PART TWO: RADBURN'S MEMOIRS

1945-1969
by Lillian M. Torkelson

First Published in 1970 for the 25th
Anniversary of the College

First Printed by
Western Christian Foundation
Wichita Falls, Texas


1945-1946 Enrollment: Bible--32

At a fellowship meeting in Radville, June 30 to July 2, the reports regarding proposed organization were given by the committee selected the previous autumn. Finally, on July 2, 1945, it was agreed to organize a society of shareholders for "The promotion of Christian education in accordance with the principles and tenets of The Church of Christ," and "To establish, maintain and conduct schools and other institutions for the promotion of Christian and higher education." (These excerpts are taken from the Charter.)

Shareholders in the society would be faithful members of the Churches of Christ, over eighteen years of age, who had purchased a five dollar share. From and by these shareholders a board of directors with two-year terms was to be elected. On this July 2, 1945, the first board of directors was selected: G. J. Pennock, St. James, Manitoba (chairman); Wilfred Orr, Radville, (vice-chairman); J. C. Bailey, Radville (treasurer); H. E. Peterson, Radville; and Manley Jacobs, Horse Creek, Saskatchewan.

Would you like to meet the Directors of R. C. C.? They were a capable group. I respected and admired them very much: Gordon J. Pennock, chairman (preaching for the Burnell Street Congregation, Winnipeg), the youngest of the five, was a good organizer, mighty in action. He had faith in the school: "I believe that the Bible Schools have been the greatest factor responsible for the splendid condition of the work in Saskatchewan. Brethren have learned to take their place in sustaining the work of the local congregation largely through the school."

Wilfred Orr, vice-chairman (evangelist and builder). For him no sacrifice was too great for the cause of Christ. Like Chaucer's poor parson, "But Cristes lore and his apostles twelve he taught, but first he folwed it himselve."

J. C. Bailey, treasurer (evangelist, publisher, and editor of the _Gospel Herald_), was aggressive, hard working, with a burning evangelistic zeal.

H. E. Peterson was a successful, practical farmer who had a layman's deep interest in providing a Christian education for the young people of Saskatchewan. From experience, he knew the difficulties involved in sending high school children away from home.

Manley Jacobs was a plain-spoken farmer preacher who often untangled the knot with his blunt common sense.

On Tuesday, July 3, the first meeting of the Board of Directors was held at the home of J. C. Bailey. One of the major decisions made at this meeting was the choosing of a name for the school. No charter could be procured from the government without a name.

I shall long remember one amusing incident at this meeting. As Gordon J. Pennock wanted a Biblical name, Wilfred Orr was reading a list of names from the Bible concordance, and the other directors were listening attentively for a name that would suit their fancy. He read, "Bethel, Bethesda, Bethaven"--(a pause). "That's a good name," said Brother Pennock, "What does Bethaven mean?" After a search, Brother Orr replied, "House of Wickedness." Needless to say that name was rejected. (I was present because I was the first secretary for the Board).

It is rather interesting to note here that two of the names suggested that day were "Western Christian School" and Western Canada Christian College"--names very similar to the one our school bears today. The name chosen that day was "Radville Christian College." It seemed presumptuous to call our school a college, when it had only one three month term of Bible study in the winter and another three week term in the summer. Moreover, these courses were conducted in two, very small, unfinished buildings. The people of the prairies have long been known for their faith in the future, and these five directors surely had great faith when they named their little school, Radville Christian College."

During the fall of 1945, the Board, directed by its chairman, Gordon Pennock, obtained a charter on a non-profit basis from the province of Saskatchewan under the Benevolent Societies Act. The Board did not plan to immediately extend the services of the school. Its energies were devoted toward making the new building suitable for winter occupation. Aided by several brethren who volunteered services, Brother Wilfred Orr, the building supervisor, worked faithfully to complete this latter task.

That winter, during the Bible school term, Radville Christian College had several "first" milestones. The first winter Bible classes were taught in the new building on the new campus near Long Creek. The first cook, Mrs. L. Gamble, was hired. (The students of the Bible school had cooked previous winters.) The teacher was paid a first set salary. He and his family were to live on seventy-five dollars a month. The first lectureship was held with Brother Claude A. Guild of Texas as the guest speaker.

The principal, Morris Bailey, reported that the total number in attendance at Radville Christian College was thirty-two. Of this number, twelve were enrolled for the entire term and several others attended the last two months. Board and tuition for students that year was twenty-one dollars a month.


1946-1947

Enrollment: Bible--4; High School--11

The first annual meeting of the shareholders was held at Horse Creek, Saskatchewan, on July 2, 1946. At this meeting, the shareholders requested that the directors investigate the possibilities of opening a high school department in September. I recall that Roger Peterson eloquently urged the need of a high school where young people could obtain their education from Christian teachers.

Why were the shareholders anxious to have a high school as part of R. C. C.'s work? In this country of sparsely settled areas where our severe winters create travel difficulties on country by-roads, parents are often obliged to send their children away from their farm homes to attend high school in a neighboring town. These parents are concerned about their young teenagers away from home, and would be relieved to place them in a residential school where the supervisors are consecrated Christians.

Furthermore, it is well recognized by educators that young people in their early teens are more concerned about obtaining the approval of their own age group than of their parents or teachers. During these critical years, wise parents try to place their children in an environment where they are able to associate with the kind of young people who will encourage them to better living rather than with those who would deter them.

Moreover, while most parents realize that the public school may give sound teaching in academic subjects, Christian parents know that education is incomplete without the inculcation of deep spiritual values as well.

These views among many others were heard at the Horse Creek meeting. After the prayerful consideration of the arguments in favour of establishing a high school and of the problems involved in the project, the Board decided that classes in all the high school grades would commence at Radville Christian College on September 16, 1946.

I was asked to be the teacher. The Board did not have much choice in the matter of securing teachers, as I was then the only qualified high school teacher among the brethren in Saskatchewan.

