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USS Breton (CVE 40 FPO San Francisco May 9
Dear Sir;
This is a reply to your letter requesting information as to the wants and needs of returning veterans to Stanford.
First of all, I had a wonderful opportunity to compare Stanford's curricula with that of every other college in the United States during the time I was an engineering instructor at Midshipmen's School, New York, N.Y. I must admit that Stanford's curricula in the Engineering Dept. was too limited in scope and too theoretical. Since I was only interested in mechanical engineering there - and now, I feel qualified to write only of that small division of engineering. More emphasis should be made on constructional details, both of boilers, turbines, and their many necessary auxillaries.
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I fear too many graduates in engineering from Stanford never appreciated the necessity, nor knew of the exsistence of air ejectors, bypass steam, bleed steam, deaerating tanks, fuel oil spray nozzles, water walls, steam drums, dry pipes, super heater tubes, economizers, etc; all of which, and many others, are part of our professional knowledge. A lot less complicated formulas are used in the outside world than Stanford curricula gives! More of the essential pipe line diagrams should be included in a more practical course.
As for extra-curricula activities - expand them, for no one has a complete education without taking part in them. Increase the allowed number of sororities so that the newer admitted distinction between house and hall be reduced. Above all, attempt to increase the feminine enrollment so that both the men and women
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of Stanford will not have a warped impression of their importance or insignificance as the case me be. In other words, eliminate the "Stanford women" stigma creating a more normal relationship between the men and women. This asking three weeks ahead of time for a date is pure folly!!
Respectfully submitted, Victor A. Ferrari Ensign USNR
P.S. A broken right thumb? accounts for the handwriting.
