Bluffton University - Ista Yearbook (Bluffton, OH)

Page 20 text:

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-

Page 19 text:

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

Page 21 text:

N GIRL'S BASKETBALL IN 1916 marsum in the form of a 12 page monthly magazine, later changed to a bi-weekly newspaper. A few months later, in 1915, the first Ista was published. Using subscriptions, Lincoln Hall was completed in 1923. The chapel organ was built by a donation, 1917, followed by the donation of the library, the building and many volumes, to the college in 1930. With the resignation of Dr. Mosiman, Rev. A. S. Rosenberger was chosen president, who resigned after more than three years due to ill health. He was replaced by our current president, Dr. Lloyd L. Ramseyer, an alumnus of the class of '24. Having been president-emeritus for over five years, Dr. Mosiman died January 24, 1940 after a lingering illness of many months. The athletic history of the college dates back almost as far as the history of the institution itself, having been represented by athletic teams ever since the days of the Central Mennonite College, though not having a coach and athletic director until 1917. . Football developed first, requiring many days to go -and come to the various games. Rules and tactics were negligible, with the coach and non-enrolled players often found engaged in the fray. The war stopped the game, to be reorganized ten years later in a post-season Seventeen