It is rather interesting to recall, more than twenty years later, that I taught for several years at Radville Christian College without any written contract; in fact, without any motion in the minutes of the Board meetings officially engaging me as a teacher.

Not many residential high schools of modern days have opened with facilities as inadequate as ours. In our school building (the one on the banks of Long Creek) only three rooms, the classroom, the dining room and my bed-sitting room, had the finish plaster coat. We had decent flooring on one floor-our classroom. We had few chemicals for our laboratory and fewer books for our library shelf. In spite of the many inadequacies of our physical plant, I anticipated the opening of school with glowing enthusiasm, because I had dreamed of teaching in a Christian high school for fifteen years.

Under the direction of Wilfred Orr, a crew of volunteers worked many days before the opening of school, painting, carpentering, plastering and cleaning. On Sunday, September 15, I wrote in my diary, "The Johnson girls, Kay and Beverley, arrived last night. We have to make our own meals as we have no cook as yet. Am tired out but the school looks nice." I must have been like the doting mother who always thinks her children look lovely, because Mrs. L. Anderson later told me that when she arrived with her daughters she was so disappointed with the condition of the dormitory that she almost took them back home again. We didn't even have a coal stove in working order in the kitchen of the dormitory.

When school opened on Monday, September 16, I had six students. They were Kay and Beverley Johnson, Pauline Perry, Bernice Peterson, Harold Orr and Raymond Lock. As five more students (Sheldon Jefkins, Leo Seibel, Murray Cutting, Gordon Taylor, and Mabel Knutson) enrolled later, we had a total of eleven in the high school that year.

I taught the eight required courses to each of the four grades of high school. My fifteen minute lessons had no time for long winded jokes. There were no wasted words! Under my direction, the students studied a great deal by themselves. This was modern individualized study because of necessity! As well as teaching school, I acted as supervisor for the girls who were living upstairs in the school building. The boys lived across the river up town in the old Bible school dormitory, under the supervision of Morris Bailey. The daily Bible classes for the high school students were taught by Morris Bailey, Wilfred Orr, and J. C. Bailey.

We had many vexing problems that first year, such as how to keep at least one gas lamp in running order (we had no electricity), how to wash bedding without a washing machine, how to keep warm in a blizzard without storm windows, and how to keep the water out of our dining room during the spring thaws. I remember that one of the students, Leo Seibel, carried ninety, five-gallon pails of water out of our furnace and vegetable rooms one day. As the water seeped into these rooms, it had to be carried out, or else it would overflow into our dining room and kitchen which were in the basement of the building.

Notwithstanding our many problems, we did have a successful year. In spite of our lack of books and laboratory equipment, in the June Provincial Department of Education examinations, one of the graduates received the highest marks in our school unit of ten high schools, and another student received one hundred percent in both algebra and geometry.

From the very first year, our students have written the standard and departmental examinations set by the Provincial Department of Education. The answer papers of our grades XI and XII students were shipped to the Department of Education at Regina where they were marked by a group of sub-examiners. Those students who passed these examinations were granted diplomas, and no questions asked regarding library and science equipment or teaching certificates of the instructors. Without question, from the very first year of operation, our graduates could enter Teachers' College, Nurses' Training Schools, or any University of Canada (if the graduate had taken the matriculation course). In fact, the grade XII matriculation course of Saskatchewan is recognized as first year arts in our Canadian universities and in American colleges.

In spite of the small enrollment that first year, many extra- curricular activities flourished. Mabel Knutson, secretary of the Students' Assembly, reports as follows in the May issue of the _Messenger_ (a publication of the Board of Directors):

"In January we had a panel discussion on 'The attitude of Young People Toward Religion.' It was a pleasure to us all to study and organize material on this topic.

"In the early part of February, a bazaar was held to raise funds for the treasury of the students' assembly. It was a definite success. Several people remarked on the variety, originality, and number of articles displayed.

"There were many dejected faces when it was announced that we were each to write a four page essay on some suitable topic, later to be given as a speech at an oratorical contest. However, we lived through it and I know that each of us benefitted a great deal by it. Social evenings which included a short program followed by a session of games and lunch were held every month throughout the school term. We also had an outdoor party this spring that was enjoyed by all.

"The first period of school every morning is devoted to Bible study and memory work. During the year the books of Matthew, Acts and James have been studied. A written synopsis of Acts, which we memorized, was a great help to us in remembering the contents of that book. It is really wonderful that we have the opportunity of going to a school under Christian supervision. The Lord needs sincere, earnest workers in His vineyard and I can think of no better way to prepare ourselves to fill this station in life than attending a school like Radville Christian College."

A highlight of that year was our spring lectureship. Brother Don Morris, president of Abilene Christian College, was our guest speak er. We shall long remember the encouraging words of Brother Morris as he looked over our small, unfinished building and muddy campus and declared with such evident sincerity in his voice, "You have a wonderful opportunity here, a wonderful opportunity."

In March of 1947, a war surplus airport building at Estevan was purchased by the board of directors for the sum of one thousand dollars. As it was estimated that the original cost of erecting this building was twenty thousand dollars, we were exceedingly pleased with this bargain. The major problem of the Board for the next year was to raise enough money to pay for the building and to pay for its transportation to Radville, a distance of nearly one hundred miles. For some time, because of the difficulty in obtaining a company that would be willing to move the building, there was some talk of moving our one small building from Radville to Estevan and establishing the school there. This idea of the school leaving Radville did not gain much favour as the two chief workers in the school, Wilfred Orr and J. C. Bailey, had their homes in Radville, and we could not envisage the school progressing favourably without their energetic support. Finally, in order to raise enough money to pay for the Air Force building and in order to decrease the moving problem, one wing had to be sold.

In May 1947, Radville Christian College held its first graduation exercises. The _South Saskatchewan Star_, Radville's weekly newspaper, gave this account of the event:

"About forty guests and students gathered in the dining hall of Radville Christian College Saturday evening (May 31) for a banquet in honor of the grade XII graduating class. After the meal the student body sang the school song which was followed by a short talk by Wilfred Orr, vice-president of the board of directors, who acted as master of ceremonies. The guest speaker was Cecil T. Bailey, principal Rush Lake School near Moose Jaw. His subject was 'The Power of Little Things'. The valedictory address was given by Miss Mabel Knutson, one of the graduates, who took for her subject, 'Heaven is not reached at a single bound.'"

