Marion University - Marionette Yearbook (Marion, IN)

Page 26 text:

The,3Os: l , ll it ', -1 fl i .1 M Henry A. West, Acting President 1929-1932 Out yonder in the midst of a turbulent horizon is the star of safety, peace, and progress, and Marion College purposes to follow the star. Wm. F. McConn William F. McConn, President 1932-1960 College Gains Community Support The South Marion Booster Club, Know known as the South Marion Businessman's Clubl, comprised of nearly all the men engaged in some form of mercantile enterprise, was constantly on the outlook for a chance to help in the progress of the community. No improvement which they promoted attracted more favorable comments than the new boulevard lights placed along the college on Washington Street.

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Academy Begins in 1921 The institution operated a high school from 1921 to 1934. The First Marionette The students of 1923 organized a literary thrust to furnish material for the first Marion- ette. The subscription campaign was one of the liveliest and most enthusiastic campaigns of the year. The rivalry was so intense between the Amphictyions and Eurekans that it was nicknamed the Marionette Raid. Campus Enlarged The administration en- visioned a growing college and purchased nine acres of land northeast of the tri- angle. yy Students Construct Gymnasium In 1923 the faculty and students counseled to- gether, drew plans, and raised the necessary funds for the construction of the gymnasium. The entire construction was done by the stu- dents except for the bricklaying. The new 50' x 90' gymnasium was com- pleted in 1926. It con- tains a basketball floor of standard size and dressing rooms. It seats 1,000 people.. This structure stands as a symbol of student en- thusiasm.

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Marion College Survives Depression In 1932 when I came to Marion College, the depression of the 30's was about at its worst. These were days when banks were closing, mercantile houses were liquidating and even colleges were going into bankruptcy. The Business Manager and the President wondered how Marion College could live, for we could get no money either. How we could keep Marion College in operation was something we had to find out and we did not immediately know the answer, but in the Providence of God, Marion was permitted to keep her doors open. -Dr. Wm. F. McConn College Church s When the college was first opened, the congregation, then known as the South Marion Wesleyan Church, sold their building, moved to the Chapel, and became the College Church. In 1937, a building program was launched which resulted in the construction of a beautiful College Church in 1938, situated on the corner of Fortieth and Washington Streets.