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total of-a million volts. The electrons then hit a. tungsten
target, and x-rays result. It is completely shock-poof,
with freon, a gas used in modern refrigerators, serving
as the insulating medium; 100 pounds of this gas is as
effective in insulating qualities as six tons of oil.
The new laboratory building is of special design, with
extra thick concrete walls to protect the operating staff
from radiation generated by the powerful tube. The War
Producton Board has approved its erection. In addition
to two x-ray rooms, it will house a special research
laboratory to be operated by the Eastman Kodak Company.
Its outer door, of concrete and steel and weighing
twenty tons, is x-ray proof, and when opened provides
an entrance ten feet square so that large castings can be
brought into the building. This and the door into the
x-ray control room are electrically interlocked with the
control panel so that the x-ray machine cannot be operated
until both doors are closed. A ten-ton crane will be
used to handle the castings within the building.
While the new x-ray laboratory will serve strategic
wartime purposes, its usefulness will, of course, continue
beyond the day of peace. Machine tools for non-belligerent
purposes will still require heavy castings, and these
will be inspected and tested at the laboratory. In addition,
it will be available for deep therapy and for continued
scientific research by Strong Memorial Hospital.
The University's new x-ray facilities will be of direct
value to students enrolled in the new metallurgy curriculum
to be launched in September, 1943, by the department
of engineering.
This curriculum also is a major co-operative project,
with Rochester industries contributing $100,000 in cash
and equipment to provide a teaching and research program
in a field of immediate importance to war production
and to post-war development. Only two colleges in
New York State, Columbia University and Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institure, now offer courses inthe fabrication,
processing, and use of metals, leading to the degree
Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering.
The new program will be headed by Professor William
J. Conley, '18, acting chairman of the department of
engineerng. Metallurgy has been one of his major interests
for many years, and he has worked in close cooperaton
with Rochester industries in arranging undergraduate
and special courses in this field.
--R--
Zero Cold Marks Commencement
Day As 92 Receive Diplomas
For the first time since its founding in 1850, the
University of Rochester had a winter Commencement,
with ninety-two students, participants in the accelerated
6
year-round study program, recelvmg their degrees on
December 20th.
The coldest December day in the city's history accented
the contrast with the customary springtime graduation
ceremonies; there was no outdoor procession, the academic
ranks moving from the Lower Strong Auditorium
to the more spacious upper hall. No honorary degrees
were given at this Commencement. The procession was
headed by President Alan Valentine and the Commencement
speaker, President H. J. Cody of the University of
Toronto.
Sixty-three men and twenty-nine women were graduated.
Many of the men, members of the reserve forces,
immediately exchanged their academic gowns for Army
olive drab or Navy blue; others from the River Campus,
and some of the women, have entered research, engineering,
and industrial fields.
While war dictated the December Commencement,
both President Cody and President Valentine urged the
graduates not to forget the challenge of peace. Dr. Cody
proposed that the British Commonwealth, and the
United States, continue to stand together in peace as in
war. These two nations, he said, "are probably the only
two powers which unite the command of great resources
and a belief in liberal ideas.
"If we fail to remain the United Nations, we shall
fail to win the peace."
"War is either degradation or crusade," President
Valentine told the departing seniors. "It cannot be both.
You must help see to it that this is a war of crusadethat
we fight for some cause higher than holding what
we have. You must fight not just to defeat enemy nations,
but to defeat the roots of evil from which this barbarism
grew. Even in us those roots of evil lie. We must tear
them from ourselves as ruthlessly as we wrest them from
others. "
--R--
Another academic precedent was shattered on January
4th when the College for Men admitted thirty selected
high school seniors as the University's first mid-year
freshmen. This action was taken to give these men as
much college work as possible before they are called
into the armed services. It is possible that another group
will be admitted in May, when the post-Commencement
"Intersession" begins, but probably the greater share of
the next freshman class will be admitted, as usual, in
September.
Most of the new students are taking science courses,
including engineering, optics, chemistry, and pre-medical
work. Were they to be permitted to remain in college,
they would, under the accelerated program, complete
their college work of eight terms in August, 1945. Under
the normal program they would have completed their
high school work in June, and then would spend four
years in college, being graduated in 1947.
ROCHESTER ALUMNI-ALUMNAE REVIEW