"H. E. Peterson spoke for a few minutes on the value of education. Raymond Lock, president of the students' assembly, gave a short talk and read last wills and testaments of the departing students. J. C. Bailey presented the two graduates, Kathleen Johnson and Mabel Knutson, with gifts of books from the board of directors and gave a talk on the future of the school."

"The program was interspersed with songs by a trio of Mrs. J. C. Bailey, Leo Seibel, and Roger Peterson, a duet by Bernice Peterson and Leo Seibel, and a Norwegian song by Martin Knutson, Sr. The evening closed with 'Blest be the tie that binds.'"

During the summer holidays, the basement for the Estevan airport building was partially constructed. Also arrangements for transporting the building were completed, but there was further delay because the highway from Estevan to Radville was undergoing extensive repairs.



1947-1948

Enrollment: Bible--19; High School--17

In the fall J. C. Bailey became head of the Bible Department and business manager for the school. There were nineteen students taking the special five month course in Bible that year. Brother J. C. Bailey continued to be head of the Bible department until the spring of 1955, when he moved to Carman. During the years that he taught at Radville Christian College his optimism, courage, and zeal encouraged many of our students to dedicate themselves to Christ's cause.

As business manager, Brother Bailey worked ceaselessly to raise money for the school--to pay for the moving of the building from Estevan, for the installation of electric lights (a special line had to be built from the town of Radville), and to obtain other much needed equipment for the school. In his efforts he wrote hundreds of letters and made many trips to different parts of Canada and the United States. He appeared on the Lectureship program at Abilene Christian College several times speaking on our behalf, acquainting the many thousands of brethren who visited Abilene with the needs of our little school. A news report from the _Trumpet_, January 1948, says:

"Brother J. C. Bailey and five of the boys from the Bible department attended the lectureship at David Lipscomb College at Nashville, Tennessee, during the last part of January. This week the five boys have been giving talks in chapel service telling about their impressions of the trip."

Another excerpt from the same issue of the _Trumpet_ reads as follows:

"The students of Radville Christian College in both the high school and the Bible department are starting a competition to see which department can raise the more money. This fund is to be used for a new building which will be erected next summer. Brother J. C. Bailey brought this idea for the campaign back from the Christian College in Nashville, Tennessee. I am sure that these donations will be a great help to R. C. C. and if we all put our effort into raising this money, we will benefit by it. The quota for the high school is set at twenty-five hundred (2,500.00). This campaign is to last from March to November."
With J. C. Bailey's determined encouragement, the students did help to raise a big portion of their quota. They wrote letters to friends and relatives, or they pleaded with them during the holidays. Brother Bailey spurred the students to greater activity by progress graphs on the bulletin board and by regular announcements in chapel. I suppose the greatest factor that has contributed to Brother Bailey's success as a fund raiser for the school is that he believes in his cause so implicitly that he gives most liberally himself.

It is difficult for people who have attended only the public schools of this country or our Christian Colleges in the United States to visualize the pitiful inadequacies of the equipment of our school in those early days. Imagine that a reporter of the _Trumpet_ during the second year of school considered the addition of a pencil sharpener to the school of sufficient importance to report the fact in the October issue of the paper!

The three highlights of the spring term were the installation of electric lights, the fire scare, and the flood. I shall long remember the cheer that arose on the eve of the spring banquet when the girls discovered that they could turn on the electric lights. No more smoky kerosene lamps in the bedrooms; no more gas lamps for study hall; no more trudging with gasoline cans across the railway bridge (there were no cars on campus); no more frustrations when flying insects destroyed our mantles. We were enjoying the miracle of electricity.

One morning during chapel service, while Brother Bailey was away at the David Lipscomb Lectureship, I smelled smoke. Very quietly, without disturbing anyone, I ran downstairs to the furnace room. There, flames were leaping to the ceiling. Again, quietly I ran upstairs and whispered to Ray Lock, our fifteen year old janitor sitting in the rear of the classroom, "There is a fire in the basement." Without disturbing the chapel service, we rushed downstairs to put out the fire. On the way, Ray grabbed a fire extinguisher and I hurried to the pump in the basement. As soon as I started pumping, Harold Orr (grade XI) sensed there was a fire and ran upstairs for another fire extinguisher. The three of us worked quickly for a few minutes before the other students realized the building was on fire. With the help of all the boys, the fire was soon extinguished without much damage except the burning of some sacks stored in the furnace room. After the smoke cleared away, classes resumed; but I was somewhat shaky all day, especially when I considered what might have happened.

I remember the excitement on the campus in April, when the boys built earthen dykes around our one building to hold back the water that was overflowing from rampaging Long Creek. The boys rotated for service on the dykes during class hours. Since the road had been cut off by high water over the bridge, our boys rowed the boat across the widened Long Creek to obtain certain necessary supplies from town. During the night, in order to watch the dykes more closely, they slept on the classroom floor. Those were tense hours for us all. Then late one night, the water broke through the dykes. As we looked through the open door, we could see the water swirling madly around the building. I hastily called the girls from their beds upstairs. At the time, I marvelled at their speed in dressing. Later, one girl told me that she had been lying in bed in her jeans waiting for me to call. Except for one student who was upstairs weeping from fear, the entire student body (sixteen) worked feverishly to clear the basement floor, where our dining room and kitchen were located, of all the supplies, movable furniture and more than a hundred heavy bags of cement. Once I saw a little girl carry alone a bag of cement up the stairs. The final trip was made in water reaching the arm pits. The task was completed in less than thirty minutes. I have never seen young people work so efficiently nor so rapidly as upon that occasion. After a gab fest, discussing the amusing incidents of the evening, we sang a few hymns and retired for the remaining hours of the night.

