Elizabethtown College - Conestogan / Etonian Yearbook (Elizabethtown, PA)

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in May linger. INature was not as gener- ous on commencement day. Showers sent us into the auditorium. As we watched the academic procession slowly make its way down the aisles, we felt a new solemnness, mixed with hap- piness. The black-gowned seniors moved in an air of new dignity, their faces re- flecting the emotion of the moment. Perhaps they were think- ing of past college experi- ences. How often before had they sat in this very gym- nasium at worship, at plays, at meetings, at athletic con- tests. Now for them college lectures, professors, dormi- tory life would be memories, something to tell their chil- dren. The fiftieth commence- ment of Elizabethtown Col- lege. Another class ready to face the new, mature re- sponsibilities awaiting them. Educated for service. Recipients of honorary de- grees at the Fiftieth Com- mencement, May 26, 1952, posewithPres. B a ug her: Clif- ford J. Backstrand, L.L.D.; Althea Kratz Hottel, L.L.D.; and Irvin S. Hoffer, L.L.D. Two or three-year certif- icates were granted to A. Weicksel, B. Delson, J. Grotf, B. Brenner, S. Young, P. Longenecker, M. Miller, M. Beane, T. Neidlinger, J. Ro- land, and M. B. Horst. Academic award winners: James Obetz, Butterbaugh Chemistry; Donald Reid, Weaver Biology; Doris Kopp, Gregg Shorthand; Jean Ro- land, Raffensperger Journal- ism; Donald Ream, Royer Bible; and Henry Kerchner, Kettering Accounting award. The 1952 commencement procession moves toward the auditorium between showers. 23

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And now memories X ime: Spring 1952 when a young man ' s fancy turned from thoughts of study to visions of les belles femmes in the annual May Day festival. Place: On the west cam- pus in the shaded dell studded with dogwood, pine, and hem- lock. Friends, relatives, alumni, and students watched with delight the traditional May court proces- sion, the crowning of the queen, and the dutiful entertainment provided for Her Majesty ' s amuse- ment. This coronation did not match the spectacle of Queen Elizabeth ' s, but a similar gay and buoyant spirit prevailed. Old Sol applauding from his celestial balcony ushered in. a day with a satin blue sky. A luxuriant grass carpet guided our monarch to her throne. Throughout the day the cam- pus was crowded with guests admiring our art exhibit, cheering our baseball team, and praising our musicale. May time was a gay time. A hush falls over the spectators as Queen Louise, preceeded by her flower girls, Becky Espen- shade and Pamela Herr, and fol- lowed by her maid of honor, Doris Kopp, approaches her throne in the dogwood dell. Attendants nearest the throne are Bernice Gibble and Shirley Warner. Other attendants are Marian Miller, Nancy Hoffman, Peggy Hicks, Marian Beane, Barbara Delson, and Christine Heilman. The 1951 Queen of the May, Carole Meckley, places the daisy crown on Louise Bartenslager. Marian Beane and Doris Kopp, with crown-bearer Richard Neu- mann, watch this climax of a traditional college ceremony. Get up and bar the door, de- mands frontier-wife Sal (Nancy Stuckey), of her stubborn husband, Zeke , (Paul Greiner) in one of a trio of light folk tales presented by the Sock and Buskin Club. 22

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We recall opening days filled The College Avenue entrance to our cam- pus. To all who enter this gateway regard- less of race or creed these red brick pil- lars and stately oaks symbolize the power and the strength of the ideals to which we aspire. Volleyball was one of the sports enjoyed at the all- college picnic at Hershey Community Playground, Saturday, September 20. Shuffleboard, tennis, quoits, soft ball, and outdoor basketball also drew many players. Before the arrival of upperclassmen, Fred Horbach, president of the student body, takes time to explain parts of the student constitution to freshmen: Janet Hunsberger, Paul Hoffman, Janet Evans, and Lois King. W if n tjt We e returned to campus, welcomed not by martial bands or banners bright but by autumn ' s dancing leaves and singing wind. To most of us this was not a new experi- ence, but for the fifty-three women and fifty-three men in the freshman class a new adventure began. Came a whirl of blue dinks, teas, vespers, tests, handshaking, and Rudder study. This was freshman orientation week planned and executed by the student senate working with the ad- ministration. The click of the typewriter, the hiss of the showers, and the joyous banter of dorm friends told us that the campus had awakened from its brief summer rest. After old friendships had been renewed, new friendships started, summer tans ad- mired, and vacation experiences compared, we settled at our desks ready to meet the challenge of our courses. 24