The Hungarian Student, 1958 (2. évfolyam, 1-7. szám)
1958 / 2. szám
the hungarian student 3 Reverend Charles P. Loughran, Assistant Dean of Fordham has helped many Hungarians. Party at Fordham a Success AS WE ARRIVED, a short and merry baa! flew over the campus. And again and again! In vain one looked for a hidden chorus of students, but the origin of the music was a sheep! Ramses is the favored pet of the 9,000 students who attend Fordham University, and there is always someone petting him or imitating his clumsy little leaps. A little less than a year has passed since destiny assigned him new friends, the twelve Hungarian boys and girls who were given scholarships at Fordham. All of them came to the United States after the Hungarian uprising of 1956. They had a twomonth English course, before their studies commenced. Facing an unexplored language, unfamiliar circumstances, and new tasks, Fordham gave them a warm and friendly reception. Hungarian teachers such as Father Varga and Father Toth helped them in every possible way as well as professors of Hungarian extraction: Father Serei, Professor Wolsky, and Professor Winter—not to mention almost every university student and lecturer. Thanks to this open-hearted reception, they soon felt at ease and at home. They took part in student life and sport events. Laszlo Novacs became the “best of the year” of the University’s soccer-team, István Kelemen and Ivan Csete are members of the fencing team, and Joseph Csete is in the swimming club. With Hungarian initiative an athletic club has also been established. Ramses, the mascot of Fordham University, is pictured with a student. At the party several students commented on their new university life. István Kovács said, “We are part of the activities at the International Club. We like the life of the organizations, which is spontaneous and yet able to hold the fellows together. The motives of their activities are general interest and a wish to know each other, rather than a pressure from higher places.” Laszlo Kiss added, “Not long ago, we were asked to tell about our country and our life there. That is how the idea of today’s party came up; the program is entirely furnished by Hungarian students.” A curious crowd of students and guests watched the show. Ivan Csete gave an interesting summary of Hungarian history. Joseph Krenusz spoke on the achievements of Hungarian science and culture, and Ivan Kovács talked about Hungarian student life. A motion picutre about the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, entitled “Hungary Afire” produced a great effect on the onlookers. Then came the surprise of the evening: the recital of Gyula Illyés’ poem, “A Word About Tyranny” by an American student, David Gillis. We were proud of our boys when we left. A little more than a year ago, they lived in an entirely different environment and did not even know how to speak English. We were told a secret when we said goodbye: it is possible that we will be invited to a “Hungarian Club” next year. But until then, of course, there are a few more things to do. Two Hungarian students reading over their lecture notes after class.
