Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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former members were present, and were as lively participants in the childish pastimes as the ’n Freshies, or even the now stately and sedate JUNIORS of 1909. On the following evening, Dr. Conwcll favored students and their friends with a lecture: “Personal Reminiscences of Famous Men and Women. “The great lesson of true happiness which he conveyed found many sympathetic listeners, and when these have attained the coveted prize, they will long remember and keep sacred the habitation c f The Blue Flower.” This year saw also the birth of a new society. “Ia: Cerclc Francais.” Dr. DeSauzc was prominent in its organization and was assisted by: Jesse Latshaw King. '10 C.. President. Helen M. Burdette Fairchild, ’to I . Pice-President. Meta Scheer, 'ii C, Treasurer. Anna Vlachos, ’ii C, Secretary. On May 2nd they gave an excellent production of Molicrc’s Lc Malade Imaginairc” at the New Century Club. The “imaginary victim provoked round after round of applause, but the leading character to win the hearts of “1909 was Wm. M. Seel, who, with practically no knowledge of French, had memorized one of the most difficult parts. On Saturday, May 16th, the annual banquet of the Phi Alpha was held with extreme success, and especially showed the sagacity of its lady President, Miss Tolbert. On May 23rd the Cerclc Francais gave a banquet in honor of the caste in the French play. One new feature appeared at the close of our Junior year and that was the College Banquet which was held in the Forum on June 2nd, 1908. Previous to this time the Temple Alumni Association had been one body. It was now decided that each department should organize a separate Alumni body in order to more materially benefit the institution. In this the College Department took the lead. The Banquet was a huge success, and. while the credit of starting the movement must go largely to 1908,” yet the honor of actually organizing the association remained for “1909.” This year Temple had but one representative to the Intercollegiate Conference at Northficld, Mr. A. C. Norton, of 1909, who was now the Student Volunteer Movement representative for Temple. The summer soon passed and the circuit of time had revolved to the point of September, 1908—a signal for us who are departing to resume our work and to enter upon our Senior year. The Owl as usual had new officers to guide it: 21

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THE STATE. VV'ili.iam M. Seel, Editor-in-Chicf. William J. Cusworth, Managing Editor. Furman B. Willis, Day Business Manager. Albert C. Norton, Night Business Manager. ASSOCIATE EDITORS. Gertrude M. Tolbert, 'o8 C., Literary. Ida L. K. Miller, ’07 C., College Notes. John Penn, ’09 P., Athletics. Helen Forgy, ’08 K., Exchanges. Smith Forman, 01 P., Alumni. Edith Creveling, '04 B., Bus. Alumni. Chas. E. Lee, ’08 P.( Announcements. Early in the year the following rules for Freshmen were published: (1) Male Barbarians must show the effect of civilizing influences by parting their knotty hair in the middle. (2) For the same reason the females must throw away their rats. No vermin or creepy things are allowed within the walls of Temple. (3) All of their hats and caps must contain a green button at least three-fourths of an incli in diameter. These rules were a few of the obnoxious maxims (at least they were so to the Freshmen) written by Mr. Furman B. Willis for the Phi Alpha’s opening event of the College year—the reception to new students and Profs. But who can solve this problem— Why was Mr. Willis absent? This is undoubtedly a problem for the Egyptian Sphinx to solve. On December 20th, a new Christmas feature was introduced in the festive form of a Circus, and the performers acquitted themselves so successfully that the performance had to be repeated for the benefit of the friends of the students. It was difficult to decide which feature was the best, for each one deserved the title of Circus in his own right. Founders’ Day Celebration was held at the Academy of Music on Saturday afternoon, February 15th, and it was an occasion of special note because of the fact that it was the first to be conducted under the legally recoginzed title of Temple University. We were honored by a very eloquent and excellent oration by Rabbi Emil Hirsch, L.H.D., of Chicago University, upon the growing need of such an institution as the Temple University. On February 28th. the mighty and august Phi Alphans gave one of their excellent feasts at which many 23

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William J. Cuswortii, Jr., To C, Editor-in-Chief. Ukrjjbrt Du.mstrky. i i C, University .Votes. Furman B. Willis, '09 C., Managing Editor. John Penn, '09 P., Athletics. Edwin McCone, ’09 P., Business Manager. Chari.es E. Lee, ’12 L.. Announcements. Anne B. Smith, ’io C., Literary. Mary E. Finley, 11 C., Exchanges. Gertrude M. Tolbert, ’08 C., Alumni. The Phi Alphans held their usual reception and gave the new Freshies special opportunity to show true College servility. While the “rules” were being read to them, they were placed at the front of the Green Room on the little chairs used by the Kindergarten children and were given sticks of candy to keep them quiet. When counted, two were missing, Mr. DcSilvia and Mr. Eldridge. These were found in a corner enjoying the discomfiture of the Freshies, and were very indignant when dragged out and placed in the Freshman rank. Of course, you know they are Seniors. The February number of The Owi. contained a concise and sympathetic biography of President Conwell by our veteran Owl correspondent, Mr. Norton. Previous to this time, few of us had realized the struggles of Dr. Conwell on the road to success nor how deeply his life was interwoven with the life of Temple University. In April an account of the Samaritan and Garretson Hospitals and of Dr. Wayne Babcocks excellent work there appeared by Mr. Willis. The article was breezy aand interesting—just the kind that you might expect Willis to write. On Hallowe’en Night, the Phi Alphans gowned as ghosts sought the upper regions of Dante’s Inferno (Kennard Hall) and there perpetrated their ghastly initiations upon the cowering Freshmen. These were only interrupted when Miss VanBuskirk’s “ghost” very suddenly took a notion to drop through the skylight. A minstrel show was given the day before the Christmas holidays which afforded much fun and sport to every one who had the least liking for minstrels. The next important event of the year was the Founders’ Day Celebration. These exercises were of special interest, following, as they did. the Lincoln Centenary. Judge Robert von Moschiziskcr presided, and introduced the speaker of the day. ex-Govcrnor Stokes, of New Jersey. Taking as his theme Abraham Lincoln.” he showed that notwithstanding the fact that Lincoln never graduated from a college, he was as truly a college bred man as any. As a writer of the English language the University of Oxford declared him to be without a peer. After Governor Stokes’ address, the honorary degrees were conferred by President (Conwell upon Mr. Stokes. Dr. Welsh, Dr. Swank. Mr. Greene, and Rev. Win. Jessup. Monday. February 15th. the Phi Alphans held a Valentine Social. Hearts were broken, cut up, torn. shot. 25