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

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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.

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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.

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Many social activities were centered in the beautiful lounge with television and in the recreation room with tables for pingpong and pool, and, of course, with ample space for friendly visits in each room. The canteen also provided a con- venient meeting place over a snack or two. The smokers in the mess hall, with the faculty as special guests, always proved delightful social meetings. The Christmas party in the gym and decorated trees at various points in the buildings always prepared the mood for the festive season. Lighter in vein, but nonetheless the cause of much mirth and laughter were the antics of Hobo Day. Many incidents come to mind as we approach the close of our narrative. On January 25, 1945, thirty graduates received their diplo- mas in mid-year graduation exercises that re- sulted from World Was Il. The new program for college students was introduced five years ago, by which high school graduates could complete their work for entry at St. Louis in two years. Furthermore, Concordia enjoyed the privilege of “Getting at the bottom of things.”’ Interior of the college hospital. offering a scholarship of $100.00 to any man for each year of attendance at any of our Lu- theran high schools. Now all colleges of Synod enjoy both of these privileges. The long reach at the tables in the mess hall was eliminated when the cafeteria style of serving was introduced. The honor system was introduced with hesitation but retained with alacrity as one of the noblest successful experiments at Concordia Freshmen will never for- get the President’s dinner and re- ception during orientation week. Many students had the joy of representing Concordia at various conferences. Others will remember their share in the United Nations meeting sponsored by In- diana University. “There’s nothing’ like home cookin’.”” —The bakery. ee rf} See