Muhlenberg College - Ciarla Yearbook (Allentown, PA)

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0 Toj); Reressional. Bottom: Congra tulations! Left to right: Dr. Franklin Frey, Miss Dorothy Seegers, Dr. and Mrs. Seegers.

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THE INAUGURATION Dr. Seegers receives the key and charter from Attorney Balmer The chief academic highlight of the 1952-53 school year on the Muhlenberg College campus was the inauguration of J. Conrad Seegers, Ph. D., Litt. D., LL. D., as sixth president of Muhlenberg College. Dr. Seegers, ’13, was the first alumnus of his alma mater invested with the symbols of presi- dential authority. The key, charter, and charge were presented to him by Attorney George B. Balmer, LL. D., the President of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Seegers returned to his alma mater after a twenty year stay in Philadelphia at Temple Uni- versity where he held the position of Dean of the School of Education. His predecessor was the Rev. Morris S. Greth, Ph. D., Litt. D., professor of soci- ology. Dr. Greth served for a year as acting presi- dent after the resignation of Dr. Levering Tyson in June, 1951. Several hundred invited guests and two hun- dred and fifty official delegates thronged the Egner Memorial Chapel and heard the Rev. Franklin Clark Fry, D. D., LL. D., L. H. D., Litt. D., Presi- dent of the United Lutheran Church in America, deliver a challenge to service. A reception and luncheon banquet concluded the formal program for the stately occasion. The Academic Procession

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Muhlenberg College has a long history of serv- ice, reaching back over more than a century. It is a history which reflects the faith, the courage, the imagination of many people. Under the name of Muhlenberg, and under the guidance of the Min- isterium of Pennsylvania, it began in the old build- ing at Fourth and Walnut Streets as a small institu- tion. But it began with conviction and purpose. That conviction and purpose have been maintained and preserved to the end that a liberal education, within a Christian framework, be provided to serve community, state, nation, and church. During that history, Muhlenberg has produced thousands of graduates, whose influence has been felt over the world. About fifty years ago the College was moved to its present site, where on a beautiful campus the present attractive and substantial buildings have been erected. These last fifty years have been years of steady progress. Crises have arisen and have been met, storms have been weathered. We have lived through wars and recessions and depressions, because men and women have believed in the College and in the work it does, because alumni and other friends have been loyal and true. That is the heritage of Muhlenberg men. It is because of that heritage that we exist as a free and independent college, able to offer young men the advantages in which this kind of college be- lieves. Those advantages are partly these physical ones referred to above. But beyond these are the advantages which come from opportunity for study, for social growth, for individual development. Much of that opportunity derives from serving in student government, in organizations, through activities, as well as from more strictly intellectual pursuits. We believe these contribute greatly to growth. This book is a record of part of that growth as you, students, have set it down on paper. May it long bring back to you happy memories of your years at Muhlenberg. 20