Illinois Wesleyan University - Wesleyana Yearbook (Bloomington, IL)

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Before Memorial Center was built, students boarded at their respective residence halls, the Hut, or in restaurant hangouts near the campus. The Drug CNierstheimer's Drug Storey was especially popular. Another, still extant, was what we know as The College Inn. Wfhat is now Murray's Hobbyland had a fountain too. Wforld Wfar II came and the few men on campus joined the girls fabovej in Kemp Hall for their meals. Then the navy moved into Kemp. The Theta Chi house became known as Cen- tral Hall, a common dining place at which Mother Bunton CSigma Chi housemotherb was hostess. The Teke house QWest Hallj became a girls' boarding houseg Phi Mu QSouth Hallj, a men's boarding house. an illustration of this really magnificent academic hall, costing around 8100,000. This and later pic- tures show the central tower ffrontj and four cor- ner towers. An interior feature was Amie Chapel, a large and beautiful room named for the mother of james Coler, of Champaign. The graduation exer- cises were held here in June, 1872, though classes did not occupy the building till the spring of 1875. The fall session of 1870-71 saw the admission of young women to Wesleyan's halls of learning. After many lengthy arguments hy members of the faculty and the board of trustees, a noble, but daring, eX- periment in the held of coeducation was authorized. In September twenty-two female students entered classes, one as a sophomore fKate Rossj, two as freshmen fDelia Henry and Rhoda Wfileyj, and nineteen others in the preparatory department. The IS next year forty-three were enrolled. and so the myth- ical Ann, along with Wesley, her boy friend, was on her academic way! The hrst woman graduate was Mrs. Hannah Shur, of the class of 1872. Thus, in spite of over twenty years for Illinois Wesleyaia to make up its mind, it became one of the early co- educational colleges of America, following the lead of Oberlin, in Ohio. The Law School was opened on April 6, 1874. It became well known for its contribution to the bar of Illinois and other states, but could not maintain a professional, full-time faculty under the rules of new standardizing agencies. It closed its doors in 1927, to the profound regret of a wide community of alumni and friends. Even a medical school was once planned, and ac- tually organized on a tentative basis in April, 1879-

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Ground-breaking ceremonies, October 51, 1928, for Presser Hall, built with a gift of 375,000 from the Presser Foundation and 392,86-1 secured via campaign in March, 1928. In the center are Dr. William J. Davidson Qrightj, President, and Arthur E. Westbrook, Dean Qand father Q of the School of Music. The spade they are using was employed again by Ned E. Dolan, June 5, 1946, to break ground for Memorial Student Center. The woman is Dean Francis Napier, next to her is Professor Arnold Lovejoy. At far left is Professor Wilbert Ferguson, Wesleyanls grand old man,', who served the university for half a century Qfrom 189-fl until his death, May 9, 19-1-ij. A leading store of Bloomington paid tribute to him in a long, three- column ad in The Prznffzgmpb: His quest of knowledge led over a long road, and in his searching he found that rarest of all learningfan understanding heart ..., His life at Wesleyan . . . and his inspirations instilled into thousands of Wesleyan's students and carried to all parts of the world-remain as a timeless monument to the true greatness of a life of unselrish en- deavorf' the Model School, an elementary department con- ducted in a wooden house on the east side of the campus. Her name was Sarah J. Kern. Major John Wesley Powell appeared on the scene in 1865-66, coming home from the war with his right arm missing, a casualty on the battlefield at Shiloh. As professor of natural science, especially geology, he was a vital force in college teaching. He reorganized the science courses, started a mu- seum, designed the official seal fwith the motto still in use, Scientia et Sapientianj, and helped plan the large new building which in the next century was named Hedding Hall. Taking some of his students with him during one summer vacation and another group during a regular college year, Professor Powell carried on various scientific expeditions in the West. His most significant undertaking was the dangerous, but geographically and geologically important, ex- ploration of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. Powell was the first white man to attempt this tremendous journey, related in his own journals and chronicled in various books up to the present time. Walt Disney's latest motion picture, Ten Wflvo Dazred, now in production for 1961 release, honors this faculty man from Illinois Wesleyan University. Finally a large new five-story building, 70x 140 feet in size, was planned and completed. This was to become our Old Main, later Hedding, later Dura- tion Hall, which now temporarily houses some offices of the l.A.A. The cornerstone was laid in September, 1870, and the dedication was held in june, 1871. The front cover of the 1871 catalogue first carried 17

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to make Illinois Wesleyaiu Nmore thoroughly deserv- ing the name of university. Unconsciously, this action pointed vaguely to the present School of Nursing. The University was almost literally sold 'lon the blockn in front of the court house in 1881. Debts had piled high and skillful maneuvering was re- quired to satisfy the eastern creditors who had an- nounced their intention of foreclosure and public auction. Chaddock College, a degree-granting Methodist institution at Quincy, Illinois, was merged with Wes- leyan in 1878, as was Hedding College, of Abing- don, Illinois in 1928. This University adopted the graduates of both schools, receiving certain minor assets in return. Anyway, a historic triad in Meth- odist educational enterprise was finally accomplished. Chaddoclc School for Boys, at Quincy, is the de- nominational successor of Chaddock College. Hed- ding Hall flater Duration Hallj and the Hedding The Classic Revival facade of Memorial Gymnasium, . . erected Q1921Q through the generosity of the people of Bloomington and McLean County as a memorial to those students . . . who by their sacrince and service to humanity have brought honor to their alma mater. Kemp Hall, built by the Antoine DeMange family in 1906 for 3A80,000, had elevator, domed ballroom, and tile roof. Its porte-cochere tended to lend architectural balance. Wesleyan paid 340,000 in 1912 and made it a women's dormitory. A Navy V-5 unit lived there from 1942-1944, and dubbed it l'The U.S.S. Wasp. Subsequently it has housed women, the administration Q1952j, women, men, and now women again. Long the center of social life, it was here that Dean Beadles courted the lady who is now his wife, she lived in Room fi.