Next morning, because the spillway below the campus had broken, the water receded to its normal course and we were left with a dining room full of water and a disorderly array of dishes, food, and cement in the hallway and on the Bible classroom floor. We laboriously carried the necessary kitchen and dining room equipment to the empty Orr house nearby, (the Orr family had moved to Moose Jaw), and used it as a dining room for the remaining months of the term.

We had student cooks during those two months. They rallied gaily to their task, but three items--chocolate cake, prunes, and string beans--occurred rather frequently on the menu. Their frequent presence engendered much good-natured repartee and I recall with amusement that the first course of the Farewell Banquet that year consisted of an inch square of chocolate cake, one prune, and four pieces of string beans!



1948-1949

Enrollment: Bible--20; High School--19

In the fall Cecil T. Bailey and Doris Lewis were added to the staff. Brother Bailey taught for two years, and afterward went to Winnipeg to further his education at the University there. Miss Lewis taught for nearly three years, and then she left to marry one of the Board members, George Husband.

I used to say that if my bed-sitting room in the school could talk, it would relate some interesting tales. It was used as classroom, committee room, counsellor's room, reception room canteen, and even the room where our popular young commercial teacher received a proposal of marriage on a cold, blizzardy February evening.

In the late fall of 1948 one-half of the H shaped Air Force building from Estevan finally arrived on the campus. Immediately after the Christmas holidays, this building was used as a Bible school classroom and boys dormitory. The following summer the other half of the building was attached to it.

From the _Messenger_ a report on construction reveals the problems that confronted the school at this time:

"Considerable progress has been made in developing the physical accommodations a Radville Christian College. The present building has been improved by the addition of storm windows which were sorely needed. Several more students' desks are on order and a washing machine has been purchased. Students' laundry problem has been a real one because the only laundry in Radville closed shop some months ago.

"The foundation for the building purchased from the War assets Corporation has been completed with the exception of the floor, and one half of the building now has been moved into place. The other half is still in Estevan, ninety miles away. It will be impossible for the mover to complete his contract until the roads clear up in the spring. The moving of the building has been a trying proposition. Many months of negotiation took place before we could get a mover who was able and willing to undertake the job. We were finally successful when we cut the building into halves so that they could be moved separately. This, of course, considering the cost of cutting it, and then having it rebuilt intact, has run us into a further expense. It will be still a very cheap building to us when the job is completed.

In the meantime, while we are waiting for the completion of this work, many inconveniences and hardships are being borne both by teachers and students. Without their willingness to bear these burdens, R. C. C. would never have been born. We should ever be grateful to them.

In the spring of 1949, Radville Christian College had an influenza epidemic. Many of the thirty-nine students (nineteen high school, twenty Bible department) became seriously ill with the disease. As girls' supervisor, I attempted to nurse the sick girls. One evening during the siege, I became rather frightened when a student reported that a girl who had been well enough to eat supper in the dining hall, now two hours later, had a very high fever. Although worried, I tried to appear unconcerned because I have lived sufficiently among young girls to know that an adult must maintain an outwardly impassive attitude toward sickness or their sympathetic imaginations will often leap forward to a tragic ending. Upon further examination, I realized the report had not been exaggerated. Hesitating to call the doctor, because he did not appreciate night calls, I decided to act as doctor and nurse myself, giving remedies and nursing treatment suggested by a home doctor book. Because I had so very little previous nursing experience and because I felt so responsible and alone in the night, I can yet recall very vividly my intense relief when much later in the evening the patient's temperature had dropped to 100 degrees.

The sick girls fared tolerably well with our attempts at nursing, but I really pitied the boys those March days. Except for the first year the school was in operation, the boys did not have a supervisor living with them until Brother L. Anderson came in the fall of 1952. Although a staff member was responsible for their general behaviour, the boys managed their dormitory lives except for an occasional check by the staff supervisor. This year fifteen boys were lodged in one room of the Air Force building, and the others lived in a tamped-earth house a few rods away from the school. In cold and disorderly rooms, the sick boys had to lie. I remember that Doris Lewis and I went to visit one sick boy in the Knutson house. Since the fire in the coal heater had gone out, the room was cold. I am sure the room had not been swept for a week, yet the patient was cheerful and uncomplaining. He informed us that his roommate would build a fire as soon as he came home. No fire in the stove in March in Saskatchewan!!!

In those years, the students grumbled less about their really poor living conditions than they do now when conditions are comparatively good (Young people are not alone in this failing!) The Knutson house was an extremely cold and drafty building because it was unfinished. It did not improve the comfort of the building to have forgetful boys in charge of refueling the coal heater. In spite of all the imperfections of their dormitory, the boys cheerfully joked about life there.

In the winters when the boys lived at the Knutson house and the Torkelson house (another unfinished tamped-earth building on the river bank), the chief topic of conversation at the breakfast time was how cold their dormitories were. It was so cold, they said, that their words froze as they came out of their mouth. The boys would discuss what these words would sound like when they thawed out in the spring. Alice Orr states in her valedictory speech entitled "Memories of Yester-year:"

"I remember hearing the tall tales told by the boys each morning of how cold it had been in their dormitory, now Miss Torkelson's home. One I couldn't quite believe was that it was so cold the flame in the stove froze and each morning they had to light a match to thaw it out."

We had heavy snow fall accompanied by fierce blizzards during the first years our school was at Radville. Some winters the roads were blocked to the school, so that the mail, bread, milk and other necessities had to be hauled over to the school on a hand sled. For years, visitors complained about the inaccessibility of our campus. In winter the side roads were closed by huge snow drifts, and in spring we sat in a sea of mud.

We always attended church services up town at the meeting house. Although the walking distance, even by crossing the river on the ice, was almost a mile, the students were always present at all services no matter what the weather was like. No faint heart would have dared to suggest that the weather was too cold or too stormy to miss worship services--the other students would have been shocked at the suggestion. The _Trumpet_ says that when Amy Perry sprained her ankle in January 1950, she was able to get to meeting on Lord's Day because several of the boys volunteered to take her in the hand sleigh.



