Wittenberg University - Witt Yearbook (Springfield, OH)

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charge of the mathematics and science; Prof. Diehl taught ancient languages; Prof. Isaac Sprecher was principal of the Academy, and Mr. George Sprecher gave Dr. Prince his first Latin lessons. The college grounds extended south to the cliffs which arc now Cliff Park. A few houses were built north of the creek, and the campus was fenced in because the people of Springfield who pastured their cattle along the creek, were always alert to the possibility of cows making themselves at home on Wittenberg campus. Once an actor at- MYERS HALL tended Wittenberg The oldest building on the cam- College. Me was pus. where Dr. Keller held his r-,]l...l lmrtn t(, an- first classes. They were in the called upon to ap far eastern wing. pear before Presi- dent Meckert for some deviation from college rules. Dr. Meckert meted out the punishment which he deserved. The actor took his punishment humbly and promised to observe all the rules of the college thereafter. Not long afterwards Dr. Meckert was invited to attend a Dorm party. The actor put on one of his stunts. The scene was Dr. Heckert's office. A student was on the carpet for breaking the same rule the actor had been arraigned for. The actor, himself, took the part of Dr. Meckert, who had the pleasure of seeing himself as others saw him, and of hearing dic- tated every word said at the meeting where lie had acted as judge. At least one man enjoyed the show, and that was Dr. Meckert. Today Springfield and Wittenberg College may be practically identified. Wittenberg since days of mud roads has been an active force in the city. Dr. Ezra Keller chose the wooded hill for a sanctuary of Lutheran education at the time of the Mexican War. believing at the time that he had placed the col- lege well away from the business of the Cumberland road. Hut since then the city and the college have become adjacent. While many other colleges have been disbanded, or have been merged, or taken away, or have lost their spiritual and cultural identity, Wittenberg has been here since 1845. never closing its doors or concluding a year with a financial deficit. This past sound financial policy has budded a founda- tion for the work of the present period of expansion, and. in spite of this, the college has sent away her sons to the Mexican, Civil and World Wars. In the early 90’s quite a stir was made at Wittenberg by the arrival of the son of a distinguished artist at Mvers Mall. It was rumored that he not only inherited his father’s gift as a painter, but was also an expert performer upon the flute. As time went on. and curiosity and expectation had reached their height, this talented young man was announced as flute soloist at a concert to be given at the First Lutheran church. The church was packed for the occasion, and the audience sat breathless when the artist, in faultless evening dress, not then so common in Springfield, came forward to make his bow and professionally toyed with the keys of his instrument while the prelude to his solo was being played upon the piano. The silence of the audience became more and more intense as the introduction neared its end. and and ail expected to be held by the spell of the first liquid, bird-like tone of the flute. But in the awful stillness only a breath—Pf—pff—was heard. The artist glared at his fine accompanist as it she had been at fault. Silence, it possible, grew more silent as the prelude was repeated. Again only—Pf—pff—came forth. Then, blushing crim- son, the artist addressed the audience as follows: “Ladies and gentlemen, you will really have to excuse me this evening. My mouth is entirely devoid of spit.” Probably no audience ever enjoyed a flute solo so much. The artist HAMMA HALL has since made good as a painter, and is at the present time On the far hill to the north. Seat of the classes of Hamma Divinity School. [ 1927 WITTENBERCER | I Page Fourteen J

