PDF (1941) - CaltechCampusPubs

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CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TEClINOLOGY
the highest ranking eighth of the junior class and the highest quarter
of the senior class.
The Institute also has a chapter of Pi Kappa Delta, the national
forensic honor society. Members are elected annually from students
who have represented the Institute in intercollegiate debate, or in
oratorical or extempore speaking contests.
In addition to the national honorary fraternities there are four
local honorary groups: the Beavers, membership in which is a recognition
of service to the student body; the Varsity Club, which is
composed of students who have earned letters in intercollegiate
athletics; the Press Club, which elects members who are active in
student publications; and the Drama Club, in which membership is
conferred as an award for student dramatic talent.
Special interests and hobbies are provided for by the Chern Club,
the Radio Club, the Ski Club, and the Musicale. The Episcopal
Group and the Newman Club are organized on the basis of religious
interests. The Walrus Club comprises a group interested in the discussion
of questions of current national and international importance.
Forensics. Institute debaters engage in an annual schedule of debates
with other Southern California colleges, and take part annually
in oratorical and extempore speaking contests. To encourage undergraduate
forensics the English department offers a course in debate.
During the second and third terms a special debating class for
freshmen gives first-year men an opportunity to prepare for freshman
debates. A number of intramural practice debates, and the
annual oratorical contest for the Conger Peace Prize afford all men
interested in public speaking an opportunity to develop their abilities.
Recently the Speaking Club has been organized for undergraduates
who desire practice in public speaking under somewhat less
formal circumstances than debate or other forensic contests.
Drama. Opportunities for experience in dramatic work are
afforded by the production of two plays each year. As a rule, during
the Fall term a classical comedy, Greek or Roman, is presented in
translation under the auspices of the Institute chapter of Pi Kappa