Beloit College - Codex Yearbook (Beloit, WI)

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CTE AH E eB ASG Us Gel YS GAs a cli Kes Oa WS Ee ial In Beloit college there is a group of approximately forty-five cultured, sympathetic and inspirational men and women who have assumed in a professional way the difficult task of opening the proverbial door of knowledge to approximately 500 more or less aspiring, energetic and headstrong younger men and women. ‘This first group comprises the faculty of the college; the second the student body. There are times when students hoist the red flag and cry vengeance and there are times when departmental heads are justified in whatever methods they pursue. In the main, however, the white flag and the olive branch adorn the halls of learning, and there is serene fellowship and scholasticism abiding betwixt sage and neophyte. It is concerning the keepers of the rod, the key and the scroll that this billet doux is written. Professors, associate professors, assistant professors, instructors, and assistants! How very little we know about this faculty of ours! Founders’ Day brings with it prolific “tales of the past’? of how buildings were built and classes conducted. Stories dealing with all phases of student life and activity flow from reminiscing lips. But what of the faculty? We, the students, daily associate with some fifty persons, listen to their lectures, observe their classroom habits, struggle over their ingenious examinations, and complete courses with them. ‘To what end? ‘To the extent that we know perhaps whether or not the professor calls on students by rows A

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OT . or helter-skelter—whether or not daily quizzes are his habit and especial delight— and perhaps if we have listened particularly attentively we’ve been able to discern what other courses he has taught in the past. But we do not really know members of the Beloit college faculty. The students of Beloit need an introduction to the faculty! High in the ranks of favored and honored sons of Beloit college who have either remained or returned to Beloit to teach succeeding generations of students is Prof. Hiram Delos Densmore, oldest member of the faculty in point of service. Professor Densmore, or “‘Denny”’ as he is popularly called by his pupils young and old, began wearing his pedagogical robes in 1889, long before many mothers and fathers of present graduating seniors were born. [or forty years ‘““Denny” has been a familiar figure on the Beloit campus and has endeared himself to thousands of students, many of whom are sending their sons and daughters into his sphere of influence today. For forty years Professor Densmore has held sway as director and head of courses in Botany before and since a department was established, and few courses or professors have equalled his popularity. His advanced y ears and long service should not be misconstrued as indicative of mustiness and old-fashioned ideas. Beloit’s peer of education has kept abreast of the times by the use of the latest in textbooks and by contributions to the science by his own pen. ‘The text now used is one of Professor Densmore’s publications. Nor does “‘Denny” confine himself to the classroom and the laboratory in Science hall; the fields and woods in the vicinity of Beloit and Lake Delavan are his lab- oratory. Seated in his Ford, which he considers the most luxurious and satisfactory form of transportation, Professor Densmore rambles here and there collecting specimens. Most surprising is the fact that ‘‘Denny”’ not only examines trees and plants, but stops to scrutinize every fence post and telephone pole. His interest lies in the kind of wood, the animal life inhabiting every crevice, the amount of decay, and the resistance to the elements. Beloit college athletes have a faithful supporter and ever admiring faculty rooter in ““Denny’’. He not only cheers but gets into athletics himself. It has been a hobby with him to play tennis and there was a time when he and Professor Forrest EF. Calland held the faculty tennis championship. ‘These old timers know the game and play it with enthusiasm. Professor Calland, affectionately known as “‘Pa”’ Calland, is second in point of service among faculty members. Professor Calland has a great deal of faith in the younger generation and admits that his son is a better boy, and a better tennis player than he was. “Pa” operates the Book store and heads the department of Classics, occupying his place on the campus since 1900. Going backtothe Bookstore reminds one that “‘Pa”’ makes it a habit to “‘treat”’ his students with candy bars and small packages of advice for life and the struggle after college “which is a greater course than any you'll take in college’. Those little impromptu lectures which ‘“‘Pa” delivers on the stairs around the corner from the Bookstore or on the steps of Old Middlecollege will long be remembered by students when the classroom prep- aration and recitations are forgotten. Gardening is ‘‘Pa’s” delight on a Saturday afternoon and he takes great pride in his lawn and trees. In spite of his dirty blue overalls, canvas gloves, soiled felt hat and wheel-barrow in hand one can’t fail to recognize “‘Pa’”’. ‘That smile and WA