Concordia College - Spire / Concordian Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

Page 19 text:

Thus, character was devel- oped; thrown in for special measure were many pleasant experiences. Not all was rosy with the military depart- ment, to be sure; there were some unpleasant associations, but all of these were soon forgotten! This mili- tary episode had its beginning in the fall of 1906, and passed into the re- alm of sweet oblivion in June of 1954, when the last high school class of Concordia College also passed out of existence. Pleasant memories return when we recall the ‘‘Karzer’’ in the basement of Hanser Hall. Yes, it was used (this in reply to the perennial ques- tion), and the last record of its use was found in the official faculty minutes of June 26, 1906, when two students, bro- thers, were locked up during the closing exercises o f the college. (Yes, their names are recorded, too.) Among the many other me- mories are a Chess Club and Philatelic Society which flourished in 1926 and 1927. There are also those who recall with delight the experience of seeing President Herbert Hoover as the Presi- dential Special stopped briefly in Fort Wayne in October, 1932. This pleasure was not diminished by the fact that classes had been dropped in order that the students could go. ““No, that wasn’t a firecracker!”’ The Armory. ‘‘What a subdued study room!” Hanser Hall. “This little piggy went to market.”’ Hanser Hall.

Page 18 text:

“Ready, aim, fire!”’ Perhaps the most unique institution at Concordia over the span of years and also one that provided memories that will never be for- gotten, was the military department. Remember the fun you had when the cavalry major made his appointments and you eagerly awaited the arrival of his troop of white horses? Remember the thrill of appearing in a stunning uniform and marching, chin in and chest out (far out), in ca- dence on Decoration Day, during the annual tournaments? The older students r ecall the thrills of serving on guard duty on Halloween night, when everyone was challenged with bayonet fixed, especially members of the faculty. Those who participated in the trip to Detroit in 1930, on the occasion of the quadricentennial of the Augsburg Confession, will never forget the thrill of presenting an exhibition of drills on the Fair Grounds to a capacity crowd. The Concordia Cadets entertaining their Washington Street neighbors with rifle drills. Detroit hospitality went all out in bringing the entire Concordia family, including the faculty, to the Motor City on a special train. And the Wabash outdid itself in providing most pleasant facilities for the joyous trip. Others will recall the sham battles in which they participated, even through they were all-night affairs. Still others find their pulses quickening as they recall when their names were shouted out during promotions or as they step- ped forward to receive the sabre or other awards of military distinction. The rifle team provided an outlet for special skills in marks- manship.

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“Fight, team, fight!”’ Women at Concordia! It all started when the Lutheran High School was established in close conjunction with Concordia College in 1935. Concordia has never been the same since! Let’s not misunderstand; there were women on the campus before—yes, lots of them. Who is there who can forget the scenes of young couples overcome by the spirit of spring as they strolled over the grounds or sat on the Washington Street wall? There was just as much student distraction from classwork then also. By the way, student reaction, especially among the sophomores, during the first year of co-education was sharply divided, ““Who says there’s no bebop here?” and some even showed open resentment. How differing are not the scenes enacted every night at Martha and Sina Halls now! There is no one who would deny, even for a moment, that the atmosphere at Concordia was altered tremendously for the better as the teacher training pro- gram bought more fine Christian women to our campus. The music department brought some of the finest cultural developments to Concordia. There were always musical organizations at the college in days gone by, and fine programs were presented to the public. The music department was enlarged to include excellent opportuni- ties in all areas of vocal and instrumental training. The choir has become the one single symbol of all this activity. The rest of the Concordia family has always enjoyed the annual concert, recitals of talented students, Christmas vespers, and the singing of Christmas carols at the home of professors at Christmas. A still wider circle of listeners - was reached when the Chapel of the Air began its broad- casts in 1937. Many other musical organizations, too nu- merous to be mentioned here, deserve recognition. Social activities at Concordia were completely revolutionized in recent years. The Concordia Student As- sociation (the CSA), headed by the president of the stu- dent body (formely known as the Primus Omnium), be- came the clearing house and governing body of all student organizations. A student activity which deserves most laudable credit in developing a wholesome esprit de corps among the students and which served greatly in supplying a re- port of the present for the future, is the Maroon and White. The first issue appeared on November 4, 1926, and publi- cation has continued to the present without interruption.