Ohio Wesleyan University - Le Bijou Yearbook (Delaware, OH)

Page 14 text:

BELL BOTTOM TROUSERS AND COATS OF NAVY BLUE

Page 13 text:

HE ' LL WEAR A PAIR OF GOLDEN WINGS

Page 15 text:

July 1, 1943 .... a touch of the governmental scepter and 300 blue-jackets of the Ohio Wesleyan V-12 Unit arrive on campus. The corridors of fraternity houses echoed with the thunderous footfall of G.I. issue .... the halls of the Greek brothers now the stamping- ground of 57 Varieties of interfratemal inmates .... scrubbing decks .... scuttlebutt .... those tell-tale white glove inspections! The beginning of a new way of life for the boys of the unit and for Wesleyan, both ... gab fests about things back home .... mornings beginning at 5:45 .... calisthenics by the dawn ' s early light . . . skipper ' s inspection knows no season .... strength tests that did more than hint of Atlas .... chow .... sacks that have been short-sheeted .... classes that dwelled in the realm of physics, analytical and descriptive geometry made former pursuits of knowledge seem luxurious .... hard work lessened by the presence of coeds in class rooms .... no class cuts unless the professor breaks a leg .... Came the weekend, and .... dates .... display of talent at Saturday night dances .... gaily snatched trips to Columbus, the magnetic migration South .... scrambles over mixed-up liberty cards .... the Union, the place to check in and do some Checking .... a formal dance within walking dis- tance, or a long awaited weekend at home .... Rivalry with V-5s, verbal and physical. But none of this, should a Captain ' s Mast raise its horned head to proclaim some sailor ' s attention .... demerits and a mast become synomous terms .... twenty-six boys sharing their plight and a tune called Restriction Blues .... The feeling is similar to walk- ing the plank. Activities beckoned and the Navy responded .... When in Rome, do as the Romans , this goes for Wesleyan too .... Dramatics .... A cappella choir .... the gridiron or basketball court, all laid claim to boys in blue among their ranks .... and coed fans turned out to watch the naval maneuvers. Pledges of fraternities were now the Navy .... but the same fraternity men as before havoc .... rushing but strictly above board .... these are Betas and Sigs, who will man the rigs. The new men of Wesleyan had turned their tweeds and Stetsons in for jumpers and watch caps, their brogues for G.I. regalia of the non-fit type. They are welcome, these men of might .... welcome because they are working for the day when once more there would be fraternity houses instead of barracks, and tweeds would be once more in good taste. Ul2