Agnes Scott College - Silhouette Yearbook (Decatur, GA)

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ENGLISH DEPARTMENT Professor George P. Hayes, the head of the English Department, won the admiration of the college com- munity for his bravery under fire as chapel speaker on Suppressed Desires Day. He also had a special place in the hearts of the students for his work as facuhy advisor of Agnes Scott ' s very successful debat- ing team. In a popular course on argumentation he led a practical study of the subject which included class debates and oral discussions. Professor Emma May Laney had her last year before retiring from an active teaching position highlighted by her trip to Mississippi in the fall to deliver the address honoring her college English teacher at her class reunion. In the winter Miss Laney witnessed Mr. Robert Frost ' s fifteenth visit to the campus. The poet first came to Agnes Scott at her request and has made annual trips here ever since. Miss Ellen Douglass Leyburn, associate professor of English, was one of many teachers whom Agnes Scott is proud to have among its graduates. She served as president of the Beta chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and as a faculty marshal. Mortar Board and May Day Com- mittee owed much to her capable work as a faculty advisor to them. Miss Annie May Christie, associate professor, made a special study of American literature and taught popu- lar courses in this field. During her leisure moments she liked to garden and to listen to symphonic music. Miss Margaret Guthrie Trotter, associate professor of English, was the faculty sponsor of Folio, the fresh- man creative writing club. A rumor went around cam- pus that she had written and published short stories anonymously. Miss Roberta Winter, associate professor, specialized in speech and the dramatic arts. When she attended Agnes Scott, she was an active member of Blackfriars in which she said that she always played men ' s roles. She now directs the productions of this group. The faculty advisor for B.O.Z.. the upperclass writing club, was Miss Janef Preston, assistant professor. She had recently had several of her own poems published in poetry magazines. Her interest in creative writing was carried into her classes on narrative writing and on verse forms. Agnes Scott was happy to see Mr. Walter Edward McNair, assistant professor of English, return to teach- ing this fall after an absence due to illness. Mr. Mc- Nair in his courses offered instruction i n literature and in critical writing on the freshman and sophomore level. Assistant Professor Mary L. Rion joined the Agnes Scott faculty for the first time in the fall of 1955. She had previously taught at Hood and Mount Holyoke Colleges. Miss Julianne Hale, instructor, assisted Miss Winter in teaching speech and drama and in working with Black- friars. She designed the set used for the gorup ' s pro- duction of Antigone in the fall.

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Miss Mell, Miss Anna G. Smith M;ss Howell and students teache ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT Miss Mildred Rutherford Mell, Professor of Economics and Sociology, was dean of women at Shorter College before she came to Agnes Scott. She is active in eco- nomic and sociological affairs in the community and nation. Lecture Association owes much to her capable work as its faculty advisor. Miss Anna Greene Smith, associate professor of Eco- nomics and Sociology, also carried her interest in sociology into her work outside the college, for she helped with many community activities including Fam- ily Service and the Red Cross. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Mr. Richard L. Henderson, Professor of Education, was head of his department which, for the first time this year, has been separated from the Psychology Department. This was necessary because of the in- creasing interest of Agnes Scott students in the study of teaching. Both Mr. Henderson and Mr. John Good- land were on joint appointment with Emory University and Agnes Scott. Miss Miriam Howell, assistant pro- fessor, was a new member in the department of edu- cation this year.

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M;ss Margaret Phyth; Miss Muriel Harn FRENCH DEPARTMENT Miss Margaret Taylor Pythian, the head of the French Department, taught courses in the French novel and drama. Her interests outside the college included housekeeping, taking walks, reading, and fishing and swiinniing in the summer. One of her specialties was making French onion soup. Little philosophical saying enhanced the classes of M. Pierre Thomas, assistant professor, as do the clever sketches which he drew to illustrate stories for French conversation periods. Miss Mary Virginia Allen, assistant professor of French, was also a lover of cats. In fact she said that when she retired she would like to run an S.P.C.A. home. Miss Allen is the faculty adviser of the French Club. A new arrival to the department this year was Miss GERMAN DEPARTMENT Chloe Steele, assistant professor, of Denton. Texas. She was a scrabble and bridge fan and delighted in read- ing mystery stories. Mrs. Frank A. Sewell, instructor, was an Agnes Scott graduate who returned to teach here this year for the first time. She said that she was one who flutters in all directions. and that three activities which she enjoyed were reading, housekeeping, and scribbling plays. Miss Muriel Harn. Professor of German and Spanish, was well known for her afternoon parties — attended by German and Spanish students, and her dog Mickey. Students delighted in seeing her many souvenirs of her travels, including the beautifully carved wooden Nativity scene.