University of Miami - Ibis Yearbook (Coral Gables, FL)

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atUM that it ion the Band of the Hour Majorettes, c. 1943. but that it couldn ' t pay enough. I won ' t even mention the amount because people don ' t believe it. Dr. Pearson then told me that if the salary was okay with me, UM would be glad to have me. This is how it all started. Dr. Rosborough taught German at UM for 41 years thereafter. On September 12, 1926, the Miami News reported that final work on the Anastasia Building was being rushed and it would be ready for the opening on October 15. Then, on the night of September 17, a severe hurricane struck Miami, causing extensive property damage. Physical damage to the Anastasia Building was slight, and Sec- retary Ashe (who became the president of UM in November), told everyone involved that the school would open on schedule: October 15. While the hurricane had little physi- cal effect on the University itself, its psychological implications for the local financial situation were more detrimental. Already involved in a depressed local ec- onomy, South Florida was struggling to rid its tarnished economic image. But the hurricane smashed all hope of a speedy recovery.

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Anastasia never fulfilled its original purpose. It served the University until the early 1960 ' s. On July 8, 1926, when it became pain- fully apparent what was going to happen if construction on the Merrick Building continued simultaneously with preparations of the Anastasia building, Executive Sec- retary of the University Bowman Foster Ashe transferred the entire Merrick work force to Anastasia. It needed to be floored, roofed, and have partitions installed to separate the classrooms. Tempor- ary walls of studding covered by cardboard prompted the naming of UM Cardboard College. While many snickered about the thin walls that students could hear through, it was actually a blessing in disguise. The adaptability of temporary partitions to any size requirement was an important asset during the University ' s difficult first decade. A spirit of cooperation encouraged everyone to lend a hand to the struggling effort. Dr. Melanie Rosborough, Professor of German Emeritus, recalls: Dr. Pearson got down on his knees before the school was opened and painted the floor and made tables on which he placed wooden crates used to ship law books. Specimen bottles were then place in the crates, and that was really the beginning of the Marine Science lab. In this way, everybody helped to make do. The retention of faculty was based on a similar esprit de corps. Carrying two degrees in Math, Dr. Rosborough in- quired during the first year if there were any advanced courses she could teach. Mr. Hale, the Registrar, told me UM hadn ' t gotten that far yet. But he asked me about various things, including whether or not I knew German. I was brought up to be bilingual, so I said yes and gave him my background. He told me that UM needed a German teacher very badly, He told me that UM needed a German teacher very badly, but that it couldn ' t pay enough. I won ' t even mention the amount because people don ' t believe it. Henry Fillmore, honorary conductor of the UM Band of the Hour, c. 1935. 8

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Coeds catching some sun at the Venetian Pool in the Gables, c. 1935. Dr. Univf South folov there the a Dil beth fotyi conti] went were Dn atevi privi and i CflVj avail 10 Some of the flashier members of the UM Polo team demonstrate their control, c. 1948.