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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 o iKW|! Milw* 4N -X 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 iicr* 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 -Y^SJ^xs -x 1%^ 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