YC Legacies

Middlebrook chapel photo courtesy 1957 Crusader

Legacy. Family. Faith. Mission. Memories. by Jared Stark ’01

Those words are just a start when describing Bob and Martha Lewis. Sitting in their living room, you can feel the depth of York College history all around you. Both have fascinating York stories, and at some point those stories became one. As we look forward to becoming York University, we simultaneously look back on York College stories. Bob and Martha have a great one.

Martha is truly unique, for many reasons, but specifically, because she fits a category of York College graduates not commonly considered. If you’re a graduate from the ’60s, ’70s, or ’80s, you most likely remember York as a two-year college. For ’90s graduates and beyond, like myself, York has always been a four-year experience. Many don’t know the story of the four-year graduating class of 1959: Lavora (Ballard) Gates, John Townsdin, Tom Schulz, and Martha Followill. Martha is the last living member of that class of 1959. Each member made a significant contribution to York’s history and would in turn, pass that legacy on to their children and even Followill grandchildren. The class itself is one of a kind, as the board voted that beginning in fall of 1959 York College would only offer Associate degrees.

Martha came to York from Lubbock, Texas, in the fall of 1957 alongside friend Echo McGuire catching a ride with Joe Humphrey in his 1953 brown two-tone Plymouth. It was a chance she took to blaze her own trail. Her dad told her, “You’ll go up there and marry some preacher!” And that’s what she did, but Martha also found a deep sense of camaraderie. She became part of a group of students who were all friends, who supported one another’s activities, organized picnics, and encouraged each other in the faith.

So many things were different back then. Coming from a big congregation in the south, Martha witnessed a firm commitment to mission for both the northern states and abroad. The students voted to do without a meal once a week so those funds could be sent out into the mission field, and on Sundays the cafeteria only offered one meal - a sack lunch. Martha, an English major, found a way to become involved in many activities and was voted Panther Sweetheart as well as being a member of the chorus and vice president of the senior class. She took note of Bob Lewis, a Bible major, and the two became an item on campus – just like her dad predicted.

Bob was part of the first student body in 1956, transferring in from Radville Christian College in Canada (later known as Western Christian), having learned about York College through a letter he thought to be from a Mrs. Mabrey Miller, registrar and assistant professor of education. When Bob arrived and realized Mabrey was Mr. and not Mrs., he jokingly wrote to his dad, “You should see this woman Mabrey. She’s the tallest, ugliest woman I have ever seen.”

Upon Bob’s arrival to campus, he joined other early classmates in doing yard work on the campus and dusting off skeletons in the science labs. Bob’s passion then was preaching, and it still is today. The big attraction for him to attend York was the opportunity to preach in small towns like Fall City, Stratton, and Benkelman, and sometimes two congregations in one day. He would preach in Stratton while one of his friends would teach Bible class in Hamlett, and then the Lewis two would swap churches. His fondest memories are ministering to those churches and joining a recreational bowling team which later became competitive.

How did Bob and Martha meet? Well, it's safe to say that times have changed. Martha was dating Bob’s roommate. Bob decided he liked Martha and bet his roommate a milkshake that she would go on a date with him. Martha learned of the bet and decided to give Bob a chance. One day after Greek class, which everybody took, a classmate mentioned she would be willing to drive some distance to listen to Bob preach. That comment helped her decide Bob was not “a goof” but a man of strong character.

Bob was a member of the cheer squad, quartet, chorus, and was named Mr. York College in 1958. He served as president of the student council in 1959 but was unable to finish his education at YC because of the college’s decision to scale back. He’s not bitter. He wouldn’t have wanted to stay anyway, because Martha was done and would be leaving. The two were married on August 25, three months

photo by Jenny (Meyer '00) Myers (above) Bob and Martha visited campus during spring Panther Days, traveling with Cody and Kathy Walker from Estes Park, Colo. Through Martha's encouragement, Ruth Walker is a freshman at YC.

after Martha graduated, and their marriage has produced many years of ministry in California, Arizona, Colorado, and Nebraska.

What really makes this story special is that Bob and Martha returned to York in 1970 so Bob could fill the pulpit at East Hill Church of Christ. He described it as “a dream come true,” and they stayed until 1987. Their legacy extends beyond those years, as all four of their children, Kirby, Kerry, Kristi, and Kevin, attended YC. In addition to receiving her English degree from York College, Martha went on to complete another bachelor's degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and would eventually become a teacher in Benedict, Neb., and later for Larsen Academy in York. In 1987 they left for Longmont, Colo., where they retired from ministry in 2008 and later un-retired when Estes Park Church of Christ needed a minister.

They are there to this day, living in the shadow of the Rockies and still blessing everyone around them. In the early days they were told about this college on the plains of Nebraska, were drawn to the mission, and gathered up the courage to go. Earlier this year, Martha “paid it forward” by encouraging a young lady from their congregation, Ruth Walker, to give York a chance, just as she had done. Ruth is a freshman majoring in business. In this way, they are still doing their part to contribute to and grow …soon to be York University. n

photo courtesy 1957 Crusader

First Steps

A total of 84 students entered the first semester that began on September 10, 1956. The opening assembly was held in the "Panther's Lair" in the basement of Middlebrook Hall, with the audience overflowing into the dining hall. Two days later, the first chapel service marked the "formal" opening of the College. Music instructor, Sam F. Hayes, led the assembly in the singing of Stand Up for Jesus as the opening hymn. York Mayor, Lloyd O. Livingston, welcomed the faculty and students. E. A. Levitt was the guest speaker on this occasion, recalling various incidents and transactions which led to the reopening of the College. He said, "Christianity is responsible for the growth and development of the finest schools in the world." The chapel hour closed with the singing of America and the York College song. An open house, primarily for the community, was held one month after school opened. Visitors totaled 325, including Fred Stilson, a member of the first York College class of 1890.

Before transitioning to a four-year college in the 1990s, York College had its one and only senior class in 1959 under the oversight of the churches of Christ. That year four students graduated with bachelor degrees — Lavora (Ballard) Gates, Martha Followill, Tom Schulz, and John Townsdin. Due to financial difficulties and limited facilities, "the decision was reached to revert to a junior college program, effective September 1, 1959, with no plans as to when, or if, a four-year program would be resumed."

photo courtesy 1957 Crusader

(above) Bob was part of the first cheer team on campus when it reopened in 1956. Other members pictured above are Echo (McGuire) Griffith, Charlotte Linder, and Diana (Fiscus) Danielson.

(Ballard) Gates Followill Schulz Townsdin