North Central College - Spectrum Yearbook (Naperville, IL)

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NOETWWSTERN- SPECTRUM The Old Office. I remember so Well when the societies began to take in lady members. A reporter came out here from a Chicago paper to learn the real facts and the next day the paper came out with a long column on 'Co-education, the Ad- vance of the Day,' and Went on to state that at North Western College at Naperville ladies Were even urged to take part in public exercises. And now, nearly every day We read of Women who are managing big business houses, voting at elections and all that sort of thing. I Wonder if that reporter is still living and what he thinks now. The Museum was moved into larger quarters from the room right across the hall from the chapel to the top floor. Some made a big fuss about having so much room, but just today the curator Was saying, 'We need more room, l haven 't room to Workf The Commercial Department grew especially large. They had their rooms in the basement of the chapel wing. We used to go down to the old library, can it be-yet it must be, it was that room up there Cpointing to Prof. Smith'sj, and While We couldn't boast of more than a few hundred volumes, they were used. I was down in the fine building that is the library now, a short time ago, and those dear old books that We used to love and pore over are now The Bird Room of the Museum. 15

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if NOIZTHVVESTERN SPECTRUM A Group of Students. fall term, from 65-9 during the Winter term, and from UQ-95 in the spring term. More than three unexcused absences from recitations shall subject the offender to unconditional dismission. Students shall refrain from all social visiting, loud talking, or making any other noise which might interrupt the repose or study of others. Scenes in the Reading Room and Y. M. Room flitted through my mind. No special meetings shall be held during study hours.-No special meet- ings during study hours! I sighed and tenderly closed over the paper grateful that time brings about changes. l The old man had evidently forgotten his subject and I had heard only half enough. Then how long were you here? I inquired. Well, I was here until '83. Prof. H. H. Rassweiler was electel Presi- dent and the College did excellent Work. The dormitories didn 't last very long for the rooms were needed for Literary So- ciety Halls, which at that time had almost the run of the whole school. There were five Literary Societies besides such so- cieties as the Canadian, Public Speaking, and others. At iirst the societies were run separately for the boys and girls. We had our debates and regular exercises and very few evenings did We ever have any socials. We Went into Society for the real good we got out of it. Pres. H. H. Rassweiler. 14

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NOBTHVVESTEEN SPECTRUM poked away back on the back shelves. But so it goes. I am glad for the old College-glad it has grown. We used to divide the students into three classes in those days. The Keep-ups, the Catch-ups, and the Give-ups. I generally belonged to the- Hark, what was that? The old chapel bell, to be sure. That puts me in mind of an old poem one of the fellows wrote once about that bell. I was secretly hoping he had remembered it when he began: While the wheels of time are rolling There my weary soul found healing Oft my thoughts are homeward strolling, In that good old chapel kneeling. And I seem to hear the tolling With a pure and holy feeling Of that good old chapel bell, Do I love that chapel bell. Fast my youthful days are going, As I speak the tears are flowing, And the night wind softly blowing, Brings an echo from that bell. Now, though far away, I wander, O'er those sunny days I ponder, And in mem 'ry cling still fonder To the sound I love so well. lt was there our voices blending And thoughdistance now may sever, ln a prayer to Heaven ascending, Yet I will forget it never, That we vowed that never ending May its warnings come forever, Sluuld our songs His praises tell. Warnings from that chapel bell. Well, I must be agoing, my son is here about the place and he will be looking for me. You are a student? Then love your College well. Little will you realize her worth till you have lived your lifef' He turned to go, when down the steps came a tall, dark complexioned gentleman. Ah, here you are. I 've been looking for you well onto two hours. Come father, we must be going. 'CI beg pardon, sir, said I, but your father was telling me many inter- esting things of his college days. I am sorry he has been detained. College days. replied the gentleman, How little they mean to a stu- dent, but how very much after one has gotten out onto the stream of life. How the lessons come back with renewed force, how the little incidents help to brighten days of toil and sorrow! It doesn't seem like the old college of my days even, and father no doubt notices many more changes. I was here in the 90 's. The four story wing to the south was built in that year and the Commercial Department was changed from its room in the basement in the chapel wing to the top floor of the new wing. The janitor moved from the old The Chapel where we rested. . 16