Susquehanna University - Lanthorn Yearbook (Selinsgrove, PA)

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JOHN I. WOODRUFF. In the list of those whose best and noblest efforts have held as an object the advance- ment of Susquehanna ' s interests, no name deserves more to stand first than that which heads this sketch. He is a man of strong and noble character, of quick and ready sympathy, with every movement aimed at progress, and of scholarly attainments that make his perseverance well deserve the success he has won. A man possessing a keen insight of human nature, he has risen to the first place in the Faculty of the school in which lie was once enrolled as a student, and in every step of that upward course, he has well demonstrated his competency to deal with the problems presented, and his ability to surmount and conquer the obstacles that stood in his way. Space forbids the mention of any bigographical facts more than necessary to show the struggle through which he passed, and in spite of these, his irresistible march to the front. Professor Woodruff was born near Selinsgrove, in 1S64, of sturdy and God fearing parents. How well the duty of the parents was performed can best be told by the char- acter of the son they reared. Schools could claim but little of his time, for his parents needed much of it on the farm. But if he spent little time at schools, he spent much in independent study and thought, so that by the time he had reached his eighteenth year he was able to take charge of and successfully conduct a public school near his home. The habits of economy learned so well in the years of association with the earth and its trials, when it but scantily rewarded the efforts of its workers, now stood him in such stead that after teaching two years he was able to attend Missionary Institute. A mem- ber of the sub-Freshman class, graduation followed in three years, and then desiring to complete the education so well begun, he entered Bucknell University, and two years Later 1 1890) graduated with honor. Professor Woodruff entered his chosen profession as Principal of Friend ' s Normal In- stitute at Rising Sun, Md. So successful were his efforts here that he was invited to take charge of Miffliutown Academy. While at Mifilintown his Alma Mater called him to the chair of Latin and English, which he accepted in 1892, and has since occupied it with credit to himself, with profit to the student body, and to the satisfaction of the board of directors, which was well manifested when the office of president having been made vacant by resignation of Rev C. W. Heisler, Professor Woodruff was unanimously elected to take charge as Dean. To recount the events connected with the life of our beloved Dean woidd be superfluous, but if we should look to any enterprise in which Susquehanna ' s interests are involved, we would find that Professor Woodruff had contributed to it of everything he had of time, strength, knowledge, and means. Foot-ball was started at Susquehanna mainly bv his assistance. Our first team was honored and strengthened by John I. Woodruff as right half-back. And it has been so with ever} other project that looked to the higher development of the physical side of