Denison University - Adytum Yearbook (Granville, OH)

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Chamberlain, dear to Denison because he is one of her own alumni, it could not be forgotten that it was Professor Cole who made our scientific department what it is, and that with almost nothing to work upon, save his own persevering genius and unselfishness. And Dr. Watson, a Cornell man, who is Professor Tight ' s successor, is all the nearer to our hearts because he was brought to Denison through Dr. Tight himself, to whom we owe so much. Another old Denison boy has this fall been welcomed back as a member of the faculty. Profe ssor Neil represents to us the reincarna- tion of the Oratorical Department. Interest in this class of work, which had sunk to a very low ebb indeed, has beeii wonderfully revived by the help and enthusiasm of such a teacher, who is already winning for himself a name on the platform. At least one evident change has already been made in consequence of the revived interest in this branch of the University ' s work. The Oratorical Association, whose membership ha.s I heretofore included only members of the Franklin and Calliopean Literary Societies, has been enlarged, and now embraces every member of each of the six literary societies of the school. Among these re Philomathean and Euterpean Societies of Shepardson College, and Horn this step has been taken another still more advanced. This year, for the first time, Deni- son sent to the State Oratorical Contest a woman representative, thereby following an example which other colleges have set. But is oratory our only boast? Not so. Is there a young man, a.t least, whose mind does not first and foremost turn to athletics? Denison need no longer wince at the word for under Holste, the much-needed coach who was at last procured, a new era has opened, in which nothing seems impossible. Coming to us from the University of Chicago, where he is now a law student, backed by a record of which anyone might be proud, his one term ' s work here was such as to make us fondly dream what another year may bring to our foot ball team. With a 1901 showing the best for years, is not a coach worth while? Yes, the Athletic Department has a future ; and just at the right moment, a fairy god-father has appeared with a gift which has its part for every student of the University. After years of forced endurance of the old athletic field, one of our loyal friends has supplied the need with a generous gift, which is surely appreciated. Last June, Mr. F. P. Beaver, of Dayton, presented to Denison, for use as an athletic park, the ground immediately opposite the T. O. C. R. R. station, on the Lancaster road. It is expected that within a year this ground will be ready for use, and the general rejoicing over this good fortune made seem as nothing the fee of one dollar for athletics which this year is levied upon every young man student. In return for this, each stu- dent is counted as a member of the Athletic Association. On last Commencement Day there was also made the announce- ment of another gift, much needed, and hailed with especial delight by the music pupils. The long-wished for pipe organ, soon to be placed in Recital Hall, will be only another reminder of our endless obligations to Dr. Wm. Howard Doane, of Cincinnati, the kind friend who has never failed us. In view of this encouragement, it is not strange that 16

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Almost three hundred years ago, John Alden, disconsolate wooer of the Puritan maiden, Priscilla, resolved forever to turn his back on the trackless forest which had promised him such fair fortunes. Was it his good angel who turned his face again toward the untried paths, and whispered in his ear, Let not him who has put his hand to the plough look backward ? More than seventy years ago, another band of pio- neers, with hearts as brave and lives as true, put their hands to another plough, whose ploughshares broke the ground on which we stand today. VVith struggles and disappointments almost rivaling those of the early pilgrims, surely their good angels must have guided their feet, that they did not turn backwards. Can we not join in our Heike with gladder hearts, when we remember the men to whom we owe Denison — our Denison? And we are proud to remember that the past year has been one of the best our college has ever known. For one thing, we are learning to say, all together, our Denison, as we never could say it when co- education was a dream, and not a reality. Therefore the history of the past few months has been different from that of by-gone years, when the students from the foot of the hill stood as humble suppliants on the threshold of the halls of learning, where they n ow walk as equals. This year of 1901-2 has seen many changes. There have been losses, of course — vacant places and sad leave-takings, but the clouds have shown more than a glimpse of the silver lining — if there have been losses, so have there been gains, glorious gains, which we are proud to remember. First, of course, there is our president. First? — yes, always; in our thoughts, our work, our hearts. While West Virginia lias taken away the friend whom everyone found in Dr. Purinton, we are glad to know that our new president is one whom we had learned to love even before he belonged to us. Our Dr. Hunt we claim him, not in word alone, but in deed. Last year made other vacancies in Denison, when O. S. U. took away Professor Cole, and when Dr. Tight left us to become president of the University of New Mexico. There could be only pleasure in the thought that their powers had found appreciation in wider fields than they could know here in Granville ; so we bade them God-speed, and in September extended a happy greeting to the new workers who have come in their stead. Still, in welcoming Professor Clark W. 15

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And yet one more is added to the list of alumni who have thi vear Z t tl ir Mf-... Everyone who has appreciated ' the niprovement m the library facilities, should remember that thev hav HeTe m ' tt ' ibra ' rf al ' r ° ' ' i clasrof ' Ss: riere m tlie library, also, we notice another cha,np-e, for Professor Tohn frn erTfSleT b - ' - - M. u ' Ti S ' . One rnore step proves that our school is keepin- in touch wifh b tweel teacwr ' .n 1° ' investigation, anci earnest consultation oemeen teachers and pupils, have adopted the student eovernmenc s tem, beheving this to be the better Ly. No gM oh s nt after the best there is in her school life can refuse to heedZ rule s which e herself has helped formulate. With friends of her own choosing a authorities, subordination is apt to be much less hard the year has brought other changes and improvements We now bave the beginning of a literary college paper, whose e tors deserv unfailing support m their laudable eiTtei ise we have 1 Adytum shifted from the shoulders of the Seniors, but gladty ta eV„ earned forward by the Juniors; we have a nel p esS ' s Lu e promised us, though it has not vet appeared vear a ndtof tf i i ? tenths of this present iuZU J the coming ones of next year, the last which we shall pend with our Alma Mater? Wider achievements, more iloriou successes nobler hearts and truer, that we, who have put our ban Is to the plough, ma.y indeed not look backward C L M ' 03 17