Memphis University School - Owl Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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COLONEL LYNN LOOKS BACK It is a pleasure to reminisce about some of the history and events that have taken place in the first twenty-five years of Memphis University School. Mr. Wellford, the first Chairman of the Board, who held that position for twenty- three years, has stated that the founding of MUS was a venture in faith, and I agree with him. Little did we realize when the charter was granted on May 20, 1 954, that twenty-five years later we would have the facilities, the program, and the reputation for excellence which the school now enjoys. Originally we planned to have a school for 350 students, and later some consideration was given to making it a boarding school. It was fortunate that we did not raise enough money to complete the facilities as originally planned, as our original projections were too small. A committee worked for a year Mr. Wellford, the first Chairman of the Board stated that the founding of MUS was a venture in faith and I agree with him. searching for a site for the new school. The final two choices were one on Poplar in the area of the present Jewish Community Center, and the one chosen at Park and Ridgeway. The ninety-four acres purchased from the Wills and May families was a wise choice, not only from the standpoint of location, but also as an excellent investment. The school was located outside the city limits, a situation which posed some problems. Over the years we had several forest fires with no ready access to fire- fighting equipment. Special arrangements had to be made with the post office department to get mail service. We had to dig our own well and build our own septic tank. Because sixty percent of the students lived west of Highland, we had to run buses. Another interesting thing about the property was the fact that we received a cotton subsidy for two years for not planting cotton. Choosing a name for the new school did not pose a problem as a number of the Trustees and other people interested in the new school had attended the old MUS; therefore, the new school adopted MUS as its name. Some of the traditions and customs from the old school were adopted, such as the honor system, the school colors of red and blue, and the school seal with its motto Veritas Honorque. The student body decided to use the Owl as a school mascot and decided there would be no smoking on campus. The name of the first school paper was the MUS News, but later this was changed to The Owl ' s Hoot; the annual was called The Sabre and changed later to The Owl. The new school opened in September, 1 955, with ninety students in grades 7-1 0, and a faculty of six. The building consisted of six classrooms, one lab, a room for the library, a dressing room for physical education, and a cafeteria which also served as an auditorium for seven years. The auditorium was originally planned for the area occupied by the student lounge. The headmaster ' s office was in an area partitioned off from the hall, near the present bookstore. The eleventh and twelfth grades were added in succeeding years. Because of the quality program being offered, the school was accredited by the Southern Association before the first graduates received their diplomas in June, 1958. Another interesting thing about the property was the fact that we received a subsidy for two years for not planting cotton. Over the years we had several forest fires with no ready access to fire-fighting equipment. J 6 OPENING

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MUS often participates in varsity athletics against larger schools; these schools may have more students, but they rarely have more school spirit than Memphis University School. The MUS stands during the Harding game provided much color and excitement in cheering the Buzzards on to victory. Tod Singer and John Sebes sit mesmerized by some abstruse precalculus symbols on the blackboard. Mrs. Scrimger, chairman of the math department at MUS, left school to teach in Alabama; her students will remember her intellectually stimulating, and often nearly impossible precalculus tests. Cross-Country runners Russ Billings and Mark Frazier struggle to the finish line of the Bishop Byrne Invitational. MUS athletes have varying degrees of success, but they always display a total effort. INTRODUCTION 5

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AT HIS 25 YEARS WITH MUS MUS has one of the few gyms where the floor does not run in the direction of the goals. This resulted from the fact that we completed only half a gym in 1 956 and played on the court running north and south, and the floor was laid accordingly. The school fight song was written in 1 958 by two members of the faculty, Mr. Bill Hatchett and Mr. Charles Mosby. Mr. John Springfield composed the Alma Mater in 19 60. The only live owl owned by the school was purchased from Ross Allen. It had performed in several Walt Disney films. The owl was housed in the basement of the gym, ate 1 Vi pounds of meat a day, and, in spite of the promises of the Student Council to take care of him, the task for a large part of the time fell to the headmaster. In 1 959 the attention of the U.S. State Department, Congress, and newspapers throughout the United States was focused on MUS when a 9th grader, Robert Graham, now Dr. Robert Graham, received soil samples from Russia for a science experiment that he was conducting. Rufus Thomas performed at the mid- winter formal in 1959, and again later at one of the Student Council elections. Possibly the most traumatic experience in the history of the school was the fire on April 29, 1 970, w hich destroyed the three language classrooms, and damaged other areas of the school. In spite of the dislocation due to the fire, only one day of school was missed. It was determined that the fire was the result of arson, but no one was ever apprehended. Over the years, I have not observed any change in the quality and caliber of the student body. Certain fads have come and gone, such as clothing style, length of hair, music, and interest of the students. During the late sixties and early seventies there was more questioning on the part of the students about the rules and standards. However, while some adjustments were made, Over the years, I have not observed any change in the quality and caliber of the student body. Certain fads have come and gone . . . however . . . there was no compromising as far as the ideals . . . on which the school was founded. there was no compromising as far as the ideals and standards which governed the founding of the school. The outstanding progress of Memphis University School has been made possible by an able student body, by dedicated teachers and staff, and by the generosity and support of the Memphis community. It has been a privilege and an honor for me to have been part of the founding of the school and its headmaster for twenty-three years. It is my hope and belief that greater things lie ahead for the school. Ross M. Lynn Headmaster Emeritus COL. LYNN 7