Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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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

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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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And of all glad days, the one par excellence for both young and old, faculty and students—in fact, for everybody at Temple (except the janitors)—is Founders’ Day. Talk about fun! You don’t know what the word means until you have witnessed a Founders' Day Rally. It began this year with a burst of hearty applause on the entrance of Dr. Conwell. After the regular Giapcl exercises, conducted by the President, Dr. McKinley took charge of the program, introducing representatives who brought birthday greetings from the various departments. After delivering their verbal messages the speakers again filed up to the platform bearing a more visible token of their esteem in the shape of a fishing outfit. Then a strange thing happened. A reverend gentle-nun of the Junior Class deigned to read to the assembled collegians a new college song written anonymously for the occasion by one of the Ostracised. Later in the day the bells rang for all to assemble, and what joy was theirs! A rare dramatic treat was in store, and they appreciated it immensely. It was a repetition of “A Case of Suspension.” After the spread, following the play given by the Phi Alpha to members of the college Department, came the Faculty luncheon, to which the Dramatic Corps was invited. With shouts of joy, all Tcmpleites later saw representatives of our Alma Mater acquitting themselves nobly on the hard fought field. And it was only after our conquering heroes had wiped up the floor with the opposing team that any one thought of supper. After a brief interval spent in that delightful pastime, we assembled for the evening exercises in the Baptist Temple. Then came the real treat of the day. After the Apollo Quartette had rendered several delightful selections, and the students, through Mr. Kincadc of the Law School, and Miss Gertrude M. Tolbert of the College Department, had Spoken, Dr. Wilmcr Krusen, of our Medical School, introduced the speaker of the evening: Dr. George Stuart Fullerton, of Columbia University, who delivered a very polished address on The Wealth of the Mind.” Then Dr. Comvcll made a few stirring remarks in which he applied in a practical way the central thought of Dr. Fullerton's address to the work of the Temple. At the close of the exercises, every one withdrew to the “Gym” for the reception there. Amid music and dancing and the hum of merry conversation, the evening came to an end, leaving every one more enthusiastic than ever over the joys of the life together at our Alma Mater. Thus passed our First Founders' Day Celebration. The Owi. made its first ap| earancc in April. 190$, in which number appeared a hearty encouragement from Dr. Conwell in the following words: PltlLA., Mar. 25, 1906. To the Editor of The Owl: My salutation to the Editors and my fraternal greetings to the readers of The Owl. At last the smold- 17