West Chester University - Serpentine Yearbook (West Chester, PA)

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Elsie O. Bull n mmim Elsie Oleta Bull left this life on November 2, 1951. The news inexpressibly saddened innumerable friends. With the pasasge of time it becomes more and more evident how great is the number of those who sincerely mourn for her and share the poign- ance of her loss. In her lifetime of service given ungrudgingly to her profession, she had first shared the warmth and strength of her great personality with her colleagues on the faculty. Closely associated with those friends come rank upon rank of the young men and women whose pre- sumable relationship was that between student and teacher in the classroom. But in the thirty-five years during which each semester a new generation of stu- dents came under her influence, there were few in- deed who did not carry away a conviction of her personal interest in them as individuals, and learn lo return it with gratitude and affection. But deep as was her absorption in her professional life, it by no means set a boundary to her vigorous activities. Innumerable neighbors in the little town of Delta who had known her through childhood, lively girlhood, into dignified and charming matur- ity, were drawn into her interest in her church, her home, her garden, and every project for the welfare of the community. There is every reason to believe that her twelve years of retirement, shared with her beloved sister, Marjorie Sellers, at their home, was still richer in the satisfaction of active fulfillment than those who have preceded them. It was a multitude from all walks of life and from near and far distant places who were saddened by her last illness and shocked and grieved by her death. The story of suffering and ultimate merciful oblivion was received with a constriction of the heart, and often with tears. And then comes the miracle of Elsie Bull ' s last characteristic gift to her friends. Even as the bowed head is raised, the heart lightens as lips form the inevitable phrase, But do you remember — ? And then will follow the tale of a generous act, a problem solved, a piece of whirl- wind cohesion, sudden generalship in an emergency, quaint philosophy or a quip well turned, an attack on laziness or an illuminating and kindly character analysis — on and on, recollection challenging recol- lection, until an immortal personality stands again at our sides and a positive vitality replaces the negation of sorrow. The assuaging of their grief at her death by her own enduring and unconquerable spirit is Elsie Bull ' s dearest legacy to her friends. Miss Dorothy Ramsey

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Charles L. Graham n mum On July 30, members of the West Chfester State Teachers College and of the community were sad- dened by the death of Mr. Charles L. Graham, an instructor in the Health and Physical Education Department. Few men have molded themselves into the life of an institution as did Mr. Graham, who projected his talents and personality into the life of the West Chester State Teachers College. Charlie , as he was most generally known to faculty and students, was graduated from Spring- field College in Massachusetts. He was awarded his master ' s degree at New York University. Later he served as physical instructor at the Dayton, Ohio Y.M.C.A., and he held coaching posts at Springfield, Massachusetts, and Troy, New York. For fourteen years, prior to his appointment at West Chester, Mr. Graham had been assistant professor of physical education at Williams College. In addition to this enviable record, he served on our own college faculty for sixteen years. During this time, he coached almost every sport here. His last coaching assignments were associated with the varsity swimming, cross country, and tennis teams. Mr. Graham ' s devotion to the students was sym- bolized by his unbounded faith in them. His very presence led many to look on the brighter side of depressing situations. A quick wit and a dry sense of humor were his most familiar characteristics. It goes without say- ing that he was one of the most popular coaches ever to serve at West Chester. Beyond the campus of our college, Mr. Graham was an active and respected member of the West Chester community. His interest in civic affairs was in keeping with the American way of life. Mr. Graham ' s associations with the Red Cross were among his most cherished activities. He was recently honored by that organization for twenty- five years of faithful service. It is with the deepest sincerity that we pay tribute to the memory of a man whose loyal de otion to our college will ever be an inspiration. James E. Cook ' 5,

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CLASS OFFIOERS Pictured to the left are the presidents of the sopho- more, junior, and senior class. They are Donald Wright, president of the sophomore class, John Gueraccini, junior class president, and Richard Light, senior class president. Theirs was the task of directing the many individual class activities which made the 1951-52 semesters successful. It was not long before the business of being back at school was a reality. Elections, that had been postponed last year because of the national emer- gency and the draft, took place early in the school year. The results of the elections found Richard Light, president of the senior class with Arthur Nazigian serving as vice-president. At the head of the junior class was Jolin Gueraccini as president with George Rath acting as vice-president. The sophomores chose Donald Wright as president and Allen Speakman as vice- president. The officers and members of the classes began earnestly to turn out a series of activities throughout the year that were a real credit to the individual classes and their sponsors. wndeficL