Gardner Webb University - Web / Anchor Yearbook (Boiling Springs, NC)

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CLASS HISTORY History repeats itself we are told, hut pondering over our class history I sometimes wonder if such could be possible. Approximately sixty hale and hearty teen-age youngsters entered Gardner-Webb Junior College on September the ninth, in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and forty-three. At this port we dropped anchor for two years. We greatly outnumbered our superior upper classmen, but that did not prevent a deep feeling of inferiority among us. Slowly but surely the fog began to lift, and we were drawn into the college circle by our already selected big sisters and brothers. Too. the Baptist Student Union Council came to our rescue. They assisted in getting us settled, acquainted and provided for our entertainment. Mrs. James P. Morgan, our Dean of Women, soon won our hearts, and in her we found one who would always listen and understand. I will always remember her as the one who made the rounds at ten-thirty to say the goodnights. No doubt ihis simple feat led to sweeter dreams during our first year in college. Just when we thought we were approaching the realms of the intellectual, we awoke one morning to the shrill shouts and merry peals of laughter of our honorable upper classmen. Armed with long scrolls of suspicious looking print, they were invading our rooms and tugging at our sheets. Yes. truly this was the day of our doom- — Rat Day ! ! ! We pulled through after two days of extensive workouts, supervised by the sophomores. We were then fully established in our abode. Our first gala occasion for the year was that of the reception for President and Mrs. Philip Lovin Elliott. For this occasion we all stepped forth in our prettiest formals. and wore our most becoming smiles. Eagerly we sought to give them a royal welcome into our midst. In the month of October, the season when ghosts are prone to wander, the Athenean-Rhamsaeur Literary Society entertained with a Hallowe ' en party. Although chills played up and down our spines, we had a thrilling time. An event we always looked forward to was that of the monthly birthday dinner. Here we enjoyed a bit of formal gaiety after a day of toilsome study. The smell of cedar and tinkling of bells were in the air. Yes. the most joyous season of the year was drawing near. Strains of the familiar Hallelujah Chorus drifted from the choir rehearsals. We were all dreaming of a White Christmas. A few days before the holidays the College Choir presented excerpts from The Messiah in the E. B. Hamrick Auditorium. Never could we forget our Christmas dinner, when we ate by candlelight, and played Jingle Bells on our water glasses. AH right — maybe it was childish, but it was still fun ! After the holidays we returned with a mixture of feelings within us. We had had a wonderful time. But there was something missing because our minds often turned to our loved ones who were away fighting for us. We were glad to get back, and to admire and share in the excitement over beautiful gifts. But — . there was one something that bothered us. Naturally, any college student would realize what came shortly after Christmas — mid-term exams I No doubt about it. we were approaching the season for the burning of the midnight oil. We tasted French at breakfast; conversed English at lunch; smelled chemistry at the Shop amid a stack of equations; ate home eonomics at dinner; and handed out history dates at bedtime. When grades at last came out. I imagine we were a bunch of drab looking kids— with torn hair. strained eyes and wrinkled brows. During a short period of rejoicing, we threw our cares to the wind and enjoyed life to the fulle st degree. February brought parties to the mind. This time the Kalagathian-Kalliergeonian Society was on the entertaining end. At their expense we enjoyed a full evening of hearty entertainment at the club house. In the early spring the Dramatics Club and the College Choir presented Stephen Poster. This was the major dramatic production of the year, and it revealed that Gardner-Webh was a possessor of much unusual dramatic and musical talent. Later in the spring we honored the seniors of our college with a Hawaiian Banquet at the Charles Hotel in Shelby. Hours were Spent in preparing for this occasion, and I imagine that for days pre- ceding this festive event, palm trees and teis danced through the dreams of those who were our interior decorators. Yes, it was some of our own number who created for us a real Hawaii at leasl tome of the faculty thought so. Somehow. I doubt the seniors having had a better time than we did. Then came the red-letter day of our college history — the inauguration of our President. College officials from this and other states were present at this event. The main address was delivered by Dr. Frank Porter Graham, President of the University of North Carolina. Among the other notables who appeared on the program were I President Leslie Campbell, of Campbell College ; Reverend Perry Crouch, Vice-President of the Baptist State Convention ; Major Isaac Newton Carr. United States Army and former Dean f Harfl Hill College ; President Hiram Hunter, of Western Carolina Teachers College : and President Boyt Blackwell of Mars Hill College. Professor Paul Stacy presented numerous