Student Activities
; "Debating Team")
During this era, social activities and extracurricular pursuits were lively. In addition to the University’s early student organizations and activities, such as the Students’ Union and the Athletic Society, approximately 16 student societies developed between 1912 and 1919. These included the Glee Club, Orchestra, Philoneician Debating Club, Philosophical Society, Collegium Agricolarum, Dramatic Society, Rifle Association, Mathematics Club, Modern Languages Club, Tennis Club, Women's Athletic Club, and Harriers' Club.
The constituency for an Alumni Association was created when the University’s first degrees were awarded in 1912. By 1915, a constitution for the University of Alberta Alumni Association had been drafted.
Reg Lister, Superintendent of Residences, had a wonderful way of capturing and weaving humour and student antics, along with University business, personalities, and development, into his writings. In My Forty-Five Years on the Campus, he recalled:
In these early days, Athabasca Hall served many purposes. The first convocation held on this campus took place in May, 1914, in the dining hall. In the gymnasium, the Dramatic society used to hold its plays, one of which was The Rivals. The boxing matches were very popular, and were often refereed by Dr. Broadus, who on one occasion slipped and broke his arm.
From the beginning of the University of Alberta until 1920, all students as well the professors wore gowns to their lectures.
In 1914-15 there were few students in the residences. Some of the first boys to enlist joined the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry with Mr S. Fife, who was killed overseas. The Canadian Officers Training Corps made a real hit on the campus. Everybody was out with their wooden rifles marching up and down in front of Athabasca Hall. Even Dr Tory used to go on parade.
I left for overseas with a bunch of students in the 11th Field Ambulance, No. 530700, and returned in September, 1919, which was one of the best years at the University. On November 11, 1919, a few of the boys hauled a cannon from somewhere over town, placed it on the campus, loaded it with gunpowder, rammed it down with lots of wet newspaper and then fired it, not only once but several times. It scared everybody out of their wits and shook every window in the place. At one of the dances held for the boys, the dining room in Athabasca Hall was turned into a dug-out, with sandbags, candles and lookouts. As I happened to know most of the returned boys, we all had some good times together and told many an entertaining tale.
Conversazione was introduced in 1914. It was thought that in addition to academic life students should be educated in formal social situations. Students, staff, and societal elite had the opportunity to mingle. A canopy was erected between Athabasca and Assiniboia so people would be protected from the elements. A catered dinner and formal dance were included in this big event.