Here’s another look at the Thanksgiving Reunion held at Rice in 1919, effectively our first Homecoming. (I wrote about this last year too, but I have some new images this time.) It had all the ingredients. The day began with an an academic procession, followed by a religious service, in the morning:
Then came some football. (I’m sure that by this time you can all date this photograph just by the men’s hats and collars.)
And finally, turkey:
Bonus: It was President Lovett who gave the invocation at the morning religious service. His remarks raise again what is to my mind one of the most interesting (and largely unexplored) issues of the early Institute–what did they mean precisely when they said that Rice was secular? It is quite clearly not the same thing that we mean now, but these were extremely smart men and they certainly meant something. If I ever get out from under all this centennial stuff, I’ll do some reading and have a hard look at this.
Almost against my better judgment, here’s Lovett’s script for the invocation:
Thanks everyone, and I hope you all have a wonderful day.
Lovett’s invocation looks very similar to prayers in the Episcopal Church Book of Common Prayer in use at least through the 1960s.
It is in fact the confession found in the 1892 Book of Common Prayer. It is also found in the 1928 BCP as well as the 1979, possibly modified. I found it rather interesting that the preacher, Dr. Sears, appears to be wearing a standard collar that would be worn with a tie, and a zuccheto (the Roman Catholic answer to the kippah or yarmulka).
The menu had a number of quite tasty looking treats.
I wonder what Friandises and Fantaisies are? They sound exotic. I am also surprised they could get asparagus in November.
“To the glory of Thy Hole Name.” Is this a typo? Shouldn’t it be “Holy” Name?
Of course, I was raised a Southern Baptist. What do I know about Episcopalian prayers?
BTW I think I see Roger Tower in the stands at the football game 🙂
This gathering–and Thanksgiving day–also marks the founding of the Association of Rice Alumni. Now the ARA avoids both Thanksgiving weekend and the weekend before for scheduling Homecoming, or attendance takes a hit.
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