delegates from other colleges who did nol appeal 00 the program. Reverend William W. Davidson spoke in behalf of the faculty of the college and Robert W. Crappa represented the students. Honorable 1 I Ha Gardner presided over the entire program, and Judge Edwin Yates Webb, chairman of tin- Board of Trustees, • investiture to which President Kllion iponded. The afternoon program featured a historical pageant written by Miss Frances Cuthbertsi.n. our English professor. This colorful pageant depicted the history of the college from the time it was founded in ] 908 to the present dsj I fitting climax was reached when Miss Marietta Hamrick. of Boil ink ' Springs, win Crowned HISS Gardner-Webb. Those attending her were: Miss Helen Lancaster, U Maid of Honor, Misses Jeanne It Ian ton, Ruth Moseley, Sarah Bank head, Ozell Martin, Louise Edwards, and Margaret Wacaster. Reverend R. tor of the Fin I Baptist Church in Columbia. South Carolina. DTi a fitting message to the graduates on Sundayi May the twenty-eighth. Honorable O. M. Mull, of Shell. . delivered the address the following day, when, to the last strains ■ if Pomp and Circumstance the Sophomores and our former classmates launched forth into their own broad sea of life, leaving 01 to carry their torches high. Page Eighteen

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CLASS PROPHECY While enjoying my second cup ot coffee on the morning of October the twelfth, nineteen hundred and fifty three I was glancing over the morning Times. A title about halfway down the front tw 8 i .■ and I brought the paper closer for a better view. In black type were these »« »: ;» ' £ £; Webb Junior CoHege - Celebr Eiftneth Anniversary. • I „. jgg-H ™ |» making plans to attend this event. bad been founded Reading further mv interest grew, and 1 immediately began making plans to attend tnis eveni hich e was E Jbe heW o n October the fifteenth. Fortunately for me t his date, was betwee „ ™ «nriu ed oadcasts. so I immediately contacted the law partners Bdwar .and Jon«„wta lived just arounflM wh broai block I inquired if they would be interested in accompanying they had already closed their office and were seeking reservations Leaving New York the next day. we were filled with the expectation of seeing many of our form, classmates Boiling Springs. To my surprise next south bound train. e Hoyle. She confessed to me that she ing her knowledge l at New York, had had a short talk with Ge in his dashing uniform of an admiral. While passing through Baltimore. Maryland. Mary Grace told me that Jackie Huskey was now a Laboratory Technician at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and that Erlene Washburn had reached the position of Supervisor of Nurses. Reaching Washington, we were told by Louise that Ida Lattimore had secured the position of secretary to Senator Clyde R. Hoey. (incidentally, he was first elected Senator the year J » Gardner- Webb I and that Emma Millard was Religious Educational Director of the Calva.y Baptist Church there in Washington. We paused to rest and to admire the scenery: however, we soon became aware of the ™nversat.on going on between the couple in front. Louise was telling of a long letter she had received faorn Folb C:,n,P in which she told about her success in coaching the winning girls basketball team ,n the South. Yes even these commodious air conditioned trains could not provide hearts were again lifted when J. T. remarked wondered if we would see returning to my seat from the diner, I vacated seat. My love for books caused me to stoop to rad the i newly published psychology book edited by Colleen Hill. familiar voice. I stopped and turned to find Mary Kate Bostic — from a visit The ride was becoming tiresome everything. When approaching Richmond. Virginia, our that Bob Shaw was now the postmaster there. As the train sped Bob at the celebration. Meal time came again, and as I chanced to see an open book lying title. To my profound surprise it Going on down the aisle. I h 3S£ in gtiSSEStiSt £1 £ T SS JU. Bible there. Mary Kate was to the Baptist Sent...- President of the Seminary, and that Ovella Benfield was professol ... her way to meet Polly Shook and Mrs. Wentz and family, who were to sail with hi early date. As we crossed over the line into North Carolin Tar Heel State Capital we got off. the train m Rjo - - -J, , and added much to University obtained a Master ' s Degree j.11 drew a sigh of relief. Upon arriving in the Raleigh and started seeking a place where we might ' d ™«edV of North Carolina, and that Ruth Ware hi French joined us for coke or of Physical Education J ' r r eneh De p7rbnenr atV the University, and Hilton ' Hamrick was serving in the capacity of Professor of Mathematics at State College. Was O tT of the Central High School in that fair city. At last we were nearing familiar territory. As the driver Church our t Connor. She was living Ruby accompanied us on to Gardner-Webb f. Auditorium was rapidly filling. We took voice Professor at Columbia University called out Shelby. we made a dash for . almost ran from the bus. Standing just outside the bus station was the former Ruby n Shelby and had become a valuable asset to the r irst Baptis the celebration. When we arrived, the E. B. Harm ick back seat and eagerly glanced at the program. Evelyn Harrill. o. New York, was to sing: she was to be accompanied by Coleen