points; Jim Secrest is high scorer in East, second in
nation, with 133 points.
Golden Anniversary-Alumni of Hobart and Rochester
hold joint dinner in observance of fifty years of football
rivalry between the two institutions, the banquet being
held on the eve of the Hobart game in which the Genevans
were crushed 59 to O.