Otterbein Towers Spring 1992 by Otterbein University

VOLUME 65 NUMBER 3 SPRING 1992

CCN PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE C. Brent DeVore VICE PRESIDENT FOR DEVELOPMENT David C. Joyce DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS E. Gregory Johnson DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE RELATIONS Patricia E. Kessler DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Jack D. Pietila ’62

FKATl JRFS EDITOR Patricia E. Kessler

"Delighted" to be at Rubbermaid

STAFF WRITER Patti Kennedy

The Freedom Road to Africa

PHOTOGRAPHER Edward P. Syguda

With Honor

CLASS NOTES Carol A. Define

Images - A Photographic Panorama

DESIGN Marla Mayerson

Wolfeane Schmitt '66 reflects on his climb up the career ladder.

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A local communitv served as a vital link along the Underground Railroad.

The proud tradition of honor societies at Otterbein. Oonstniction of the new building, Roush Hall, commences. DEPARTMENTS

Foreword

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Otterbein President C. Brent DeVore recognizes the importance of honor societies. Towers magazine is produced in cooperation with the Alumni Council in the interest of Otter bein alumni and friends. Published by the Office of College Relations, phone (614) 898-1600.

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In Brief Letters Class Notes Milestones AfterWord Perrv Laukhuff tells of an extraordinary incident during WWII.

About the cover: With stately Towers Hall in the background, Edwin and Mary Louise Roush, major benefactors of the college, initiate a new era for Otterbein at the site of the new building dedicated in their name. Cover photograph by Ed Syguda.

Towers (USPS 413-720) is published quarterly (March, June, September and December) by the Office of College Rela tions of Otterbein Col lege, 141 W. Park St., Westerville, Ohio 43081. Second class postage paid at Westerville, Ohio 43081. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Towers, Department of Development, Howard House, Otterbein Col lege, 131 W. Park St., Westerville, Ohio 43081.

T7\Y/r^D rLJKcWwKU ncluded in this edition of Towers is a story on honor societies at Otterbein. As you review the article you may well reflect on your own days in college and observe how times have changed, perhaps for the worse, and possibly believe the need for honor societies is less important than in an earlier time. Across the country there are shared concerns — about the quality of education, our declining manufac turing capability, a loss of faith in government and the decline in per sonal and societal values. When col lege and university educators gather for professional meetings the tone is such that 1 am often tempted to sug gest that we begin with a benediction: “Praise be to knowledge — let us la ment.” Back on campuses, the collective and continuing concerns with financ ing often preclude spending enough on the more important issues — improv ing the quality of academic and cocurricular programs for all students. With all of its challenges, how ever, the American higher education system is still the envy of the world, its quality validated each year by the increasing numbers of international students coming to the United States to study. An even stronger endorse ment is that Japanese investors have purchased several private colleges which have experienced severe finan cial difficulties. Too often Americans want and/or are promised a quick fix (especially in an election year) while history reminds us that quick fixes don’t last. The long term solution will develop from a renewed national com mitment to education at all levels. Only then will we benefit from a peace dividend, recognizing that a quality educational system is our first line of defense against ignorance and tyranny and those who would create distance

between groups by emphasizing physi cal differences over shared values and beliefs. Honor societies and colleges have a long and proud tradition of productive partnership, with the former supplementing the work of the latter; however, the needs are defined on particular campuses. Increasingly, each must challenge students to further involvement on their campuses, in their careers, and in their communities, developing the leaders of tomorrow. With their historic mission to support the ideals of education, advance a spirit of scholarship, and recognize and encourage leadership, honor societies are perhaps more* important today than in the past. The extra individual effort needed to compete and cooperate with persons of like abilities helps develop graduates whom all productive institutions of society need and want — graduates with their minds engaged and their souls inspired.

- President C. Brent DeVore

IN BRIEF Cornerstone Ceremony Following a very stormy night, Saturday, April 11 dawned clear and bright for Otterbein’s Cornerstone Ceremony. With construction under way, the ceremony to unveil the cor nerstone for Roush Hall was held at the corner of Grove and Park streets overlooking the already excavated foundation. After President C. Brent DeVore welcomed the crowd of alumni, friends, faculty, administrators and students. Professor James Recob gave the invocation and Board of Trustees Chairman William LeMay introduced Edwin and Mary Louise Roush. In his remarks, Edwin Roush told why Otterbein holds a special place in his heart and how he and Marilou decided to give the naming gift for Otterbein’s new academic facility. He recalled one particular inci dent that occurred when he came to campus for freshman orientation. “As I was walking along Grove Street in front of Towers Hall, (President) J.R.(Howe), whom I had only met once, opened the door of the Adminis tration building and yelled, ‘Hi Eddie, welcome aboard.’ Well, I’ll tell you, I felt about 10 feet tall, and Otterbein has been a very important part of my life ever since.” He also remembered the first time he ever saw Marilou. “The football team was on-board a few days before classes started and so was the freshman class. As we were walking from the practice field back to the locker room, the freshman girls walked across in front of us. I said to my buddies, ‘I don’t know who that one in the middle is, but I’m going to find out.’ I scouted around later that evening and asked her for a date. Fifty-one years, five children and thirteen grandchil dren later, here she is.” He explained how he and Marilou came to the decision to make the $2

million naming gift for Roush Hall. “One morning, Dec. 28,1 woke up rather startled. This is a true story. I called Marilou out of a sound sleep. I told her I had a dream that we had made this gift to Otterbein and after a very brief discussion, she said it was okay with her if she could have her house painted and get new carpet.We called Brent and told him we wanted to talk to him right now. He said he’d be right out and he was. Marilou gave him a check to confirm our pledge.” To finish their presentation, the Roushes presented President DeVore with a check for $ 1,436,000 to fulfill their pledge obligation of $2 million.

the naming gift for Edwin L. and Mary Louise Roush Hall. In return, the Roushes were given a few gifts of appreciation including sports shirts with the Roush Hall logo, hard hats and a small replica of the cornerstone which will be mounted next to the front entrance of the build ing. Also at the Cornerstone Cer emony, Professor Mary Cay Wells announced the Campus Committee had established a goal of $50,000 for the campus community of faculty, staff and administrators to raise toward the construction of Roush Hall. ■

Ohio EPA Grant To Improve Otterbein's Environmental Curriculum Otterbein College this winter received a $4,500 grant from the Ohio Envi ronmental Protection Agency which will be used to develop a model environ mental science and natural resources curriculum. According to a recent assessment of state-based environmental education programs, Ohio currently offers a large variety of approaches to natural resources and environmental education. With this grant, Otterbein plans to create a uni form model environmental curriculum that might be appropriate to other educa tion institutions. The final aim of the program will be to measurably improve environmental stewardship through the increased numbers of students who will graduate with a concentration in environmental education and natural resources. Otterbein is planning to increase the number of its majors in the area from 15 to 20 currently to 50 by 1997. B

New Book from Lewis Professor of Business, Accounting and Economics J. Patrick Lewis has done it again — created another enchanting children’s tale. His most recent children’s book. The Moonbow of Mr. B. Bones, was published in March by Alfred A. Knopf. The moonbow is an actual natural phe nomenon that appears under certain weather conditions at Cumberland Falls, Kentucky. It’s sort of like a rainbow that appears on clear nights with the moon shining on the mists of the waterfalls. Lewis went to see this natural wonder for himself and was inspired to write a children’s story telling how the moonbow was magically created, fl

Otterbein Women's Club Given Award for Years of Service

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On Feb. 18, Otterbein’s Women’s Forum presented its first ever Bread and Roses Award to the Otterbein Women’s Club. Founded in 1921, the Women’s Club is a service organization dedicated to the betterment of Otterbein College. The group awards scholar ships to Westerville area high school graduates and also provides financial assistance to needy Otterbein students. The Women’s Club raises money for scholarships and students primarily through club dues and by running the Thrift Shop located near campus. Club members run the Thrift Shop and also donate time to other College depart ments. Gifts to the College from the Women’s Club have included $164,392 in scholarships, a computer for the Department of Mathematical Sciences, a dance floor in Battelle Fine Arts Center, seats in Cowan Hall, $7,500 toward the renovation of Tow ers Hall and furniture and dishes and silverware for the Alumni Lounge. Women’s Forum is proud to name the Otterbein Women’s Club as the first recipient of the Bread and Roses Award. The award’s name was taken from a song inspired by a placard car ried by women strikers during the 1912 protests against pay cuts in the woolen mills of Lawrence, Mass. Women of 25 nationalities who spoke 50 different languages united to win concessions from the woolen companies. Conse quently, the Women’s Forum devel oped the Bread and Roses Award to recognize women’s accomplishments at Otterbein.

Children's Choir Part of AmeriFlora Opening Ceremonies Otterbein College’s Kinderchor, sponsored by the Department of Mu sic, represented the College on April 20 at the opening ceremonies of AmeriFlora ’92. President and Mrs. Bush were present for the opening ceremonies along with comedian Bob Hope. Kinderchor members provided a greeting line along the pathway to the dais for Bob Hope. The children were featured during the ceremony as they joined country music artist T. Graham Brown in

I.S. Festival Expanded Across Spring Term This year’s Integrative Studies Festival, “Dimensions of African American Culture: Voice, Vision, Song,” was jam-packed with too many exciting events to fit into one week. For the first time, the festival was spread over seven weeks of the spring quarter to give the campus community a chance to see, do and hear more. The many events included a series of films and documentaries, guest speakers, a recital and master class given by nationally acclaimed soprano JanisRozena Peri ’64, an evening of dramatic readings and an afternoon informance by actors Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis sponsored by the Otterbein College Artist Series, a jazz demonstration, classroom presentations by students and on May 11 the convocation with dynamic guest speaker Trudier Harris. Harris is the first person to be appointed to Otterbein’s endowed chair in the humanities. Harris comes to Otterbein from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill where she is Professor of English and Associate Director of the African American Studies Program. In addition to speaking at the convocation and meeting with a number of Integrative Studies classes, Harris also is teach ing a special spring term course on the African American literary tradition.

singing I Love This Land. Earlier this year, Kinderchor recorded part of the back-up vocals for this song which will be played in the Discovery Pavilion throughout the event to accompany “The Seeds of Genius” display. On opening day, Kinderchor also was featured in its own concert in the International Pavilion on the AmeriFlora grounds.

Otterbein Begins Women's Journal Farrago. An obscure word, one to which many people can assign little meaning. Dictionary definitions trace its roots back to agriculture. Farrago was a mixed fodder, a medley of grains used as feed. Modern definitions are more expansive: in performance stud ies Farrago means a medley of genre melded into a whole, or the presenta tion of a mixture of expressions that have some connectedness. In the fall of 1992, “Farrago” will take on a new meaning at Otterbein College when the first issue of the women’s journal Farrago is published. Women faculty, staff and students at Otterbein are in the process of com piling the first volume of Farrago, a journal by, about and for women. Enthusiasm for this venture springs from curiosity about the ways women know and how women articulate what they know to others. Dr. Nancy Woodson, Associate Dean of Aca demic Affairs and champion of the women’s journal project, notes that there are few journal outlets in the world. How women acquire knowledge 4

can be illustrated in non-traditional formats: “We don’t want a standard academic journal,” says Woodson. “We want a journal in the informal reflective sense of the word.” The content of Farrago will be multidisciplinary and span multiple genres of expression. A mix of inter views, essays, poems, dialogues, first person accounts, narratives and brief or extended reflections will comprise a typical issue, much in the same way they might grace the pages of a per sonal journal or scrapbook. Farrago’s focus on multiple modes of expression is also related to the creators’ desire for a journal that can be enjoyed by a diverse audience. “Hopefully,” says Woodson, “we can create a journal that Otterbein alumni, friends, community members and other women professionals will find equally valuable.” The first volume of Farrago should be available in the Fall of 1992. Watch for a formal announcement in the next issue of Towers. If you have suggestions for this venture, are interested in help ing with the first issue or would like further information, please contact Dr. Nancy Woodson, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Otterbein. — Christine Reynolds, Associate Professor of Speech Communications.

CORRECTION: In the winter issue of Towers, we mentioned Edwin and Marilou Roushes’ daughters Wendy ’71 and Cynthia ’80 were Otterbein graduates but omitted Larry Roush from that list. He graduated in 1976. We regret the oversight.

