Illinois Wesleyan University - Wesleyana Yearbook (Bloomington, IL)

Page 29 text:

During Thanksgiving vacation on November 25. 1956, tire destroyed the Old English building occu- pied by Kappa Delta sorority since 1959. The sorority had redecorated the whole house during the winter of 1951, It had been built by Ed Cole and was later owned by B. F. Hiltabrand. The girls moved into their new house, on the same site, in September, 1958. Ceremonies for laying Franklin I-Iall's cornerstone were held in February, 1955. Watching in solemn dignity, second from left, is President Merrill J. Holmes Cnow chancellorlg but the workman steadying the monolith failed to relinquish his cigar- ette. In the stone was a copper box containing articles representing campus life. . .i . ,M . .,, ., ,W...r.

Page 28 text:

Wesleyan beat Normal 6-0 and 10-O. In 1890 Wes- leyan literally trimmed and trampled the University of Illinois, 16-0. In conclusion, certain persons of both major and minor distinction may well be listed-by drastic se- lection and without apology for the omission of some others of equal merit. The dozen individuals chosen represent the broad caravan that has moved steadily across the pages of Wesleyan history since the early days. They are officers and teachers who have made this university both a famous name and a favorite experience, but who have not been mentioned or featured on the foregoing pages. Of necessity, no alumni or trustees as such could be included. President Samuel Eallows, English born and later a bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church of America. An excellent biography, E1'e1'yb0dy'.r Birloolb, by his daughter is in Buck Library. President William H. H. Adams, a relative of U.S. President john Quincy Adams. William H. Wilder, the first president who was a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan. fAs a student he spelt his name IVyZde1'.j For him our athletic field is named. He wrote the first full history of the Uni- versity fpublished in 1896j. Professor Robert O. Graham, of the Department of Chemistry. A faculty leader resembling John Wesley Powell in the number of his activities and in the high regard in which he continues to be held. Wilbert Ferguson, professor of Greek and Ger- man and affectionately known for years as the Grand Old Man of Wesleyanf' Longest record of faculty service,-fifty years. Scholar, gentleman, friend of students, new or old. Vice President, dean, teacher, Mark Hopkins-on-one-end-of-a-log,' for this University. Dean William Wallis, whose dramatic treatment of the Civil War and whose glorification of Abra- ham Lincoln thrilled many generations of history students in Old Main for Heddingj Hall. Fred Muhl, teacher of mathematics, athletic coach, personal counselor of many college boys, and virtu- ally dean of men long before such an officer was appointed. Second longest record of faculty service, -forty-four years. After Dr. Eergusonys death he was often referred to as Mr, Wesleyan. Dr. Norman Elliott, said to be Wesleyanis greatest athlete and later football coach de luxe. Harry W. McPherson, who acually held the school together during the depression, and whose faithful- Tc-zmporaryu housing units for veterans were provided when there were no men's dorms. They came from a prisoner-0f- war camp in Weingarten, Missouri. Wesleyan offered the land and provided the furnishings, Uncle Sam provided the barracks and the expense of moving them. It was a great change from former years to see a husky veteran come into the Grill leading or carrying a toddler. The lines of washing Qmarried studentsj hanging behind the barracks added the finishing touch!

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ness will be perpetuated in the naming of the next new building. Dr. Wiley Brooks, first president not an ordained minister, and symbol of a really startling break with tradition fas late as 19375. President Lloyd M. Bertholf is the second. President William E. Shaw, who governed wisely in a time of tension and in a land at war. Baseball pitcher at old Moorels Hill College, and vast hu- manitarian for the rest of his life. President Merrill Holmes, who with his Alad- din's Lamp almost literally conjured up all of the recent buildings on this campus and added safe en- dowments for the present academic program. Since present company must always be excepted, this roster of a few of our Hconstant starsu is at an end, as is the long, long trail from 1850 to 1960, our closest landing field. Within the campus family there is some grum- bling, but often much praise. The tuition has in- creased, the faculty has been strengthened, quite a bit of new ground has been bought for building purposes, several stately edifices have been erected, subject always to individual opinion, and, tragically, over a hundred venerable elms have given up their botanical ghosts. But this University, Illinois, Wesleyan, meaning the Wesleyan of Illinois, goes on with high purpose and tranquil spirit, eventually getting under our skin, and most seniors fit happens every yearj say they are sorry to leave! Art students sprawl under the trees that used to shade the campus in front of Shaw Hall. Occupied at the opening of the college year 1954-55, Shaw was the first classroom building erected after Hedding burned. It cost a mere j5314,024.79.