Talbert Professor of Piano at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Ellwando Scruggs who had just secured a Doctor ' s Degree in English was to deliver the main address. After a wonderful program I hurried out to greet old friends. Bernice McMurry. Dean of Women A wtkinfaway In %SSJTi SST-? A ttttTJttSrtl laboratory long enough to attend the program. Entering Huggins-Curtis Hall we met Margaret Wacaste, and Bobhy who were leading the South in a great Baptist Training Union movement. When we entered the dining room, a familiar figure came from the kitchen to tap the bell. Miriam Lipscomb was now Gardner-Webb ' s efficient dietitian. At the head of my table sat Martha Ellen Calton. who was now professor of Home Economics at Meredith College. Teanne Rollins came in shortly after the bell had rung. She had gained the position of Professor rf Enghsh atBaylo, University. I later learned she was giving up her position in the coming spring to become the wife of one of Dallas ' prominent doctors. Margaret Roberta, who was the owner of the horse that won the last Kentucky Derby, accompanied Jeanne. I spotted Mary Sue Keeter over at the table in the back. I was told that she was now Professor of Dramatics at Limestone College. Prue Parker, seemingly very happy, passed by on the arm of her World War II Veteran. Betty Jean Hamrick and Janie Sue Scruggs were still living in Boiling Springs, and were the present leaders in the community life of the college center. ve bade each other good-bye and returned to our respective fields ' of duty. Uppermost in our minds wi her influence upon our lives and upon those of countless others after year. SAM GREEN. JR.. Class Prophet. Upon, the »™ ™ . f rSraatadrin ou7 hearVfor our Alma Mater and for ,vho chanced to pass through her portals Page Seventeen

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CLASS HISTORY parting, and with our new responsibilities we left, in hopes With hearts laden with sorrow of returning the coming fall. nrharw tThe uXL foSd-nV rL ay a friend,, word when tears of home- sickness were about to stream forth. , , i tv, „ „, rinmia annitment which housed our two new members of the Luto %r £»™£ «, chan.es had also been made in the snacious Huggins-Curtis Hall. tune of I Love You Truly. We soon realized that our number had slightly decreased S™ had fallen .victims of Cupid .arrow and had departed from us. Some had grown tired of book s and »»»6 md n B other colleges. After a few weeks of school the four new members of our » ' £ ™ J mfxed flow™ reception in Curtis-Huggins Hall, which was decorated beautifully with autumn leaves and mixed now A member of the faculty who was not new to u. but who waa this -ar serving in a new capacity zn Madras a -Kr SSsirJBR «rss etc is s.r iJf , , SH i, , 3sri™ - be- h ei P n d advice. October ' s -bright blue weather brought visitors lore , The Kings Mountain Baptist Associa- Y ' of ra 1 oTtVe mer as T SrS%S ' Picture as possible. Later in the month came our chance for revenge, so to J ' JZ f toZ our when we could display our authority and importance. Rat Day for the freshmen ca fun. but at the end of two days we tumbled into our beds rejoicing tnat in one ' s college life. In celebrating Hallowe ' en. Mrs. Harris contributed a great deal in the way of food and decorations. We had a program consisting of the visits of the most common campus ghosts. In November, our new voice professor gave a lovely recital in the E. B. Hamrick Auditorium: a reception followed in her honor. We were growing older: yes. time was hastening on, «»? «£■ » ™ f ed -A ChriaS for the holidays, the College Choir Presented a P ram of Chnst rr,as ™ s £ r ™X Occasion with our We Sr -tESta ZkttJ TZ ?£ZFSft£ gift encircling the third finger, left hand. Many had been refreshed with the extra sleep: but some Z l °l™ mons tnV J2S. ft Hoover, wi th ll rL ™ owl proud we were! Sam Greene. Jr., and J. T. Jones, Jr. .vho gave us such a cordial welcome to his garden of fresh flowers and .cool °- ,or the Tnninr-Spnior occasion Too. we will rememher charming Alice i raarjut le « uiw= ■ »» t- taaX S anT r ab e° a°ll Reverend Paul Hardin ' s addresa Th™ we ™ -«Vl ™ Our heart, were filled with pride and we were accused of even being °tistical when w .saw one of our own number. Margaret Roberts, of Shelby crowned Queen of the May. 1 h» « m p me m 0ri es. the background of those lovely campus greenS M If they °™ ld D X£n M ™™ , „„„ Misses Doris wouldn ' t they? Margaret ' s attendants were: Mrs. Dorothy Dame on ■ ™ ' V ' nn r Louise Edwards, Coates Velna Ivester. Marjorie White. Patricia Sumner, Jeane Rollins. Kub Connor ijoui e and Margaret Wacaster. How happy yet how sad were the actual closing moments of on, stop at Gardne, Webb. . Eugene Washburn. W. B. Beam. Robert Jones, and Sam Hill— those v. ho ■ ■ ° e be comp leted. claisroom to the battlefield. Their education had been interrupte I in order that ouis nygM to co p We paused there at commencement to offer a prayer that fighting would cease would reign supreme over all the earth. Laden with baggage, plus diploma, we paused for one last word with classmates and for one last glimpse of our Alma Mater. Then, with perhaps a few tears, we puled up anchor and sailed forth into a new world— resolving to strive, to seek, to find, but not to yield. MARGARET WACASTER. Class Historian. Page Nineteen