Word: athenaeum
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...Athenaeum, Latin for "School of Oratory," began in the Spring of 1953, and by the Fall of the same year it was again history. Its opening was a real production: ambassadors of good will gave long, dull speeches, the principal speakers wore tuxedos, and an audience of several hundred graciously applauded Pulitzer Prize winner Peter Vicreck as he prepared to attack intellectuals for opposing Stalinism less ardently than other forms of totalitarianism. Before he could say a word, however, an enthusiastic Athenacumite shouted an amendment to the debate proposition; the Chairman growled, Vicreck frowned, and the organizers wondered if such...
...organizational core of the Athenaeum dissolved soon after its formation because there was no way of assuring annual leadership--during the Fall of '53 it was difficult to tell who was running what. The new parliament, organized with club support, seems strongest in this respect...
...Athenaeum attempted to meet too often, a dangerous practice before student approval is assured. It appears that fewer meetings, of a more significant nature, would have held a better chance of support...
...need for a strong chairman who can control the meeting is a necessity. This is basically a matter of personality, but the Athenaeum's final meetings sadly demonstrated that the lack of this personality can be disastrous...
...inconsistent quality of guest speakers dealt unfairly with the Athenaeum's reputation. Distinguished guests were not helpful, and poor guests proved ruinous. It now seems logical to allow only student debate unless an exceptional outside speaker is available...