Thayer School

WAR CONDITIONS have necessitated a change in the Thayer School educational program which went into effect at the opening of college last month. The change is concisely described in the following statement issued by Dean Garran:

"For the duration of the war, the Thayer School has reduced its entrance requirements from six to four semesters of college work. It also announces that two new options which emphasize Mechanical Engineering or Communications Engineering have been added to its general engineering curriculum. The Tuck-Thayer course in Business Administration and Engineering, as well as the Civil Engineering curriculum, will remain unchanged except for the prerequisites as noted above. Students may now complete their engineering training in eight semesters of college work.

"These changes have been made to allow students to finish their engineering education before being called into the armed services. They also enable the School to make the greatest possible contribution to the increasing demand for engineering graduates in military services and in war industries."

Alumni will recognize that this action is a temporary war measure. We all feel that the advantages of the five-year curriculum are great in normal times. As soon as the present emergency, which can only be met by all-out efforts on the part of all of us, is over, the School will re-establish its re- quirement of six semesters of college work for admission.

Charley Hitchcock '39 completed the semester's work as Instructor in Engineering on September first and departed immediately for the Norfolk training center of the Navy Civil Engineer Corps in which he holds a commission as Ensign.

The School has been extremely fortunate in obtaining the services of John H. Minnich '29 as Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering. John completed his work as resident engineer on a high-pressure steam power plant in Fall River the first of last month, and took up his duties at Thayer School with the beginning of the current semester. He has had thirteen years' experience in construction and design work since graduation and will assume the teaching responsibility for courses in these fields. He has the qualifications of a good teacher and a wealth of practical experience which cannot fail to contribute greatly to his teaching effectiveness.

Dean Garran has returned to his duties as Dean of the School after a brief respite from this work during the summer. Under his direction and that of Professor Jensen of the English Department, a Civil Pilot Training program is being conducted this fall. Also under his direction, Engineering Science Management War Training courses are being offered in Safety Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Machine Design, Fluid Mechanics and Engineering Drawing. These courses are all intended for men and women in war industries with the exception of Engineering Drawing which is a pre-employment course for men and women to fill positions in war industries where there is a most acute shortage.

We very regretfully note the death of two Thayer School overseers during the past few weeks. Both of these men have been so well known to our alumni that no review of their lives is needed in this column. Charles R. Main 'OB passed away at his home on August 22, after a long illness. Mr. Main has served as Overseer of the School since 1936. In this capacity as well as in alumni activities for a much longer period, he had shown his loyalty and devotion to the interests of the School. His advice and suggestions on matters of school policy were always valuable and well-considered.

Arthur C. Tozzer '03 passed away at his home on September 9. Illness had forced him to suspend for some time his activities as vice president and director of the Turner Construction Company. In spite of poor health, he attended the meeting of the Thayer Society of Engineers in New York last winter and the spring meeting of the Overseers and graduation exercises in Hanover in April. He remained in Hanover after these meetings to attend the fortieth reunion of his class the following week. Mr. Tozzer had served continuously as Overseer since his election to the Board in 1924. The interests of the School were always deep in his heart, and he made many sacrifices of time and effort to contribute his friendship and support to the School both during his terms as Overseer and for twenty years previous in activities of the Thayer Society of Engineers. Always cheery and cordial with faculty and students alike, he won the admiration and affection of all who were privileged to know him.