Ursinus College - Ruby Yearbook (Collegeville, PA)

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the twin dormitories were built which hear the names of two benefactors of the College, Andrew R. Brodbeck and Cyrus H. K. Curtis. It was the lattei who in 1931 provided funds for the building of the Pfahler Hall of Science, which was named in 1944 in honor of George E. Pfahler. noted x-ray authority of Philadelphia. During Dr. Omwake s presidency the enrollment was almost doubled, the faculty was enlarged and the curriculum expanded, dded to all these improvements was the growing interest in extra-curricular activities. A women’s athletic program was begun during this period. Fraternities and sororities were officially recognized in 1929. The Lantern, the most recent publication, was begun in 1933. Because of illness President Omwake was compelled to retire and in 1936 Dr. Norman E. McClure, an alumnus and a member of the faculty, was elected to he seventh president of the College. During the college year of 1935-36 a committee of the faculty was appointed to administer the affairs of the (Hri inn Hull, a dormitory for girls uhich stood on thr stir of I’fuhlrr Hall of Science. «

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death in 1890. financial assistance tendered by Robert Patterson of Philadelphia enabled the building of Bomberger Memorial Hall, which was completed in 1891. For the next three years Dr. George . illiard and Dr. Henry . Super, respectively, served as president, and it was I)r. Henry T. Spangler who introduced the group system of courses. For many years Bomberger Hall was the center of all academic activity including the science laboratories. The library was located in what are now rooms 6 and 7. 11 classrooms and offices were also located in Bomberger. Vdjoining Stine Hall were two tennis courts and an old barn which was used for storage. The gymnasium was located on the same site as the present one. but it was a long narrow structure entirely separated from the dressing room, a small building nearby. Since the founding of the college, extra-curricular activities have played an increasingly important part on the campus. The Zwinglian Literary Society was started a month after academic instruction began, and the SclialT laterals Society appeared three years later. The musical activities of these early years included Choir. Orchestra, and Glee (dub. In athletics, baseball was at first of major importance, but it later gave place to football. In 1897 the first Ri in was published and named in memory of Professor Samuel Vernon Ruby. The present college paper, the W kkki.y. was started in 1902. Dr. George L. Omwake. vice-president since 1909, became president in 1912. During the twenty-four years of his presidency the College experienced its greatest expansion. The dormitories were remodeled and a new dining room and kitchen were added in Freeland Hall. In 1922 the Miimni Memorial Library was erected as a tribute to the I rsinus students who served their country in World War I. The Eger Gateway was built in 1925 by George P. Eger of Reading, father of Sherman . Eger, M.D.. who graduated that year. In 1927 the present gymnasium was constructed by improving the old structure. Dressing rooms, offices, a gallery, and a stage were all included in the improvements. Previous to the erection of this stage, all dramatic activities were carried on in the chapel of Bomberger Hull. I he gymnasium was named in memory of Robert W. Thompson (1912) and George II. Gay (1918), noted athletes, both of whom died in their »»'“»• in k.» in 1Q9

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.4 sketch of women's dormitories uhich is under consideration as the next ftroup of huildinn to he erected. College. In 1937 a recreation room in Freeland was added. The Library now contains a museum on the second floor which houses the extensive collection given by Mr. J. Maxwell Shaw. At the present time there are nine women's dormitories situated off the campus. This year for the first time in the history of the College women students occupy Freeland. Derr, and Stine Halls. Plans are now being made for women to occupy Brodbeck Hall next fall. This is an outcome of the decreased men's enrollment caused by the war. To fill the student's need for a supply of books and other classroom necessities, the Supply Store had been established in a section of the boiler house. Two years ago a new and larger addition was built. The first summer session since World War I was held in 1942 in order that students might complete their college careers before entering the armed services. In July, 1943, the Navy 12 program began, and the unit now occupies Curtis and Brodbeck dormitories and uses the lower dining room as a “chow hall. ' Although many changes in curriculum and personnel have been brought about by this war, the fundamental factors which have assured the success of the College still remain, and will continue to bring successful advancement in the future. 7