SPORTS Otterbein, Heidelberg to Play in Inaugural Rhine River Classic Heidelberg College and Otterbein College, two long-standing members of the OAC, have been selected to play in the first Rhine River Classic to be held on Sept. 19. The football game will take place at Frankfurt Waldstadion in Frankfurt, Germany. The Rhine River Classic, staged by Frankfurt Sports Authority, is an effort to bring the American game of football to the German people. Heidelberg and Otterbein were chosen for the inaugu ral Rhine River Classic because of their German origins. Both Heidelberg and Otterbein were founded as a result of the missionary movement of the Ger man Reformed Church. “We at Otterbein along with Hei delberg College are proud to represent Division 111 football and the OAC in the 1992 Rhine River Classic,” said President C. Brent DeVore. “This represents a significant learning experi ence for our student-athletes, a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity, for these occasions are usually reserved for high profile Division 1 schools.”

Dennis, Laisure Named Most Valuable in Basket ball

Senior guards Jerry Dennis and Larry Laisure, who helped lead Otterbein to a 27-4 record and a fourth straight trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament, were tabbed “Most Valu able” by teammates. Under 20th-year head coach Dick Reynolds ’65, Otterbein captured a third straight Ohio Athletic Confer ence (OAC) Championship by a full six games, recording a 17-1 OAC record. The Cards snared a secondstraight OAC Tournament Champi onship and advanced into the NCAA Division 111 Tournament for the sev enth time in the last eight seasons. Otterbein fell a game short of a second straight trip to the Final Four, losing to eventual national champion Calvin, 88-67. Over the course of the season, Otterbein won a school record 22 straight games, tying the OAC record, and kept its home-court winning streak alive, extending it to 32.

We want to hear from you! Please send letters intended for publications to Letters to the EdL tor, Towers, Otterbein College, Office of College Relations, Westerville, Ohio 43081.

taxes to live in Bexley. If it was a Cols, church, it wouldn’t be called Bexley U.M.C. Please cease this (or proof read better). Laurie N. Strang Class of 1981

Editor’s note:

Please accept my appreciation for the significant improvement in the quality and style of Towers magazine during the past year. In the Fall, 1991 issue I was espe cially challenged by the article, “The Quagmire of Cultural Diversity.” How ever, this article mistakenly cited the author of Invisible Man as Ralph Elison. Perhaps mapy readers have written to you regarding this error; the author’s correct name is Ralph Ellison. In any event, I would encourage the faculty to read and consider the Invis ible Man for its cogent insights on racism, and the ramifications for soci ety of such beliefs. Again, congratulations on the quality, breadth and depth of the “new” Towers magazine. Brian J. Wood, Psy. D. Class of 1967

Just got done reading the Towers and am I irritated! On pg. 24, you state that Elaine Clinger Sturtz is a pastor at Bexley United Methodist in Colum bus. WRONG I grew up there, and it isn’t Columbus. You wouldn’t be very happy to call Westerville Columbus now would you. My parents paid heavy

Elaine Clinger Sturtz wrote in her letter to Towers that she is a pastor at “Bexley United Methodist in Columbus. ” We printed the information exactly as it was supplied.

1 want to share with you my ap preciation of the Towers publication. The Winter 1992 was the first issue that 1 have taken the opportunity to read. On a Sunday afternoon of spring break, 1 sat and enjoyed the interesting contents of this magazine. It is a won derful collection of talent and charac teristics of Otterbein! 1 look forward to enjoying future publications. Thank you for your efforts! Carey Bower Freshman Student

CORRECTION Jennifer Olin-Hitt is attending United Theological Seminary in Dayton not Dayton Theological Seminary. There is no Dayton Theological Seminary and United was never called Dayton T.S. United’s former name was Bonebrake Theological Seminary. This error appears in the text of the winter Towers article “Who’s Minding the Ministry’’ on page 10

and in the caption to the picture on page 11. Mike Christian ’61 Director of Church Relations

Yoest to Retire this Summer Athletic Director E. W. "Bud" Yoest '53, with Otterbein College since 1956, announced his plans to retire effective August 31. "My wife and I plan to keep very busy," Yoest said. "We will be spending a few months in Florida each winter and look forward to more time for recreation. We hove always enjoyed travel, and plan to combine numerous mini trips with occasional extended ones. "Hopefully," Yoest added, "I will continue to pursue some activities with the college and the "O" Club . (alumni organization of former Otterbein athletes.)" Under Yoest's tenure as athletic director since 1976, the Otterbein baseball and basketball teams have reached the national finals and semifinals, respectively. Cardi nal teams have captured Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) championships 17 times in six sports: once each in baseball, golf and track and field; three times in soccer; four times in cross country; and seven times in basketball. Over 35 student athletes have earned All-America honors. Yoest has served as president of the OAC, from 1983-85, and was a member of the NCAA Council, from 1982 to 1986. Although better known outside the college for his accomplishments as athletic director, Yoest, with a doctorate in physical education and higher education adminis tration, is, foremost, a teacher. He is a professor in the department of health and physical education for men, which he has chaired since 1972. He has also served as nead men's track and field coach (1959-1974), head men's cross country coach (1959-1972) and assistant football coach (1956-1975) at Otterbein. He was married in 1953 to Nancy Snapp. They have two children, Jeffrey '77 and Kyle '80, both graduates of Otterbein College.

ALUMNI Wolfgang Schmitt -• “Delighted” to be at Rubbermaid by Patti Kennedy

OU serve your morning juice from a Rubbermaid container, put the trash out in a Rubbermaid trash can, save leftovers in Rubbermaid containers. But did you know the company also makes hog troughs, planters, desk accessories, toys and lawn furniture? And you probably didn’t know one of the men responsible for making Rubbermaid the success it is today is an Otterbein graduate.

Some people build their careers by zig-zagging their way to the top, moving from company to company. Others remain where they are and climb the corporate ladder in a company that has given them confidence. Wolfgang R. Schmitt ’66 found a home at Rubbermaid and he stayed there. He started as a management trainee at Rubbermaid in 1966 when it was a $40 million corporation. Today he is Chief Operating Officer and the company boasts a profit of nearly $1.7 billion. At the time Schmitt was looking for his first post college job, Rubbermaid executives were accurately predicting enormous growth for the company and were concerned about finding people to manage growth. Schmitt, meanwhile, was considering IBM and Xerox because of his interest in interna tional marketing. He eventually talked to the chairman at Rubbermaid and learned the company had recently acquired a company in Germany. The international possibility was there and Schmitt says, “I was excited about their growth appetite.” He was hired under Rubbermaid’s Management Orien tation Program. “I was the first MOP they hired,” he laughs. He says a great deal of his career climb was a matter of “being in the right place at the right time. I’ve had good people to learn from and they had enough faith in me to give me opportunities.” Once he became a member of the Rubbermaid team Schmitt says he “bounced around a lot and learned from the ground up.” He was able to try a variety of different duties within the company including (but not limited to) sales, product development, marketing and finance. “Now, I may not always know the answers but I know what to ask,” he says. “It gave me a real appreciation for all the things that have to occur to make it all work well.”

photo courtesy of Rubbermaid

At one point, Schmitt served as Vice President for Research and Development. “That was the job I was least qualified for and probably learned the most from,” he admits. With a large staff in that division, he learned a great deal about creating teams, asking tough questions and communicating. “We have an environment open to disagree ment,” he explains, “as long as they can offer a solution. We want to allow everyone to contribute their thoughts. This works best when people are involved.” He also credits Rubbermaid for allowing him to learn from his mistakes. He was involved in starting a recreation division that produced and marketed products such as small boats, skis and sleds. It was not successful and that line of products was abandoned. “The chairman personally came down to talk to me about that,” Schmitt remembers. “1 think that says mountains about the organization and its beliefs,” Schmitt says. He appreciates the fact that Rubbermaid afforded him the opportunity to take risks and experiments without fearing the results because “I learned as much from failures as from success,” he maintains. Now, as Chief Operating Officer, Schmitt says his duties are divided among three main areas. The first is administrative. He describes his management style as, “eclectic, performance oriented, somewhat analytical. More and more with a view of the people part of the business. I’ve learned that you impact people rather than projects. As I’ve matured and learned, now I’m more oriented to how people see their role and view themselves in the company.” The second part of Schmitt’s duties as Chief Operating Officer is to react to problems or customer concerns that arise. “The customer will always be our focus,” he says and that phrase is his guiding motto as he helps guide Rubbermaid. While Rubbermaid has always been a very successful company with ambitious growth goals,Schmitt says the hallmark of the company is its commitment to quality and serving the customer. “In the end, the only person that counts is the cus tomer,” Schmitt emphasizes. For example, occasionally a consumer will send in what he or she believes to be a defective Rubbermaid product that turns out to be a copy-cat product manufactured by a com petitor. Rubbermaid sends the consumer a replacement item and encourages him/her to look for the Rubbermaid name in the future to ensure the best quality. While some may think it sounds corny Schmitt says he wants to “delight the consumer” with just such actions. “That’s what makes us highly successful — exceeding the customer’s expectations. It’s so uncommon today to get good responsiveness.” While Schmitt takes some ribbing on his efforts to “delight the cust(,)mer” that phrase has even found its way into

the press about Rubbermaid. This year Rubbermaid was the company’s philosophy. ranked second by Fortune magazine among the “Most The third and final component of Schmitt’s duties at Admired Corporations in America.” Rubbermaid is planning for the company’s future and he is “We’re the smallest corporation to come near that particularly qualified for this role as Rubbermaid becomes a kind of recognition,” Schmitt says proudly. “That reinforces global entity. our philosophy, beliefs and values and that kind of recogni Schmitt was bom in West Germany and moved with his tion feeds on itself but what counts the most is being told by family to the United States when he was 10. He is fluent in our customers that we’re the best supplier or vender.” the German language and says he knows enough words in This spring Schmitt was inducted into the Ohio other languages that he “won’t go hungry” in the countries he Foundation of Independent Colleges Hall of Excellence. visits. About 40 percent of his time is spent in traveling on The Hall of Excellence program honors outstanding alumni behalf of Rubbermaid. of the OFIC’s member institutions for their achievement As Rubbermaid becomes more and more a global and leadership. corporation, Schmitt’s roots in “To me this is a recognition Europe are proving to be a great of this organization,” Schmitt says advantage. He says his background modestly. “Anything I achieve has gives him a sensitivity and open to do with the people here and mind about cultural differences that recognizing the organization’s helps him understand how global success. These things are nice and ideas must be executed locally to always feel good to you but you ensure Rubbermaid’s continued don’t want to get into the notion success. that it’s centered on you as an Schmitt says the challenges individual. That T syndrome is he faces in his position are con counterproductive.” stantly finding ways to do things In 1988 Schmitt was named better. “We always strive to President C. Brent DeVore presenting the award to Vendor of the Year by a panel of improve. There is nothing that we Wolfgang Schmitt for his induction into the Ohio top level retailing executives. He can’t improve. 1 try to have that Foundation of Colleges Hall of Excellence. was again given that honor in 1991 impact on the organization and lead and is the only person to be so honored twice. This award he by example.” values because it is a reflection of Rubbermaid’s service to Away from the office, Schmitt says his interests, much the customer. “In the final analysis, it is the customer that like his management style, continue to be “eclectic.” He counts the most,” Schmitt reiterates. collects Indian artifacts, sails, plays tennis and enjoys the Also in his future is a place on the Otterbein College aboretum where his family lives. “I’m intrigued by a lot of Board of Trustees on which Schmitt has agreed to serve. “It things,” he explains. “It’s difficult to pull apart work and helps me feel good about myself and what I’m giving back,” home life.” he says. “There is a desire when you go through life to give While passionate about Rubbermaid and its commit back. Most of us at some time have been benefactors of ment to quality, Schmitt is somewhat less forthcoming about people helping us and it’s good to give something back.” sharing his life away from the office. His son Corey graduated Schmitt admits he was not the best student when he from Ohio University in 1990 and is now a management first arrived at Otterbein. “I didn’t see the connection it had trainee at WalMart. His other son Chris graduated from to anything that mattered,” he explains. “I had new free Otterbein last year and is now in law school. Schmitt main doms and there wasn’t as much pressure to please my tains that he did not influence his son’s decision to attend his parents.” Then he became interested in marketing and alma mater. “In fact he was committed to a couple of other economics. Soon, he was “learning to learn and it dawned schools and changed his mind,” Schmitt says. “1 think it on me that this had become fun. I had the luxury of growing turned out to be a good decision for him.” In addition to the up a bit and finding myself and along the way finding that older children, Schmitt and his wife Toni are busy with a sixlearning could be stimulating and fun.” year-old son, Clayton. He credits Young Koo and Stanley Hart for fostering Concern for the environment is one interest that carries his interest in business and the free enterprise system. “That over from home life to corporate life. Rubbermaid, he says, interest fed on itself,” he says. “I thought of college as the was among the first to take up environmental concerns on the beginning of my education and the foundation on how to corporate level. Many products such as recycling bins, learn. I think that a generalist education was good; the compost containers, and litter-less lunch boxes are aimed diversity healthy.” directly at helping people recycle and cut down on waste. While Schmitt did not envision himself among Recently, Rubbermaid began a program to recycle Rubbermaid’s top executives when he began in 1966, (“Who plastic wrapped around shipping loads at distribution centers. thought I would be here at this stage,” he muses.), he plans Rubbermaid now collects that plastic and recycles it using the to stay for the foreseeable future. “I think I have a lot to resins to produce new items. Schmitt says Rubbermaid spends contribute and I have a long time to work,” he says. “There a great deal of time and money ensuring the corporation is not is no place I would rather be. This is an exciting place and negatively impacting the environment and is developing an exciting time.” ■ programs that “help the Earth repay itself.” Another challenge, he says, is not to start believing all 7

by Melinda Gilpin

What comes to mind when you hear the word “Africa”? Do you

illustrations

b y Aminah Robinson

conjure up images of lions and zebras, end less miles of dry plains roamed by elephants and giraffes? To many people, that is the first instinctive thought. But to a few local people, the word “Africa” brings something very different to mind. To them, it is the image of pre-Civil War Ohio, and people who risked everything because they believed all men deserved to be free. African slavery was introduced in America in 1620, and had obtained a strong foothold by the start of the Revolutionary Way. By the end of the war, there began a growing sentiment in the northern states against slavery.

