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

Page 21 text:

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

Page 20 text:

“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.

Page 22 text:

Luther Day Rally, wit Ten presidents have served Concordia College, Fort Wayne. Prof. G. Alexander Saxer became the first president in 1858. He resigned in 1872, and later, while engaged in the cigar- making business in New York City, disappeared without a trace. Checkups reveal that the mys- tery has grown deeper through the years. The next president was Prof. C. J. Otto Hanser, (18- 72-1879), a retired seaman whose deeds at Concordia have become legendary. He was fol- lowed by Pres. J. F. Zucker, (1879-1881), and Pres. Rudolph A. Bischoff (1881-1886). For two years, the difficult task went begging, for it was impossible to find anyone who would serve. a In 1888, Prof. And- rew Baepler was virtually drafted to the presidency of Concordia College. He was succeeded by Pres. Martin J. Schmidt in 1894, who served until 1903. Prof. Martin L. Luecke became president in py me on ws ti eae re : nue te Chapel in Schick Hall before remedaling! BE seen BOR = Oh h tents and all. we 1903, and continued in that position until his death in 1926. His presidency was the longest of all at Concordia and witnessed the greatest building program and the sharpest increase in enrollment. Prof. Wm. C. Burhop next guided the Concordia destiny. The boundless energy of Pres. Ottomar Krueger (1937-1944), was felt in many ways. Pres. Herbert G. Bredemeier be- came the youngest president Concordia has ever had when he assumed his office in 1945. More changes were experienced during his incum- bency than during any comparable period in the history of Concordia. n % bi cia 5