York College - A Blessed Memory

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LAST YC HOORAH

The last couple of months have certainly pulled at the heart strings as the campus has been reminded over and over again that York College's days are numbered, especially with the final: • YC Songfest production, • All-College Banquet, • YC Chapel, • York College graduating class.

We're excited to be a university, but nostalgia certainly has its place as we say farewell to our longtime friend and companion... and as we will continue to sing in our alma mater, York College will always be a "blessed memory!"

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WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

1 Dr. Mike Case and Dr. Tim McNeese (’73) were honored in April for 30 years of service to the College. 2 Mr. and Ms. York College candidates* were celebrated at the year-end banquet. Mikayla Brant, a biology major from Clear Lake, Iowa, and Justus

Coppinger, a vocal performance and Biblical studies major from York were chosen for the award by YC faculty and staff. 3 2022 Songfest "Freedom" was a wonderful return to normalcy. 4 President Smith congratulates Staff Member of the Year Roni (Arellano ’01)

Miller and Faculty Member of the Year Dr. Aleshia (Showen ’85) O'Neal. 5 Students were reminded on April 26 that they were participating in an historic moment — the last YC chapel. Using as an illustration a commemorative brick from Hulitt Hall given to him by the trustees, President

Smith charged students to build something lasting with their bricks. 6 Kitra Cody and Alexandria Diosdado smile as they receive their graduation hoods from their escorts. 7 Dr. Shane Mountjoy (’88) and Dr. Frank Wheeler (’72) were recognized for their three-plus decades of service to York College and each conferred upon with the status of Professor Emeritus.

What was it like to commit your education prospects to a small fledgling college in Nebraska reopening its doors in 1956? For most, it was an adventure! Even on a 66-year-old campus, everything was new: buildings, teachers, administration, classmates... even traditions! One such tradition that was renewed from the past was honoring the most representative students on campus. In the spring of that first academic year, John Townsdin and Elaine Huddle were the first to be named Mr. and Miss York College; although, John's title according to the 1957 Crusader was "Bachelor of Ugliness." The two would later be married and their son Doug Townsdin ’83 currently serves on the Board of Trustees.

And speaking of marriages, Tom and Dottie Schulz were the first to be wed on campus after its reopening. The couple gave decades of service together at York College and on the mission field. And hats off to any sleuth who can deduce the number of wedding ceremonies that have taken place at YC since that legendary duo.

The first students to graduate with their associates degree on May 24, 1957, were the five transfer students pictured below (l-r) Echo McGuire – Abilene Christian College (ACC), Elaine Huddle – ACC, John Townsdin – Harding College, Wanda Clements – ACC, and Lucile Swenson – Freed-Hardeman College. And like the classic Statler Brothers' song, The Class of ’57 Had its Dreams.

Herschel Dyer, a YC trustee and preacher from Lincoln, Neb., gave the commencement address: "Am I My Brother's Keeper?" It was fitting for Dyer to speak as it was he and Dale Larsen who conducted the first inquiry on May 18, 1954, into the possibility that York College would be closing. The ten-cent telephone call which eventually led to the reopening of York College was placed from an outdoor telephone booth at the junction of Highways 81 and 34.