Drake University - Quax Yearbook (Des Moines, IA)

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Commencement 1940 EVERAL thousand persons, in the University Church of Christ attendin the annual Drake commencement exercises, listened 5 S intently. ' I have the honor to present the speaker in absentis, Mr. .I. Edgar Hoover, Dr. D. W. Morehouse, president of Drake univer- sity, said. There was a half minute of silence broken only by occasional coughing in the audience. Dr. Morehouse turned to look toward the off-stage control room. This is Station WOL, Washington, D. C.- The sound broke forth from a half dozen loud speakers about the audi- torium. It was the introduction of the director of the federal bureau of investigation, who radioed his address when an unusual emergency forced him to cancel his trip to Iowa. It was believed to be the first remote control com- mencement address in the nation. Hoover, whose presentation was as audible and clear as if he had stood before his audience, warned his listen- ers against Communists, Bund organizations espionage agents, saboteurs, and other foreign deterrents of Ameri- can preparedness. The crowded church audience applauded its unseen speaker when the loud speakers became silent. Dr. Morehouse awarded 230 diplomas as he watched for the last time the long line of Drake graduates file out of the University Church. He also presented honorary doctor of law diplomas to Dr. George H. Gallup, founder of the American Insti- tute of Public Opinion and the Gallup polls, and Dr. Roy G. Blakely, professor of economics at Minnesota University. - Busy commencement week included the annual Com- mencement play St, Joan given May 23, 24, 25 in which the senior dramatists had their final appearance on the alma mater stage. Then the Phi Beta Kappa dinner was held in the Women's Dormitory on May 3I. June I saw the annual alumni-graduate dinner. Baccalaureate exercises were held June 2 in the Uni- versity Church of Christ with the Rev. Marvin O. Sansbury delivering the sermon. On the sunny, warm morning of Monday, June 3, 1940, the 230 capped and gowned graduates filed across Uni- versity avenue and into the Church auditorium. At noon they filed back and were inducted into the Drake alumni association standing under traditional ChanceIor's elm. In the afternoon Dr. and Mrs. Morehouse held the Presi- dent's reception in their home, and the 59th Commence- ment activities came to a close.

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Two lives were moulded in the span ot years from i897 to I94l-that ot Daniel Walter Morehouse and ot Drake university. As student, athlete. pro- fessor, department head and president, Dr. More- house matured with his university, each gaining new depth, responsibility and tame as the years un- folded. Those ot us on campus now cannot picture the younger man. But in these scenes are recorded the teacher, scholar, administrator and builder that shall remain indelible in our memories. To the right is Dr. Morehouse pictured at his chosen profession -that ot teacher ot his science, astronomy. One ot the last pictures taken ot him, it is also one ot the most typical and beloved. Sara Lee Tesdell is. the apt student. Familiar to both students and taculty is this scene ot Dr. Morehouse at his spacious desk. It was sitting at this desk that Dr. Morehouse made many a weighty decision. settled many a disciplinary prob- lem, called to order many an executive council meeting as well as pass a cheery time ot day with the numerous students who habitually stopped in tor a chat. It was here that persons ot world-wide tame, such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover or the meekest and most self-conscious ot prospect- ive students with their parents were greeted with the same dignified, gentlemanly sincerity. Dear to the memories ot some 5,000 persons throughout the United States is this picture ot Dr. Morehouse giving them their diplomas. His stately figure in cap and gown, and his voice firm as he called the roll ot graduates caused many a heart- ache among the seniors as they realized they had reached the end ot their college days, and lite was just commencing. Always an inspiring person- ality, Dr. Morehouse seemed to radiate even more ot the genuine search for knowledge and truth on Commencement days. Dr. Morehouse otticiated at the graduation exercises tor I8 years, and during that time issued approximately 5,000 diplomas. Here is pictured Dr. Morehouse at the ground break- ing tor the new Cowles library. Always a leader in expanding the university as tunds allowed, Dr. Morehouse saw the erection of tour buildings dur- ing his presidency-the Student Union, the Cowles library, the Drake tieldhouse and the Women's dormitory. Dr. Morehouse took great pride in the buildings and grounds ot the university and it was a tamiliar sight to see him standing at the window ot his office gazing tondly upon the campus grounds, It was a titting tribute to him as well as the granting of his request, that his ashes are buried in the Drake Municipal Observatory.

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RS. CARRIE TAYLOR CUBBAGE came to Drake in the dark times ot l93O when everywhere else they were tearing things down, but at Drake they were going up-with the women's dormitory. Drake has continued to go up, and with it have come added duties to the ottice ot the dean ot women. She has the solution tor all housing problems, and tor the multitudinous questions ot all sorority women. Unattili- ated women tind her guidance and counselling invaluable. Mrs. Cubbage attended a convention ot the National Association ot Deans ot Women in Atlantic City, N. J., and brought back many practical answers to problems ot supervision ot women's extra-curricular activities. She is a member ot the Publications committee, tra- ternity attairs. and with Dean Gabrielson, constitute the taculty advisory board ot the student council. She possesses a love tor good music and takes pride in tollowing the protessional music career other daughter. DEANS rvi Pill! THE PROBLEMS and ditticulties ot hundreds ot students and taculty members are the everyday work ot Luther W. Stal- naker, dean ot the college ot liberal arts. who makes new friends with every problem he solves. With a 6.35 average at Drake, Helmet and Spurs and Phi Beta Kappa clamored tor him. Yale conterred upon him the doctor's degree atter intensive study ot the philosophy ot re- ligion. In i938 he was selected as one ot ten men by the Inter- national Council to lecture in European churches and audito- riums tor three months. Old World cities in Old World back- grounds nurtured his appreciation ot the arts and classics. ln i927 he began his career at Drake. The knack ot hav- ing everybody like him is just as much a part ot Dean Stalnaker's classes in philosophy as any ot the ordinary textbook tacts. DEAN Seth Slaughter was given a leave ot absence last sum- mer to accept the honor ot holding high Drake's prestige at the Ashram in Minnesota. The Ashram is a conterence ot recognized theologians conceived along the lines ot the annual religious conference in India. He collaborated with the Rev. E. Stanley Jones and they alternately delivered the evening ad- dresses. Erom his advanced ideas developed something new in the Bible college this year-a clinic. Students accompany pastors when they visit the homes ot members and report their observa- tions to Dean Slaughter. He also requires a report ot the prac- tice ministerial duties. A quick triendly smile, kindly counsel and dignified manner- isms personity Dean Slaughter, seventh dean to head the ac- tivities ot the Bible college. He relieves the Rev. Marvin O. Sansbury ot some ot the numerous problems ot the University Church ot Christ. 24