1949-1950

Enrollment: Bible--18; High School--18

For a few years, I directed the cleaning of the classrooms and dormitories in preparation for school opening. I recall that this August, Myrtle Bailey (Mrs. J. C. B.) from Radville and Ann Johnson from Estevan were assisting. Looking at the drab, brown walls and ceiling of the northwest room of the girls' dormitory, minus the finish coat of plaster, we determined to plaster it ourselves. After persuading J. C. Bailey to mix up the plaster, we lugged bucketsful upstairs and cheerfully began plastering. As he felt sorry for the inexperienced plasterers, J.C.B. soon began to assist us, though he had other pressing business. You can well imagine our problems, especially mine, as I am awkward with anything in my hands, except a piece of chalk. Eventually, I fell to smoothing the plaster with my bare hands. When the job was completed, we were rather proud of the only slightly bumpy effect, but my plaster- eaten hands were sore to the touch and sharp pains shot through them when they contacted water. I shall never forget how grateful I was to Kay Johnson '47, then a young teacher at nearby Great West School, when she washed all the floors for me on Saturday.

This year (1949-1950) we had a lively grade IX class. When I heard of the escapades on the river of four of the boys, I shuddered and then reflected that all boys in their early teens must assuredly have guardian angels, and that those angels must needs work overtime.

In all our years at Radville, with our campus on the river bank, we were fortunate never to have had a major water accident or even a minor one that had any serious after effects. Those four boys, that year, delighted in riding logs almost before the ice had broken up, or in paddling old Air Force oil-drum boats.

Some river incidents could have been serious. During the first year of high school at the time of the spring thaw, the boys had a special game of hopping from one ice floe to another (the staff did not know of this game). One floe sailed away from the others too fast for the two boys on it to be able to get near another. There they were on a small chunk of ice, having a free ride down the river. They began to yell for help and another student, hearing the yells, rescued them with a row boat.

Two other boys, skating on forbidden thin ice near the bridge, fell in and escaped with only a few minor cuts made by the sharp edges of the ice. Every year some enterprising students were punished for going on thin ice too soon in the fall or too late in the spring. We always breathed a sigh of relief when the dangerous periods were over and all students were safe. I hope you can understand why I believe that young boys have guardian angels.

In spite of our worries, the river at Radville was a great source of pleasure to our students. They skated and played many hours of hockey in the winter, and swam many hours during the months of May and June. Some students had a longer swimming season than that. Rumour says that Harold Orr and Raymond Lock had their first swim in the spring the day the ice broke up and that their last swim in the fall was the evening before the river froze. During the 1946-1947 term, one boy made a kayak and all the boys had to try using it. For a few weeks, we had many wet clothes and dripping boys until the boys had mastered the technique of balancing the craft.

One year, two boys (Warren MacLeod and David Williams) built a sturdy cabin near the river out of scraps from the nearby nuisance ground. Here during most of their free hours, they entertained their guests and lived unmarred by the sins of civilization. The cabin was behind the trees on the far corner of the campus, out of ear shot of all school bells and other distracting forces.

Often, when I think of the river at Radville, my mind turns to hockey games, and then I have an amusing recollection of Jim Williams' first hockey game. In the early winter of 1952 when he arrived on the campus from Cortez, Colorado, the boys at R. C. C. were organizing the hockey team for their first game of the season, but they lacked a goalie. Why not ask the new student? A good idea, except that Jim had never played hockey; in fact, he had not even been a spectator at a hockey game. These minor disqualifications did not deter the enthusiastic spirits of our youthful sportsmen. After a minimum of oral instructions, big Jim was persuaded to stand guard at the goal net. As he acquitted himself well during that first game, Jim remained the star goalie for the R. C. C. hockey team during the two years he attended high school.

Now to return to the 1949-1950 term. It was in the spring that our aforementioned lively grade IX class wrote a play for the graduation banquet. "The Worm Turns," with David Lidbury as the "worm," is lost to posterity but lives in our memory.

While students enjoyed the river and their amateur theatricals, the Board of Directors was attempting to raise money to improve the physical plant. It is interesting to read an article in the _Trumpet_ written by assistant editor, Roger Peterson, describing the needs of the school that spring:

"Radville Christian College is in its fourth year of operation. During these four years a great deal of progress has been made. The pioneering years have not been easy either for the teachers or for the students. Nor are the pioneering years over, but they are well on the way out.

"A great deal of time and money has been spent in building Radville Christian College to its present condition. It is estimated that present property can be valued at twenty thousand dollars.

"But we have not yet reached the end of the road. As students we are not complaining about our lot, but we would like to see both of the buildings of Radville Christian College completely finished before the beginning of the fall term in September.

"In order to accomplish this we must have your (The readers') help. About half of the cement in the new dorm has been poured. It must be completed before fall. A large entrance, now partly constructed, is to be finished on the front of this building. The basement, to be used as kitchen and dining room, is to be plastered and decorated for this purpose. Each of the four large rooms on the ground floor must be decorated and painted. Besides this, there is a host of other jobs which must be done before the opening of the new term.

"Friends, we need your assistance. Any financial help that you could give would be greatly appreciated. Why not have a part in building a place in Canada where young people can come together to study from God's word and better prepare themselves for service in the vineyard of the Lord?"



1950- 1951

Enrollment: Bible--11; High School--25

Though Roger had ambitious plans for the construction work for the summer, very little was accomplished because of lack of funds. The October issue of the _Trumpet_ carries a short descriptive notice of improvements:

"Before the students arrived, Miss Torkelson directed the cleaning of the buildings. Assisting her were Mrs. J. C. Bailey, who also cooked for a few days, Blake Van Horne, Brother Boyer and Alice Orr. The walls and ceilings in both the classrooms, the hall and stairways were painted or varnished. Brother Boyer cleaned the boys' dormitory.

"A helpful addition to our equipment was some book- shelves built by Brother E. Perry."

