Nebraska U

FROM the very date of its foundation up to the fall of 1892 the University seemed to lack some essential feature. A feeling prevailed that with the Chancellor, hedge fence, and Faculty, there was still something needed to make the instution complete. No one could exactly describe the feeling, yet all felt its depressing influence. The Faculty was increased; new students came by the hundred; social schemes were put on foot and matured, and still relief did not come, though all professed a gaiety and earnestness which they found impossible to feel. The University struggled on, however, sustained by the hope that some day this cloud of uncertainty would be dispelled.

Every doubt and fear vanished when the Class of '98 made its advent. Without blast of trumpet or shout of triumph, a long line of earnest and determined students entered these halls. We did not realize at first the importance of our presence. We studied hard, attended class and chapel regularly, and, with feelings of deepest awe, flattened ourselves against the walls whenever a janitor or a senior made his lordly progress.

Soon, however, some of the leading spirits among us discovered the import of our presence in the University. As a result a meeting of the class was called. Never before had the chapel contained a more genial crowd, more enthusiastic, and yet with so undefined a purpose. At this meeting a temporary organization was formed. Later, on the adoption of a constitution, a permanent organization was effected with the following officers: R. M. Haile, President; W. E. Sediker, Vice President; Ellen Gere, Secretary; C. L. Hopper, Historian, and E. D. Scott, Sergeant-at-Arms.

Of course the organizatinoo of "the dear children," as the Registrar fondly called us, had applied to it many of those stale old Uni. jokes, which are dryer than a twelve

The class seems already to have vindicated its right to that proud motto "Invicti," for whatever has been undertaken has resulted successfully. No long and painfully drawn out yell of "What we own" is necessary to proclaim us, but the bare mention of '98 is sufficient to bring out a crowd against whom all opposition is vain. Of this the baffled and beaten Freshmen are witnesses.

"Flunking" is not known among us except as a horrible bugbear, which haunts the dreams and recitations of the upper classmen.

When our turn comes to be upper classmen, that horrible creature, whatever it is, will, with a moan of defeat, bury itself forever among the musty and forgotten records of classes gone before.

Here ends our history; short, indeed, but filled with the victories of those who stop only when success is attained.

THE great Columbian year, 1893, noted in history as one of the remarkable years of the century, was the time, and the University of Nebraska the place, in which originated the class of '99.

That our class does justice to the time, adds luster to this already remarkable year, and is an eternal source of joy to the parental heart goes without saying. There is nothing small about us, as a short historical sketch may prove. As a noted English wit has said of the United States shortly after the war, that is inhabitants numbered forty million souls, mostly colonels, so may we say of our class, that it numbers two hundred souls, mostly First Preps.

We organized as a class October 27th. A body of perhaps sixty merry and enthusiastic girls and boys assembled in the chapel according to the call by petition of a dozen or more. A temporary organization was effected by electing F. W. Bronn, President, and A. A. Baer, Secretary. Subsequently a permanent organization was effected and the following officers chosen: President, F. W. Bronn; Vice President, Grace L. Bishop; Secretary, A. A.

Since that date we have made history, and the class has permanently established itself as a member of the University family. It has, in addition, constituted itself one of the liveliest and most genial of that interesting group, as our social events must prove.

Our first class reception was held November 22d, with an attendance of eighty, and was a decided success in every way, as have since been all our social events.

Whether sleighing or skating, in social circles or in recitation room, we find the '99ers ever the same genial energetic, shrewd manipulators of their surroundings. Shame that we should boast of our ability to manipulate scissors; yet, to prove that we are not the slowest of mortals even in class "scraps," we might refer the deluded few to the squad of "Second Preps" that waited for two hours for street cars on a cold and windy November night while their intended victim enjoyed the class reception.

We might enumerate at length similar instances, but the aim of the University is too high to admit waste of time on such trivial incidents. Suffice it to say that not a single undertaking of the class but has been a splendid success, and the word defeat is not in our vocabulary.

Source:

Author: The Students of the University of Nebraska
Title: "Class Histories of the Preparatory Department"
Periodical: The Sombrero
Volume: 2
Pages: 101-102, 105-106
1892

Ninety-Eight