Monmouth College - Ravelings Yearbook (Monmouth, IL)

Page 15 text:

— And io paint an accurate picture oj the college in all of its departments — this has been our aim and earnest desire in the com- pding of this publication oj the Ravelings. REV. S. R. LYONS and DR. R. GRAHAM As Monmciuth College progresses in the iiumher of her students, faculty and trustees, it is difTicult to tell of those who are her greatest leaders, her staunchest supporters, for their name is legion. Rev. Samuel Ross Lyons assumed the heavy responsihility of the administration from 1898 to 1901. Typical of the faculty of that period, perhaps, is Dr. Rus- sell Graham, who headed the department of Social Science. ' I ' riHircss — the onu ' ord stride of God. — Victor Hugo.

Page 14 text:

The Progress of the Ravelings THE RAVELINGS OF PROGRESS is builded upon the efforts of thirty- four previous classes to preserve the threads of activity that are annually woven into the memories of Monmouth collegians. All honor is due the heroic spirits which prompted the deviation from con- vention and initiation of a new custom. The first volume of the Ravelings was published by the Class of 1893, under the editorship of the late Ralph Pringle, in honor of the Class of 1893. It was an attractive cloth-bound volume some- what smaller than the present standard, and bearing the title, Monmouth Rav- elings 1892, in gilt letters against a red and white background. Opposite the page which recorded the dedication of the book to Pres. J. B. McMichael was a striking drawing in explanation of the significance of the title. A gay damsel was pictured standing with locks flying in the breeze and wearing a sleeveless dress, a few inches of ankle immodestly peeping from beneath the flowing skirt which a zephyr was coyly teasing. The maiden was felicitously juggling rav- eling balls of yarn — spheres of activity — Art, Poetry, Music, Science, Oratory, Wit, Athletics, and History. The chief features of the contents were athletics and literary societies, for ' twas in the days of one of Monmouth ' s peaks of athletic achievements, as well as the days when every student was a member of a literary society. These two activities were given space to the exclusion of class and fac- ulty pictures. Wit and clever drawings, however, then as now, were frequent. From the first to the thirty-fourth volumes of the Ravelings progress has been constant. It is true that in 1895 and 1896 but one book was published for two years; also that in 1918 the inroads of the great World War precluded a publi- cation. But with these two exceptions a volume has been published each year since 1892. In 1899 the year of the title has been changed from that of the graduating class to that of the juniors who have published it from the beginning. In 1919 appeared the famous Victory Ravelings of 1920 in memory of Mon- mouth ' s part in the World War. Many are the touches of originality which have been left upon cover designs, general schemes, arrangement, photography, wit, art, and special features. But in general the development and improvement has been gradual, keeping pace with the development of the college. May we not, then, rightly acclaim this thirty- fifth volume — THE RAVELINGS OF PROGRESS.

Page 16 text:

Contents I. ADMINISTRATION II. CLASSES III. CAMPUS LIFE IV. ATHLETICS V. ORGANIZATIONS VI. DRAMATICS VII. CONSERVATORY VIII. COLLEGE DIARY DR. THOMAS HANNA McMICHAEL Familiarity with the present administration makes praise of it seem an inadequate representation of things as they are. Dr. McMichael has for a quarter-century directed the policies of the college, and has seen its most prosperous years, the years when more nearly adequate buildings have been made possible. The time has not been without its difficulties of a more subtle kind than the housing question, however. How many problems have been met and solved for us could perhaps be revealed only by Doctor himself. Progrrss, »ian ' s disrincth ' c mark alone- — Browning.