Wittenberg University - Witt Yearbook (Springfield, OH)

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HISTORY Wittenberg College was founded in 1845 by the Rev. Ezra Keller. The first step which led to this founding was the resolution adopted at the meeting of the English Synod in the fall of 1842. After deciding upon Springfield as the site, a charter was granted on March 11. 1845. Rev. Ezra Keller was elected the first President, and classes were opened November 2, 1845; the first enrollment resulting in seventy-five students. It is now 981 plus. The College has proportionately increased in land and endowment. The campus has increased from seventeen acres to forty-five. Her endowment has run from a thousand, into more than a million. Material aid is promised by the Rockefeller Foundation. The buildings have been increased from one, the “Old Dorm,” by a Recitation Hall in 188,3, a Science Hall for which Andrew Carnegie stood one half the cost, a Library given by the Zimmerman family, a girl’s dor- mitory, and a Divinity School of three buildings, one of which was made possible by the gifts of Dr. Hamma and wife, Rev. Chas. Stroud and Mrs. Elizabeth Harter. In 1921, C. F. McGilvray of Springfield announced the gift of Wittenberg of a new institute and gymnasium. Ex-governor Cox has promised us a chapel and a “Friend” has donated a separate Academy Build- ing. In all, an Appeal for $1,500,000 has been met successfully. The Administration, now, is under the direction of Rev. Rees E. Tulloss, President; C. G. Shatzer, Dean of Arts College and David H. Bauslin, Dean of the Seminary. WITTENBERG—A School with an IDEAL Historically, W ittenberg is one of the older Ohio Colleges. It was founded in 1845, and has been in operation continuously for over seventy-five years. W ittenberg is not a large school. It is not proposed that it shall ever become such. Its ideal is that it shall be a great school. Acting upon this principle, Wittenberg has stood strongly for three basic elements in education. That principle is this- 'r' true basis of education is the direct contact of a learner's mind with the trained. cu., »ind of a teacher. Acting upon this principle., ittenberg has stood strongly for three basic elements in it , educational program: 1—A Strong Faculty. 2—Personal Interest in Every Student. 3—Individual Instruction. I'pon that basis, Wittenberg has built a reputation for scholarship, a reputation for de- veloping the best capabilities of its students, a reputation for turning out graduates who make good. livcnly

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©In Wittpnhenjpr liJ21 TO ALL WITTENBERGERS We have all been saddened beyond words by the death of Dr. Heckert. It was our hope that freedom from the burdens of administration might bring his speedy and lasting improvement. We wanted him for many years to come, as President Emeritus, to serve the college to which, as teacher and President, for nearly thirty years he had so devotedly given his wisdom, his energies, and his very life-strength. In the midst of his continuing work for Wittenberg, during the very week of the triumphant completion for the Springfield Appeal, he was stricken. Wittenberg has lost a great leader. Thousands of Wittenbergers have lost him who deserved to be called one of their best friends. We are thankful for his life of great service. In the midst of our grief, we rejoice that he was permitted to live to see at least the dawn of the new day for the college he loved. And now we must look toward the future. Alike by a glorious past, and by a challenging present, Wittenberg is truly being called to a high service. She faces today a shining opportunity. Her possibilities of ser- vice are being multiplied beyond our expectations. The present situation, full indeed of glowing promise, is at the moment marked by many difficulties. Demands are being made upon our school today which would have appalled the hearts of her founders. In view of their sacrifices, for us to refuse response to these insistent demands would be a tragic and traitorous failure. But surely the loyalty of alumni and friends will enable our Wittenberg to meet her new responsibilities. If so, she will enter almost at once into a new and splendid era. Her future will far outshine her glorious past. It is for us who are the living children of Wittenberg to determine in large part how fully these things shall come about. These months are bringing us many opportunities of service. Let us meet them all with a glad readiness for the sake of our beloved Alma Mater. Cordially yours, December 31, 1920. REES EDGAR TULLOSS, ’06, President nineteen

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