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Alumni Issue THE PUP TENT NEW MEXICO MILITARY INSTITUTE, Roswell, New Meitico June 29, 1946 Wany Patrons, Alumni for 53rd Commencement dnmnQ Baccalaureate Calls for Cadets to Help The fifty-third graduation ceremony of the New Mexico Military Institute was held Tuesday morning, in the new auditorium at nine o’clock. Dr. Austin D. Crile gave the invo­cation. Major General Terry de la Mesa Allen delivered an interesting and inspiring address. He stressed the importance of physical fitness and the cooperation in one’s unit. Gener­al Allen used instances of his experi­ences as examples of both require­ments. Major General Allen was presented with an honorary diploma by Mr. H. M. Dow, president of the Board of Re­gents. The graduates received their diplo­mas and high school certificates in a body. Valedictory. Cadet Lieutenant Hilton Hatchett Howell, valedictorian of the graduat­ing class, spoke on “This Atomic Age.” He •expressed the possible uses of the atom and the thought that should be with each person concerning the pro­gress of it toward peace as well as war. Cstdetjlowell’s delivery is superb. Dempsey Message. Colonel Pearson read the telegram from Governor John J, Dempsey ex-jiressing his disappointment at being upable to attend the ceremony and _cring|‘pt.nlat.ing iVilll-f. ni’jT' Ti I n 1’ f HI re on • itawP^a^ rating in the country. In his absence General Smith presented the diplomas. Erwin, Saunders Retire. Col. Pearson introduced the members of the Board of Regents, and an­nounced the retirement of Col. G. L. Erwin in September. Col.

end the ceremony and _cring|‘pt.nlat.ing iVilll-f. ni’jT' Ti I n 1’ f HI re on • itawP^a^ rating in the country. In his absence General Smith presented the diplomas. Erwin, Saunders Retire. Col. Pearson introduced the members of the Board of Regents, and an­nounced the retirement of Col. G. L. Erwin in September. Col. Erwin has thirty-four years of service, and was (Continued on Page 17) 725 Visitors For Commencement One of the delightful surprises of Commencement was the large number of alumni, patrons and friends who enjoyed the activities with the cadets. This year 726 out-of-town alumni, pat­rons and friends, signed the guest book at Headquarters. There are al­ways a number who do not sign, so probably eight hundred is nearer the actual count. This is the first time since 1942 that the number of visitors has exceeded 700. In 1940 and 1941, there were 900 visitors who signed; in 1942, 737; for 1943, the number dropped to 430; in 1944, there was an increase to 464; and in 1945, 484. Of the 725 signers, 66 were alumni, whose names will be found elsewhere in this issue. Last year, only 20 al­umni were with us at Commencement. Because of the housing shortage in Roswell, the Institute endeavored to secure or provide housing for the pat­rons and alumni who could not make their own arrangements. More than one hundred more persons asked to come than we could secure accommoda­tions for.

e. Last year, only 20 al­umni were with us at Commencement. Because of the housing shortage in Roswell, the Institute endeavored to secure or provide housing for the pat­rons and alumni who could not make their own arrangements. More than one hundred more persons asked to come than we could secure accommoda­tions for. Through rooms in private homes and accommodations at the In­stitute, in the Post Exchange, the Hospital, and cots in barracks, we were able to make places for some 250 visitors, parents and guests of the two graduating classes and alumni. We hope that for 1947 additional hous­ing will be available, and that all who want to come may find accommoda­tions. The 725 visitors came from twenty-six states, Mexico and Hawaii. Texas (Continued on Page 10) Five Members of Five member of the Staff were of­ficially retired and complimented by the Board of Regents at the May, 1946 meeting. Following is the excerpt from the minutes of the Board: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following appli­cations for retirement were approved as of September 1, 1946: 1. Colonel H. P. Saunders, Ji'., graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in 1912. He returned to the school in 1914 as a tactical officer and Staff are Retiring instructor. He became Commandant in 1916 and has served continuously to this date. 2. Lt. Colonel G. L. Erwin came to the school in 1912 as Secretary and Adjutant to Colonel James W. Willson, then Superintendent. His services ex­tended over a period of thirty-four consecutive years. 3. Dr. Austin D.

Staff are Retiring instructor. He became Commandant in 1916 and has served continuously to this date. 2. Lt. Colonel G. L. Erwin came to the school in 1912 as Secretary and Adjutant to Colonel James W. Willson, then Superintendent. His services ex­tended over a period of thirty-four consecutive years. 3. Dr. Austin D. Crile became ac­tive as Chaplain in 1912 and has just completed a service record of thirty (Continued on Page 17) To The N. M. M. 1. Alumni Following a very successful year and a most pleasant Commence­ment week-end, we are submitting this report for your pleasure and fur­ther consideration. If you have not-already done, so, will you please do’ these things immediately: ...t. 1. Give us your present and permanent address. Tell us whether or not you have heen separated from the service. We want to send you a questionnaire to be completed in detail and re­turned to us as a part of your permanent file here at the school. This will also be used by Colonel Kelly in writing the history of our partici­pation in this world war. 3. We are anxious to organize alumni clubs in your community. Will you assist us ? During the war period most of the alumni clubs were inactive. Now that a goodly number of our alumni are entering colleges in the various states, it seems most essential that the clubs be organized to welcome and assist these young men. To me, the organ­ization of alumni clubs is the most important activity of the alumni at this time. Our new president. Tommy Hall, is announcing the organiza­tion of alumni clubs as his first consideration.

