BCom100: 1921

The Commercial Society

Officers

Although entering only upon the second year of its existence, the Commercial Society has already been firmly established among the various societies in the University. It is due to the very necessary purpose that it serves, that the Society has become so essential to every loyal Commerce student.

When the Society was formed last year there were several functions which its organizers aimed to accomplish. It was desired to promote a feeling of good-fellowship among Commerce students. The importance was further appreciated of furnishing the School of Commerce with an official organ, through the medium of which the student body might express its views, and by means of which all efforts to advance the interests of the School could be concentrated. Finally it was intended to hold regular, fortnightly meetings, at which topics of commercial interest could be discussed and studied, and in this way add to and supplement the value of the curriculum. These aims have been adhered to by the Society and have furnished the lines along which its affairs have been guided.

Last fall as soon as the students were settled down the Society was re-organized, and elections held. Taking advantage of an influx of students which far exceeded the most optimistic expectations, activities were resumed with renewed vigour. Meetings were held regularly from which the members derived much benefit. The Society was fortunate in having two well-known business men address it on different occasions. At one meeting Mr. Hughes, ex-secretary of the Canadian Manufacturers’ Association, gave an interesting talk on Foreign Trade. At another, Mr. McCullough delivered a splendid lecture on Marine Insurance. All these meetings were well attended, an additional feature to which was the serving of refreshments.

The interest and enthusiasm shown by the members has been very encouraging, and this coupled with the ready advice and valuable assistance offered by the Board of Advisors has been responsible for much of the success achieved by the Society.

Commerce ‘21

Officers

President: P. R. Laffoley

Vice-President: W. W. Werry

Secretary: Miss G. E. Dougall

Treasurer: N. H. Friedman

In the early days of October, 1918, Old McGill gave shelter to thirteen new students searching for commercial knowledge. No one knew what a talented and diversified small group we were. The second year boys looked with awe at the rather large number and wondered how many years we would have to spend in the Arts Building before we would be able to wear a “Trencher.” Just as we were becoming accustomed to nine o’clock lectures the “flu” came and gave us a month’s holiday. Little did we think that when we came back our numbers were to be increased, until the first day at nine o’clock lecture one of the “fair sex” came strolling into the room and took her seat. At first we all and even the professor thought that she was looking for the R. V. C. We were all satisfied when the professor asked her what course she was taking and seeing him walk away contented, we knew that she must belong to us.

Time passed and in December our tanks were joined by another member who had just returned from the Navy. By February we were thinking of the exams, which were to come off shortly. Fortunately no member was a “Xmas Graduate.” The remainder of the year was spent in smokers, dinners and Commercial Society meetings. Spring crept upon us and the year’s session gradually came to a close.

When the session of 1919-20 opened we found that so great was our example and reputation of the previous year that the number of the first year was increased fivefold and two lonely maidens determined to join the ranks of the ever increasing numbers of commercial students. To have such a number in one year was a record breaker, but by the calm character of our director-secretary, Mr. Sugars, they were handled with “sang-froid.”

Our old class-mates were diminished by six. Some for reasons of their own, others being honorably discharged. Although our members had been decreased, four new members, most of whom had returned from overseas, joined our ranks and brought our numbers up to the lucky “thirteen.”

During the month of October a general meeting was held and the officers for the year were elected. For the first time in the history of the School of Commerce, the Freshman-Junior’s banquet was held separately from the “Arts,” which shows the growing importance of our Commercial School and the longing for and gratification of independence which is characteristic of all important faculties.

McGill Yearbook: 1921

See original pages: Cover | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11