Denison University - Adytum Yearbook (Granville, OH)

Page 11 text:

In 1882 sources of accurate information about Denison were meagre. Many important organizations were not included in the catalogue. The personality and achievements of the student body and many special events and traditions had no mention. Therefore, the fraternities then represented on campus, Sigma Chi and Beta Theta Pi, decided to publish the first Denison yearbook. The editorial and publication board poured over a dictionary, seeking for their publication some name with a Delphic mystery about it. Scanning the a's, they found A d ytum-the innermost or secret shrine of ancient temples. And so they designed the yearbook to represent the inner side of student life. There were no pictures in this yirst edition, only cartoons, witty sayings, and elaborate print. In 1888 a student company undertook The Adytum as a private enterprisey in 1891 it was again a fraternity project. But in 1893 the Senior class published the yearbook and continued to do so until the Junior class took over in 1902. Although its quality, content, and general plan have evolved during its 71 editions, the goals set by the first Adytum remain essentially those of the present stajjf: to give insight into Denison's spirit and traditions, and to immortalize her soul-her children who go forth. M en and wom.en crowding fast in the streets . . . if they are not flashes and specks, what are they? We are men and womeng what are we? We are children who have gone forth, who now go forth into the myriad mysteries of life. College life is a microcosm of the nature and processes of athletics 16-51 organizations 94-125 creative arts 135-145 being as presented is Walt Whitman's poem ' There Was a Child Went Forth. The people we meet, the life we here experience become 160-183 a part of us,' we become a part of the mystery. 2

Page 13 text:

President A. Blair Knapp, A.B., M.A., LL.D., L.H.D., HH.D. And these become of him or her that pursues them now The core of the Denison experience and program is in- tellectual, but history demonstrates clearly that intel- lectual attainment is by no means enough. Denison and its students and faculty must, therefore, be concerned with the whole pattern of personal development. Habits, attitudes, ideals, purposes and goals pursued and developed here will inevitably become of him or her for a life time. Maximum personal growth in all respects must be our objective together. 3 !