Jean Elizabeth Hassler,

(Hanover College, 1945)

Valedictory Address,

Hanover College,

1945



The typescript version of this speech is available at the Duggan Library Archives, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.).


N.B. A few minor typographical errors were corrected for this digitized version of the speech.



Hanover's year of 1942-43 might very well be called "the year of lasts" if I might coin a phrase, for this is the year that really saw the transition beginning to take place in college life.

Fall of '42 was the last time that enrollment figures showed a majority of men -- there being 141 men to 132 women -- making a total of 273.

Last football games were played that fall, which meant last real Homecoming festivities complete with a Homecoming queen.  Early in the fall the Indianapolis News predicted Hanover a darkhorse in Indiana conference and warned other teams to beware of Hanover's strong team with 11 returning letter men.  Other teams must have taken this warning seriously and prepared for the mighty Hanover for Hanover's darkhorse team was able to win only one game that year.  However, the win was in the most important -- the Homecoming game with Franklin and we got possession of the Victory Bell by virtue of a 2-7 win.

Even with men in the majority on campus, Petite Prattle of the Triangle had this to say: "Men, step right up and take your pick of almost any girl; there are plenty of them and it is tear-shedding to see them dancing together at the Cabin with you all huddled in a corner."

1942 was the year of the last circle meetings and class fights.  That year the faculty announced rulings which abolished circle meetings and the annual freshman-sophomore fight.

Throughout the school  one could hear mutterings about the possible curtailment of travel -- which would seriously affect our getting home for Xmas vacation.  War courses were being added to the curriculum and there was confusion among the fellows as to the status of the enlisted reserve.

These were the days of the last fraternity formal dances.  Frat houses were steadily becoming more barren as brothers were being called to enter various branches of the service.

Second semester enrollment was down to 227 with women in the majority for the first time -- 122-105.

It was towards the last of the basketball season in '43 that Hanover burst into sports pages of papers all over the state.  Our football team may not have come up to expectations, but we had a "sure fire" basketball team.  Hanover rolled over Louisville Collegians 104-53 and Blackie Jean set a state individual scoring record of 70 points in that game.  The week before, he had amassed 50 points -- an almost unbelievable accomplishment to the startled fans.

The spring of '43 offered Hanover students the last normal coed week.  Whether it was leap year or not, etequette was reversed and the girls asked fellows for dates, called for them, took them to shows, paid for eats -- and consequently went broke fast.  The Triangle carried this announcement -- "Coed week -- March 28-April 3.  Call him early, men aren't rationed -- yet."

At the end of May 39 seniors were present to receive their degrees and bid last farewells to Hanover College.

Yes, there is the year of 1942-43 -- a year of lasts in many ways.  Fortunately these institutions are only temporarily discontinued.  They will come again and be a part of Hanover.  We upperclassmen have tried to keep alive some of the traditions that were Hanover's in normal times, so that you will come to know them and respect them too.  But, for these others, which are just memories now, we are counting on you to see that they find their old place in Hanover campus life.



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