he popularity of slave labor in the south rose arrived at the house in a dramatically after the invention of the cotton gin state of panic; he had in 1790. Southern plantation owners discovered that apparently seen a handbill the use of slave labor, coupled with the new machine, posted near Westerville would allow them to produce large amounts of cotton giving his description and and reap tremendous profits. The 1790 census indicates offering a five hundred a slave population of 697,897 in 15 states and territories. dollar reward for his cap However, by 1810, the number of slaves in America had ture. The fugitive was given risen to 1,191,364 - nearly doubling in twenty years. a hasty meal, then “he was As the slave population grew in the south, the directed to a ‘station’ opposition to it grew in the north. Abolitionist move beyond Westerville in the ments gained momentum and support, challenging the country, thought to be a safer legality and morality of the slave trade. The Fugitive place to tarry and rest, and he Slave Act, passed by Congress in 1793, gave slave hastened on his way.” The next station on this owners the legal right to reclaim fugitives and made man’s journey to Canada was probably the same as many anyone harboring escaped slaves liable to a large fine. In escaped slaves who came through Westerville, the home Ohio, the “Black Laws” were passed by the state legisla of Samuel Patterson in the hamlet of Africa. Africa lies in southern Delaware County near the ture in January, 1804, making it illegal to harbor “objec tionable” blacks or mulattos. present Alum Creek Dam. No matter how many Formerly East Orange, it is Africa lies in southern Delaware laws were passed by legisla an unincorporated area off County near the present Alum Creek tures, as early as 1815 there Africa Road a few miles Dam* Formerly East Orangey it is an were evidently organized north of Westerville. Before efforts toward aiding fugi 1840, East Orange consisted unincorporated area off Africa Road a tives in direct violation of of a small store, blacksmith few miles north of Westerville*" state and federal laws. Ohio shop, boot and shoe shop, became one of the most and several dwellings; highly-travelled routes for escaped slaves, due to both its nearby there was a Methodist Church as well as the geographical location and support for the abolitionist Berlin United Presbyterian Church, which was founded cause. in 1829. The movement that we know as the Underground The community of East Orange was a deeply reli Railroad got its name in the mid-1830’s, and “stations” gious one, and was also committed to the anti-slavery began to operate frequently in the northern states. In sentiment which was gaining popularity in the midOhio, the most popular route was from Portsmouth, 1800’s. According to a historical account written by Dr. through Chillicothe and Circleville, to Columbus. After William Hunt, the grandson of Samuel Patterson, there escaped slaves left Columbus, many were directed to were only two pro-slavery families in the area. Westerville, where they would find refuge in the homes amuel Patterson was born in New Hampshire in of community and college officials. Several of 1803, and moved to Worthington, Ohio with his Otterbein’s most memorable figures, such as Bishop parents in 1815. When he was 21, in 1824, he purchased William Hanby, Benjamin Hanby, and President Lewis 120 acres of forest just south of East Orange, and built a Davis, were active participants in the Underground log cabin there. In 1827, he married and purchased Railroad. another 167 acres of land. Patterson and his family lived ccording to Rev. Henry Garst’s History of Otterin the cabin until their home was completed in 1841. bein University, President Davis’ house was the The Patterson home, still standing today at 6525 most frequently used station in Westerville. According Africa Road, is an amazing example of craftsmanship. to a map from 1872, the house was located on the The bricks used for construction were made on-site, and northeast corner of College and Grove streets, where the sturdy black walnut timbers came from the sur the Administration Building is now located. Garst rounding woods. It has been reported that the family writes, “The author, having been an inmate of the Davis had to employ a carpenter for over a year to complete all home during the four years immediately preceding the the cuts of timber by hand. Along with the home, there War of the Rebellion, had a good opportunity to observe were three barns and a log sugar house on the property, the business transacted in the Underground Railroad.” as well as the original cabin. It has been rumored that He recounts the tale of a mulatto house-servant who the house has secret rooms, and even a tunnel dug from

the basement of the home to the main barn, but there never were any secret passageways or rooms. he Pattersons were members of the Methodist Church in East Orange during the early 1840’s. The church mem bers were, as mentioned earlier, strongly opposed to slavery, and began to welcome abolitionist speakers to their parish. At that time, the leaders of the Methodist Church in the North were attempting to discourage the public condemnation of slavery because they did not want to offend their Methodist brethren in the South. According to Dr. Hunt’s account, in about 1847 the Method ist congregation opened the church to an anti-slavery speaker, and they were reported to the bishop. The bishop, who wrote a scathing letter to the church, warned them not to repeat the offense. When they did, he personally visited the church to condemn their actions from their own pulpit. The members, strong in their anti-slavery convictions, sent a delegation to the Con ference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, which was partially based on the position of abolitionism. When the delegates returned to report, the congregation decided to withdraw from the Methodist Church and organize a Wesleyan Methodist congrega tion.

fter the founding of the Wesleyan Church, a nearby resident who was

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Underground Railroad

The state was crisscrossed by hundreds of branches of the Underground Railroad, but the route from Chillicothe to Circleville to Columbus was a main artery.

pro-slavery began to taunt the new members’ abolitionist beliefs. He called the hamlet “Africa” in an attempt to ridicule and scorn the residents, but the name stuck, even though few people now know how it first appeared. The community of Africa was an active station on the Under ground Railroad, and Samuel Patterson became one of the wellknown “conductors” in the area. Runaways were concealed in the barns - hidden under piles of hay in the lofts - or in the sugar house in the woods, which was on the edge of a large ravine where any approach could be observed. amuel Patterson was not the only person who actively aided those seeking the freedom found in the North, the community members were dedicated to the cause of the Underground Railroad. Many barns and cellars in the hamlet became hiding places, provid ing shelter to the runaways so they could rest long enough to con tinue their journey. Residents became experts at concealing escaped slaves, and rumor has it that one preacher’s wife even took to lending out a bonnet and skirt to conceal a fleeing man.

In 1859, a North Carolina slave-holder named Mr. Austin passed away. His widow, who did not believe in slavery, gave her slaves their freedom, and provided them with papers, horses and wagons so that they might move North. They travelled to Ohio, about thirtyfive in all, and fell into the hands of the Underground Railroad people in Portsmouth. The freed men were ready to settle near the Ohio River, believing they were safe once they were in “the North," but the “conductors” told the party that they needed to travel farther in order to be safe. It was not uncommon for slave catchers to

to census records, out of the 3,204,313 slaves held in the South in 1850, there were 1,011 fugitive slaves who were not recaptured (approxi mately 350 fewer than those who were willfully freed by their owners). We do know that the effects of the Underground Railroad were much more

kidnap legally free blacks in order to take them to the South and sell them to a slave owner, and the closer to the Ohio River they were, the more problems this group of freed slaves would have. Indeed, the fact that they made it to Ohio at all was somewhat of a miracle for that time period.

ollowing the directions given to them by the “conductors," the group came north over the Scioto Trail, and reached the Patterson station during harvest time. The farmers of Africa needed help to bring in their crops, and they persuaded the former slaves to stay and work with them. As was the case at the Patterson farm, many residents had empty log cabins on their property, where they lived while building their permanent homes. There were enough vacant cabins that each of the weary families could have their own, and they promptly moved in to harvest the crops. The families remained in Africa for several years, far-reaching than helping living and working in the slaves make their way to the community, and attending ^'After the founding of the Wesleyan Canadian border. As word of the churches along with the the organization spread, Churchf a nearby resident who was pro white residents. The blacks also began to aid in the slavery began to taunt the new members' some slaves were encouraged to attempt escape, and slave operation of the “station," abolitionists beliefs* He called the ham owners fostered deeper and probably helped many let "Africa", in an attempt to ridicule resentment than ever toward escape the same type of life the North. they had once led. At the and scorn the residents, but the name outbreak of the Civil War, stuck, even though few people now he residents of Africa according to Dr. Hunt, one know how it first appeared"* risked their own of the men even enlisted in freedom, families, and a local unit and served the sometimes their lives because they believed that every duration of the war. one deserved to be free. Today, the face of Africa has About 1867, after the war had ended and recon been forever changed by the erection of the Alum Creek struction of the country began, the families began to Reservoir and construction of 1-71; churches and move away from the safe hamlet of Africa and scatter cemeteries have been relocated, homes torn down, and around Ohio. It is rumored that some went to Delaware, the landscape drastically altered. However, through it and some to Van Wert and Paulding Counties. At that all, its name has survived (even though the knowledge time, it was difficult to keep track of people and their of why it was named has often fallen by the wayside). names have been somehow lost or forgotten, even So, maybe the next time you hear the word “Africa” though their story was not. instead of thinking of lions and elephants - you will think of that small Central Ohio community and its r. Hunt’s history does mention that his father, devotion to the ideas of freedom and equality. while spending the winter of 1879 in North Carolina, called upon Mrs. Austin, the woman who had — Many of the records about Africa and its role in the originally given the families their freedom. Apparently, underground railroad have found their way to the Otterbein the story he told of their journey to the North, their life Room for safekeeping. in Africa, and final success was the first she had heard of

their whereabouts since they left her plantation nearly twenty years earlier. The hamlet of Africa was an instrumental link in the successful operation of the Underground Railroad. Its importance cannot be accurately measured by the numbers of slaves aided, but we do have some indication of how many people they may have helped. According

Melinda Gilpin is Otterbein's College Archivist. This is her debut article for Towers.

WITH

ften honor societies and honoraries are taken for granted or overlooked among campus organizations in favor of the more visible sports^ theatre or music groups* But each plays its ovun significant part* “Students assign different importances to them,” says Teleiotes Mortar Board faculty advisor Mary Cay Wells, professor of education. “There is the prestige, recognition and the doors it might open.” Mortar Board Teleiotes Chapter is one of the most active honor societies on campus. The three areas emphasized by Mortar Board are scholarship, service and leadership and the 40 members are expected to be active participants. Faculty advisor John Fiinton, associate professor of mathematics, says he places more emphasis on the service and leadership areas because all the students have shown they are strong academically or they would not have been invited to join. “The service and leadership qualities will help them run the country and I think that has a bigger impact than grades,” he says. Activities have included sending valentines or hosting an informal gathering with faculty to give students and teachers a chance to interact outside the classroom. One class donated trees that line the sidewalk leading to the Rike Center. The students have sponsored lectures by Professor of Economics and Business Administration J. Patrick Lewis on Russia and offered a study skills workshops. In addition to on-campus projects, the Mortar Board members have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, helped clean up Alum Pond and helped establish a library at an east side Columbus apart ment complex. “One function of the group has always been to be a forum for whatever the group wants to be,” Wells explains. One year the groups' leaders were environmentally minded and organized Earth Week activities. Another year an all-day celebration was held to mark Otterbein’s 140th year.

