Elmhurst College - Elms Yearbook (Elmhurst, IL)

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Homecoming — the days for the renewal of old friendships. Homecoming — the days when Elmhurst ' s grads return to the haunts of their college days and carry away new mem- ories of their old campus. Yes, at the top of the list of Elmhurst ' s traditions lies Home- coming, and this year ' s Homecoming was packed with traditional events. The Homecoming week-end of 1944, ap- propriately named E-Day, was held on October 20-21-22 and, in spite of wartime restrictions, was a complete success. There were three days laden with happiness, fun, and excite- ment for everyone from the lowly treshman to the oldest graduate; three days which were short-lived and then put away into our album of never-to-be-forgotten moments. The entire campus was a-flutter that Friday afternoon. Spotlights were placed before Old Her Highness, June Mulvey at the Homecoming Bonfire. Hall and Old Main. Strings of cut-paper leaves decorated the girls ' dorm, while the inhabitants of South Hall hoisted a sign bear- ing the theme of this year ' s Homecoming above the entrance of their domain. The Freshies , after having successfully guarded their huge pile of wood and boxes, poured oil over the top and down the side of the stack so that it would catch fire more easily that evening. And, one by one, the grads arrived. The festivities officially began early Friday evening, when the alumni gathered for their annual banquet in the Commons. Here they not only partook of a delicious meal, but also were given a chance to talk over old times and gossip about the changes which have taken place on the campus since their last visit. The Class of ' 48 ' s March of Freedom from the steps of the library to the bon-fire, followed the banquet. The first-year men concluded their march by tossing torches onto the oiled wood, and the traditional pep-rally began. Cheers were given, speeches were made; and then came the event that every- one had been awaiting breathlessly — the crown- ing of June Mulvey as Homecoming queen and the introduction of her court. The presentation of the Theater ' s annual revue under the direction of Professor Arends brought the first day ' s activities to a success- ful conclusion. This year The Code ot the West , an original musical comedy written by Merle Hansen, sophomore, was given. De- lighted by the show, the Homecomers went happily to bed. Bright and early Saturday morning, the All-Stars of South Hall defeated the repre- sentatives of the Alumni in their annual foot- ball tussle. Then followed a quick lunch and the trek to the football field to watch our Blue Jays battle the Cardinals of North Central in a thrilling game. 18

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t lAJe cjCived . . . in harmony and friendship as a realm of activity pre- sented itself to us. A battered typewriter and urgent copy, soft music and dancing, painted flats and the spoken hne — all these enriched our campus life.

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President Lehmann giving the tribute to the Elmhurst servicemen between halves ot the Homecoming game, as the queen and her court await their presentation by M. C. Kenneth Wentzel. The co-eds are, from left to right: Elizabeth Klick, Eleanor Dillon, Queen June Mulvey, Shirley Haas, Lois Witt, Peggy Albrecht, and Ruth Lammers. The game was replete with thrills, but the Elmhurst fans were broken hearted as a story-book touchdown by the Blue Jays was declared illegal. The grads were shown, never- theless, that the spirit of Elmhurst still re- mains. The final score gave our boys twelve and North Central thirteen. At half-time an impressive ceremony was given, honoring the graduates and the under- graduates of Elmhurst who are now serving their country in the armed forces. June Mul- vey, the E-Day queen, and her court were also honored at this time. That evening the alumni and student-body donned their Sunday-best and went to the traditional Homecoming dance. The decora- tions were novel and the music of a remin- iscent nature. With the end of the evening, which came all too soon, the second day faded into oblivion. As on the previous Homecoming Sundays, the alumni arose early, walked spiritedly through Wilder Park to St. Peter ' s Church, where the annual Homecoming service was held. The Chapel Choir sang, and an alumnus, Rev. B. J. Siemsen, delivered the sermon. The final day of the week-end drew to a close as the Community Chorus under the direction of Nicolai Malko gave a special concert. As the last notes of Carmencita drifted away, the 1944 Homecoming disappeared, to remain nowhere but in our memories. The grads quietly returned to their rooms and packed their bags. They bade farewell to the undergraduates, wishing that they were the ones who were staying, picked up their grips, and started on their way. They were last seen strolling down Prospect Street toward the railroad station, vowing to reappear from that direction in time for next year ' s Home- coming. 19