We welcomed to our campus that fall Brother and Sister Eugene Perry. They were hard working and capable members of our staff for two years. I think people with low salaries should take lessons on how to live comfortably from the Perrys. They surely knew how to stretch their few dollars.

Because we had no caretaker, the grass and weeds had grown waist high by the time the Perrys arrived. Although they must have been stunned by the sight of our unkempt campus, they said very little. Great self-control on Eugene's part!

Brother Perry, a graduate of Abilene Christian College, became full-time instructor, sponsor of a very popular mechanics club, and boys' supervisor. Mrs. Perry was girls' supervisor and was given the sum of five dollars a month for her duties. In 1952 the Perrys left R. C. C. to join the faculty of the newly established Great Lakes Christian College at Beamsville, Ontario, Brother Perry's home town.

I have not previously mentioned the salaries of our high school teachers. They were of necessity very low because the Board had very little money to give. When Cecil T. Bailey first taught at Radville Christian College, he received eighty-five dollars a month. He and his wife had five children to clothe and feed on that sum. To supplement the income, Mrs. Bailey taught in a nearby public school. The staff members never complained about their low salaries and became embarrassed when visitors commented on their sacrifices.

In the spring the water seeped into our basement dining room and kitchen more than usual. Mrs. Tinlin, our cook, wore rubber boots while she was preparing the meals. The building had been built too close to the river and because the cement was cracking, it was not possible to keep the kitchen dry. In desperation, we moved all the kitchen and dining equipment, except the stove, over to the new, empty Bible department classroom in the Air Force building. There, Mrs. Tinlin cooked for twenty-five students under very adverse circumstances for several weeks--no stove but a hot plate, no cupboards but a few boxes, and no refrigerator. Yet, Mrs. Tinlin cheerfully maintained that cooking that way was better than walking around in two or three inches of water.

After we moved from the basement, the water continued to rise. When school closed, Bernard Straker used the row boat to enter the vegetable room of the basement and collect his mother's fruit jars. He was very proud of his accomplishment! Needless to say, that basement was never again used for our dining room and kitchen.

That spring, Roger Peterson became our commercial teacher, and director of our A Capella Chorus (following in Miss Lewis' footsteps). During the first five years Roger Peterson taught at the school, with the gradually increasing enrollment, he developed a fine A Capella Chorus which sang at public concerts, Teachers' Conventions, and travelled to other towns and cities to present musical programs and consequently advertise our school. In many ways our A Capella Chorus has been our school's best advertisement, as few small high schools in the province have chorus groups.

That was the year Lois Orr took all of her grade XII and half of her grade XI. She received a good A average on the twelve departmental examinations written in June.



1951 - 1952

Enrollment: Bible--4; High School--31

During the summer, H. E. Peterson, chairman of the board and building supervisor, together with the help of others, finished the basement of the Air Force building sufficiently so that it could be used as dining hall and kitchen for this term. Mrs. J. C. Bailey had the pleasure of being the first cook in the new quarters. The enlarged dining room and the kitchen free from water seepage were enjoyed by both students and cook. In all their years of labouring for the school, that was the only one in which Brother and Sister Bailey lived on the campus. The boys especially enjoyed her home-made buns and cinnamon rolls.

Brother Peterson, a farmer living ten miles from Radville, was one of the five original members of the Board of Directors. He remained on the board for ten years. During that time he laboured tirelessly for the school. Since he is a good carpenter, he spent hours finishing the buildings, laying cement floors, hanging doors and making many necessary repairs during the term. Even though he did not live on the campus, he did much of the work of a custodian.

>From its very first year, Radville Christian College had its annual oratorical contest, and it has always been compulsory for all students to participate in this event. Our winners would then enter the Unit competition, but we won no awards until the 1951-52 term, when our representative placed second in the school unit contest (our school unit had ten high schools). We were very proud of Mavis Bailey and her silver cup. Her topic was "Learning to Bear the Burden in Our Youth."

In the fall, the merit system was introduced into our school and for many years we found it an effective (though not perfect) way of encouraging the young people to strive harder in their academic life, extra-curricular activities, and character and personality development. At the annual farewell banquet where the staff entertained the students on June 21, 1952, a number of awards were given to the students for the first time in the history of the school. "Esprit De Corps" crests were presented to the students who were prompt, cooperative, courteous, and obedient. Achievement bars in various fields were presented to many students. The Bible Scholarship winners in each grade were Mavis Bailey, Carole Krogsgaard, Alice Orr, and Ruth Rogers. The presentation of awards for the year has since become an integral part of the annual Farewell Banquet.



1952- 1953

Enrollment: Bible--3; High School--38

During the summer holidays, Roger Peterson, with the help of Walter Straker and Bernard Straker (two Radville Christian College students) built the kitchen cupboards and the apartment for the Andersons. The large rooms at each end of the Air Force building were divided into bedrooms and washrooms for the boys. The two middle rooms became our classrooms. The old classroom in the girls' dormitory had been divided into a new bedroom and a living room. The credit for decorating and furnishing the new living room certainly goes to Mrs. H. E. Peterson. When school opened, we were surely proud of that room. For the first time in the history of the school, we had a common living room where students could visit, play quiet games, and have their numerous hymn singing sessions.

That fall Brother and Sister L. Anderson were added to our staff. Brother Anderson was the first boys' supervisor who actually lived on the campus with the boys, and he was also the first caretaker of the school. Sister Anderson was in charge of the kitchen and taught cooking and sewing to the home economics girls. For five years Brother and Sister Anderson created a fine home-like atmosphere for the boys. Brother Anderson cared for the boys like a wise and thoughtful father, and Mrs. Anderson managed the kitchen very efficiently during those years, taking time off to repair trousers or sew on buttons for the boys and play the occasional game of Scrabble with them.

Sister Williams was also added to the staff that fall. She came as girls' supervisor and part time cook. The _Trumpet_ says the following about her arrival and work:

"From way down south in Cortez, Colorado, has come our new supervisor, Sister Ruth Williams, (Aunt Ruth as some of the girls call her). Sister Williams is interested in art and is sponsor of our Artists' Club. We feel that this year is going to be one of the most enjoyable and profitable years for both girls and supervisor."