hose eligible to apply for Mortar Board must be full-time stu dents in the top 35 percent of the class. The selections are made by the present members of Mortar Board who see only the accomplishments of the students. The names are blocked out so “blind” selections are made based solely on the students’ accomplish ments. Each year, the students themselves decide what they want to accomplish during the school year. Hinton says what impresses him most is that these students come in fresh each year and accomplish

great things during that one school year. Students are voted in during the spring term of their senior year. “There is a lack of continuity,” Hinton admits. “Each class has to come in and learn the ropes and they always put it all together in one year. This speaks well of their accomplishments. These are some of the busiest people on campus. Couple that with the fact that they have nothing to go back to from the previous year. It’s a fresh cast each year." While Mortar Board is the honor society for seniors, two honoraries exist on the Otterbein campus to recognize freshmen students who demonstrate academic excellence. Alpha Lambda Delta is the women’s national honorary society for freshmen who have a 3.5 grade point average in the first or second term. They are also eligible if their grade point averages 3.5 after three terms of classes. The students are initiated during the spring of their freshman year and are active as sophomores. Generally there are about 50 freshmen who are initiated each year. Upperclass students can attend banquet and initiation ceremonies but generally are not active in the organization. All officers are sophomores. Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs Joanne VanSant, who serves as Alpha Lambda Delta faculty advisor, admits the College may be violating some rules by having separate honoraries for men and women. When Title X was enacted in 1972 the groups were to be opened to both men and women. Fearing that either Alpha Lambda Delta or Phi Eta Sigma, the men’s honorary for freshmen, would fade away, they both continued as single gender organiza tions. “Nobody has ever questioned us on it,” VanSant explains. “If we’d start one now of course it would be open to both. But it would be a shame to lose one of them so we have remained with the men’s and women’s.” “We don’t want to double up the efforts,” adds Professor of Chem istry Robert Place, who oversees Phi Eta Sigma, the men’s freshman honorary. V jjk M hile VanSant points out that Alpha Lambda Delta has never been an organization geared to service, the group has w W in the past served as tutors for freshmen, arranged for speak ers to visit campus and ushered at campus events. “Mainly it’s just an honor to be chosen,” VanSant says. Every year Alpha Lambda Delta gives out several awards. Sopho more members may compete for the Jo Anne Trow Award that pro vides $100 to each recipient. A student at Otterbein has received this award each year over the last four years. This year two active members of Alpha Lambda Delta attended the national convention held in Chicago. VanSant said this is the first year students have taken the initiative to attend the convention. She admits the group is more of a resume builder than some other honoraries. “Other things can be done and we search for those in the service nature,” she says. “But this is more of an honorary you just belong to because we find people have a lot of other things to do. It’s

"Each class has to come in and learn the ropes and they always put it all together in one year. This speaks well of their accom plishments. These are some of the busiest people on campus."

TORCH & KEY

hard to get involved with service (projects). We’ve tried a lot of things. Some worked and some didn’t. This group does encourage students to keep their grades up.” I hi Eta Sigma, which formed ^ in 1965, has the same academic requirements for men to be initiated and about 20 join each spring. The group’s main activity is the initiation banquet held each year. The members also sometimes tutor. “We could do more,” Place supposes. “At one time we showed the Saturday night movies. That was in the 60s but Campus Pro gramming Board took that over. We’re open to more activities but these are busy people.” Place believes the honoraries are important for recognizing academic achievement because “it‘s not the ‘in’ thing in our society. Students are recognized for sports, music and other talents but they hide academic success and don’t get recognized for that. It’s important to provide recognition for those who often don’t get recognized. “It may be a line for their resume but it’s also a recognition of academic achievement and gives students who are in the organiza tion a chance to see there are others who are serious about academics.” For juniors who demonstrate academic excellence, with a grade point average of 3.7 or better, there is Torch and Key. The group, which has about 65 members, each year holds a book sale to raise money for awards to outstanding juniors. Those interested in compet ing for the $100 award must write a letter of application outlining their activities and leadership skills and also go through an interview process. Torch and Key was formed in the late 1940s to recognize fellowship among juniors and seniors. Faculty advisor George Phinney explains that at the time it was founded, there were no similar

It's All Greek to Me by Matt Yingling The Greeks have enjoyed a prosperous and successful year. Currently 46% of the existing population at Otterbein is Greek. They comprise six fraternities (Zeta Phi, Eta Phi Mu, Sigma Delta Phi, Lambda Gamma Epsilon, Pi Beta Sigma, and Alpha Tau Omega (which received its charter in 1990), and six sororities (Sigma Alpha Tau, Epsilon Kappa Tau, Tau Epsilon Mu, Theta Nu, Kappa Phi Omega, and Tau Delta (which came back on campus in 1990). Several organizations are celebrating major anniversaries. Both Theta Nu and Epsilon Kappa Tau are celebrating their 75th year. Each sorority is planning special events for the Homecoming in the fall of '92. Zeta Phi is celebrating its 60th year, and will also have special events for Homecoming. The Delta Xi chapter of the National Order of Omega is celebrating its 10th year. Thirty-six members from 1 1 organizations are represented in this honor society. Greek Week is celebrating its 15th anniversary this spring quarter. All proceeds from this year's Greek Week will be going to sophomore Brad Eldridge to help defray medical expenses incurred by his accident last year. The following is a list of the Fund Raisers, Community and/or Service Projects each organization did in the past year. Fraternities — Helped build scenes, and worked in the Westerville Jaycees Haunted House Alpha Tau Omega — ATO Fight Night to benefit the American Cancer Society Eta Phi Mu — Plasma Drive, Car Washes Pi Beta Sigma — Candy Sale Lambda Gamma Epsilon — They take a hot meal to Mrs. Whitney every day. Also they donated 1,000 cans of food to the Central College Food Bank. Sigma Delta Phi — Worked at Faith Mission (Soup Kitchen), and do the Smokey Ballenger Walk to benefit the American Cancer Society. Zeta Phi

Sororities — Adopt a Child at the Franklin County Children Services, the purpose of which is to keep four brothers and sisters together who've lost their parents. Decorated Mann Nursing Home, and put up the ribbons for Desert Storm. Theta Nu — Volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, to help build houses for low income families in Columbus, Swim for Diabetes. Epsilon Kappa Tau — Habitat for Humanity and the Super City Walk for Multiple Sclerosis Tau Epsilon Mu — Volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, to help build houses for low income families in Columbus, Swim for Diabetes, donated toys to a nursery school, and cleaned Alum Creek Park Sigma Alpha Tau — Habitat for Humanity, cleaned Alum Creek Park, and donated clothes to the Salvation Army Kappa Phi Omega — Attended a buffet for Multiple Sclerosis and had a homemade bracelet sale Tau Delta

organizations in existence. Now Mortar Board recognizes seniors but Torch and Key has also been maintained on campus. Many of the honoraries on campus are connected to a particular depart ment or area of study. heta Alpha Phi, founded at Otterbein in 1927, is the national honorary society for undergraduate theatre majors. Theatre students earn points by acting or working in technical jobs in productions, taking theatre classes and maintaining a minimum B grade. Anyone fulfill ing those requirements is eligible to become a member. Activities include a national meeting held each year. Local activities include field trips to other theatres in the central Ohio area and organizing the annual theatre banquet. “They have the privilege of being part of a national honorary but quite honestly, these people are so busy in theatre they don’t have time to be an extremely active organization,” explains faculty advisor Fred Thayer, associate professor of theatre. “But these people become the leaders in the theatre program and are looked on as leaders by other students.” TAP President Jess Hanks adds, “It gives you a chance to be more involved in what’s going on in the department. And it’s nice to be recog nized for your work be it backstage or performing in a show.” The Department of Theatre also has a local honorary called Cap and Dagger that began in 1921 for the “purpose of fostering interest and pro moting participation in the theatre arts.” Cap and Dagger annually sponsors a regional high school play festival held in January. Like Theta Alpha Phi, students become eligible for membership through points accrued by working on theatre productions. However, there is no academic requirement and fewer points are needed. Most students become members of Cap and Dagger and later become affiliated with Theta Alpha Phi. Cap and Dagger has about 30 members while Theta Alpha Phi has almost double that number. Many are in both organizations.

au Pi Phi is a national business honorary which has 16 member schools nationwide. Most of those schools are in Ohio, however.

The Otterbein group meets once every quarter to learn interviewing techniques, write resumes or listen to speakers on career planning. Tau Pi Phi’s most important annual event is the Case Competition. Each school is allowed to enter one three-person and one two-person team. The teams are given a company profile and asked to find a solution to a stated problem. Judges from the local business community will judge each two- or three- person team on its ability to analyze and present solutions to case studies from the Harvard Business School. This year Otterbein students won first and second place awards. This is the sixth year in a row that Otterbein business students have brought a prize home from the Case Competition. “Frankly, a lot join to have something to put on their resumes,” admits faculty advisor Richard Heffelfinger, associate professor of business adminis tration and economics, but stresses that students can get much more out of the organization if they are active participants. “Like the Case Competition. There is a lot they can learn from that. There’s a lot of tension and stress. You see them walking around with index cards, mumbling while they prepare for their presentation. But when it’s all over they say, ‘Boy, that was fun.’” Heffelfinger has been the Tau Pi Phi’s faculty advisor for nine years and is serving as the national vice governor. 15

honoraries are important for recogniz^ ing academic achieve ment because 'it's not the "in" thing in our society* Students are recognized for sports, music and other talents but they hide academic success and don't get recognized for that*"'

Requirements to become a member include completing 20 hours of business, accounting or economics courses and maintaining a 3.0 grade point average. Generally there are between 40 and 45 members.

”While many honoraries sport Qreek names, most are separate from the usual sororities and fraternities/'

i Kappa Delta, established in 1924, has the distinction of being the r first national honorary at Otterbein College. The purpose of the organization is to support and promote forensics at the college level and that includes both debating and individual speaking events. Every other year there is a national tournament. On alternate years a provincial tournament is held. The national organization divided the nation into provinces and Otterbein is in the Province of the Lakes. Faculty Advisor Susan Millsap, instructor of speech communication, currently serves as governor for that province. She was in Pi Kappa Delta as an undergraduate and when she came to Otterbein and found the College had a chapter she says it was “natural” for her to get involved. “It’s something I really enjoy,” she states. To become a member, a student must compete in a certain number of events in intercollegiate debates or individual speaking. “Forensics is a good educational activity,” Millsap maintains. “They have to do research, de velop organizational skill, critical thinking as well as the speaking. And it exposes them to different points of view.” And in the era of cutbacks when student activities may be among the items cut, Millsap says Pi Kappa Delta ensures that educational experience won’t be lost. “Some honoraries you pay your money and never hear from them again. Pi Kappa is not that kind at all. It’s a resume builder obviously,” Millsap admits. “But it also immerses them in educational activity of forensics. To participate they have to do research and speaking analysis to compete. Active participation guarantees that they maintain an educational level of expertise.” nother departmental honor society is Phi Sigma Iota, the foreign language honorary. This organization, which began at Otterbein ^ ® 1933, used to be aimed only at Romance languages but in the 1980s expanded to become a foreign language honorary. Rather than one faculty advisor, all the faculty members in the Depart ment of Foreign Languages share the responsibilities of overseeing Phi Sigma Iota. Assistant Professor of Foreign Languages James Carr says there are generally about 15 members. They do not have to be foreign language majors. Any sophomore who has taken at least one 200 level foreign language course and has a grade point average of 3.0 is eligible to join. The members host presentations from students who have studied abroad, attend plays and movies, have sponsored a booth at the Columbus International Festival and in recent years have helped organize the Interniational/Foreign Language Week activities on campus. Carr admits Phi Sigma Iota has some members who “join and we never see again. But we’re not unique in that. All groups have some members like that once in awhile. This is an organization of people with like interests and have a chance to develop some leadership skills.” Angie Porter is President of Phi Sigma Iota is taking advantage of increasing her leadership skills through the group. “We’re trying to increase activities,” she explains. “We’re trying to get past just going to meetings.” Porter is trying to arrange a joint meeting with the newly formed Capital University chapter of Phi Sigma Iota. She says the Capital students are interested in a joint meeting to learn how the Otterbein chapter organizes its initiation ceremonies. “We’re working on that for this spring,” Porter 16

