October 25th, 2011
Published by: mooresb
At The Crossroads By Richard H. Evans October 25th, 2011
Some 48 years ago this week, my turn came. On a beautiful June morning in 1954 my class graduated from University School. The poem above, whose author remains unknown, was part of that ceremony. So may it have been part of your commencement services as well. If you know the author, let me know so that proper credit may be given. Now, nearly a half century later, the events surrounding my class' graduation are inscribed on my consciousness as warm feelings as much as images and memories. I'd like to share with you some of what has endured in my thoughts these many years. Commencement exercises were important at University School. Many hours of advance planning assured that every detail was carefully considered and diagramed. Sometimes these plans had to be hastily altered as was the case in 1945, when rain sent the participants indoors to Ohio State Universitys Campbell Hall, where there was no podium, decorations, or organ set up. It was extremely hot inside, but students, guests, and speaker Governor Frank J. Lausche met the challenge. Six members of the class were serving in the military during that time, but director Robert Gilchrist and Dean Arthur Klein presented the graduation statements to the remaining classmates. The class of 1949 had a rain-free experience, and the ceremonies were conducted in Browning Amphitheatre, with Ohio State University vice president Harlan Hatcher as speaker and director Dr. John Ramseyer presenting the graduation statements. The Farewell to School address was given by class president George Banister. In the months preceding these commencement activities, the graduating seniors busied themselves with many preparations. Invitations were ordered, and special personal name cards printed, which were later exchanged with other class members and placed in a memory folder. When the Scarleteer annual yearbook finally arrived, personal messages were written by each student to their friends of many years. Similar thoughts were also written on the back of senior pictures, which were passed around and, as we later found out, treasured in future years. One special picture in the yearbook each year, was of the entire class posed in front of the school entrance with everyone waving goodbye, as the photographer angled the camera from an upper floor window. I must confess, that the class picture of 1954 has had a special meaning to me over the years.
the class of 1954 traveled across the street from University School to St. Stephens Episcopal Church. This was a newly built modern structure that utilized large areas of glass, glazed blue tiles, and open sanctuary with exposed beams. This building was part of a complex that covered most of a city block, and was instantly recognizable by the towering steel cross at the entrance. This was an ecumenical service with Rabbi Jerome Folkman and Rev. Almus Thorpe as participants. The 1954 senior class sang Schuberts Ave Maria in both Latin and English. To this day, whenever I hear the Ave Maria being sung, many of the Latin words still ring in my ears. The graduation ceremony was always a memorable event, and was held at the open-air Browning Amphitheatre on the Ohio State University campus adjoining Mirror Lake. The guests sat on stone seats that were separated by grassy areas which blended into the natural surroundings. At the very top of this area was a Tudor house occupied by president Dr. Howard L. Bevis. As the strains of Sir Edward Elgars Pomp and Circumstance were played by the distinguished organist Wilbur Held, later known in the music world for his religious compositions, the senior student procession began down the long sloping walkway from the oval above. The young ladies wore white dresses and carried a large bouquet of red roses, while the men were dressed mostly in dark suits with a boutonniere in the lapel. The commencement address was delivered by Dr. Charles A. Doan, and director Dr. Paul Klohr presented the senior statements. Class president Bill McCormick gave the Farewell to School address, and the senior class sang the Rogers and Hammerstein classic Youll Never Walk Alone.
Usually a Baccalaureate Service was held in the evening, a few days prior to commencement exercises. Various churches in the community were used for this event. The class of 1949 held theirs at First Community Church, and 1
October 25th, 2011
Published by: mooresb
Although many years have passed since we walked across the lawn of Browning Amphitheatre to enter an unknown world, we no longer need say farewell, but welcome back to old U-Hi. This is the result of a strong alumni association, and now an active website where connections and memories can be shared among all the graduates, faculty, and other interested parties. Each class has been allocated special pages for their own class use, under the Classroom section of the www.aaus.net website. This is intended for the display of class materials, photographs and memorabilia that could be shared with others. It is the hope that someone in each class will volunteer to coordinate their histories for future generations to view. Modern technology has allowed us to once again clasp hands and share our memories of Hallowed Halls.
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