Eureka College - Prism Yearbook (Eureka, IL)

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After dinner that night at the House, we sat around and visited. The next day, Wednesday, I took my freshman tests and attended a roller skating party. Thursday I finished my tests and was taken to the show and then to a smoker. This was followed by a bull session until the wee small hours of the morn- ing. Friday morning I registered, and now I am officially a freshman in Eureka College. In the afternoon the boys took me to lVIike's and discussed the merits of fraternities and asked me my preference-and incidentally I met a nice little blonde. The same night I went to a steak-fry. Saturday morning I got my bid from the fraternities, and accepted the one of my choice. Following a busy afternoon, I got all dressed up and went to The Grind, which is very well named, as it is a gathering where everybody shakes hands with everybody else. When I was through, my hand was completely numb, and I was all talked out. I know exactly how a celebrity feels, and I don't believe I want to be one. This was followed by a hop, a dance to you. Afterwards I had a date with that blonde. Today I feel like a sleepwalker. To- night the freshmen all go to the Chris- tian Church for supper. After this I have another date-yep, the blonde again. Well, I must close and get ready for dinner. By the way, Pop, I need some more dough as I have another date with the blonde next week. Love, Son Eureka College September l3, l94U Dear Folks: I I suppose you can still remember how grown-up I felt when I graduated from high school and came away to collegeg well, now that I'm here, I feel greener and greener each day. It's quite a jolt to jump from being a su- perior senior to Ct lowly freshman. And -3,

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rerlvmvm aze Eureka College September 13, l94O Dear Folks: I have finally been able to find a spare minute to squeeze in a letter to you. I did not get up until noon today, but I am very tired just the same. Guess you are anxious to hear all about college. I got off the bus at Eureka just before noon Tues- day morning, and I was immediately met by a crowd of swell fellows who took me over to the college and showed me through all of the buildings and introduced me to Dr. Burrus Dickinson, president of the college, and Mr. Wiggins, the registrar. It was then I discovered that the car which had brought me to the college had already goneeewith all my bags. So there I stood, all alonegbut not for long, for I was soon recognized and once again I caught up Withvmy baggage. I was ushered into a fraternity house and installed in one of the upstairs rooms. Boy, I have never been treated so keen in all my life-free cigarettes, free cokes, and one hilarious good time. That afternoon they took me to Mikes where We spent the time gossiping. -2-

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TCIVIORRCW, WE START TO WORK the worst part of it is that we shall have to wear silly green caps which will probably make us feel just a little smaller and more insignificant each time we meet an upper classman. I'm sorry now I didn't let you bring me down the first time, but that seemed so childish then. It certainly would have saved some embarrassing mis- takes. First thing when I got off the bus, I asked for a taxi! And when I got out to the dorm, I Went up to the front door of Lida's Wood and rang the bell! How foolish that seems now. But I really felt quite cocky until the freshmen were all gathered out in front of the chapel where we went to get our room assignments for the exams. Then I began to feel as green as a St. Patrick's Day decoration. The girls are just lovely and there's never a dull moment during rush week. After the first night none of the sorority actives can speak to a rushee until bids are issued except during a rush party, but there's still plenty doing. Each sorority gives a breakfast, a dinner, and an evening party, one of which is at- tended by each new girl. On Friday after you accept your bid you go to the corridor of the sorority you are going to pledge, and the girls all grab and kiss you. The fellows would probably laugh at this, but for a girl, it's one of the most exciting and happy moments of a lifetime tor at least of 18 yearsl. Love, Marian Sunday, September I5 Dear Folks: Now that it is all over, I can soak my dogs in salt water, put my hair up de- cently, collect my wandering thoughts. As soon as I was settled on the sec- ond floor of the Hall I started to get ac- quainted. A rather sophisticated blonde across the hall started to give me an acidic version of college life and a glow- ing account of her boy friends. That sort of scared me, but after a while I found some kids who were as green as I and we had a keen time. We just messed around all day. At' eight o'clock closed rushing start- ed. That meant that the actives of the sororities couldn't speak to the rushees -but they didl That evening we were still finding out our roommate's idiosyn- crasies and looking over everyone's clothes. The next morning we went to our first freshman test-English. Yeow! After that we had conferences until we were greener in the face than we were before. Out of it all I gathered that Dean Aylsworth is the most understanding man I've ever met and that Dr. Harrod ought to have a band precede him playing Pomp and Circumstancef' The other two tests were a psychol- ogy Cjust a nice way of saying an in- telligence quotientb and a general cul- ture test. I wish that I had had those fellows from Information Please. Friday noon we received our bids. It was a Wonderful feeling to find your group-it gave you something to hang on to in the mad rush. After that there was a lull until the Grind on Saturday night-a sort of introduction factory. This afternoon we had formal pledg- ing. It was lovely! And so solemn! One by one we were taken into a candle-lit room where we knelt before the president and repeated the pledge. I really felt as though the biggest thing in my life was happening-I guess it was. Immediately I felt a bond with all those girls. Now it's all over and tomorrow we start to work. In a way I'll be glad. Love, Puss ..4..