As a forerunner to the many honorary societies, Otterbein had its literary societies. In the late 1800s, the literary societies were very important on campus as social life. There were four. The first, Otterbein Lyceum, was established in 1851 and was open to both men and women. The following year the Philalethean Society was established as a women’s only organization. In 1953, Lyceum changed its name to Philomathean Society and became a men only group. As the size and popularity of the literary societies grew, two others were formed. Philophronean Society, for men only, began in 1857 and Cleiorhetean Society, for women only, was established in 1871. The purposes of the societies were to develop public speaking skills, foster an interest in literature and educate members on group leadership skills. The members were expected to demonstrate scholastic achievement and civic respon sibility. In the Main Building, built in 1855, each of the literary societies were given a meeting room. It became a matter of great competition among the societies to furnish the rooms as opulantly as possible. Each society also developed its own library and some accounts claim those libraries were used more than the College’s own. Orations, debates, essays and book reviews made up the typical meeting program. Each society also sponsored orchestras, music ensembles and choruses. The Main Building, often referred to as “Old Main’’ burnt down in 1870 and when the new building. Towers Hall, was constructed, each of the societies was once again given a room to furnish and use. A trip to the top floor of Towers Hall shows the stained glass windows of the societies are still intact although aca demic offices now fill the space. The Philomathean Room is still used for poetry readings and small gatherings. The literary societies died out in the 1920s and 1930s as sororities and fraterni ties became popular. The sororities and fraternities fulfilled the social function the literary societies had earlier filled. The Otterbein Room in Courtright Memorial Library now stores many records, photographs and books from the literary societies. The collection is quite extensive. ■

says. Alpha Epsilon Delta, formed in 1948, is a national honorary for pre-medical students.They must be in their sixth quarter at Otterbein and have a 3.0 grade point average. The group often brings in speakers to talk about varied professions in the field of medicine and try to tour an area medical facility each term. AED students also take mock Medical College Admission Tests (MCAT) to prepare for taking the tests required for entry into medical school. igma Zeta is the honorary open to science majors who have at least sophomore standing, have completed 15 hours of science courses and a grade point average of 3.0 in science classes and 2.8 overall. It is open to students from all areas of science including chemistry, physics, equine science, math and computer sciences and life science. Otterbein’s chapter of Sigma Zeta was the fifth formed in the nation and there are usually about 60 members. The group’s activities include sponsoring speakers and one social function each year. In the past Sigma Zeta has sponsored a career sympo sium which brought scientists to campus to talk about job opportunities and careers in the field of science. Often alumni who are involved in the sciences are invited back to campus to

speak about their careers. Members of Sigma Zeta help judge the annual BattelleOtterbein Science Fair and this year several members also were invited to help judge a science fair at an area junior high school. Each year there is the potential for one student to receive the Sigma Zetan of the Year award if there is a deserving member who has shown academic excellence and commitment to the group. The recipients of this award are listed on a plaque in the Science Building. While many honoraries sport Greek names, most are sepa rate from the usual sororities and fraternities. However, Order of Omega is made up of the academic achievers from the Greek organizations on campus.Order of Omega is open to those who maintain grades above the average of all Greek students com bined. The members are also expected to be involved in Greek activities and campus events. This year there are 36 members and Order of Omega is now celebrating its 10th anniversary on campus. Greek Advisor Kelly Eikleberry said Order of Omega members are trying to get away from the image of being a resume filler by being more involved in campus activities. Order of Omega co-sponsors Greek Week and for the second year has been involved in Food for Thought. Eikleberry is a fan of this organization because it highlights the positive things Greeks do. She says too often attention aimed at Greek organizations places importance on pledging and parties. She says Order of Omega demonstrates that Greeks can also be academic leaders. ■

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The generosity of Edwin L. and Mary Louise Roush has made possible this piece of progress at Otterbein. As a way to begin thanking them and to unveil the corner stone for Roush Hall, a ceremony was held on campus on April 11. At that cer emony, Edwin Roush spoke of the family's fondness for the College and how he and Marilou decided to make the naming gift for Roush Hall and help lead Otter bein into the next century. Following the ceremony, representatives of the campus community, trustees and alumni joined the Roushes for lunch in the Campus Center.

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After years of talking, planning and dreaming, Roush Hall is becoming a reality right before our eyes. Ground was broken in March and soon those on campus saw a huge hole in the ground surrounded by mountains of dirt. That still left a lot to the imagination but now the elements of the building are beginning to emerge. Director of the Physical Plant John Wathen, a foreman from Turner Construction, John Pousson, and President C. Brent DeVore each tossed a silver dollar into the founda tion as it was being poured — a tradition thought to bring good luck to the project. Now the basement is completed and the foundation has been formed for Roush Hall — Otterbein's Cornerstone for the Future.

CLASS NOTES Compiled by Carol Define

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Perry Laukhufff has gifted the college library with a book he wrote titled, Immanuel: Outrageous Myth or God’s Truth?, published by Vantage Press.

1937 Jay Hedding and wife Pauline celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 8, 1991. Daughters,

Juanita Hedding Mitchell '68 and Bernita Hedding Beck ' 'T4 where among the 232 celebrants. Hedding was Knighted as a Knight of the York Cross of Honour. He was eligible for this by incitation after serving as Master of Oliver Lodge 447 of Free & Accepted Masons of Caledonia, Ohio, Excel lent High Priest of Marion Chapter 62 of Royal Arch Masons, Illustrious Master of Marion Council 22 of Royal and Select Masons and Eminent Commander of Marion Commandery 36 of Knights Templars.

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Lloyd Savage of Chillicothe, Ohio, recently directed the music for the 74th Gymanfa Ganu - an annual Welsh heritage celebration which was held at the Gomer United Church of Christ.

Richard L. Whitehead retired as chief administra tive officer of the Berkshire Life Insurance Company. He will continue to serve as chairman of Berkshire’s

board of directors. Whitehead currently serves as a director on the board of the North Adams State College Foundation, and is vice chairman of the economic development council of the Central Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. He is a trustee of Berkshire Community College and the Berkshire Athenaeum. Whitehead lives in Pittsfield with wife Shirley. They have two children, David and Deborah, and two grand sons.

Are We There Yet? Thirty plus hours on a bus and a lot of pleasant memories sums up the bus trip to St. Peters, Minn, in March. Seventy five parents, alumni, students and friends of the College spent a weekend together to watch the Otterbein College Cardinal Men's Basketball Team. Among these true blue fans were Bob Snavely '27, Lori Sutton '90, Kathy Shaw '75, Budd Enstrom, longtime friend of the college, and many others. In addition to attending the game, the travelers went swimming, shopping, enjoyed renewed friendships and created new ones. The band members, however, studied diligently for finals they would face upon returning to Otterbein. Kelly Eikleberry '89, described the trip as "a wonderful adventure. And no matter what the age, all had a good time." Terry Khun, long-time friend of the College, called immediately after returning from Minnesota to sign up for the next trip. —

George Liston of Dayton has been named a Distin guished Fellow of the Ohio Art Education Association. Liston retired from the Kettering City Schools, where he taught for 34 years. This honor recognizes exceptional professional services by art educators. Liston is involved in many community activities. He and wife Jane, have two sons, Jefferson and Jonathan, and two grand children.

ment of Veterans Affairs. She is the director of the substance abuse treatment program at the Chillicothe, Ohio, V.A. Medical Center. She has served in that position for nine years.

195b Robert Tharp was recently honored by the Licking Valley Board of Education for his 30-years of service to the district. He is in his 24th year as principal at Licking Valley Junior High School.

Michael Phillips has practiced medicine in the town of New Lebanon, Ohio, for 30-years. Wife,

19: Glenda Guilliams has joined the faculty at Urbana University in Ohio, as an assistant professor of Education.

Charlayne Huggins Phillips does volunteer work and gardening. They have three married sons and five grandchildren.

Larry G. Willey is serving the fourth year as district superintendent of the Council Bluffs District of the Iowa United Method ist Church.

195b

Joan Taylor Pelfrey is employed by the Depart

Joyce Jadwin '89

196 Donald Keebaugh, Vandalia-Butler school superintendent will bring to a close a 31-year career in education when he retires in July. He came to Vandalia in 1982 as an assistant superintendent and business manager. He was named superintendent in 1987.

I: Jerry Connor recently completed his first year as assistant basketball coach with the Columbus Horizon of the CBA. For the last twelve years he has been an assistant/scout to Dick Reynolds ’65 coach of the Men’s Basketball Cardinals. Jerry also instructs in the Adult Degree Program teaching real estate while running his own successful real estate business.

Paul Gutheil is a clinical professor at Ohio

University’s College of Medicine and an assistant clinical professor at The Ohio State University’s College of Medicine. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Doctors Hospital in Columbus. He is a member of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and a board member of the Physicians Health Plan of Ohio.

John Spring is vice president of human re sources with Health Group in the Canton/Massillon area. He just completed a term as president of the Ohio Society of Hospital Human Resource Adminis trators, and was appointed to a 3-year term on the presidents advisory commit tee at Stark Technical College. He also serves on the strategic planning committee of the Perry School District and the curriculum committee at Massillon School District. He is married with a daughter Krissy, 13.

Larry Roshon has worked for AMOCO Oil Company for 24 years. He and wife Bobbie reside in Norwalk, Ct. 1964

Richard Mavis was honored for his service to the community and human ity. He was chosen the outstanding Mason for his 17-years as Knox County’s Commissioner. Mavis, a native of Danville, Ohio, and a member of the Danville Masonic Lodge, has chaired a number of governmental and private agencies. He taught school for 10 years and has been a retail merchant for 23 years in Mount Vernon.

coaching a Junior Miss softball team for girls ages 12-15.

Diane Weaston Birckbichler of

i 96('‘'

Clintonville, Ohio, was appointed director of the foreign language center at The Ohio State University.

Paul Harris is currently a member of the SouthWestern City School District’s board of education.

R. Craig Breisford of Brent M. Koudelka is

Lancaster, Ohio, has been named the Eastland Voca tional School District’s 1991-92 teacher of the year.

the commander of the SHAPE DENTAC in Casteau, Belgium. Wife

Linda Crow Koudeika Naomi Weinert is the

'69, teaches Home Economics at the Shape American High School.

musical director for the Columbus Women’s Chorus, and assistant director of Summit United Methodist Church choir. She also plays clarinet in the Ohio Department of Transporta tion band.

Ruth Stanley Farmer, food service teacher at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, returned as a judge to the 21st annual Herald-Star Cookbook contest. She is a certified food service operation manager with the Ohio Department of Health. She and husband Enock, are the parents of two boys, Andrew and Douglas.

Jean "Chappy" Chapman who starred on Central Ohio women’s softball teams for 24 years has been inducted into the Fast Pitch-Slow Pitch Ohio Hall of Fame. Chapman moved to Clearwater, Fla., in 1976. She currently sells real estate for Lyle Realty in the Clearwater area, and is still involved with softball,

Roger Wharton has begun work on his Doctor of Ministry degree at Pacific School of Religion in

Distinguished Service Award Friend of the College, John E. Fisher, general chairman and chief executive officer of Nationwide Insurance, received Ohio Farm Bureau’s Distinguished Service Award during the organization’s annual meeting in December. Fisher was honored for both his leadership in the insurance industry and his activities in the community. He began his career with Nationwide Insurance in 1951 as a home office underwriter. He moved throughout the company holding positions of vice president of public rela tions, president, general manager and now general chairman and chief executive officer of the entire Nationwide enter prise — a position he took in 1981. He serves on several community boards including those of Children’s Hospital and Columbus College of Art and Design. In 1991, Fisher was named Man of the Year by the Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel. He and his wife, Eloise, have been married 42 years. They have four grown children and eight granddaughters. ■

Berkeley, Calif. His work is in Wilderness Spirituality, The Christian Nature Wisdom Tradition, and Outdoor Christian and Environmental Education.

h Betsy Bridwell is the director of career services at the Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington. She makes an annual trip to Japan, Taiwan, and Korea setting up student intern ships. Brian Hartzell, APR, executive director of Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland, was elected treasurer of the East Central District of the Public Relations Society of American (PRSA) for 1992.

Richard Coldwell is the current pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church in Bryan, Ohio.

Thomas M. Dunipace was appointed city attorney for Colfax City, Calif. Dunipace retired from the United States Air Force Reserve. He is a first officer for United Airlines on a DC-10.

Robert Gail was named regional vice president of sales representatives and account management and regional business develop ment for the southeast region by Rubbermaid Commercial Products Inc., RCP, a division of Rubbermaid Incorporated. He will be based out of Marietta, Ga. Keith Malick and family has moved to San Antonio,

Texas. Malick works as entertainment manager for Fiesta Texas, a new musical show park which opens in March. The new park is a joint venture of USAA Insurance Company and Opryland. He is in charge of the live entertainment in 7 different theaters as well as atmosphere entertainment.

Frances Williams Shoemaker teaches third grade at La Mendola Elementary School in Huber Heights, Ohio.

physics at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, has been promoted to the academic rank of associate professor. He currently serves as chairman of the Department of Chemistry.

is the director of cytogenet ics for the National Refer ence Lab of National Health Laboratories.

Jonathan Amy was promoted to trust officer at the Huntington National Bank. Amy is the trustee for and administrator of employee benefit plans.

Kathleen Johnson was appointed marketing director for Cubberly Studios. She also serves as head photographer in Cubberly’s Westerville location. She has one son, Austin, 7.

Mark Princehorn was named high school assistant principal and athletic director by the Buckeye

James Whitney, a 15' year veteran of the division of Westerville police was named acting police chief.

ly. Ted Downing accepted the position of principal at Eastern Brown High School in Brown County, Ohio.

