The Bluffton news. [volume], May 25, 1950, Image 15

About The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current

Image provided by: Ohio History Connection, Columbus, OH

                
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1950
Education is the Backbone
of Democracy
Congratulations
50t
Davies Ha
Bluffton College on Your
i Anniversary
Blul
& Dress Shoppe
on, Ohio—’33
Congratulations Bluffton College
on Your 50 th Birthday
DILLMAN NEWS STAND
C. F. Dillman 1903
Fifty Successful Years
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Milw*
4N
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COLLEGE HALL
CONGRATULATIONS
BLUFFTON COLLEGE
A half century of existence is an eloquent itestimony
to the stability of any institution. We coagratulate
Bluffton College and Community on thisl record.
Bluffton Stone Co.
I
■£$ Ss-Sb
William Edwards *34, Mgr.
FOUNDERS HALL—NEW GYMNASIUM UNDER CONSTRUCTION
NEW GYMNASIUM
REPLACES STUDENT
BUILT STRUCTURE
Building, now Under Construc
tion at Estimated Cost of
$280,000
Team rah!
Team rah!
Rah! Rah! Team!
This and similar cheers could be
heard echoing through the years
from the rambling white structure
on the Bluffton College campus, bet
ter known throughout the town and
community as the “Barn’’.
This building, which is now be re
placed by a new and better gym
nasium, was erected in 1915 upon the
initiation of basketball into the col
lege athletic program. Built and
financed by student projects—solic
ita-tion letters, tag days, benefit per
formances, etc., the bam was com
pleted in 1910 and immediately began
to play a prominent place in college
and community life.
As the college grew, the athletic
department sponsored district high
school basketball tournaments in the
gym. Because of the large crowds at
these events, it was found that the
seating capacity was inadequate. An
on
A’Utietn jrlnmversary
Your Expansion Program Is An Asset to the Community
BASINGER’S FURNITURE STORE
Forty-Eight Years of Dependable Service
THE BLUFFTON NEWS. BLUFFTON, OHIO
We’re Pulling for Bluffton College
on their 50th Anniversary
CONGRATULATIONS!
Old Barn, Nucleus of Athletics
For Thirty-five Years is Passing
enlargement of the gym was there
upon made several years later, enabl
ing the construction of a stage and
bleachers. With increased space, the
barn soon came to be used for over
thirty years not only for athletic
events, but also for Messiah concerts,
conferences, parties, banquets and
community meetings.
Barn Passes
Within recent years, it again be
came obvious to school authorities
that the barn would not serve the
needs of the Bluffton College of the
future. Seating capacity was in
adequate, modern and hygenic ath
letic facilities were sadly lacking and
the building itself was condemmed as
unsafe for large crowds.
With .these facts in mind, the
Bluffton College Board of Trustees,
upon the recommendation of the col
lege administration, approved early
last year, the building of a new
auditorium-gymnasium to replace the
barn. The late Oliver Davidson,
Pandora architect, was instrumental
in drawing up floor plans for the
building now being elected by Robert
Miller, Columbus Grove contractor.
Ground breaking ceremonies for the
new gymnasium, located north of the
barn, were held on May Day 1949,
with the corner stone being laid as a
part of Homecoming festivities last
fall.
Founders Hall, as the new building
is being named, will provide many
necessary facilities which the old
bam lacked. Of outstanding im
portance is the gym floor measuring
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Annual Tug-O-War Through Little Riley by
Freshmen and Sophomores
WxEL MOTOR SALES
FORD SALES and SERVICE
Clayton Bixel, Prop.
Bluffton, Ohio Cherry Street
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S^Sk
ege on your
Bluffton, Ohio
50X90 ft., with a 6 ft. clearance on
each' side and 8 ft. clearance on the
ends. A 25X80 ft. recreation room is
provided as is a 33X105 ft. stage
with folding bleachers. Other facil
ities include a kitchen and hygenic
dressing and shower rooms. Aside
from the adequate lobby space there
is room for a seating capacity of
2,000 people for either games or
public meetings.
Student Union Quarters
Separate quarters also are pro
vided in the building for a student
union embracing a large recreation
room, a lunch room and a kitchen. A
student snack shop and storage
rooms utilize the remaining first floor
space.
Several minor purposes also are be
ing served by the new building. On
the second floor offices are provided
for men and women physical educa
tion directors, as are therapeutic
rooms to care for minor physical ail
ments, practice rooms for music
students, and display cases for the
exhibition of fine art objects. A
hobby room is also provided for stu
dents’ development along such lines.
Civic and collegiate sen-ices offer
ed by Founders Hall are numerous
and varied. The new building will
be used by the public for district
basketball tournaments and public
meetings, as well as for public recre
ational and college athletic contests.
The kitchen and lunch rooms will be
handy for serving luncheons, ban
quets, and teas.
Large Auditorium
The auditorium incorporated with
the gym will permit bringing schol
astic musical contests to this area as
well as providing adequate space for
union church services and denomina
tional conferences. The building will
also answer a need for performances
such as the annual college Messiah
concerts, Shakespearean plays, and
commencement programs.
Cost of erecting and furnishing
Founders Hall is set at $280,000.
The building is being financed pri
marily through private subscription
pledges and solicitation drives held
in various Mennonite communities.
According to Carl M. Lehman, college
treasurer, present cash receipts
amount to $203,000 and pledges to
$5,000.
Founders Hall, according to present
plans, will be completed within a
year. Inscribed with the words of
N. C. Hirschy, first president of
Bluffton College, “Let us expect great
things, the foundation is now laid,”
Founders Hall will indeed be a build
ing of great benefit to the town,
community and school another step
in the never ending growth and
progress of Bluffton College.
We’re Glad to Have
Bluffton College
in Our
Community
Congratulations
on your
Golden Anniversary
We Take Pride in Your 50 Years of Academic Service
Meadow Gold Dairy
Bluffton, Ohio
Congratulations Bluffton College
on Your
Golden Anniversary Celebration
Congratulation^ J^u^ton College
on gour Qi^tietii d3irtkdag
6-Jc
Former President of Bluffton College
DILLER FUNERAL HOME
Phone 222-W BLUFFTON 239 S. Main St.
PAGE FIVE
Hall and Lincoln Hall
A Fine Educational Institution
in a Fine Community
THE REXALL STORE
Armin Hauensteir T2 Bluffton, Ohio