Wheaton College - Tower Yearbook (Wheaton, IL)

Page 31 text:

those desiring the benefit of intra-mural debate and interpretative speech. Under Miss Cobb’s direction Miss Irene Bewley visited the campus to give interpretation of southern mountain life, and two of the majors interpreted interest- ing current novels for their senior recitals. Dr. Nystom’s debaters practiced mental and verbal alertness close to home with a renewed interest in intra-mural debate and the lasting rather than the temporary values in the ac- tivity. From the roar of machines and the clang of war harsh rumors come to us of sug- gestions to “ditch that English, and let’s have something practical.’ When one considers that “Reading maketh a full man; conversation a ready man; and writing an exact man” and that these will always be essential in any pro- gressive citizen, the Departments of English and Speech hold their heads proudly high and challenge one to find a subject more practical. Katrine Tirrany, A.M. Criarence Nystrom, Pu.D. Errige JANE WHEELER, PH.D. Samuer Yooper, Pu.D. Marian Downey, Pu.D. Department Chairman FLORENCE Coss, A.M. Vs ‘ ot ul Lauren Kine, Pu.D. Cryve Kirsy, Pu.D. JouN Jounson, A.M. Frances Wuite, A.M.

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According to Webster... English and opeech Sept. 15, 1943: A jumbled melee called the gym .. . bewildered aspirants clinging close tosbig sisters”. a, -PIClures.. cae pstomatuitcs™ class cards ... schedules . .. and 500 freshmen enrolling in rhetoric. Sept. 16 to Jan 20: Re- vival services, themes, chapel, themes, classes, themes, work, themes, study, themes, play, themes. Each week was punctuated with themes, and the rules of grammar measured a straight line for freshmen feet to traverse. Deft red pencils somehow turned beautiful themes into the counterparts of Chinese puz- zles, and 500 freshmen learned “fearfully and wonderfully” that mere words on a paper do not make a “theme.” With a new emphasis on creative expression and correct usage the English Department assumed a heavier bur- den of rhetoric classes, called by the new name, “Writing.” With two of their number 26 instructing the A.S.T.P. the members of the department found their schedules well filled. In spite of the rush of a “defense”’-conscious era and the rigorous activities required to hasten victory the variety of literature courses were also full. On leave of absence from the Detroit city schools, Miss Frances White effi- ciently and sympathetically guided struggling rhetoriticians, and Professor John Lars John- son, who came to Wheaton from the Univer- sity of Illinois, lent his enthusiasm and brilliant “comebacks” to A.S.T.P., journalism class, and “Quiz the Profs” programs. Both the English and Speech Departments proved this year what many colleges have for- gotten: the intrinsic rather than the extrinsic value of their courses. Although spectacular debate trips were impossible, the Speech De- partment served larger numbers than ever of

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FANNIE Boyce, Pu.D. ANGELINE Branpt, A.M. VirGINnta Ocsurn, A.B. Jack Lawrence, B.S. The Physics Department has been augmented by eight new instructors. Of the seventy-two hours of instruction : given the A.S.T.P. men, thirty-seven of them are allotted to physics and mathematics. Wheaton men in the service report that this knowledge has been a real contribution to their advancement in aviation research, piloting and naviga- tion. After carrying on the civilian program of the college with Mr. Giles, Dr. Taylor is working on acoustical re- search, looking toward the measurement of the amount of rr Ee CICA 5) = hae Hawtey Taytor, Px.D. sound absorbed by wall finishes. Department Chairman : Dreamy Wheaton... Research brings discoveries 28