Barbara Hoffman, a Cadiz, Ohio, high school teacher has earned top recognition in her field. She was selected “1991” Home Economics teacher of the year by the Ohio Home Association and was honored at the annual OHEA meeting. In addition to recognition at the state conference, she will be recognized at the American Home Economics Association’s annual meeting in Minneapolis, Minn. ’ , ) T-

Lynn Corbin Costanza, associate professor of music, will serve as the acting dean and director of The Ohio State University at Marion. She and husband Peter live in Worthington.

David Horner, assistant professor of chemistry and

Laukhuff Publishes Biography of Jesus Immanuel: Outrageous Myth or God’s Truth? by Perry Laukhuff’27 was recently released from Vantage Press. According to the information on the dust jacket, the book is “a deeply inspiring addition to the many volumes written on the life of Jesus. Rather than focusing on the man, Mr. Laukhuff concentrates on Immanuel or ‘God with Us,’ the divine aspect of this facinating character.” A copy of the book autographed by Laukhuff with the inscription, “To Otterbein College with deep gratitude” will be stored in the Otterbein Room with the College’s autographed book collection. Another copy has been placed in the stacks for public use. For more on Laukhuff, see the “Afterward” in this issue of Towers. ■

branch manager for Tri-W Rental in Tampa. He is one of seven to receive a ring of excellence from the company this year.

Hope Roberts Pettry currently works as a pre natal counselor for Good Samaritan Hospital in Zanesville, Ohio. She has a daughter Emilee, 7.

Brenda Henry Phousongphouang returned to school to complete her degree in Spanish. She is enrolled at Central Baptist College, and has been accepted for admission to the University of Central Arkansas. Her goal eventually is to be a nurse-midwife in the foreign missions of Loas-Thailand.

I y.-.. John S. Sharpe received a Certificate of Commenda tion. He was cited for superior performance of duty while assigned with the 4th Marine Division, Charles ton, W. Va.

Valley Local Schools Board of Education.

JO — Susan Henthorn is

190

employed as a reference and bibliographic instruction librarian at Berea College in Kentucky.

David Martin was appointed youth director by the youth committee of Central Christian Church. His duties include leading the weekly Chi Rho and Christian Youth Fellowship meetings. He teaches Sunday morning school classes for the youth, and coordinates the involvement of youth in the Sunday workshop services. He and wife Sherrie and son Drew live on the family farm in Caledonia.

Douglas MacCallum was named president of University Sound Inc. University Sound Inc. is a leading manufacturer in the United States of profes sional and commercial sound equipment. MacCallum lives in Canyon County, Calif.

Philip Mowrey gradu ated from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine with a Ph.D. in Genetics Medicine. He and his family currently live in Nashville, Tenn., where he

Timothy O'Flynn was honored by the W. W. Williams Company for outstanding contributions to the company. O’Flynn is the 24

Robin Harris Cartheuser works as vice president of divisional affairs at the T.W. Harris Com pany an alloy manufacturing firm in Cincinnati. She resides with husband Kent and children Christopher, 8, and “Bear” 3 1/2 in Loveland, Ohio.

Craig Icsman has been on tour with the National Company of “Les Miserables” since January of 1990 as “Combeferre” and the “Foreman” also under study to the lead role “Thenardier” the inn keeper.

Bradford Mullin works

for The Ohio State Univer sity Hospital as chief neurosurgery resident.

Carlton Bates graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. As a medical student he con ducted research in the department of medical bio chemistry. Bates currently is a pediatric resident at Children’s Hospital in Columbus.

Lynn Rigg Book is the acting director of the Griswold Library at Green Mountain College in Poultney, VT. She belongs to a woodwind trio called the Lynzenkris Trio which is active in Vermont and eastern New York state.

198Edward D. Chacey received a master’s degree in business administration from The Ohio State University. He is product manager and computer programmer for Ultryx Corporation in Worthington. He and wife Lisa Fairchild Chacey ’85, reside in Mt. Vernon with their children Matthew and Megan.

Chris Grant works as a process chemist for Dayco Products. Wife, Susan Howell Grant '87 is employed at Weststar Photographies. The couple lives in Maggie Valley, N.C.

Charline Evans Katzeman works as an accountant in the invest ment accounting depart ment at Nationwide Insurance in downtown Columbus. Husband John works as a commercial lines underwriter for Nationwide in the regional office of Nationwide Insurance in Worthington. They reside in Worthington with their newborn daughter, Chelsea Charline.

John L. Fisher operates a freelance translation service from his home in Goettingen, Germany, serving clients in 7 of the 16 German states. He and wife Angelika live near the former East German border. John is enrolled at the University of Gettingen, where he is pursuing postgraduate studies in theology and German.

Patricia Casey Mynster was promoted to director of short-term securities investments by Nationwide Insurance. She has been senior securities portfolio manager for the past nine years.

Rosemary Lutz Corwin received the Upperclass Dean’s Scholarship from Ohio University’s regional campus at Lancaster. She and husband Todd Corwin reside in Pickerington.

Tamara Lange earned first place recognition in a recent Ohio Newswriters Association contest. Lange competed with writers from newspapers of 25,000 to 75,000 circulation. She captured the features category with stories written about a summertime Baptist revival and an evening spent on the sidelines watching football officials at work. Lange is the assistant city editor of the Daily Record in Wooster. She also covers city government.

Michelle Plummer teaches personal typing and senior intensive office education for Sandy Valley High School in Canton, Ohio.

Melissa Marsh was named weekday weather anchor at WFMJ-TV in Youngstown, Ohio. The NBC affiliate selected her after conducting a nation wide search. Prior to her promotion, Melissa was a news anchor, reporter and weather anchor at WYTV, the ABC affiliate in Youngs town.

Dan Pikula was promoted to development chemist in the films research and development department by Dow Chemical. Pikula resides in Gahanna, Ohio.

Matthew Puskarich was admitted to practice law in the state of Ohio on Nov. 18,1991. He graduated from the Wake Forest University School of Law, N.C. and is presently working in Steubenville, Ohio, as an assistant prosecutor of Jefferson County.

Lynne Vilem teaches 4th grade in Charleston S.C. She is working on a master’s degree at The Citadel.

Katie Riley Deltwiller works for Ferno-Washing ton, Inc., a leading manufac turer of emergency patient handling equipment located in Wilmington, Ohio. She is also a certified EMT-A and scuba diver working with the Greenfield Life Squad and Greenfield Area Underwater Rescue and Recovery Team.

Shirley Whetzel Rutter was named mem bership-development director by the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio.

Barbara Jones Warren is enrolled in the doctoral program at The Ohio State University College of Nursing. She is a research associate within the College of Nursing in the depart ment of community and family.

Andrew White teaches ninth and tenth grade English at Piqua City Schools where he coaches varsity football and baseball. He is attending Wright State University graduate program, pursuing masters and principal certification in administration.

Anna Stockdale Brumbaugh teaches Spanish and math at Franklin Monroe High School. She and husband Kevin live in Englewood, Ohio.

Tim Deak recently finished a one-year tour with the American Repertory Theatre of Cincinnati.

Allison Dubbs joined the staff of Leff and Squicciarini Advertising and Public Relations, Inc. She is a member of the Central Ohio Public Relations Society serving on the PRSA/ PRSSA liaison committee and the public service committee.

i. ,

William Busche was

Rachael Harris is touring

assigned to the position of senior environmental specialist at the G.E. Superabrasives plant in Worthington, Ohio.

with the Chamber Theater Company of Boston, Mass. The company performs five literature classics adapted into play form and then presented to high school

Elizabeth Bohse Neininger was promoted to branch services manager by Bank One, Dover.

William Beck has begun studies in the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery at the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa.

Robert Humphrey accepted the position of band director at Elgin High School in Southwest Marion County.

ALUM Keeping in Tune

Otterbein music education graduates got together this winter at the Ohio Music Educators Association State Convention. Otterbein Band Director Gary Tirey H’90, who served as convention chairman, hosted a reception on Jan. 31 for Otterbein alumni attending the event. It provided an excellent opportunity for Otterbein graduates who have gone into music education to Attending the reunion at the OMEA convention ore (left to share memories and discuss their right) Dr. Mort Achter, Chorimon of the Music Dept., Gory common field of interest. Tirey, Director of Bonds, and Greg Johnson, Director of Alunnni Relations.

On Eeb. 1 the annual Alumni was held featuring former Cardinal basketball players. The players included Tom Abbit '73, Jim Basketball Game

Augspurger '71, Matt Batross '91, James Bradley '91, Steve Brown '87,

Bryan Knicely is em'

Don Carlos '80, Bob Deckard '75, Eric

ployed by the United States Department of Agriculture. He plans to earn a law degree and a master’s degree in management.

Greer '91, Dino Guanciale '82, Dick

Miller '79, Scott Miller '76, Dee Minton '88, Ric Moore '89, Bill Pollock '87,

Sally Ott teaches third

Mike Snyder '86, Ron Stewart '83, Eric

grade at Reno Elementary School in Marietta, Ohio.

Wagenbrenner '91, Mark Zawadzki '87

and Ray Zawadzki '85. Thanks to Coach Dick Reynolds for organizing the event.

Colby Paul was hired as a

Melissa Miller Win ters works for JMJ Pets, Inc. Husband Eric Win ters attends graduate school at Ohio University. He is working toward a master’s degree in sports medicine. ■

Joyce Jadwin ’89, Associate Dean of Student Development Becky Smith ’81, Gretchen Chorey and Christy Amy represented the Student Personnel Office. Assistant Professor of Life Sciences Jim Stahl, who is also a naturalist with the Franklin Metro Parks, pointed out items of interest along the trail.

Hempy '87, Steve Johnson '76, Michael McKinney '86, Don Manly '72, Darrell

Chad Reynolds '90, Bob Snavely '27,

member of Columbus Junior Theatre’s professional adult touring company. She will be touring all over Ohio in five different productions.

NOTES

ED SYGUDA

students in the theaters primarily located in the south and southwest.

Skiing Michigan!! Ten students, alumni and faculty members skied Michigan Feb. 7-9. The group left Feb. 7 for Lewiston, Mich, and enjoyed downhill and cross country skiing at Treetops Sylvian Resort and Boyne Highlands Mountain. Two faculty members from the Department of Nursing, Eileen Vorst and Patricia McCarthy, were able to show off their skiing ability. Based on the success of this skiing trip, plans are under way for an alumni outing to a Vermont ski resort next winter. Over the long President’s Day Week end, alumni, friends and staff members headed north to ski in Punderson State Park in Michigan. Cross-country skiing and hiking were the order of the day for the 21 people who made the trip. Dr. Jim Davidson, whose daughter Deborah Davidson Huber is an ’84 graduate, served as volunteer ski instructor for those new to the sport. Campus Programming Advisor

The Alumni Association Lifelong Committee held two sessions on “The Palestinian-lsraeli Question” in February. More than 30 people attended the luncheon on Feb. 21 and 51 attended the dinner on Feb. 27. Those attending said they left the program with a better understanding of Middle East issues but still questioning the outcome of ongoing peace efforts. Dr. Michael Herschler, Chairman of the Depart ment of Life Sciences at Otterbein, and Mr. Suhail Zidan, a Palestinian Arab and Israeli citizen, discussed the issues of that volatile corner of the world. Education

It's a First!! The first National Alumni Advisory Council meeting was held Feb. 28 on campus. Alumni attending were Liz Allen '64, Steve Lorton '68, Porter Miller '65, Stephen

and Margaret Lloyd Trent Campus administrators at the meeting included President C. Brent DeVore, Vice President of Development David Joyce, Dean Joanne VanSant H’71, Women’s Athletic Director Marilyn Day ’53 and Director of Alumni Relations Greg Johnson. This group discussed the reasons for creating the NAAC such as fundraising, networking between students and alumni to promote life long education and fellowship, and promoting the College to potential students. Spurgeon '70 '65.

ALUMNI OFFICE:(6 1 4)898- 1 401 26

ALUM

NOTES alumni, faculty and staff preparing their favorite recipes. Nearly 170 students took advantage of the chance to get a good home-cooked meal before taking exams.

The NAAC identified several areas from which to recruit more members for the council. Those areas include the northwest and southwest United States, Florida, New York, Pennsylva nia, Chicago, New England and Ohio. Research has shown concentra tions of alumni live in these areas and this council will Members of the National Alumni Advisory identify Council (from left to right) Steve Spurgeon '70, individuals Liz Allen '64, Dean Joanne Van Sant, Dr. who can help Marilyn Day '53, and Margaret Lloyd Trent '65. plan alumni events for specific areas of the country to meet common interests. This is the first effort by the Otterbein Alumni Office to identify differing alumni interests in various parts of the country.

