Manchester College - Aurora Yearbook (North Manchester, IN)

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The Big Three at M, C, HREE of the most necessary factors of progress are Enthusiasm, Convic- tion, and Deliberation. These properly united and combined form a trio of virtues of no small weight. Men, institutions, and nations have pleaded suppliantly for these virtues but in vain. The Fates seem to possess these balances. These gifts or attributes are not accidental or random but are possible only through an indefinite period of time, b) ' determined and constant effort. They can neither be purchased or stolen or the wealthy and robber would be possessors i)ut their appearance comes as a reward to the owner for honest deligence. Blessed and progressive is the man or group of men who have advantage of these endowments and can apply them to the re- tarding problems of life. Manchester College has made unprecedented progress during the last few years. She has had these attributes marvelously blended in her character. She has grown from a meagre, un- noticed, undercredited school of under two hundred to a flourishing, credited, scholarly institu- tion of more than one-half thousand resident students. Her educational hegemony is still in the embryo witli infinite possibilities. Was this by chance? Was it an unconscious evolution? If so, why was her growth balanced and symmetrical? The survival of the fittest deals largely with physique, while she has maintained an equal progress of physique, morality, religion and scholarship. Such progress is inexplicable on the material or accidental plane. It is obvious that there has been a guiding and directing force and intelligence that led on and on, over the rough passes and through the briery brambles. There have been efficient gubernatorial pilots and alert helmsmen at the wheel successfully steering her through the rapids, by the whirlpools, safely into the harbor of prominence. It is not difficult to determine who represents this triarchy of virtues, these exponents of progress, these liege stewards of culture, among the personnel of Manchester College. A. limited insight into the lives and characters of President Winger, Dean Schwalm and Professor Ikenberry indicate the adaptability of the above respective category of virtues and suggests the great possi- bilities of their combined energies. Each one of these men are superior to their particular characterization but these seem to predominate. A more thorough observance of the intricacies of their personalities as revealed through their habits and conduct concludes for us immediately how it has been possible for Manchester College to come through so great! a tribulation wearing the victor ' s crown. President Winger allegoricallj ' representing enthusiasm has been the dominant factor in the forward movement of M. C. His increasingly energetic and commanding personality seasoned with good quick judgment and a jolly good humor, has been the enlivening cheer during severe reverses and the leading satellite of optimism under the unlined cloud of disappointment. Enthusi- asm to be most effective must be seasoned and colored by positive conviction and constant delibera- tion. This is made possible through the outstanding personalities of Dean Schwalm and Professor Ikenberry. Dean Schwalm impresses one as a sincere comrade, devoted to high ideals, whose magnani- mous magnetism and conscientious convictions label him as a wortliy friend to all, but a terror to the insincere. Last but not least our demure, quiet, reserved, thoughtful, yet jolly business man is worthy of a place in il. C. ' s honor roll. Our usually sober treasurer is but deliberative and self conscious for back of his thoughtful countenance is a pleasant, sunny disposition prominent on enrollment day. He has successfully grappled with serious financial puzzles and was usually able to subtract a large liability from a small asset and still obtain a balance. Certainly no greater monument or reward to the name and achievement of truly great men could be, than to realize that they had no small part in the development of an institution like jNIanchester College or the satisfaction of knowing that there is a great army of yoimg men and women daily pursuing their tasks of love and sacrifice whose lives they have touched and moulded for usefulness. Eternity alone will detennine what the influence of these men has wrought on the lives and characters of those who have sat at their feet and felt the emanations of their true personalities. In the lives of some men their actions speak so loud we cannot hear their voices. Not so with these ; when we kno ' them we must hear them speak. They are inspired voices speaking to us out of pure hearts desiring and praying that the health, happiness, and an upright life may be ours ever to enjoy. May our reverence and respect for these great leaders of our alma mater never wane but ever grow and blossom, at the same time adopt their virtues and the emanations of their personali- ties as vital parts of our lives. !May she ever grow and prosper under their hegemony to her merited place among ;he institutions of the world. 21