YMCA Army Work Intensive Training Poster (c. 1917)
Description:
This poster advertises the YMCA Army Work Course offered at the International YMCA College, now called Springfield College. The army work intensive training course lasted one month and was one of three offered by the college throughout World War I. This poster advertises the fourth and fifth terms, held between October and December 1917. Behind the bulk of the writing is an inverted red triangle, the college’s emblem. At the top of the poster is a photograph of the students in Springfield College’s first army work course, which ran from June 16 to July 13, 1917. Lake Massasoit is visible behind the men. The bottom of the poster lists the men who served on the Committee on Army Work Course and advises interested persons to contact Arthur Rudman, the director of the army work course and a faculty member at the college. The bulk of the writing states that students will “have opportunities for Normal Practice” among “the troops at the United States Arsenal” and those stationed nearby at Camp Bartlett. The class covered a variety of subjects, such as educational work, religious work, social work, the history and organization of the army, YMCA history, and games “suitable for Army camp life.” Daily instruction was offered in the French and Russian languages. Springfield College was chosen as a training agency to prepare and equip men for war work during World War I. Although many of faculty members served in the War Work Group which oversaw the operation, Arthur Rudman was the director.
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