New Officers off to Wisconsin Otterbein’s Student Alumni Council has newly elected officers and five students are now signed up to attend the District V Student Alumni Association Conference in Wisconsin in April 10-12. The new officers include President Stephanie Sourysack, Vice President for Fundraising Rodney Wilson, Vice President of Membership Sue Smades, Vice President for Public Relations Suzanne Fink and Secretary Corinna Yingling.

Alumni Weekend Director of Alumni Relations Greg Johnson has been meeting with class leaders to plan reunions for the classes of ’42, ’47, ’52, ’57, ’62 and ’67 during Alumni Weekend June 12-14.

Plans are beginning to shape up for Alumni Weekend this spring. On Friday, June 12, dinner will be followed by Guy Bishop 'A9 playing ragtime piano. Saturday will feature visits to the Philomathean Room in Towers Hall, guided tours of campus, class picture taking. President’s Dessert Reception, Alumni Concert Choir performance and class socials and dinners. On Sunday the baccalaureate service will be followed by brunch, the Alumni Band Concert and Commencement. Members from the class of ’47 are working diligently to find memorabilia from their college years to display during the weekend. At the urging of class leaders, the classes of '71, '77,

On Broadway More than 53 people gathered in New York for a Broad way weekend March 6-8. The trip included an alumni reception at Gallaghers which Broadway star Dee Hoty '77 attended. She was presented an alumni flag and thanked for taking time out of her busy schedule to join the reception. The theatre goers later saw Hoty on stage at a performance of The Will Rogers Follies. The following day the group viewed the Neil Simon drama Lost in Yonkers. Thanks go to Marilyn Day ’53, Dean VanSant H’71 and Sue Long for organizing and promoting this alumni outing. Others traveling to New York that weekend included newly appointed trustee Thomas C. Morrison ’63 and his wife Sarah and Bob ’50 and Barbara ’51 Barr representing the Otterbein Home.

'82 and '87 will celebrate their reunion weekend during

Members of these classes are actively contacting classmates to encourage attendance at the fall reunions. Babysitting will be available for Saturday afternoon and evening to let Mom and Dad catch up and reminisce with former classmates. Also this spring, alumni are invited on a five-day Homecoming Oct. 16 and 17.

horseback tour of the Shenandoah Valley in Elkton, Va.

Alumni will sleep in bunkhouses and eat meals prepared by the trail cooks. The trail winds around Shenandoah National Park and Grindstone Mountain. Plans are shaping up for this year’s Alumni College, July 24-26. The weekend will include trips to COSl and AmeriFlora, attending an Otterbein Summer Theatre performance as well as a long list of short informative courses on timely subjects. Some of the subjects being covered this year are Color, Shapes and Painting, Forty-five Years of Otterbein Radio, Women’s Health Issues and Ethics in Media. All classes will be taught by Otterbein faculty and alumni.

June 16-20.

NCAA Finals Trip

Over 150 students, parents, alumni and friends of the college journeyed to St. Peters, Minn, to cheer on the men’s basketball team at the sectional NCAA tournament held March 13 and 14 at Gustavus Adolphus Gollege. Among the 22 people flying north to Minnesota with Greg Johnson, director of alumni relations, were Bob and Sandy Wells, whose daughter attends Otterbein, Bill ’58 and Marilyn Skaates, Betty Ballenger ’42, Ellen Reynolds ’65, Coach Dick Reynold’s wife and Jim and Shirley Thomas, friends of the college. Fans were flying high after the Friday night 82-78 victory over California Lutheran but not even their fervent cheers could pull out a win on Saturday and the Cardinals ended the season with a 88-67 loss to the eventual national champ Calvin. Students returned from Minnesota to face final exams and the Alumni Association kicked off exam week with the second annual Food for Thought on March 16. The number of chefs doubled from last year’s event with more than 60

In September, alumni can travel to Germany when

These two OAC teams, with German background and names, have been invited to play a regular season game in the first ever Rhine

the Cardinal football team takes on Heidelberg.

River Classic held in Frankfurt, Germany on Sept. 19.

Three different travel packages are being prepared for alumni. The Rhine River Classic tour is a five-day trip that includes plenty of time for sight-seeing as well as a ticket to the 27

ALUM I I I ! '

NOTES

Otterbein-Heidelberg game. For those less interested in sporting events and more interested in traveling, a five-day, pre-game Southern Bavaria tour and a seven-day, post-game tour of Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland and Germany are also being offered. Look for further information to arrive by mail. For more details on upcoming alumni events, contact Alumni Relations Director Greg Johnson at 898-

1400.

From the Alumni Executive Committee ... Margaret Lloyd Trent '65 Your alumni executive committee focused on accomplishing three major objectives during 1990-92. We are proud to provide this update for all alumni. We recognize that present and future accomplishments are related to the work and leadership of the many previous executive committees and alumni council members. The objectives we concentrated on were: 1. Increase the involvement of alumni in college-sponsored events. The following ore five prime examples of the success of this objective:

• In July 1991, the first Alumni Colleg e was held to bring back to campus alumni and friends of all ages; to foster fun and fellowship; and to demonstrate the quality of college education currently being provided. The event received great praise from participants who ranged in age from six to 86 years. Alumni College 1992 is scheduled for July 24-26. j

I !

• Program changes are planned and being implemented for the June 1992 Alumni Weekend and the October 1992 Homecoming Weekend to increase participation by meeting the needs and interests of the different age groups. • A wide variety of activities and trips have been offered in response to alumni needs assess ments.

• The past alumni presidents have met at the 1990 and 1991 Homecomings. This key group has provided the guidance and support necessary to reach increased numbers of alumni. • The National Alumni Association Committee has been initiated to increase participation from across the nation. The focus for increased activity is the far west region. 2. Initiate and support the involvement of college students and alumni to build a strong base for the increased participation of recent graduates. The following are only a few examples:

• The Student Alumni Council (SAC) was formed in 1991 and quickly became an active campus group. • "Food for Thought," where faculty, staff, SAC members, and alumni work together to serve dinner to students during finals week, has had two most successful March dinners. 3. Restore and enhance some campus traditions. The following are examples:

• A traditions committee was activated. I i

• The college colors—tan and cardinal— are now available, from the alumni office, in a wide variety of items such as clothing, gym bags, and flags.

•

[

These objectives and sampling of action steps have been provided as an indication that your alumni association is alive and well and very active. None of these steps could have been taken without the innovative thinking and boundless energy provided by Alumni Relations Director Greg Johnson and the support of Director of Development Jack Pietila, Vice President David Joyce and President Brent DeVore. ■

A large tan and cardinal flag flies in front of Towers Hall.

BIRTHS Birth in the Family? If there is a birth in your family, please let us know. Not only will the announce ment be included in Class Notes, but the Otterbein Alumni Relations Office will send your son or daughter a complimentary bib making him or her an official ‘'Little Cardinal from Otterbein.*^

Loretta Feller, adopted a daughter, Nora Paloma Feller, bom Oct. 12, 1991, in Lima, Peru returned to the United States Dec. 1, 1991.

Jan Johnston, a daugh ter, Kiri Mary Rose, born Oct. 15, 1991, adopted on Oct. 21, 1991.

Sharon Cassel Siegel and husband John, a son, William, bom Jan. 5, 1992 He joins brothers Joe, 11, and Jarrod, 7.

Catherine MatteiWilliams and husband Rod, twin sons, Joshua and Matthew, horn. May 30, 1991.

Charles E. Staudt Jr. and wife Sandra Kay Smith Staudt '78, a daughter, Renee Jacqueline, born Jan. 15, 1992. She joins brother Daniel Charles, 31/2.

Is Philip Mowrey and wife Pamela, a daughter, Carrie Rebecca, born Sept. 26, 1991. She joins sisters Janie,

Dean Dusthimerand 10, and Christina, 8.

Daniel Thompson and wife Valerie Glosick Thompson '83, a daughter, Marlie Laura, born Oct. 8, 1991. She joins sister Abby Lydia,

2 1/2.

Shari Warner Pen nington and husband

wife Sonya, a daughter, Nicole Elizabeth, bom Feb. 3, 1992.

Brian, a daughter, Cassandra Anne, born Nov. 27, 1991.

Cathy Myers Hahn and husband Peter, a son, Paul Michael, born Nov. 28, 1991. He joins sister Anna Jane, and brother Ben.

Lynne Hileman Leibrand and husband Steven, a daughter, Caitlin Elizabeth, born Feb. 4, 1992.

Cammie Compton Roark and husband Chris Roark '84, a son, Cameron Joseph, bom Sept. 9, 1991. He joins brothers Christopher William, 3 1/2, and Corey Michael, 2.

Jim Bragg and wife Holly, a daughter, Lindsay Marie, born Sept. 16, 1991.

Chuck Castle and wife Lisa Trochelman Castle, a son, Peter Nicholas, born Jan. 8, 1992. He joins sister Emily Nichole, 3.

Lisa Fairchild Chacey

Pamela Stacy Merion

and husband Edward Chacey '87, a daughter, Megan Eileen, born Jan. 30, 1992. She joins brother Matthew Edward, 2.

and husband Bob, a daugh ter, Devon Michelle, born July 29, 1991. She joins sister Jordan Renee, 2 1/2.

and husband Brett, a daughter, Madison Leigh, born Feb. 3, 1992.

I Qon Anna L. Stockdale to Kevin C. Brumbaugh

Leona M. Arsenault to Whitney B. Colvin on Oct. 12, 1991.

Ellen DeRhodes to Harry McCune on April Harold Howard and wife Amber Howard '93, a

David McIntyre and wife Ronda, two sons, Stuart Desmond, born July 14, 1990. Brother Ian Cole, born Jan. 14, 1992. The boys are exactly 18 months apart.

son, Brendan, born Aug. 5, 1991. He joins brother Zachary, 3.

25,1992.

Lee W. Lord to Cather ine L. McCormick on Feb. 29, 1992.

Melissa K. Miller to Eric R. Winters on Feb. 14, 1992.

Dan Morris and wife Marla, a son, Keaton Alexander, born Dec. 25, 1991.

Larry Roshon to Bobbie Rock on Nov. 30, 1991.

s Garnet Thompson,

Jeff Finlay and wife Julie Lynch Finlay, a son,

Cheryl Beam to Richard Velker on May 26, 1990.

Matthew Brendan, born Dec. 31, 1991.

Susan Rohl Hatfield

Jim Hoyle to Beth Hensley on Oct. 19, 1991

and husband John, a daughter, Amanda Michelle, born Oct. 12, 1991.

Michael "Rebel" Torek to Mary Ellen McKean '89 on Feb. 15,

David Mainella and wife Julie Neal Mainella, a son, Michael Dominic, born Feb. 4, 1992. He joins sister Alexa Marie, 2.

1992.

Kimberly Nicol Mur phy and husband David, a

Kira M. Busch to Barry A. Piar on March 14,

son, Brian David, bom Feb. 17, 1992. He joins sister Amber, 7, and brother Greg, 4.

1992.

Katie Riley to Mark Dettwiller on April 20, 1991.

Jenny Sorrell Bentley

on Dec. 21, 1991.

Mark Granger and wife Geri, a daughter, Sarah Marie, born Feb. 4, 1992. She joins brothers Matt, 15, and Ryan, 13.

1988 Charline Evans Katzeman and husband John, a

Kellie Little to Kyle D. Wolfe '90 on Nov. 9,

daughter, Chelsea Charline, born Feb. 1, 1992.

1991.

March 2, 1992, Finlay, Ohio. Thompson retired in 1957. She taught at Toledo Woodward High School and Toledo Whitney Vocational High School. She was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.

Ida Snelling Neeley, Feb. 8, 1992, Massillon, Ohio. Neeley was a retired school teacher with 37 years of service in the Lancaster area schools. She was a member of the Market Street United Methodist Church in Baltimore, Ohio. She was also a member of the Lancaster Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Lancaster Chapter of the American Association of University Women, the Delta Kappa Gamma (honorary education society), the Republican

Women’s Club, and the Fairfield County Resource Development Committee. Neeley is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Janet Neeley.

taught in the public school systems in Tampa, Ashtabula and Cleveland. He was a thirty-year veteran of Dobeckmun/Dow Chemical Company. He was an active church member belonging to First Memorial United Brethren in Toledo, Emmanuel United Brethren &. Brooklyn Heights Congregational and Chris tian Cleveland, and First United San Jose, Calif. Zepp is survived by his children.

Marguerite Gould Barnhard, April 18, 1992, Westerville, Ohio. Formerly of Cleveland, Barnhard was preceded in death by husband Clyde. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Mary Jean ’61 and Jack Pietila ’62, son Ralph, grandchildren Wendy Pietila ’92, Darci, Megan Barnhard and Elizabeth and Jim Barnhard, Jackie Pietila Hassenpflug ’89 and husband Eric Hassenpflug *89, and brothers and sisters-in-law.

