Nebraska Wesleyan University - Plainsman Yearbook (Lincoln, NE)

Page 15 text:

THE COYOTE 9 THE SENIORS In its early history the Senior class of 1907, had its start in second prepdom. From that time on till the present, we have imbibed the class spirit of our early founders, from our pioneer members who have told us of their high ambitions and loyalty to their class. During the following two years of preparatory life, nine new members, who are still with us, joined the class. Although sorry over the loss of so many when our Academy life was ended, we found ourselves fully equipped to organize a freshman class, in 1903 Upon this firm foundation, our freshman organization was builded, and, under the kindly oversight of the Juniors, it remained sound and firm throughout the year. To be sure, we received a few scars in our struggles for supremacy, yet scars but add to the glory of a true soldier. Our rec- ord as far as credits, bravery and newly acquired culture go, was one to suggest that there might be a Sophomore class, at Wesleyan, the next year. There was one, too — new members taking the places of those dropped out. At this time, by the suggestion of the Juniors, all the college classes adopted the insignia of some Nation, which was well defended. One can imagine no more s turdy and charming scene than when the German lads and lassies appeared at chapel, one morning, with red bandannas, giving the still surviving yell, Deutscher! Deut- scher! yah w4r leben, Deutscher !Deustcher!Neun Zehn Sieben. The year was full of enmity, strife and bloodshed, yet with the perseverance, pugnacity and patriotism of the German

Page 14 text:

COLLEGE DEPARTMENT CHARLES FORDYCE DEAN Dr. Charles Fordyce was born in Illinois. In this state he attended the public schools, taught in the rural schools and was graduated from the Illinois State Normal University. While a student in the latter insti- tution, he was an active w orker in the Y, M. C. A., and his intense interest in this movement for young men was not lessened by removal to Nebraska, where he is now one of the state officers, a leader in the local organization, and one of the strongest factors in the success of state conventions. Soon after graduating at the I. S. N. U. he was married to Miss Marie Priscilla Gray, a student of that institution. He entered public school w ork in Illinois, serving as superintendent at Mc- Lean and Lena. He then came to Nebraska as superintendent at Brownville. He was in charge of the Auburn schools, when, in 1893, lie was elected to the chair of biology, where he has served since, having held the office of Dean of the College of Liberal Arts since 1896. Aft r coming to Nebraska he entered graduate work at the University ' sfef Nebraska, earning therefrom the degree of B.Sc, A.M., and Ph.D. Dr. Fordyce served as president of the State Teachers ' Association in 1899. He is prominent in scientific circles as a specialist in Ento mast- raca, among which he has discovered twelve new species. His summer vacations are spent in lecturing in teachers ' institutes, and at conven- tions and chautauquas. Throughout the year his services are in con- stant demand by church organizations, Y. M. C. A. conventions, and teachers ' associations.

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10 THE COYOTE race, we overcame our foes and received training which was destined to aid us in making our future history. In fact from second prepdom we had been training,and all the while were being prepared for what turned out to be the most glorious year of our history— our Junior year. With the secret and open avowals of every member of the class, that we would not be poky, that we would not be squelched by the lifeless Seniors, we entered upon our Junior year. Whatever we were, we were not slow , and with the exception of one event— which seemed at first to be a defeat, but which terminated in added victory and glory for us — we proved it to the annoyance of the faculty, the enmity of the seniors, the ' unexpressed pride of the soph- omores, and to the exaltation of the freshmen. In fact our fame will not die as long as the words and phrases: dummy, walks, rides, formal bums, sewing circles, yellow caps, and many-sided business meetings, are alive in the English lan- guage. Through the above mentioned experiences we be- came so firmly bound together that we regretted deeply the loss of a few of our members. The vacant places, however, have been filled this year, by three new members, making our enrollment thirty -four. A roll, as to numbers, the largest of any Senior class at Wesleyan heretofore. As to our abilities and accomplish- ments, inquire of the Dean. Yet we might say that our only idiosyncrasy, is a reconsideration of the reconsideration, and that we are the most humble of Seniors. In view of all this, before leaving our University halls, in our quiet way, we have a little to say to all of our under classmen. First, to the Juniors: This year we have bought a gavel and look forward, with pleasure, to the time when we may present it to you; which gavel we hope, may become of historical value to the Senior classes to come. We will also have a number of plans under headway, by the close of this school year, which, if you will carry out next year, will place a few landmarks in commemoration of our new birth , as a College of Liberal Arts. To the Sophomores: You will be Juniors next year,