Mrs. Williams served seven years and during that time she was truly a mother to the girls and a very loyal and conscientious member of our staff. I shall let the _Trumpet_ describe the arrival of the Donald Perrys too:

"Brother and Sister Donald Perry arrived at Radville Christian College on September 16 and moved into the house formerly occupied by the Eugene Perrys. Brother Perry is busily engaged in devising various ways and means of interesting his students in physics, biology, geometry, and the like, while Sister Perry is getting accustomed to the routine of housekeeping.

"Brother and Sister Perry have been married recently. Sister Perry was formerly a nurse in Toronto (a graduate of the University of Toronto school of nursing). The Perrys met when Brother Perry went to Toronto to study at the University there and to preach for one of the Toronto Churches of Christ. They were married shortly after Brother Perry decided to teach at Radville Christian College.

"Sister Perry, besides managing her new home, is teaching a course in home nursing to the grade IX and X home economics classes. The only regret the older students have is that they cannot take the course.

"We extend a hearty welcome to the 'new' Perrys and hope that they will enjoy their stay here at our college."

The Perrys stayed three years. After leaving Radville, Donald Perry has taught several years at Great Lakes Christian College and now (1969) is in his seventh year as headmaster of the Mawlai Christian School at Assam, India.

We did appreciate the more complete staff and better facilities that year. One great benefit of starting with few advantages is that every addition, no matter how insignificant to others, seems such a marvelous blessing.

We won the Field Meet Trophy again. During the entire eleven years our school was located at Radville we won many awards in Local and Unit Field Meets. In the parades, our school placed first or second every year. In the track and field events, our students won medals and crests for receiving the highest number of points in their division from the very first year (1947) when Kay Johnson won a medal. We have had many R.C.C. students participate in the provincial semi-finals at Estevan, and one of our runners, Daryl Tucker, received a placing in the Provincial finals at Saskatoon.

H. E. Peterson had long argued that as Radville Christian College existed for the purpose of educating children of parents who paid taxes to the public schools, Radville Christian College property should not be taxed. Brother Peterson, together with Ernest Andreas, discussed the matter with government authorities at Regina and after a period of negotiation, in March 1953, the provincial government passed an act to incorporate Radville Christian College. This act also provided for the exemption of taxes on all land and all personal property owned by our school "while used for school and education al purposes."

That year we were very proud to have ten graduates. The _South Saskatchewan Star_ carried the following account of the graduation exercises:

"More than one hundred guests attended the annual graduation banquet and exercises of the Radville Christian College held on Saturday, March 28, 1953. For the occasion the dining hall was beautifully decorated in mauve, green and white. The dinner was pre pared and served by the students.

"Verna Floyd read the last will and testament of the graduating class and Carole Krogsgaard read the prophecies.

"Alice Orr gave the valedictory address. She recalled amusing and interesting incidents of school life, and from these, suggested some worthwhile lessons learned.

"Donald Perry was the faculty speaker. He pointed out that opportunity favours the prepared mind and said that the lives of the graduates would prove the worth of their instruction at Radville Christian College.

"Chief speaker of the evening was Alvin Jennings of Saskatoon. He emphasized the need to study oneself and to continue education after graduation.

"Two plays were presented: 'Fixers Incorporated' and 'Paul Splits the Atom.'

"The girls' Sextet sang 'Precious Memories.' The girls' chorus sang 'Mah Lindy Lou,' 'My Curly Headed Baby' and 'There's a Balm in Gilead.'

"Five selections were given by the mixed chorus, 'Smilin' Through,' 'Ol' Man River,' 'Deep in My Heart,' 'Bluebird of Happiness,' and 'Goin' Home.'

"The choruses were directed by Roger Peterson and student Bernard Straker was chairman for the evening."

These ten graduates are all good citizens today serving God and man in their various communities. Among them, we have our first graduate to receive a college degree, John C. Bailey; the first one to be awarded a doctor of philosophy degree, David Olson; the first graduate to become president of the Women's Service Club, Shirley Lewis Straker; a co-worker of our first mission team to the Indians of Northern Saskatchewan, Alice Orr Williams; and the first dean of our Junior College, David Lidbury.

Graduation has always been a memorable day for the undergraduates but this was especially true at R. C. C., because the activities of the day were their responsibility. With a minimum of direction, the food, decoration, and program committees carried out their tasks. Visitors were frequently amazed to note that our regular cook had a holiday on that day, and the preparation of three or sometimes four course meals for 125-140 guests would be done by students under the watchful eye of some sixteen year old Grade XI girl. The After-Grad party was washing, sorting and packing all the dishes they had borrowed from friends in Radville! Radville church building 2 miles from campus. Students walked here for worship 3 times a week.

At the time of the 1953 graduation exercises, the Radville Christian College alumni Association was organized with Raymond Lock of Saskatoon as first president, and Doris Lewis Husband of Wawota as our first secretary. This association has been helpful to our school in many ways, such as purchasing books for our library and partly financing the building of the telephone line to the school. The largest single gift to our library while located at Radville was a nearly three hundred dollar set of books from an alumna--Leona Start Fleming.



1953- 1954

Enrollment: Bible--6; High School--50

At the annual meeting, there was a lengthy discussion regarding the possibility of constructing a third building on the campus. With our increased enrollment, the dormitories were filled to capacity. In fact, the boys were over crowded. Six boys slept in one room the size of an ordinary bedroom. Moreover, the Board realized that if the fifth year of school work should be added, as Donald Perry was so urgently requesting, more classroom space was required. At the conclusion of the discussion, a motion was made and carried, authorizing the Board to make plans for starting the construction of a $50,000.00 school building and made plans for a $15,000.00 boys' dormitory. Roger Peterson was replaced by Gladys Gibson on the teaching staff, and starting April 1, 1954, he devoted full-time travelling among the brethren to raise money for this project. The Board planned to employ the "Broadway Finance Plan." so called because the Broadway Church in Lubbock, Texas, used it.