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Professor Hiller is one oi Wittenberg's fore- most musicians. He also originated the college colors, cardinal and cream, lie wrote the Alma Mater song. The “gab room is a general hang-out at Myers Hall. Co-eds refuse to accept the accusa- tion now. but once they. too. had a gab room. The first door to the left when one enters Reci- tation Hall, led to BLAIR HALL. The other half of the present building program. It was sup- posed to house the academy— but will only serve as a home for the department of educa- tion: since the academy has been discontinued. the abode. The gig- gling from that room is silenced forever. Instead, the click of a typewriter beats out its merry note, for that room is now the college office. The walls used to have inscriptions on them, but now they arc covered with a coat of paint. Tattered carpet i gone forever. Perhaps it was worn by dancing, perhaps by so much treading to and from classes, when co-eds wanted a place to rest. This was the home of the Kuterpca Literary Society, which i' still a campus organization. Keen after Philo and Excel, organizations for which men worked earnestly, are gone. Kuterpea remained. The Budget was once the comic paper of Wittenberg instead of the Witt. Wittenberg men used to imitate professors at Dorm parties even to their faces. Now Wittenberg co-eds imitate them by dressing like them even to slick sheik hair. Fifty years ago men were rushed as eagerly for literary societies as they arc for fraternities today. During the Civil War. the students, who numbered 160. responded so well that they won the com- mendation of the government. Some of them served for three months, while others served from one to three years. The physical side of the college activities of the early days occupied a different position and per- formed a widely different function from the present day athletics. One could scarcely call his student recreation athletics. In the morning before classes the students took walks until the hour for the first recitation, which was nine o’clock. After classes at four in the afternoon, the entire school was allowed to participate in football. There were no co-eds in the school at the time. In the early days of Wittenberg history all students were assessed a poll tax of two dollars road repair, or had to work on the highways two days out of each year. Wittenberg avenue was then a private drive leading to the creek, and the supervisor graciously granted the students permission to cancel their obligation by repairing the roadway. One of Wittenberg’s presidents was Dr. Ort. There are probably more stories told about him than about any of Wittenberg’s presidents. One of Dr. Ort’s favorite stories was the one about the wagon. In the days when the Dorm was lighted by lanterns each evening at dusk. Dr. Ort was proctor. There was a student who drove a big farm wagon laden with supplies from his home in Drake, county. The college fellows liked this wagon so they took it apart and carried it up the front steps to the second fl )or. They had to be quiet when they entered the building so they would not disturb Dr. Ort. Off came their boots in the darkened hall. One had trouble taking his off so he whispered to another who was standing near to hold him while he removed them. The other complied in silence. The next morning he found out that Dr. Ort was the obliging benefactor of the interesting occasion. DR. B. F. PRINCE Laying the cornerstone ot the New Blair Hall. This ceremony was held during the first week of school this year. Five men made up the fac- ulty during the period of the Civil War. Dr. Sprecher was president: Dr. Geiger had [ 19 2 7 WITT F. N B F. R G E R Page Thirteen

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otic of the foremost baritones of America, but we have never heard of his making another public appearance as a flutist. Once Dr. Ort was called out of his seminary class for a long-distance call. One member of the class, to relieve a long wait, went to the front of the room and imitated Dr. Ort’s peculiarly heavy speech, telling the class that they would now have some gymnastic exercises, lie opened all the win- dows and went back to the professor's place, where he started the exercises by standing on his head on the desk. Dr. Ort came back sooner than was an- ticipated and found him in this inverted position. He, fold- ing his arms, and regarding him for a moment. FERNCLIFF HALL Wittenberg' new modern dor- mitory for women. I the most popular place on the campus during the early part of every evening. while the rest of the class broke out in one mighty roar, said: Well, are you getting top-heavy? Sherwood Anderson, famous Xew York novelist, is proud to claim Wittenberg for his Alma Mater. He was here only a year, but he took a taxi across New York City to tell a friend that Wittenberg had won a football game. That's loyalty! Last year he came back to the old school. His identity was un- known until Dr. John Philip Schneider discovered him down town selecting Wittenberg cards to send to his friends. In the extreme northwest corner of the campus, that corner bounded by Plum and Cecil streets, was once a cemetery. There, several people of the immediate community were buried, but the bodies were afterwards removed to other burial places. Bicycles used to be in vogue on Wittenberg campus. They weren't the modern kind, either; instead, there was a large wheel in iront and a tiny one in the rear. Students had a special aptitude tor them, but not only students were guilty, for even the most dignified professors rode them and thought they were at the pinnacle of celerity, and fewer of them were late to classes than they are now. Wittenberg's first dean of women came here in 1921. The Home Economics department was estab- lished here the same year. Under the regime of such an able leader as Dr. Tulloss, the Zimmerman Library has been doubled in si e. a $100.000 football stadium has been built, a new laboratories building is being constructed, and a new education building. Plans call for a new chapel, gymnasium, fine att building, and several dormitories. Back of all the side lights of Wittenberg College, whether it be humorous or serious, is the sentiment: But in all life's storm and stress. Whate’er we may do. To our Alma Mater dear, We will e’er be true.” KELLER HALL Where the men of the seminary eat. sleep, and study. Is only a few steps from Hamma Hall. To the rear is their athletic field. f 1927 WITTENBERGER 1 L Page Fifteen J