Summer 95
Graduating during the middle of the Depression of the 30s when jobs were scarce was perhaps one of the secrets. There was very little extra money around and very few members had a car. They relied on each other for friendship, fellowship and entertainment.
The Class started with 330 students in first year, but many dropped out due to financial problems, ending with a total of 175 members. The charge for the graduation ball was only $3.50!
After graduation, a high percentage remained in the Toronto area, and a number of the members began meeting for lunch at Diana Sweets Restaurant on Bloor Street, mainly to talk about jobs. This tradition grew into regular meetings at Hart House, the Faculty Club and other suitable meeting spots.
In many of the earlier monthly meetings, speakers were members of the Class, and they talked about their work or interesting technical topics. During one of these meetings, it was decided to set up a special award to be given to a fourth year student in Engineering whom the Class considered to be the best Second Mile Engineer of the class. This became known as the "Second Mile Engineer Award," and was based on the concept that the "first mile" is the mile one travels to survive, to earn one’s daily bread, or to do the things that must be done. Beyond that lies the "second mile," where men and women strive for excellence over and above the need to get the job done, or where they give of themselves for the common good and seek to help others without expecting any reward. The Second Mile Engineer has become a prestigious award. The interest of the members in the selection of winners and the funding of the prize by all class members have contributed to keeping the Class together.
As the monthly meetings became more organized, particularly with the inclusion of member’s wives, a committee was selected each year to carry on the work. A "Phoner" system was established and, every month, each member in the Toronto area was called by someone from their department to remind them of the meeting and request their attendance. The Phoner system worked well as it maintained constant touch with the Toronto nucleus, as well as keeping up-to-date on news of out-of-town members. A secretarial committee was also established to prepare the monthly newsletter.
In recent years, the meetings have broadened in scope to include a wide range of speakers from ambassadors, Board of Governors, business people and university professors. The Class has 10 meetings each year. The annual dues have increased to $25 to take care of postage and other administrative expenses. For example, after each meeting, a letter with full details of the meeting is mailed to a list which is kept carefully up to date.
The Class has continued to be active in Alumni affairs and in the Engineering Alumni Association, serving on numerous committees, and has provided three presidents to the Engineering Alumni Association.
The Class of 3T5 considers itself fortunate to have maintained close contact with its members for 60 years, and hopes that this spirit, which is reflected in the Second Mile Engineer Award, can serve as a stimulus to other graduating years.