Wartburg College - Fortress Yearbook (Waverly, IA)

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A Tradition Meets its Death The sound of splintering wood and crash- ing plaster echoed across the snow-laden campus as watchful eyes stared intently at the death of a Wartburg tradition. It was a snowy day in February when the 3000 pound ball and chain finally challenged the landmark of Wartburg Hall. And, the fight was an easy one. The 71-year-old building crumbled—without even putting up a fight. The thoughts of those watching the des- truction were mixed. Some glanced excitedly at the revelation of the back of the new busi- ness building. Others watched teary-eyed as a building full of memories was slowly reduced to a pile of worthless wood and bricks. Membersof the Wartburg community gath- ered forachapel service to give a last memor- ial to Wartburg Hall, almost as though mourn- ing the loss of a dear friend. And indeed, Wartburg Hall was a friend, and a place to make friends. Built in 1913, the building first housed female students who came to Wartburg for teacher certification. According to Gerhard Ottersberg, a change in state regulations raised the requirements for teachers to two years of college. Wartburg Hall was builtto housethesudden increaseof female students. Prior to that time, female students had been farmed out into the Wav- erly community. During the Depression, the previously all- female halls were infiltrated by a family. Ottersberg said his family moved into Wart- burg Hall much like many of the other profes- sors during that time moved into other build- ings on campus. We didn ' t pay anything to live there, and my job was to keep an eye on the building, Ottersberg said. Wartburg Hall remained a women ' s dormi- tory until 1972 when it became the home- base for Wartburg ' s Chrysalis Education program. The Chrysalis program was designed to make students more responsible for their own learning, according to Herman Diers, professor of religion and former instructor for Chrysalis. Diers said Wartburg Hall was an especially good place for the program to be based because it encouraged interaction between both students and faculty. Our offices were in the dormitory, which provided for a lot of interaction. We would always pass students on the staircase leading up to our offices, Diers said. The principal structure of Wartburg Hall made it easier for people to be in touch with each other. It was while the Chrysalis program was housed in Wartburg Hall that student com- plaints to improve the condition of the build- ing backfired. An ironic thing happened, Diers said. The students were pressing for the building to be made more suitable, so in response, the college called in the state fire marshal. It wasn ' t long until Wartburg Hall was con- demned. Students werethen moved out of Wartburg Hall, while faculty members still kept their offices in that location. Diers said this resulted in a joke among the faculty that the profes- sors were more expendable than the students. Afterthecondemning of Wartburg Hall, the college attempted to keep the Chrysalis pro- gram alive by relocating it in Hebron. But, according to Diers, the surroundings of Wart- burg Hall were definitely missed. Lacking the ingredients which Wartburg Hall had added, the college was forced to cancel the Chrysalis program following the 1979-80 school year. Despite being deserted by the Chrysalis program, Wartburg Hall found itself utilized by many other groups. The college bookstore was located on the bottom floor for many years, as well as the Student Health Center on the first floor. Many classes, of a large variety, also met in the lounge of Wartburg Hall. So, even afterthe building had been handed a death sentence, it continued to thrive, at least until the new business building began to climb in front of it. Having the new and old so close together made it difficult to ignore the obvious differences. It was a step toward progress. Soon after the last scraps of Wartburg Hall were swept away, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to officially open the walkway through the Whitehouse Business Center. And, stu- dents gathered once again. This time, to celebratethe birth of a new Wartburg tradition.

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student Body President Paul Lang- 12 The new bridge offers an alternative to walking outside on cold winter days.