UNIVERSITY REUNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17942, 22 May 1920, Page 7

UNIVERSITY REUNION

AN ENJOYABLE GATHERING. In tho Allen Hall at tho University last evening n social .reunion of the graduates of Otago University wm held under the auspices of tho (Jmvoraity Women's Association. A number of tables and lounges wore disposed about the tastefully decorated hall, and the gathering proved most enjoyable to all who took part in it. There was a largo attendance, which was mostly oomposed of women. .M : ss Flora Allan (president of tho association), who occupied tho chair, extended a very cordial welcome to those present. She said that instead of arranging for the usual May meeting, the women of tho University had decided this yoar to extend an invitation to the men graduates bo be prosont at a joint reunion of the members of the association and tho men graduates of the University of Otago. Thero wore two main reasons, continued Mifs Allan, for making the change. One was ' several of tho toon graduates who, on leaving the dominion, hod a lukewarm interest in their alma mntor and her activities, had returned after some years of military service and a close contict with the stern realities of war with vision clarified, values readjusted, and a new and true perception, of the importance in their lives of the University—its ideals, and , the opportunities which it offered for comradeship and friendship. It had been represented to the exooutive that a joint reunion would have a quickening influence on all graduates and would render more easy a revival of thr oldeir association. The other reason was that in the jubilee year it was felt to tx> moro fitting to have a gathering on a rather larger scale, which would embrace all the graduates and give many of them a chance of renewing old friendships and of making new ones. —(Applause.) Dr Siedeberg unveiled the portrait of the late Dr Cruickshank, which she .was presenting to the Women's Common Room. In a graceful speech Dr _ Siecteborg referred briefly to Dr Ctruickshank's school and university career, her distinguished work as a medical student when she and Dr Siedeberg wore the first women medical students of the Otago University. She had commenced practice 'at Waimate, where her sweetness of disposition and her saintliness of soul won the lovo of all who mado her acquaintance. She was struck down by the influenza epidemio when her devotion to' duty and her self-saorificing efforte on behalf of • the sufferers brought about her own death. The people of Waimate are about to oreefc in memory of Dr Cruickshank a full-sized statue of "their good doctor" in the Council Chamber. On behalf of the women students of tho IjiMvoraity Miss G. Chapman thanked Dr Siedeberg for her gift, which would be greatly appreciated. Dr E. J. O'Neill, in the course of an admirably-worded speech, congratulated the Women's Association on the success of the psunion. He asked whether the graduates of the University were doing all they could to help on the interests of the University. Ho,was afraid that this was not the case. The graduates were no taking full advantage of their power and their numbers. In those days, when all over the world men of common sympathies were compelled to unite themselves into association for the furtherance of their common aims, it behoved the graduates of the Otago University to put forth more concentrated efforte to assist the institution with which they were accosiated.. They should all b© proud of tho interests of their aimo mater. Professor Thompson spoke briefly of the need for revivifying the Graduates' Association. He suggested that this was a suitable time for the institution of a war memorial fund in honour of those students and graduates of the University who, had fallen in the Great War. -•

Dr Marshall Macdonald moved that a committee be sot up to consider the establishment of such a fund, the committee to consist <if Miss H. Rawson, Miss M. A. Taylor, Messrs A. O. Aitken, J. Hinton, .T. *M. Patexson, Professor Thompson, and tho mover. This was seconded by Mr J. M. Paterson, and carried unanimously. A pleasant programmes of music and the handing round of supper added to the 1 enjoyment of those present. FEDERATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN. At the annual business meeting of the Otago Women Graduates' Association, which takes placo this evening, the following motion will be moved:—" The Women Graduates' Association of Otago University declares itself in sympathy with the aims of the International Federation of University Women. The association considers it is desirable that a branch of the federation shall bo formed in Now Zealand, and is prepared to take active steps towards this end." If this motion is carried, a. sub-committce of three to five members will be selected at the business meeting to draw up definite proposals to be presented to the oonimittee of the Otago Women Graduates' Association and to get into touch with the women graduates of the University Colleges. The International Federation of University Women has been established for the purpose of uniting educated women of different countries for the furtherance of their oommon interests and the development of mutual understanding and sympathy. Th practical means to these ends will consist of an aefcivo policy for the promotion of international intercourse, including comprehensive schemes for the exchange of lecturers and scholars of different universities, the provision of international scholarships, and cooperation with the National Bureau of Education. The initial steps towards the organisation of the federation have been taken by the British Federation of University Women and the American Association of Collegiate Alumnae. By agreement with the American Association the International Relations Committee of the British Federation has drawn up a series of proposals far the constitution and bylaws of the International Federation. The proposals will be formally considered at the first annual conference of the International Federation, which will be held in London in the summer of 1920.