Bluffton University - Ista Yearbook (Bluffton, OH)

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u. . '- Y. W. C. A. IN 1917 resignation of Dr. Hirschy. A year passed with the college in the hands of an administrative committee. Dr. Mosiman, assuming his duties at the end of that period, served in the capacity of president until his resignation in the spring of 1935. The ever-pressing financial condition arose again, and once more was overcome. The following year saw a board walk being laid between Spring street and College Hall. With the assistance of Mrs. S. K. Mosiman, the purchase of Music hall was made and opened as a ladies' dormitory in 1909. Other land purchases were made as well which were later used for the athletic fields and sites of the present buildings. Enrollment jumped from 92 students in 1908 to 198 in 1913-14 Fifteen

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Fourteen brick front' for the sole building on the campus- and several months later, on October 31, its formal ,dedication took place. A , With the single building which had been on the campus many years as a start, Dr. N. S. Hirschy, of Wadsworth, was secured as formal head of the college. Dr.-Hirschy was selected because of his early efforts 'to establish the college. During the first year D. F. Jantzen undertook the direction of the college during Dr. Hirschy's continuance of ' his studies, having nineteen 'students at the first enrollment date, November 9, 1900, and graduating two students at the end of the year. B At its beginning the Central Mennonite college was merely an academy, or a private high school, offering special courses in Bible, music, Latin, mathematics, physiology and business. Gradually courses 'of junior college rank were introduced, finally resolving into a full-fledged college curriculum. .,,. ' With the second year came the fir-st issue of the College Record, forerunner of the Witmarsum and the Alumni Bulletin. 'This monthly publication took the placeeof the annual catalogue and for many years, written in German and later in English, served as a 'bond between the college and its constituency. Copies of a single issue numbered more than 1,000 before it ceased publicationr ' The following year found two Bluffton traditions which are still observed being carried out, with the annual Bible lectures and the bi- monthly Vesper services becoming a part of the college calendar. For the past sfix years the Sunday services -have been held only at monthly intervals, however. With the opening of the fourth year, Prof. E. J. Hirschler, currently registrar and director of the mathematics department, was added to the faculty.. He now holds the honor of being the oldest professor in length of service. A-t this time the first colored student entered the college, amid much criticism, to graduate four years later. Other topics arose for internal and external opposition among various factions. Indeed the opposition became so strong that the sixth year found a move, which was barely defeated, being made to change the location of the college. With a financial call the life of the college was reassured for another five years, even to the extent of permitting the installation of a new steam heating plant that year. The years 1908-14 mark a mile-stone in the history of -the college, being a transitory period between the small beginnings of the Central Mennonite college to the final Bluffton college of full college ranking. Dr. S. K. Mosiman accepted the presidency of the college after the

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Sixteen l N. E. BYERS Q through the efforts of 'Dr. Mosiman, with a faculty increase of six members to now have a staff of 14. Several new departments started at this time including the art department, agriculture division and a depart- ment of violin and wind instrumentation added to the former vocal and piano music training. With the winter of 1911 came the traditional Music Course series and the college orchestra. Faculty members at this time who are still teaching on the Bluffton campus included Professor Hauenstein and Mrs. Mann, Professor Byers, Dr. Smith and Professor Berky. . During the summer of 1913 the conferences of Mennonites finally agreed to cooperate in setting up a liberal arts college and a seminary to train Mennonite ministers, which had never before 'been possible. The result was the Bluffton college of 1914 granting A. B. degrees, and a final separation of the seminary into the Witmarsum Seminary in 1921, discontinued later in 1931. In a precarious financial period the present Science Hall, Ropp Hall and -the heating plant were completed in 1915 through large donations and subscriptions. Considerable credit must be given to Dean Byers for his efforts in the re-organization work of these years, as well as the establishment on the Bluffton campus of the two Y groups, the Student Senate and the Student Volunteer band. The Alma Mater was written by Prof. I-Iirschler, to the music by Louella Geiger, a student at that time. The first Press club was formed under the direction of Dr. Smith, as well as the Wit-