American Public Servant
The Life Story of One Who Loves the U.S.A.
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American Public Servant The Life Story of One Who Loves the U.S.A. |
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© Steven E. Schanes 2001
August 11, 2000
Story 9B
1942: Doing College In Three Hours
Dr. Harry Sprague looked and sounded every inch the movie version of a college president. He was about six feet tall, medium build, walked erect, with a well-defined face, strong jaw line, white mustache, strong head of white hair. He also had the deep voice, with a slow way of speaking which connoted the necessary years of wisdom undergirding a college president. Fortunately, he also was one, the President of Montclair State Teachers College, New Jersey.
Montclair State was not a large school. There was only one classroom building, with only one major entrance way, a large set of concrete steps. The student body numbered about 550, including some 200 freshmen. By May, 1942, Stuart Eurman and I had been there for two years and had been active in a number of student affairs. For example, he had been the narrator in the play "Our Town", which role required him to be on the stage much of the time. He was class president. I was involved in publications and had been elected editor of the college newspaper, The Montclarion. We both sang in the College Choir.
That year, through some error in planning, graduation and highschool student recruitment took place on the same day.
As Stu and I walked up the steps to get into our choir robes for the graduation ceremony, Dr. Sprague came down toward us. "I want to welcome you to Montclair State," he said, "I hope you enjoy your day here." We thanked him kindly and continued up the stairs.
Three hours later, as Stu and I walked down the same concrete stairs, wearing our choir robes, Dr. Sprague came walking up. "I want to congratulate you." he said, "We're so very proud of our fine graduates." I have always felt that the two of us handled it with all the dignity befitting the occasion.
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