Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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QnlUujr Jltritnru 1905-1909 Hamilton Wright Mabic says of Chaucer: “One of the most interesting facts about Chaucer is that when we think of him. we instantly see about him a group of men and women; like Shakespeare, he stands out-of-doors with all kinds of people in his company.” Just so, when we think of Temple University we see instantly a man whose influence enters into the personal lives of men in every clime and degree of civilization. Nay, more; we see these very ones struggling for an education as for a forlorn hope and coming out triumphant through the influence and leadership of this man, Dr. Russell H. Conwell. Reared in stern New England and trained in military, legal and pastoral duties, we see him thinking and feeling for others, and teaching, as early as 1886. a few energetic students. The school was not then a university nor even a college, but a Bible school. As time passed and the work progressed, it gradually became a college, ami into this college came in Scpteml er, 1905, a new flock for this scholastic shepherd. Some did not sojourn long with us, but others have remained until the present time, and arc now approaching the end of their College Journey. Let us, therefore, take a few glances at the history of these wanderers as they have journeyed along these four happy years. The first year of our wanderings, like that of all similar pilgrims, had a very dull beginning. Unknown to most of our schoolmates, and not knowing the various nooks and comers of the college, we quite frequently entered wrong class-rooms or made other curious mistakes, which alone broke the humdrum, every-day tone of our lives. But soon, a light shone in the darkness; there was a summons sent forth by the elder Pilgrims—High and Mighty Phi Alphans, as they were called—to assemble in Kennard Hall early one Friday afternoon in October. Here we were introduced to our prospective instructors, whom we had met only peremptorily in the class-room. The more experienced wanderers also instructed us concerning the various rules and maxims proper for Freshics, as we were called, to know. There was to Ik- extreme moderation in our dress and head-gear, bows were to be made to the wise Sophomores, noble Juniors and lordly SENIORS; and, finally, the most drastic measures were laid upon us for the reduction of Our supposed swelled heads and “high school” conceit. In a short time these Freshmen received an invitation to join the mystic circle of the Majestic Phi Alphans. All except Mr. Seel acceded to the wishes of our I ords and Overlords, while Mr. Norton being a special” was scarcely permitted to look into the faces of these benev- olent despots. By the time of the Christmas holidays, we had become very good friends, even if we did sometimes object to the apparent feudal suzerainty of the the three Higher Classes. By this time we had learned to lisp the names of our stately Phi Alpha Officers: IS

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Seel has been an active student in Temple since 1902. Me is a graduate of Temple Preparatory School. The Phi Alpha and the Y. M. C. A. laid claim to Seel to good advantage. Me was a member of Tub Owl Board 1906-08, of the Cerclc Francois and the Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions. He will continue as a student of Theology at Union. Residence, 2153 Uber Street. Oscar Dean Thomas, B.S. ‘‘My deepest pleasure is to read German.” Thomas, another teacher of the “young idea.” is a graduate of the Central Manual Training School, the Central High School and the School of Pedagogy. He entered Temple in 1905. Me is a member of the Schoolman's Club, the Philadelphia Teachers' Association, and the Keystone Troop. Me lives at Folcroft, Pa. John Tison Thomson, B.S. , Wc have a doughty scientist. And Thomson is his name, If you want to know bacteria He’s one to teach the same. Our Bacteriologist was a student at the C. M. S. and later at the Medico Chirurgical College. Me entered Temple in 1906 and intends to improve his time in Physiological Gtemistry and Medicine. His home is at 1127 S. 46th Street. Furman Buck Willis, A.B. Sahitatoriaii. “Our representative from the mosquito state, New Jersey.” When Willis graduated from the Ocean City High School he looked around and selected Temple as a suitable place to prepare for his future work in Law; as a result he entered in 1906. He is associated with the A. and Nr. Debating Society, the Phi Alpha, the Y. M. C. A., The Owl Staff and the Athletic Association. Me lives in Ocean City, N. J.

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President:—Albert Hall Marion. Vice-President:—Frances J. Heath. Secretary:—Ida L. K. Miller. Treasurer:-p-Jknnie Hudson. A new project was now proposed: the establishment of a college paper. The cry went up in November, and, at a mass meeting held in the Forum it was decided to form an organization committee consisting of representatives from all the day departments. Mr. Albert H. Marion was chosen Chairman and Dr. Gaw and Dr. Stotesbury gave their valuable assistance as advisors. A Constitution Committee was appointed, and for once our haughty peers submitted to the guidance of an humble Naughty Nine Freshman. The original Committee was resolved into a Board of Directors and they proceeded to elect an Editorial Staff for that wise and wonderful freak of College journalism The Owl. In order to finance the paper, a play entitled “A Case of Suspension,” by Louise L. Wilson was given by the Phi Alphans. And note the miraculous event; a Freshman was prompter of her mighty Feudal Lords and the “leading man” was likewise recruited from that despised bunch—the histrionic S'cel. Perhaps a list of the dramatis personae may be interesting to us: Dorothy ................................................................Miss Heath. Alice...................................................................Miss Tolbert. Mildred ................................................................Miss Hudson. Harold ..................................................................Mr. Howlett Tom ................................................................... Mr. Marion. Jack.....................................................................Mr. Cotton. Miss Ophelia Judkins....................................................Mrs. Miller. Prof. Emilius Kdgcrton.....................................................Mr. Seel. Kathleen .......................................................Miss Shcllenberger. Jonas ...................................................................Mr. Young. Manager .................................................................Mr. VVilmot. The mcmliers of the caste were coached by our revered English Professor, Dr. Allison Gaw. The humble Freshman, Miss VanBuskirk was prompter, but the caste did their work so well that all she had to do was to stand over a furiously heated radiator and let herself be nearly roasted alive. The society realized $100 which it gave toward the founding of The Owl. One week later was February 15th, 1906, Founders' Day, you notice. Gala days at any College are times of special rejoicing: but at Temple, owing to the usually “strenuous life,” holidays arc more than appreciated. 16