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Manchester University Archives and Brethren Historical Collection

 

Full listing > Accession MC2011/132
Accession #MC2011/132
TopicWorld War Two - Record Collection
KeywordsDiscs, Homecoming, WWII, College History, Holl, Schwalm, Madonna Wine, ,
TitleHomecoming During World War Two
SizeDiscs and 8 CDs
LocationSanctum, Bottom Shelf of Unit #5
CitationHomecoming During World War Two, MC2011/132, Archives and Brethren Historical Collection, Funderburg Library, Manchester University, North Manchester, Indiana.
AccessResearchers are responsible for determining copyright status of archived materials where this is relevant to their intended use of the materials.
ProvenanceArchives' Stacks
Scope and Content

The broadcast script was discovered in Small Box 32 and has been placed with the vinyl recordings in MC2011/132

Disc #1, sides 1 and 2:  Effects of WWII on Manchester College delivered in a positive report by President Schwalm.  Announcement of Winger Memorial Building.

Disc #2, sides 1 and 2: Greetings from 1943 student body, and the welcoming of Dean Holl. Homecoming football game eliminated.  Only enough male students on campus to occupy 2 floors of the boys dorm. Recognition is made of those alumni missing from activities who are serving the country during wartime.  The football on the banner that was hung yearly, was replaced by a black and gold shield containing a a blue star to stand for those serving their country (on the left), and a gold star (on the right) honoring  those who have made the supreme sacrifice.  Dean Holl had been teaching Chemistry at Ball State and returned to campus at this time. Alumna, Miss Olive Bagwell will give a presentation and Miss Madonna Wine played the piano.  This is probably another series of recorded clips that was used as  interludes between Homecoming events.

Disc #3, side 1: Alumni Speech at Homecoming by Miss Olive Bagwell, 24 October 1943.

Disc #4, side 1: Homecoming Broadcast Speech, Dean Holl. MC paying tribute to alumni and friends. Never before have the alumni and students been scattered so widely over the world.  More than 500 men from Manchester College are recognized, land, sea, and air, for responding valiently to the war effort.  Civilians on the home front in , farm, school, office, factory, and home, ... also are hightlighted for serving nobly in the trying times.  24 October 1943.

Disc #5, side 1: Richard Baker 9-17-1941 - Comments on assisting Britian in winning war with Germany.

Disc #5, side 2: Dean Holl, Broadcast Speech, 19 October 1943.  Never before in the history of the College have so many students and alumni been scattered so widely. Perhaps this was another presentation of the Holl speech delivered 24 October 1943.  The speech cuts out in mid sentence.

Disc #6, side 1: Interludes for Broadcast.  A series of clips that would probably be used as interludes for the various events, eg. "Dean Carl W. Holl is next to speek."  Explanation of the shield (instead of football)  being placed on the alumni banner to show Manchester's spirit of loyalty and service.  Introdoction of Miss Olive Bagwell.  A couple recordings of the information was recorded.

Disc #6, side 2: Alumni address by President Schwalm.  This is a repeat, or a close copy, of Disc #1.  A few paraphrases:

  • War has taken 3/4th of our boys.
  • Intercollegiate football and basketball are part of war casualities.
  • College feels deeply the tragic effects of war.
  • 165 freshmen enrolled.
  • Enrollment of 270 women and 90 men. This unbalance among men and women makes life interesting (that is, for the men).
Date of Accession20 April 2011
Bio History Note


Because the vinyls have different dates we are not sure if these are from the actual broadcast, if they are practice recordings – or if these recordings were made in advance and played for the broadcast?

Most of these vinyls were part of a series of recordings of radio broadcasts done for Homecoming 1943. WOWO Ft. Wayne is the broadcasting radio station.

A comment written on the record folder indicates Richard Baker might be a U.S. aid to England.  This appears to be part of a question and answer session.

Record speeds: 78 and 88.

