Morton Junior College - Pioneer Yearbook (Cicero, IL)

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iHHHlIHH iHi Yiillil lt was September of 1924 when Sterling Morton First opened its doors to students desiring worl4 in the first two years of college. That year only 79 freshmen students en- rolled in the offered courses, but it marlced a beginning, a beginning of bigger and better things lor Morton Junior College. ' It was a great job, this starting a new school, lor who could tell what the future would bring? With one strolce of the clocl4 immense success or dismal lailure might be the result. But there were men to meet the responsibility. l-larry Victor Church, MJCS First president furnished the inspiration and planning needed to put such a plan into ellect. l lis untiring el'iorts united with the determination of faculty and students alilce furnished the sparl4 lor the Fire that was to burn brightly lor many years to come. Even Mr. Church could not undertalce such a job alone and so it was that a man was appointed dean ol the college whose name has become synonymous with that of Morton ,junior College. That man was Walter Bishop Spel- man. Ugpeln, as he was fondly tabbed by students and fellow laculty members, was all that could be hoped For in a leader ol a new endeavor. All the foresight and ambition ol youth were his as he tool4 over at the helm of a newly formed institution of learning. Those same qualities existed until the day of his death in 1941. ln his seventeen years as dean, Spel saw times ol trouble, wealth, prosperity, and depression but always forged ahead. When Mr. Spelman toolc over his job in this newly organized junior college, he had one year in which to prove to the state authorities that Morton vlunior College should be accepted amonglthe ranl4s of accredited junior colleges in lllinois. It was a tremendous job, it meant building from nothing into something great and worthwhile in community life, but the right man had been chosen. theiiiiil -WGS mhOVG ihanlxax c?aln. l-le was a counselor, advisor, and friend to each student who made 9 Yee' Ome Gt J , S Was a guide to the whole student body. To him teaching was an l'WiQUif1Q experiment, never stale and monotonous, but rich and exciting. l-lis enthusiasm never died, from the socials he attended where he danced with the female students to the COHGQG ClOSS he joined as a student among many. Dignity and Charm he lleelfend respect he gained. l-le was determined tO lleve his COll9Qe on the highest level possible, his ehlorts were For the students regardless of the cost to him. Undef HSDel's direction the student council was organiz- ed and from that time has existed as a hard-worlcing student governing l9OClY- l-lis activities did not end here, however, for he felt the QVSCH responsibility upon the State Association of JUn'e'C9ll'-9995 and becamea hard-worlcing member and ohiicer gl that organization. Always with the school in mind Mr. ,pelmen Wefked CIUi9flY at his job through thiclc and thin. It I5 no wonder that in 1941 his death during the summer came if i A GS G erect Sheelq to MJC students, laculty,alumni, and citizer1S 6 lx of the cgi? s 50 ll'lOfl we S To lake his S, Pope Ge the situOf'0' 1 nits i pope Sow If in 19471 G M lor 0 'elem' tional tOX- i' Morton staci this COPCUTP ln the SDH President 54 toslc encoust the summer ' way has bee Saturday: added lor I' Belore this he lelt out 1' junior Colle the junior gg the position copahly 17,33 seling and 5 have been r in the 5 the English YQGFS, her lmpirotion 4 lvllf. Another w, to lead Ml Maclean. jj to the Succe, Ol Mlcxtr Oh thai . SODDOrt in times Q' E The meh v Who to be night to jeg Toile Dossih umm COllf Ugl-j T Tho l00lcs bn r Qs: l f,.,.- 1-Lv..-3 .-i.l.sL5-jlfii.LEQZQQ1-1Q?l5QL51,-9l.1.L.yQiQAn-..g-m.i-Its.,..E....' L. .--.u4..,. s,..e.-,,.,,. - '

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EHNIINIS CLASSES ACTIVITIES FACULTY STUDENTS SOPHOMORE ... FRESHMAN .... CLUBS ....... FEATURES ..... ATHLETICS MEN'S SPORTS .... WOMENS SPORTS

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of the community. The Spelman memorial library stands now as a tribute in his honor, but no more so than the school which is a living record of his success. To take his place was a big job-one that not anyone could fill. September of 'l94l saw Mr. Walter S. Pope assume that position. It was a tremendous task-but the results were worth the effort. l'le met the situation and continued directing the schoolis progress.l'he years saw a new war loom on the horizon MJCS men leave to go into their country's service, and the enrollment drop considerably. But Mr. Pope saw it through until vets returned to add a new note of authority to college life. l-le saw too, in l947, a willing public go to work under the leadership and persuasion of college students to vote for a referendum which enabled Morton Junior College to remain in existence because of an addi- tional tax. Yes, conditions changed during those few years and the man guiding the destinies of Morton students changed to fit the prevailing situation. Qur second dean too was a great man in this capacity. ln the spring of 1948 when Mr. Pope announced that he was leaving his post because of illness, President W. P. MacLean appointed Dr. Robert M. l-lale as his successor. Dr. l-lale in taking up this task encountered many difficulties. Without his right hand assistant, Miss Catherine Bowes, during the summer, he and his staff had additional problems. But with patient effort and untiring service the way has beenpaved by our third Dean of Men of Morton Junior College to a bright and rosy future. Saturday classes are now a thing of the past, and who can object? The supper hour has again been added for those with late classes. But in general college life on the MJC campus hums as usual. Before this page is concluded other names must be mentioned, for Miss Grace Walker could not be left out in the story of the history and progress of Morton Junior College. Miss Walker taught a class in the first year of the junior college, it was the following year that she assumed the position of Dean of Women which she has quietly and capably maintained to the present. l-ler good natured coun- seling and helpful advice have made her beloved by all who have been her students. Also head of the English department in the high school and college, Miss Walker has helped write the English texts for the four years of high school. For many years, her English literature classes have been a source of inspiration and encouragement to many men and women of Mjc. Another word must be added of a man who has done much to lead MJC in its recent endeavors-our president, W. P. MacLean. It was his foresight and perseverance which led to the successful completion of a task that meant a continuance , . - . . of Mjf:-the reforendum of l9-47. Gratitude to him for his work on this project from the students now taking advantage 1 of its opportunities is overwhelming. l-lis advice and counsel are sought by our junior college students in times of need, and he gives it willingly. The men who have acted as vice-presidents, who have served on our school boards, in fact everyone who has been a part of Mslc for the past twenty-five years, from the janitors who worked into the night to keep our rooms in order, to the busy executives whose endless planning and initiative have made possible what we have at our fingertips today cannot be omitted. Their work has made Morton Junior College a school of which all her students may be exceedingly proud. Through the years Morton Junior College has risen from a mere seedling into full bloom, the 'future looks bright on the distant horizon. I 7