Western Michigan University - Brown and Gold Yearbook (Kalamazoo, MI)

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Seated, left to right — Marion Tamin, Dr. Frances Noble, Eunice Kraft, Elizabeth Giedeman. Standing — Herb Jones, Dr. Herman Rothfuss, Mr. Trezevant. First row — Dr. Cornelius Loew, Dr. Margaret MacMillan, Dr. Alan Brown, Dr. Howard Mowen, Dr. Robert Friedman, Dr. A. Edythe Mange. Second row — Sherwood Cardier, H. Nicholas Hammer, Dr. Edward Elsasser, Charles Starring. Gilbert Morrell and Dr. Willis Dunbar. 23

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Miss Mathilde Steckelberg received her A.B. from the University of Nebraska and her A.M. from Columbia University. She has done further graduate work at the University of Wisconsin, the University of Illinois and the universities of Jena and Munich, in Germany. the department of LANGUAGES The Department of Languages offers courses in French, Ger- man, Latin and Spanish, and it is possible to receive a minor or major in any of these languages. During vacations, the staff of the department takes advantage of the chance to broaden their knowledge of foreign countries and foreign languages by traveling to many parts of the world. The summer of 1956 found members of the staf f in England, Europe and Canada. In 1956, Dr. Noble and Miss Tamin, French instructors, re- ceived the title of Officer d ' Academie from the French Consul at Detroit. Previously, they had both been elected to the French Academy in recognition of their excellent work in the study of France and the French language. Interest in foreign languages does not begin and end in the classroom. The department sponsors three organizations : Der Deutsche Verein, a club open to German students ; Ecos Espanoles, a club designed to stimulate interest in Spanish ; and Le Cercle Francais, a club composed in membership of all students interested in French. Dr. Robert R. Russel, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., has been at Western since 1922. He became head of the History Department on July 1, 1956. A Phi Beta Kappa scholar, he has written three books: Economic Aspects of Southern Sectionalism, Communication With the Pa cific Coast in Politics, 1784-1864, and Mobilization of Industry in World War II. the department of his nut y The History Department has a teaching staff of thirteen. Members ' terms of service range from one to thirty-five years. Members have had graduate training in at least thirteen uni- versities ranging from Vienna to Kansas and Minnesota. Well over half the students who have entered Western in recent years have taken the general introductory history course. Foundations of Western Civilization, commonly shortened to Foundations. For many years about two hundred fifty students a year have taken the popular History of Michigan 313, which was so long taught by Professor J. O. Knauss. History is an old, established discipline. It requires no apology. The history teachers, at least, are firmly con- vinced that the study is a valuable preparation for citizenship. 22

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Dr. William Brueckheimer, Dr. Oscar Horst, Marguerite Logan, Dr. Cyril L. Stout. the department of GEOGRAPHY and GEOLOGY The Department of Geography and Geology assists students, through Basic Studies, to familiarize themselves with the world around them ; the students obtain knowledge of the people of the world — their economy, opportunities, problems and limitations as they are established by geographical factors. Aside from the many courses offered for study in the class- room, the Department of Geography and Geology also offers students an opportunity to participate in many laboratory and field classes. Field Geography, Field Geology, and Advanced Field Geography are examples of the field courses which are offered by the department. In such courses as Geology and Mineralogy students are given an opportunity to study in the laboratory, which has been a vital part of the department for many years. Dr. William J. Berry received his A.B. at Iowa State Teachers College, and his M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. He, aside from teaching is one of the sponsors of Gamma Theta Upsilon, a national professional fraternity of geography. 24