Ursinus College - Ruby Yearbook (Collegeville, PA)

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the period of the presidency of Doctor Bombcrger. many reverses impeded the progress of the institution, but a gift of $25,000 from Robert Patterson, a director from Philadelphia, brightened the outlook considerably. In 1881 the doors of the college were opened to women on an equal basis with men. Progress followed in every measure during the administrations of Presidents Super. Spangler. Ebbert. Keigivin. and under the present administration of President Omwake. I he area of the college property increased acre by acre; the faculty was enlarged: science laboratories were established and equipped; and a definite policy was adopted that destined Ursinus to a prominent place in the field of higher education. During Doctor Omwake’s administration the enrollment has been almost trebled, necessitating an extension of all departments and facilities. I he Alumni rose to the occasion by raising money for a spacious and beautiful library building. I he gifts of benefactors of Ursinus and money raised in the financial campaign of 1925 made it possible to erect two new dormitories for men in the summer of 1927. I he athletic facilities have been greatly improved and enlarged. The new Thompson-Gay gym and theatre, the new football field, and the various other improvements show that the Greater Ursinus' is being realized. A new science building, and a new dorm for women are the next steps in the expansion of Ursinus College. wenty-one

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A LMOST a century ago the citi- zens of the community central to Montgomery County united their efforts in an educational project that brought into existence I odd’s School. After the children of the neighborhood had received instruction in this humble little stone building for more than thirty years, the school was discontinued to make way for a far more pretentious undertaking in education. History of Ursinus College Freeland Seminary, founded in 1848, was erected on the site of what is now Ursinus College, and was formerly I odd’s School. It started with a four-story stone building, and soon added another structure. I hese two buildings arc in use today and are known as Freeland and Stine Halls, respectively. I rcc-land Seminary was what would now be called a private secondary school for boys. Its field of patronage covered the entire state of Pennsylvania, although quite naturally Montgomery County contributed the largest number to the student body. After work had been conducted successfully for twenty years, this school property was purchased by agents of the low church party of the Reformed Church as the site for a proposed college. In 1869 a charter was obtained from the General Assembly of Pennsylvania for the founding of “an institution of learning, for the purpose of imparting instruction in Science. Literature, the Liberal Arts, and the learned Professions.’’ F reeland Seminary was incorporated into the new institution as its academic or preparatory department; and on September 6. 1870. Ursinus College was formally opened and instruction was begun. The college embarked on its sea of existence without any endowment, but men of ample means manifested interest and planned to provide for its maintenance. The financial panic of 1873. however, swept away the funds that were to be devoted to the support of the college, and numerous reverses were encountered. During the first twenty years of its history, covering Twenty

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President's Message THK theme of the present number of the Ruby is Dramatic Art. The class of 1928 is to be commended for threading through the pages of this book a theme so distinctly characteristic of life at Ursinus. The timeliness of it will be apparent to all because of the opening in this year of the new gymnasium-theatre. That dramatics should engage the talents of college students will be conceded by all. It has its legitimate place in student life primarily because the drama is a form of art and shares the refining and elevating influence of art in general. As literature the drama is always most engaging because it is in the form of dialogue. Human thought is never quite so interesting as when presented in the form of conversation in which there is the background of various personalities. and the full effect is never gotten until these personalities are made to live as in the enactment of a play. Few forms of entertainment are so satisfying as a well staged play. Proof of this is seen in the popularity of the stage, both in city and village life. Whether it be the ash-pile of Job. the marble theatre of fLschylus. the old playhouse of Shakespeare, or the marvelous creation of Roxy in our own day. the stage captivates the crowd. It is the power of expression that makes one interesting and the reason dramatics arc supremely entertaining is because in the actor every faculty of expression is called into play. For this reason, mechanical devices, like the motion picture, however wonderful in effect, can never supplant the first-hand presentation of a scene by living actors. While I think there is a tendency to over emphasize stage effects, relying too much on these rather than on the artistic abilities of the dramatis personae, there remains the fact that the physical setting has much to do with the success of the scene. We shall, therefore, encourage such efforts as shall be made from time to time to add to the para phernaha constituting the stage equipment of our new theatre. A highly artistic environment constantly challenges the highest and ! cst that there is in the performers. If there is ! cauty in the scenic effect it will beget beauty in the imagination and feeling of the player. To one who understands the vital importance of expression as a means of education dramatics will need no defense. College youth should be encouraged to participate in plays because by so doing they may become more useful members of society. In the presentation of a play the whole gamut of human experiences is liver! by those who present it. and the essential powers of one's being, intellectual, affcctional. volitional, and physical, are caller! into action in the execution of it. In rare instances, participation in college dramatics may discover histronic abilities of such high order as to lead to acting as a profession, but there is so much that is sordid and depressing in the theatrical profession that the field is not especially inviting to one of real ability anti character. Better it is to enter dramatics in one’s college days just for the enjoyment of it as a branch of artistic endeavor and for the development it affords in the use of one's God-given powers. Any person who is skilled in interpreting and portraying human experience is thereby better fitted to take his place in the affairs of everyday life. May the stage which has been provider! as part of our academic equipment inspire students to the appreciation of true art. encourage them in the full exercise of their hidden powers, and give them skill and refinement in the use of what otherwise might have been undiscovered, or at best, undeveloped, powers of expression. George L. Omwake Twcnty-lico