Albert Zepp, Dec. 28, 1991, San Jose, Calif. Zepp

Breden. Sylvia Penden Dodd, Oct. 23, 1991, Homestead, Fla. Dodd was preceded in death by husband Charles '26. She is survived by sister Viola Peden WIddoes '28 and brother in-law Carroll

'26. Florence Rauch Hudock, Jan. 1, 1991,

Hills Nursing Home. Formerly of Sugarcreek, Ind., and Florida. Bradley also attended Sargent University in Boston, Mass., where she received her physical education degree. She returned to Otterbein to teach physical education. She was a member of the United Methodist Church at Sugarcreek and the Ohio Teachers Association and was active in volunteer work for the Girl Scouts of America. She was the first of the four Moomaw sisters to graduate from Otterbein. She is survived by sisters

Voters and was elected to various local and state offices in the organization, including one term as state president of the New Jersey League. When Dr. Howard was called to become Dean of the School of Social Welfare at UCLA, the family moved to Los Angeles. Howard was involved in the campus life and social welfare concerns at national and interna tional levels. She is preceded in death by her husband and daughter. She is survived by sons, both of Los Angeles, brother Dr. Frederick Norris '34, and sisters,

Marianne Norris Temple '33 and Vir ginia Norris Smith '36. Martha Alspach Vogel, Dec. 19, 1991,

Oct. 27, 1991, New Leba non, Ohio.

Bernice Norris Howard, Sept. 4, 1991,

Dorothy Kelbaugh Stone, July 8, 1991,

Los Angeles, Calif. Howard taught Home Economics in Wellington, Ohio, until her marriage to Donald S. Howard '25. She later studied social work at the University of Chicago. When the family moved to Radbum, N.J., she became active in community affairs. She was especially interested in the League of Women

Vienna, W.V.

Otterbein Home, Lebanon, Ohio. Hudock was preceded in death by husband John '27 and son Jack '51. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Ruth and

Oma Moomaw Brad ley, Feb. 20, 1992, Walnut

Strongsville, Ohio and Edinboro, Pa. Vogel was a member of the Edinboro United Methodist Church and the Goodyear Heights Methodist Church of Akron, Ohio. She had been an elementary school teacher in the Akron and Tallmadge, Ohio, area for 25 years. She was a member of AARP and the Edinboro Senior Citizens Group. She is survived by sons Vernon '60, and Alan Vogel.

speak to students about her career in medicine.

I ^ j j

We have received word on the death of J. P.

Friend of the College Frances Keller Harding, M.D. died on March 26, 1992. She received a Doctorate of Humane Letters in 1975 from Otterbein. She was a long-time sup porter of the College’s theatre program and over the years took time out of her busy schedule to

Feb. 26, 1992, Union City, Ohio. A long time farmer in Jackson Township, he had also taught school and coached basketball in Union City, Jackson Township and Ansonia, Ohio. He was a member of the Union City Methodist Church. Detamore was a member and past master of the Masonic Lodge ^^^^488 in Ansonia, as well as the Chapter Council, and Scottish Rite. He is survived by his children and their spouses. Bill '51, and Shirley Adams

12 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy.

Friend of the College

Kenneth P. Detamore,

Detamore '51, Betty Detamore Shives '51 and Richard Shives, Phil Detamore'55, sister Sarah Detamore '26,

John Prentice '50. Elsie Conger Powell,

i92c

Mary Margaret Moomaw Well '27, Josephine Moomaw Lahey '39 and Doris Jean Moomaw Fox '45. 30

Ruth Overly Holmes, Jan. 28, 1992, Tampa, Fla. A native of East Sparta, Ohio, she moved to the Tampa Bay area in 1948. Holmes was a registered nurse. She is survived by her children.

Margaret Priest Miller, Feb. 17, 1992, Lakeland, Fla. She was preceded in death by husband Dr. Verle A. Miller '35, brother,

Kenneth P. Priest '24, and sister, Mary Viola Menke '26. She is survived by 3 daughters and sons'in'law, Gwen Miller Reichert '60 and

Robert Reichert '60, Beverly Miller Wince '65 and Gregory Wince '68, and Sandra Miller White '67 and James White '67, five grand children, sister Neva Priest Boyles '21, and numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom attended Otterbein. Some of her fond Otterbein memo ries include accompanying the college choir to Austria in the 1970’s, and serving as an advisor to Theta Nu Sorority.

1943 Rudy H. Thomas, Feb. 4, 1

1992. Thomas served as pastor of Dover Congrega tional from 1963 until his retirement in 1988, at which time he was made Pastor Emeritus. While serving his Westlake congregation, Thomas also took part in community and areawide activities. He, along with three other Westlake ministers, was instrumental in forming the Westlake Ministerial Forum. In 1986, he received the West Shore Peace Award. He was a member of the Westlake Chapter of American Field Service and was on the Board of Directors for the Inner City Protestant Parish in Cleveland. Thomas was the founding president of the United Church Credit

Union, the moderator of the Ohio Conference, and was active in the Ohio Confer ence Outdoor Ministry Program in the 1980’s. He is survived by wife Reta La

Vine Thomas '42, daughter Trudy Thomas MacDonald '69, sons David '72, and Mark '74, and five grandchil

Preble County Chapter of Retired Teachers. Wadlington is survived by her husband of 41 years George '50 and their children. Memorials may be given to Wadlington Memorial Endowed Scholar ship/Award Fund.

Robert A. Wooden, Oct. 29, 1990, Fla. Wooden received his doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of Buffalo, N.Y. He retired as a captain after serving for over 31 years in the Navy. He served on the faculty at the U.S. Navy Dental Graduate School for 3 years. He was active in his church, was 32 degree Mason, and served in many areas of leadership in the Boy Scouts. He is survived by wife Mary.

dren. While attending Otterbein he headed the Craft Guild, a student work organization which was a dream of Dr. Frank Clements.

947 Margaret Brock, Oct. 10, 1991, Hillsboro, Ohio.

Glendine Huggins Wadlington, April 17, 1992, Eaton, Ohio. Wadlington died from injuries suffered in a car accident. She graduated from Otterbein with a degree in Education. She was a member of Epsilon Kappa Tau Sorority and one of the founders of the Kindergarten Program in Eaton in 1960-61. She retired after teaching in Kindergarten and Special Education. She was a member of Sunday School Teacher and former session member of the First Presby terian Church in Eaton, Otterbein College Alumni Centurion Club and The Ohio State University Presidents Club. Wadlington served as chair of the Preble County Pork Festival “Create-A-Pig” Committee and worked on the Education Committee. She was past president of the Preble County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities as well as historian for the

JO;" Dean L. Hancock Jr., Jan. 4, 1991, Philipsburg, Ohio. Hancock served in the United States Army. He was a member of Sphinx Fraternity which his late father Dean L. Hancock Sr. '23 helped organize. Other family members who attended Otterbein are;

Bertha Hancock Connor '21, helped found Arbutus, Kathleen Hancock Runk '31 and Charles Campbell '15. He is survived by his sister.

J953

Larry Moody, Oct. 19, 1991, Cincinnati. Moody is survived by wife Sue

Turnbull Moody '54.

Gloria Bayman Mione, March 9, 1992, Kettering, Ohio. Mione had been a school teacher for over 30

years and was presently the 3rd grade teacher at West Main Elementary in Beavercreek. She was a church and choir member at Christ United Methodist Church and a volunteer for the American Heart Association. She is survived by husband Frank G. '54, daughter Leeann, son and daughter-in-law, Mitchell and Cherry 1 Mione, sister Virginia Hogan, and sister-in-law

Rosalee Mione De Armas '59.

Michael Haag, March 29, 1992, Escondido, Calif. Died of injuries sustained from an altercation outside his home. Haag, a pilot, had been with American Airlines for 25 years. Haag was an active member of Emmanuel Faith Commu nity Church and was a wellrecognized face to dozens of area teenagers and young adults who he coached on numerous softball, soccer and football teams. Haag learned to fly planes during his five years in the U.S. Marines. He was also a helicopter pilot in Vietnam for 13 months. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Pat Jordan Haag '62, son Mike Jr., and daughters, Michele and Kristen. ■

AFrERt\DRD Paris fell — and I Celebrated by Perry Laukhuff '27

he day was July 18, 1940.

The place was Berlin, specifically, the American Embassy in the old Blucher Palace by the Brandenburg Gate. 1 was a young third secretary on the embassy staff. Germany was well embarked on the conquest of Europe. France had fallen, Britain was tottering. The United States was still neutral. Americans were largely personae non gratae. We at the embassy were uneasy, unhappy, apprehensive, and, privately, strongly anti-Nazi. For several days, feverish activity had been going on in the Pariser Platz, a rather stately space just inside the Brandenburg Gate, entering the long sweep of Unter den Linden. Work gangs had been erecting a reviewing stand and bleachers in front of the embassy, and flagpoles with great swastika banners had sprouted all over the square and on all surrounding buildings except our own embassy. On June 14, Paris had fallen to the German armies. This seemed the climax of all the victories German threats and arms had won from Czechoslovakia and Austria and Poland to the Low Countries and Denmark and Norway. There was to be a victory parade, featuring a Berlin division of the army. At the appointed hour on a Friday afternoon, the stands were full, the streets lined with deep ranks of excited Germans. In our embassy, we crowded the windows, curious, but filled with deep sadness, anger, and foreboding. The crowd stirred with anticipation, as the sound of approaching music was heard. The honor guard and band marched smartly into the Platz, commanding officers in the lead. They stopped at attention in front of the reviewing stand, not a hundred feet directly in front of the embassy. General Fromm gave a short introductory speech of proud acclamation. Then Josef Goebbels, the evilly gifted and demagogic minister of propaganda, delivered a long, rip-roaring incitation to patriotic exultation over the great victory at Paris. Excited cheers! Sieg heils! The procession got under way again. Mass enthusiasm took over. Flowers were strewn indiscriminately on the paraders—infantry, tanks, cannon, troop carriers—everything but airplanes and battleships. We watched in bitter silence from behind our curtains. After awhile, the last unit came through the gate and passed by. Goebbels left, the stands began to empty, the sidewalk crowds began dispersing in all directions. The show was clearly over. It was late afternoon, and I was dejected beyond words. I decided to go home and try to turn my back on the disasters of current history. My car was in the courtyard behind the embassy. 1 got in and charged through the gate and into the Hermann Goering Strasse, the street that ran beside the embassy. I made it into the street and, to my horror and dismay, saw that the parade was still intact. I had charged straight into its ranks. The parade had circled around through the Potsdamer Platz and back to the Brandenburg Gate via the Hermann Goering Strasse in order to return to wherever its barracks were. I was horror-struck to see that the crowds had reassembled, as if by magic, to watch and cheer the returning troops all over again. I was immediately trapped! I found myself a very visible part of the celebration of Hitler’s conquest of Paris. At that moment, in my mind’s ear echoed the despairing words of Mme. von Kudriavtzev, the embassy’s White Russian switchboard operator, who had rung my office on June 14 to ask, weeping, “Oh, Mr. Laukhuff, is it really true that Paris, our beautiful Paris, has fallen?” But in my real ears, in my parade entanglement, rang the cheers and Sieg Heils of the curbside masses. I cannot imagine who they thought I was—this lone young man in his very American Chevrolet. But people cheered and waved. Hitler Maidens dashed into the street to shower me with flowers. True, here and there an uneasy policeman had a moment of doubt and tried to signal to me to get out of the line of march but immediately realized how hopeless it was and didn’t press the point. There was obviously nowhere for me to go but forward. So I rolled along for an endless, agonizing mile or so—infantry and cannon ahead of me, infantry and tanks behind me. I was consumed with dread lest a photograph of an American embassy officer taking part in the German victory parade should somewhere appear in the press. I saw my career as a Foreign Service officer ruined. At long last, a chance to escape presented itself. I finally spied a small break in the ranks of spectators and sped through with alacrity and vast relief. No pictures appeared in the American press. But it was some days before I could confess the adventure to my colleagues at the embassy. That was 50 years ago. The embarrassment and self-reproach over my careless entanglement in that day’s events have long since evapo rated and been replaced by a sense of the comic humor of the whole incident. I suppose I could be a candidate for entry in the Guinness Book of World Records as the only American who took part in Hitler’s 1941 victory parade in Berlin to celebrate the Nazi entrance into Paris.

Perry Laukhuff is a retired Foreign Service officer who served twice in Berlin, first in 1940-41 and again from 1945'1949. He now lives in Amherst, Virginia.