Buena Vista University - Log Yearbook (Storm Lake, IA)

Page 24 text:

Dr. W. C. Edson Receives Scroll From Tom D. Eilers In Recognition Of 50 Years Of Loyal And Effective Service To Buena Vista College. Billy Edson, as he is affectionately known by his friends, became a member of the board of trustees of Buena Vista College in 1904. His connection with Buena Vista, however, was on an even earlier date. He entered as a prep student in December, 1891. He, with ten others, graduated from the prep department in 1894. He continued as a college student and graduated in a class of three in 1896. He then went to Ames College, now known as Iowa State. He graduated from there in 1898. He made the varsity football team at Ames. He decided to take up the study of law and transferred to Iowa University. He graduated in 1901. While at Iowa, he became famous as a football player in the national champion team for the years 1899 and 1900. In spite of the smallness of his physical stature, he became an all-American. He coached football at Buena Vista in the years 1902 and 1903. Now we come to the year 1904 when he tirst became a member of the board of trustees of Buena Vista college. He was also given the dubious honor of being made treasurer of the college. Upon taking up his duties, he found a total of 51.89 on hand. The faculty had not been paid for some time and therefore served an ultimatum on the new treasurer that 51,500 must be raised in a week's time. Otherwise they would quit in a body. At the end of the seventh day, Mr. Edson had raised the necessary 351,500 Raising that sum at the time was easily the equivalent of raising 515,000 today. This was the first time Mr. Edson saved the life of Buena Vista college. Throughout the following 50 years, there was a number of occasions when the college would have folded for the lack of money if it had not been for Mr. Edson. During this long period, he not only gave unstintingly of his time but also of his money. He contributed more money during the 50 years than has any other person. Today Buena Vista college is a great institution and many persons have helped make it so. But there is one person without whom there would be no college today. That person is Willis C. Edson. With total assets of land, building and endowment of less than sso,ooo in 1904, we now have total assets of nearly 351,000,000 From an institution graduating four persons in 1904, we now are graduating 125 persons. To Willis Edson must go the greatest credit for this accomplishment. Incidentally, I am sure he will agree that a by-product of his early connection with Buena Vista has been of greater value to him than he has been to the college. ln the graduating class of 1904 there was a comely young lady named Ethelyn Baile. He married that young lady soon after graduation. She has been his ardent supporter in the progress of Buena Vista for the entire 50 years. If Willis Edson were to appear on the television program This ls Your Life, and he is eminently entitled to be so honored, Ralph Edwards would bring out these facts in his life: a devoted husband, a loving father, a good Presbyterian, an outstanding attorney, a leading citizen, a typical Iowan, a 100 per cent American, a 100 per cent Buena Vista college alumni. Through the program from beginning to end, his interest in Buena Vista college would be interwoven. For a number of years before his passing, Senator Taft was known as Mr. Republican because of his loyalty to that party. Mr. Edwards, I am sure, would end his program by dubbing Willis Edson as Mr. Buena Vista. Billy Edson, in behalf of alumni, students, faculty, friends and the board of trustees of Buena Vista college, and particularly those of the board who have had the pleasure of serving with you in past years, we present you this scroll in recognition of 50 years of loyal and elfective service to Buena Vista college. We, the board of trustees of Buena Vista college, pledge to you that Buena Vista college shall endure. We believe the citizens of Storm Lake in particular and Iowa in general, the Presbyterian church, alumni, students, faculty and President Fisher will ioin us in this pledge. A copy of this scroll will be suitably placed in the institution where it will hang in perpetuity. There it will serve as a motto for generations to come that where there is a will, there' is a way. Tom D. Eilers 20

Page 23 text:

Bob Peterson Treasurer Wayne Forbes Vic Christensen Presideni, Alumni Association Vice-presidenf Left to Right: Edgar Mack Mrs. Fisher Pres. Fisher Wayne Forbes Phi Alpha Pi Alliance Officers: Bernece Perrin Mrs. Pcxui Smith, Leofrice Spcihn, Mrs. Poi' Frecise. Secretory l i P' 1

Page 25 text:

X X X X X X FALL