Alpha Tau

During the current academic year, the Alpha Tau Literary Society, under the able direction of Mr. Starrfield, has considered as its salient object the development in its members of the capacity of oral expression . The society has felt that the power to convey one's thoughts to others · thru the medium of the spoken word is one of the indispensable prerequisites for cuscess in any field of life, besides being a potent factor in an individual's personality

The weekly meetings have furnished the customary setting for the efforts of the members. A definite system in the programs has established an atmosphere of regular, intelligent discourse among the members. The attempt has been made to include most of the fields of human interest in the programs. Thus a characteristic meeting might contain the presentation of the details of a current event, the reading of several selections of prose and poetry, a discussion of a scientific topic followed by one on athletics and at times by one on art. Subsequent discussion has given all the members the opportunity to participate in the program, whose more specific elements have been prepared by individuals. Extemporaneous speaking has had a regular place at the meetings. In general, the meetings have stimulated thoughtful discussion, and have stressed accurate presentation of ideas in clear, vigorous language.

The annual debate and declamation con test offered the opportunity for much more elaborate preparation, and hence for the fuller display of capacities Altho the society did not win the honors this year, it has been felt that its efforts in both events have been most gratifying. The debate with its rival convincingly showed that the Alpha Tau society has attained its end to some degree.

The members are: Arnold Barber Burgess Carlton,