Commercial Society
President: L. Stephenson
Vice-President: L. Dowling
Secretary: J. W. Little
Treasurer: M. H. MacKenzie
Advisory Board: Professor R. M. Sugars, Dr. J. P. Day, Dr. P. Villard, Professor R. R. Thompson
The high standard of excellence that the Commercial Society has attained during the last few years has been well maintained during this session.
It is generally conceded that our influence throughout the College is increasing, and is thereby tending to strengthen the feeling that a Faculty of Commerce is desirable.
A very interesting programme of meetings has been enjoyed this session, including addresses by Dr. J. P. Day, of the Dept. of Commerce; Mr. T. B. Macaulay, President of the Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada; Mr. J. T. Stevens, of the bank of Montreal; Dr. D. M. Marvin, of the Royal Bank of Canada; Dr. R. P. Jellett, of the Royal Trust Co.; and a splendid demonstration by the Bell Telephone Co. of Canada. The enthusiasm of our members is clearly reflected in the gratifying attendance at our meetings.
One of the best college functions of last year was the Society’s Banquet at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The principal speaker was our Chancellor, Mr. E. W. Beatty; and among the guests were Sir Arthur Currie and a number of distinguished business men.
It augurs well for continued progress in the future that such distinguished men as these take an interest in the Dept. of Commerce.
In conclusion, the Executive of the Society wishes to thank Sir Arthur Currie and its Advisory Board for the invaluable assistance which they have given, and which, in great measure, has contributed to this session of decided success.
A History of the Class of Commerce ‘27
By Gridiron Gus
It will be a readily admitted fact that if the class of Commerce ’27 were to come out with the statement that they were not the most remarkable class that ever entered McGill, then it must follow that they would be the most remarkable class that ever entered McGill. Well, the Class of Commerce ’27 does not say that they were the most remarkable class that ever entered McGill, so …!!
That point settled satisfactorily, let us get on with the history It was back in the year of twenty-three, that the usual high standard of this university of ours was somewhat elevated by the entrance of some seventy stalwarts and eight others not so stalwart, who came from all parts of the Dominion. They made their presence felt almost immediately, for at the very first lecture, with the assistance of the French professor, they threw out of the room the freshman class in Arts, who were intruding.
It was during the first month in college that they showed some of the keen wit and humour that has borne them through the series of interesting lectures since that time, and they kept the sophomores in roars with their antics. They donned green hats, wore their vests backwards, left their ties at home, and at every gathering in front of the Arts Building sang comic songs. In short, they showed themselves all ken humourists and were the life of the college.
Not content6 with this, at the end of the month they suggested a banquet to the sophomores. The second year men fell in with the idea whole-heartedly and then the freshmen year caught the spirit and subscribed to a man. This further testimony of their magnanimity took place at the Venetian Gardens and “a good time was had by all” … yea very good.
During the freshman year, the class president was Eddie Hanna; Miss Alice Archibald was vice-president, and Miss Aimee Gravel was secretary-treasurer.
When the class rallied again in the fall of 1924, it was found that the ranks were horribly diminished. There was only about one half of the original class back in college !!! Where were the others? Had they become bankers or such without waiting to finish their course? More than likely, since it will be remembered that three banks failed that year, notable among them the Home Bank of Canada.
Again in 1924, there was a banquet of freshmen and sophomores, but on this occasion the class of twenty-seven were the guests. As in the previous year, there was a huge amount of water drunk next day. Those who guided the destinies of the class through the storms of 1924 were: president Ney Gordon and vice-president Jack Mickles and secretary-treasurer Leslie Stephenson.
At the conclusion of the exams last spring, the class decided that some fitting celebration must be made to commemorate the failing of the final exams. With this intention in mind a large touring car was hired and a very interest trip was made to Ste. Anne de Bellevie. The car left the “Pig” at two o’clock , and the boys were back in time for the banquet which followed at the Queen’s Hotel. Of the banquet itself, volumes might be written, could anyone be found to write down the events of the whole evening. The fact is that the events of the next few days are rather hazy in the minds of most of them. Commerce ’27 were making history.
All of which brings up the present day. To-day some thirty-five survive of the seventy that came in full of the joy and zest of life. It has been the survival of the fittest. But those who have weathered the storm are still making history. Five of them are making history up at the stadium on the senior football team. Witness the names of Eddie Hanna, Joe Cameron, Ney Gordon, Jack Mickles and Jack Little. Two others are on the championship soccer team, Frank Kelland and Leslie Stephenson, the latter being the captain last year. Two others though “lesser men” are leading lights of the Daily; D. A. MacDonald, who is Managing Editor and A. Ross Harkness, who toils while we sleep to get out Saturday’s Daily. The rest of them are still making history, each in his own sphere.
McGill Yearbook: 1927
See original pages: Cover | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15
