Susquehanna University - Lanthorn Yearbook (Selinsgrove, PA)

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ternities were added, that of Phi Mu Delta and Theta Chi. In 1957, however. Bond and Kev officially became a chapter of the national fraternitv, Lambda Chi Alpha. The three social sororities have had a much shorter his- torv than those of the fraternities for it was not until 1950 that national sororities were permitted on campus. There had been two local groups in existence for several years and thev became affiliates of Alpha Delta Pi and Kappa Delta. In the fall of 1957 another national group was added that of Alpha Xi Delta. Along with these social sororities, Susquehanna also boasts a music fraternitv for women known as Sigma Alpha Iota. The social life of the campus is of great importance to these groups but the aims of these groups are not purely social. Each holds as true ideals the high standards of the llnivcrsitv, that of the worth of a college education and a Christian life. Entertainment, in the form of plays and shows was given bv the students in the Selinsgrove Odd Fellows Hall. Glee Club, picnics, and parades were all a part of the social life of the campus. Many of these activities have stayed with us in the form of the Susquehanna Plavers who represent the dramatic minded of the campus. The Glee Club has been surpassed bv the talented members of the Chapel Choir. There remain however, the parades with the band and impromptu picnics along with the extra added attrac- tions of concerts by the band and orchestra and the Star Course lectures. Not onlv social activities but athletic activities have al- ways interested the students. Since the first football game with Sunbury in 1892 sports have plaved an important role in the extracurricular life of Susquehanna. Gradually the program expanded until it included not only varsity football, but basketball, baseball and track teams. There is also much emphasis placed on the intramural sports of both men and women. In the varsity field, however, Susquehanna boasts quite a few undefeated football teams and not to be forgotten is the era of the Grand Old Man of Football Amos Alonzo Stagg, Sr. His few years of coaching here at Susquehanna will hardly be forgotten by those alumni and faculty who were privileged to see him at work. Not many schools can boast the privilege of having had assistance from this famous expert. This year Susquehanna University became one hundred years old. Through these years she had grown and pro- gressed from a dream into an institution of learning, high in ranking even though small in size. Her graduates in the different fields of Liberal Arts, Business, and Music have found themselves qualified to take their positions in society and are able to look back on their sojourn at Susquehanna with pride. Times change. New buildings have been added, the old ones renovated. Each year that passes sees something new happen and of more importance than that which hap- pened the preceding year. Each year students enter and leave but Susquehanna remains for there will always be students and the heart and meaning of any school, be it large or small, lies in the hearts of its students. Editor ' s Note. For a more comprehensive history of Sus- quehanna University ' s first hundred years see the History of Susquehanna published in May of 1958.

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1 HROUGH THE YEARS of 1858 to 1958 the dedi- cation and dream of one man have grown and flourished bevond the original goal and purpose. With the help of a church, Trinity Lutheran, a town, Selinsgrove, and a faith and belief in the work to be done a foundation was laid for an institution of learning which was to far outgrow its original intent. This dedicated man who provided the basis for this foundation, was the Reverend Doctor Benjamin Kurtz. It was he, who in 1858, founded and became first president of Missionary Institute, the forerunner of Sus- quehanna University. Dr. Kurtz had been impressed by the need for another institution of learning for the ministry of the Lutheran Church. Since the usual course of preparation was eight or ten vears in length he decided to establish a Theological School in which men regardless of age or marriage ties, mioht, by a course in Theoloev of two to three vears in length, be qualified to preach the gospel acceptablv. Through this he hoped to fill the need of the church for ministers and so opened the Theological Department of Mis- sionarv Institute, in connection with a Collegiate Depart- ment, in a room of Trinity Church in October of 1858. Because Mission ary Institute was designed for men and overlooked the fairer sex, the congregation of Trinity Church proposed and successfully initiated Susquehanna Female College as a twin sister of the Institute and to meet the educational demands of the period. By 1873, however, a few changes were made in the student body of Missionary Institute. Susquehanna Female College closed its doors and the Institute, faced with the rising tide of women ' s equality, became a co-educational institution. Not long after, in 1895, another innovation was added for the name, Missionary In- stitute, gave way to a new one and became known as Sus- quehanna University. From the early beginnings of the University, the citizens of Selinsgrove and, more particularly, the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church had been very actively interested in the development of this higher institution of learning. John App, one of the leading citizens of the community, contributed the land upon which the campus was to be formed and, along with others in the town, supplied neces- sary funds needed to begin the institution. The first building to be erected on the campus was ap- propriately called Selinsgrove Hall. By 1909 the campus could boast of Seibert Hall, a gym and Gustavus Adolphus Hall. Since the building of these early structures there have been several more added to the campus. Among these later buildings were Hassinger Hall, a dormitory, a science build- ing, Steele Science, a newer gym and a library. More recent than these, a classroom building, Bogar Hall, was completed in 1951. This year, the Centennial Year has been climaxed with the dedication of Heilman Hall, a new conservatory of music and, in the near future the new wing of the library, which is now under construction, will be completed and be able to offer Susquehanna ' s student bodv better reference and study facilities. Students, then as now, enjoyed other diversions besides the pursuit of knowledge. Two of the first organizations on campus were the Clionian and Philosophian Societies. Both these societies held out against women members but they too eventually succumbed. Soon after the societies came the fraternal organizations. These fraternities, too, have played an important role in the history of Susquehanna. The first one on campus was a local one called Bond and Key. Later, two national fra- ■V ' t i £si3£g«

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DEDICATION To Susquehanna University . . . a pathway to a better future, for the youth of America, through education . this hook is respectfully dedicated. Class of 1959