Wittenberg University - Witt Yearbook (Springfield, OH)

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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

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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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ON FERNCLIFF STEPS ON MYERS MALL STEPS c llma SWater cWittenbcrg, dear cWittenberg, Once a get in to thee cWe, thy grateful children, pledge J£ove and loyalty. De shall always love thy groues, c9lnd thy classic halls: ZJVicm'ry, like the ivy, twines ’{Round thy hallowed walls. cWittcnberg, dear cWittcnbcrg, ime flies fast away Soon our happy college days ‘Will be gone for aye; fBut in all life's storm and stress, cWhat e'er we may do, ‘Too our dPllma c Mater dear cWe'll be ever true. — ?. H. Hiller. $9 f 1927 WITTENBERGER 1 I Page Sixteen J