Ohio Northern University - Northern Yearbook (Ada, OH)

Page 32 text:

The year 1882 saw the establishment of a Military Department. The faculty of school purchased rifles for the mili¬ tary companies and were able to secure the detail of an army officer to become the military instructor. For many years the military companies were an impor¬ tant feature of the school and there was keen competetion between the four companies for military drill honors. The annual military contests were big events on campus and year after year drew visitors to Ada to watch the young student soldiers vie for military drill honors. 28

Page 34 text:

When the first students arrived in Ada in 1871, there were no dormitories waiting for them. President Lehr felt that the students would be better off materially and morally rooming with families in the community. Lehr also wanted to involve the students with the community and let some of the families earn a small profit from furnishing room and board. Many of the students could not even afford the low price $2.50 to $3.50 per week and reduced their costs by forming boarding clubs. They bought their own food and hired a woman to cook. In these clubs students could manage on $1.50 a week. Under Dr. McIntosh’s administration, dormitories for the students were first built. Stam- baugh Hall, named in honor of Avanell C. Stambaugh, and a residence hall for men were opened in 1958. 30