Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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T 1 9 2 5 — THE B E THANNUAL— 1925 4, SENIORS Carl OLSSON.....................................President LLOYD LENNING......................................Vice President Hilma ADRAHAMSOK...................................Secretary Brainerd Christie..................................Treasurer CARL OLSSON ...... - Valedictorian PAUL WALLENDORF.................................Salutatorian MOTTO—Set sail: the ocean lies before us. COLORS—Silver and Blue. Class Flower—Pink Rose. HISTORY By Roger Wickstrand 77OUR years ago prospectors from all parts of our land were thrown into JO Bethel's melting pot. Because of the unexplored territory lying before and back of this experience, this group was molded into a strong cast, which has proved most durable during the course of our journey at Bethel. These adventurers moved slowly forward, practically unnoticed at first, as is the portion of all tenderfoots. However, it was not long before these courageous explorers won distinction in literary and athletic lines. Yes. it was an illustrious beginning, but not once was our pace slackened in the race. Our history began with a democratic business meeting. After election of officers we choose for our classpilot. Miss Violet Wallendorf. who served most faithfully in this capacity. Beyond a doubt it was because of her excellent lead ership that we got such a noble start. The most outstanding adventure during the first year was our Freshman social. Everything was arranged to perfection, hut the wise upper classmen laid all our plans waste. Locking ourselves in one of the music rooms, with our treasured “feed'’ by cur side and the prowling upper classmen outside the door, we debated as to how we should consume our eats.” We found to our sorrow, but not to our disadvantage, that our only eating utensil was a pocket knife: however, our fingers did not constitute a handicap contest, thanks to the upper classmen who made the evening so joyous and successful. Of course, by tine carrying of excessive volumes of books and assuming bewildered countenances, our identity was laid bare. Who can conceive of a school without Freshmen? Why. the Freshmen are as necessary to a school as an engine is to an automobile. No matter what happens to a Freshman he never takes offense: he is passive and green, the goat of the school. Regardless of what can be said about Freshmen. I'm sure no one would fancy having this title erased from his school experience. II. The fall of the second year found practically every member of our class back at the registrar’s desk: none was refused entrance, so we resumed our studies Page TiecntyEiyht

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I 9 2 5 — T H E B E '1' HANNUAL— 1925 OUR CLASS ADVISER THE Senior classes have for many successive years claimed Professor H. C. Wingblade as their counselor and special patron. And each of these classes has with some vanity thought itself his peculiar favorite. We know that in the Senior year he has made a last, great effort to put the stamp of a Christian education upon the youth that is passing out of bis sphere of influence. Yet it is not true that we shall entirely pass out from his sphere of influence. We cannot do that. In years to come we shall be led to think of him when we happen on to some line of beautiful literature that he pointed out to our unseeing eyes: but oftener shall we remember some new thought that he brought us. or some age-old truth that he restated in his own striking way impossible to forget. Light and truth are beneficent—still light may be cold as a January day. and truth may be sharp as a two-edged sword: we need warmth to grow. So Mr. Wingblade. a true and wise teacher, has given more—something of himself, the warmth of his own personality. We may lose our grammar: we may forget who wrote Layamon's Brut : but we shall always retain the essentials of a true education: for. as the esteem and love for our teacher, it has gone deeper than the surface, deeper than the head, it has found lodgment in the heart of each Senior. Vijjr Tsvtuly-Seven

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I 9 2 5 — T H K BE THANNUAL — 1 9 2 5 ± )- as Sophomores. It seemed good to be a little Sophomore. Nothing spectacular happened this year, although we had our good times as a class and managed to retain the laurels won while Freshmen. Fall, winter, and spring passed: examinations were successful and thus the second year elapsed. III. After many days of wishing our vacation at an end. we returned a third time, but this time as proud Juniors. 'Phis year we made close observation of the Seniors' actions so we would know how to gauge our decorum during the long-hoped-for year. Seemingly, amidst our threshold exploitations, we reached the zenith of our regime, not knowing, naturally, what our Senior year might unveil. We started out by winning the Basket Ball Tournament. Our Junior program took everybody by storm: our call talent met the approval of everybody. This was only a door to the gorgeous banquet we gave in honor of the Seniors. Likewise, this year was punrruared with many class socials, the outstanding one being a unique sleigh ride party, which we shall never forget. The last social event of our Junior year was an outdoor picnic given in appreciation of our highly esteemed class adviser for her faithful service and wise counsel rendered during our Freshman. Sophomore and Junior years. IV. The next fall registration recorded us as dignified Seniors. The long anticipated year had at last arrived: it was with great pleasure we commenced our studies. Only those who have been Seniors know the joy of wearing the Senior s cap at the get-acquainted social: the thrills of English IV: the pleasure of being honored guests at the social event of the year: the satisfaction of a completed thesis: the ecstasy of commencement, and finally the rapture of clasping the significant coil of paper which implies so much. The Senior year is packed full of work and good times: it is a busy year, still the most pleasant of all four years. As we leave our Alma Mater we shall carry away happy recollections of our class meeting and socials, especially from our Senior year. The Senior hard-time party, the Junior-Senior banquet, the Alumni banquet, and the final picnic will ever illumine our memories. With commencement drawing nearer we realize that our journey at Bethel is approaching completion and a despondent thought of having to leave the cherished halls we have learned to love, echoes through our minds and hearts. We seal the annals of our chapter at Bethel with gratitude to the splendid and competent faculty, for their influence and patience manifested toward us. We are also indebted to our fellow classmen for their fellowship and influence. In all. we are thankful for the privileges of self-development which the literary societies afford and the opportunities of service which Bethel makes possible. Bethel has erected a span in the structure of our life: she has given us a new conception of life, elevated our ideas and made us better men and women. Our only regret is that we didn't do better, accomplish more, and leave deeper impressions behind. Page TwmyXiae