n the various states, it seems most essential that the clubs be organized to welcome and assist these young men. To me, the organ­ization of alumni clubs is the most important activity of the alumni at this time. Our new president. Tommy Hall, is announcing the organiza­tion of alumni clubs as his first consideration. We were forced to close our enrolment April 1; every room is filled to' capacity, and we have found it necessary to refuse admission to a large number of applicants. Since the enrolment was closed, we have found that a goodly number of former cadets who have been discharged from the service, want to re-enter our school in September and com­plete requirements for junior college graduation, If any considerable number of these come to us, our accommodations will be badly congested. There is considerable confusion and uncertainty as to the future of our R.O.T.C. unit. The Cavalry branch of the army has been absorbed into the Armored branch. Apparently horse cavalry training will be-officially eliminated in the schools and colleges. However, we propose to continue our horse cavalry training as an extra-curricular activity. We cannot visualize our school without horse cavalry training. It also seems doubtful whether or not the War Department will allow us to continue the Advanced courses of the Senior R.O.T.C. unit and award contracts to advanced students. It is inconceivable to us that the War Department would become so short-sighted that it would destroy its best source of officer material for the fighting front.

ubtful whether or not the War Department will allow us to continue the Advanced courses of the Senior R.O.T.C. unit and award contracts to advanced students. It is inconceivable to us that the War Department would become so short-sighted that it would destroy its best source of officer material for the fighting front. Our building program, which was interrupted by the war, will be taken up again as soon as materials and labor become available. Closing the quadrangle with two sections of barracks will be our first project. This will increase our capacity to 700 cadets, which I hope will be main­tained as our maximum. I previously mentioned briefly my hope that the alumni would be- ' come interested in building an alumni memorial chapel. This, of course, cannot be done for several years, but it is not too early for us to perfect our plans. Five hundred thousand dollars may seem like an enormous sum of money, but I am confident that this sum and more will be con­tributed towards the building of an alumni memorial chapel if we can get the hearty support of the alumni. We would appreciate your writ­ing, suggesting plans of procedure. One prominent alumus has already suggested that we sell seats in the chapel at from $250 to $500 each and memorial windows at $1,000 each; the seats to be marked with the name of the purchaser. Can you suggest a better plan? Most sincerely yours, D. C. PEARSON, Superintendent. Dr. Austin D. Crile was at his best when he bade the Corps of Cadets farewell in his 1946 Baccalaureate.

n the chapel at from $250 to $500 each and memorial windows at $1,000 each; the seats to be marked with the name of the purchaser. Can you suggest a better plan? Most sincerely yours, D. C. PEARSON, Superintendent. Dr. Austin D. Crile was at his best when he bade the Corps of Cadets farewell in his 1946 Baccalaureate. The message was one of faith and hope, and was a ringing call to the cadets, and all his listeners to go for­ward to a better world. Because it was so splendid, we have asked Dr. Crile himself to give a synopsis of his sermon for those who were not for­tunate enough to be present: “Should we have faith in the future in the midst of wars and economic confusion? Jesus said to his little band of followers: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” Mark 16:15; the world of selfishness, that knew only malice, hatred and revenge. The disciples were taught the opposite. Jesus said: “Father forgive them,” when they drove the nails into his hands and feet. This was new. The early Chris­tians conquered by love, kindness and mercy. That teaching made a new world and is the foundation of all the pro­gress of our race. Wherever it pre­vailed man has progressed economical­ly and socially. This gospel has more power today than ever. It has taught business that it pays to be honest and kind. It will teach labor to be co-*^ operative and progressive. Cadets, join the march of progress. Select your job aand work at it. You will be called to help lead to a better world, if you have kindness, love, char­acter and a well trained mind.

r today than ever. It has taught business that it pays to be honest and kind. It will teach labor to be co-*^ operative and progressive. Cadets, join the march of progress. Select your job aand work at it. You will be called to help lead to a better world, if you have kindness, love, char­acter and a well trained mind.” The music for baccalaureate was especially fitting to the occasion: The solo by Mrs. Saunders is one of the traditional features. The hymn by the Glee Club was a new offering this (Continued on Page 10) Gen. Terry Allen Given a Diploma Major General Terry, de la Mesa Allen, the Commencement speaker for 1946, was awarded an honorary diplo­ma at the graduation ceremonies. In a few appropriate remarks, H. M. Dow, President, delivered the diploma on behalf of the Board of Regents. This was the first honorary diploma to be awarded by New Mexico Military Institute. General Allen attended the United States Military Academy, belonging to the Class of 1912. He took an A. B. at Catholic University, won a competitive Army examination, was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Cavalry. He was graduated from the Army War College, the (Jommand and General Staff School, the Mounted Service School, the Cavalry School, Advanced Course and the Infantry School, Advanced Course.