From
the
Archives
compiled by Stephen Grinch ’98
Presidential Varsity “O” Sweater
One of Otterbein’s most recent archival acquisitions is the Varsity “O” sweater that belonged to former Otterbein President J. Gordon Howard ’1922. According to the 1922 Sibyl, Howard was, “Journalistically inclined, this young man is the editor of the Tan and Cardinal. He participates in athletics, especially football. Has some firm friends and no enemies. Besides his work he has a girl.” The Archives is indebted to his granddaughter, Elizabeth Eckersley, for the sweater and several other items (including copies of his many writings) that belonged to our former president. Howard was Otterbein’s 15th president and served from 1945 to 1957.
J. Gordon Howard ’1922
Sierra Leone Classroom
Otterbein long held a special relationship with this West African country, dating back to the 1860s when Amanda Hanby Billheimer ’1858, sister to Benjamin Russell Hanby ’1858, and her husband became the first United Brethren missionaries to preach there. In the years that followed, Otterbein sent numerous missionaries to Sierra Leone, and the country sent some of its finest students to Otterbein. In the winter of 1970, 15 students from Otterbein, under the direction of Education Professor Margaret Stauffer, spent a term teaching Home Economics and English to students in the towns of Pelewahun and Moyamba. This photo shows Judy Clister ’71 with her “fourth class” girls at the June Hartranft Memorial School for Girls in Moyamba.
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| O t t e r b e i n To w e r s | Early Summer 2014
Doughnuts and Homecoming
Here’s another photo in which you can help us identify the subjects. We believe this was from Homecoming 1991. Another clue is the 123 address that can be seen on the house. The flag and shirts should also help. Is it you in the photos? Let us know at alumniinfo@otterbein.edu.