Information from further research:

2:46 minutes - Disc #4 - 24 October 1943: Homecoming Broadcast Speech, Dean Carl Holl. Manchester College paying tribute to alumni and friends – the following is not a direct transcription, but it gives the listener a feel of what is being said:     Never before in the history of the College have the alumni and students been scattered so widely – South Pacific Islands – North Africa and the Mediterranean – Puerto Rico – Near East and Far East.  Wherever there are men called to selective service, there you will find Manchester men.  These men, numbering more than 500, we today pay our sincerest tribute. Wherever you are, or whatever you are doing, on land, on the sea, or in the air, we know you are responding valiantly and are Manchester men in the finest sense of that term.  Then there are the thousands of the other alumni that are carrying on on the home front in a civilian capacity - on the farm, in the school, in the office, in the factory, many are in the home with the responsibility of parenthood and family life – these too, are serving nobly in these trying times and we point with pride (…..?).  The Homecoming program which for many years brought back to campus many students, is greatly altered this year. Due to shortage of manpower there is no intercollegiate football game to thrill returning alumni.  But the Homecoming banner which has floated for years on the Chime Tower as a symbol of the day, is still in place. This year, the black and gold football designed in felt is being replaced by a shield given to the men and women who are now in service.  The shield will be placed on the banner by Mr. Howard Luginbill, president of the student body. I am glad to present Mr. Luginbill (student president).

0:00 – 1:49 - Disc #2 - 28 October 1943 - Student Response – Howard Luginbill (president of Associated Student Body) - the following is not a direct transcription, but it gives the listener a feel of what is being said:     “Thank you Dr. Holl.” Greetings on behalf of the 1943- 1944 student body at MC.  Although alumni are not here in as large numbers as previous years, we are happy to celebrate Homecoming anyway. No Homecoming football game today – however, we are enjoying 6 men intermural football.  Instead of having enough men to fill the boys’ dorm and many rooming houses in town, we have only enough men to fill only two floors of the boys’ dorm. But, in spite of all the inconveniences of war – we are carrying on.  Our library and laboratories are still operating, our faculty and students are here. We have a fine school spirit.  We are trying to uphold the MC which you once knew.  It is in recognition of those of you who studied here where we are now studying, and who once walked where we are now walking – who are now serving our country in some manner or another – in this great struggle – that we are happy to pin on this homecoming banner this shield, instead of the traditional football.  We want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you - and we are anxiously awaiting the day when you may be back for another “homecoming” – not only at Manchester – but in homes all over America and the world.

1:59  forward - Disc #2 -  Announcers’ Script

2:55 Mr. Luginbill is now placing on the black and gold shield on the banner.  On the upper part of the black shield is the numeral 43 in gold.  The lower half of the field is divided vertically by a red, white and blue stripe.  To the left is a blue star for those students and graduates who are serving their country.  To the right is a gold star honoring those who have made the supreme sacrifice. The shield is in place and the audience is rising.

4:40 – IDENTIFICATION –WOWO Ft. Wayne - Broadcast from the College Chapel ….Free Wittenauer (spelling?) (was this the WOWO announcer for program?)


Disc #6 – October 25, 1943 :  President F. Vernon Schwalm delivers the alumni address - The following is more of an outline than a transcription.  The first part describes the College during WWII – the President follows with a description of improvements on campus and an appeal for gifts: Friends of MC and the radio audience- brief message about Manchester College.  War has made inroads on many aspects of college life. It has taken ¾ of our boys. Intercollegiate football and basketball are among the war casualties. Some of our young women have been lured into lucrative positions on military duty to do their bit for the war effort. Several faculty have found work elsewhere – some temporarily on leave.  Our college along with all others feels deeply the tragic effect of war.  Good school year – 165 freshman, 80 sophomores, 50 juniors, 61 seniors. 270 women and 90 men.  This unbalance between men and women makes life interesting (that is, for the men).  The social program on campus has not failed. Parties, banquets, folk games.  Men are playing touch football - and women – tennis, softball – or are taking hikes and nature study.  Lecture program.  Improvements in library, band room etc.  On campus, a regional conference attended by about 250 intellectual leaders of our region. Staff announcements. Description of financial gifts. College was able to close the year in the black. Restart building fund to raise money for Fine Arts building in honor of former President Winger who grew MC into one of the largest private colleges of Indiana and the largest of Brethren colleges. Financial appeal…ending with “We dedicate this broadcast to the Winger Memorial Development Fund...” “With best wishes---Good night.”  


Archivist NoteDescription prepared 20 April 2011 by Jeanine M. Wine and updated 6 November 2015 by Jeanine M. Wine..
 


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