Let me explain the operation of this plan. The school would sell interest bearing bonds of different denominations and maturing at different dates. The interest coupons would be honoured by the Radville Bank of Commerce, and in this bank was also set up a trust fund into which donations would be deposited to pay for the bonds on their maturity dates.

Roger Peterson spent six months travelling among our Canadian brethren selling bonds and gaining pledges for regular monthly donations. While he raised several thousand dollars in this manner, the money had to be used to pay off pressing overdue debts rather than constructing our much needed boys' dormitory.

During the summer while Roger Peterson, J. C. Bailey, and the various members of the Board of Directors were struggling to raise the school out of financial quicksands, a new idea arose that aroused considerable interest among the shareholders. Alvin Jennings, a young evangelist from Texas who had established a congregation in Saskatoon, our University City, had received an offer of fifteen acres from the town of Sutherland, a suburb of Saskatoon, for a school campus. The mayor of Sutherland and other officials of both Sutherland and Saskatoon showed by letter and by direct interview that they would willingly support in many ways the establishment of a Christian school in that area. As there was no public high school in the town of Sutherland, all the high school students were taken by bus to Saskatoon. Brother Jennings and the other brethren of Saskatoon considered Sutherland's offer a tremendous opportunity to enlarge our enrollment. Brother Jennings widely publicized the offer in his _Saskatoon Star_, and he urged the Board of Directors to move the school from Radville to this new location. The suggestion stirred up a genuine interest in the school. "To move" or "not to move" was the conversational topic among us all.

Finally, on September 4, a special meeting of the shareholders was called to consider the question. The largest attendance of shareholders present for a meeting was recorded at that time. Many who had been shareholders for several years attended for the first time. Many present had very decided opinions regarding the best location for the school. Raymond Meneer was chairman of the meeting. We had several very eloquent and persuasive speeches. After a long day of debate and discussion the final outcome was that the school would remain in Radville; for if we had been unable to raise $15,000.00 to build a much needed dormitory, how could we reasonably expect to raise sufficient money to build a completely new set of buildings on the vacant campus at Sutherland?

Although Brother Jennings and other brethren from Saskatoon were disappointed at the turn of the vote, their campaign really benefitted Radville Christian College in many ways: It aroused a more definite support upon the part of the local congregations, made the Canadian brotherhood at large more aware of the value of the school, and awakened the town of Radville itself to the benefits of such a school in the neighbourhood.

When our school first began, the town was indifferent and a few of the citizens were antagonistic toward us. One public school teacher later told me that he objected at first to the word "Christian" in our name, as if suggesting that those who taught in a public school were not Christians. The small boys sometimes derisively referred to us as the "mud rats" and the "river rats." But as the years went by and our students proved their success in the Department of Education final examinations, harmonized so beautifully in the A Cappella chorus, won many awards at Field Days, worked so faithfully picking stones for the local farmers, and played so strenuously at their hockey games, opinions in Radville were changing. J. C. Bailey wrote of some incidents that reveal the changed attitude:

"Last winter ( 1954) just after our hockey team skated onto the ice, a coach for one of the other teams said to me 'I did not know there were that many gentlemen left among young people today.

"That same year I once overheard this conversation between two men as our boys came onto the ice for another game.

'There will be no fighting in this game.'

The other man asked, 'How do you know?'

The first man replied, 'The Christian College is playing.'"

As concrete evidence of their friendliness to our school, the day the shareholders met to discuss the possibility o moving to Saskatoon, the Radville Town council met with the Board of Directors, openly expressed its desire that the school remain in Radville, agree to use the far end of the nuisance ground, to build a new road into it, and give us a ninety year lease on the road leading to our school.

For many years, one of the bones of contention between the town council and our Board had been the nuisance ground located across the road from our campus. This nuisance ground was a breeding spot for rats and flies and a horrible stench would sometime cross our campus when the wind came from the east. In the spring of 1947, I remember thinking wearily as I was crossing the campus hurriedly to escape the nauseating odour, "Must I endure this smell for twenty years?"

As the years went by, the town council had made war on the rats and had eliminated the stench, but the unsightly mess of a town nuisance ground still existed. Therefore, we were very happy when the town council made the above mentioned agreement with the Board on September 4, 1954.

Using a bulldozer, the council got rid of all the trash and consequently we had a more pleasant entrance way to our campus. Thereafter, I laughingly told visitors that complained about the difficulty of finding our campus--"The road to our campus is really well marked. Turn right at the sign 'Cattle Crossing;' turn right again at the sign 'Nuisance Ground, 1/2 mile east;' and then turn right at the sign 'No Dumping here,' and you are at the Radville Christian College campus."



1954-1955

Enrollment: Bible --12; High School--45

In spite of our crowded quarters we had a good year. Club activities--Debating, Melody, Home Nursing, Athletic, Art, Literary, and Drama--flourished that year.

To the consternation of the older members of the local congregation, James Williams and Jelsing Bailey grew beards for the play "Pipistrelle of Acquitaine;" Mary Bailey was the dynamic Maria in the same play; Donna Meneer as Grandma O'Hara was mistaken for a boy in her cowboy scene; and Reta Lewis was the "Lonely Lady."

Since the beginning of our school, amateur theatre has played a big part in our extracurricular activities. With an attendance of forty-five, we would often present then or eleven one-act plays besides skits and pantomimes during the year. All students who wished to participate, regardless of ability, were always given parts in plays at R. C. C. We never strove for perfection in stage performance, and we were not interested in making professional actors out of our students; nevertheless, we encouraged this activity because we believed that amateur drama was a very good way of teaching speech, developing poise, and encouraging certain qualities of good citizenship. We believed that young people became better citizens who were subjected to creative rather than spectator entertainment. At one of the public entertainments given by our school in the Radville Memorial Hall, a businessman was overheard talking to one of the local policemen. They were commenting on the quality of the program and the policeman ended the conversation with these words, "If there were more of this sort of thing, I would not be kept so busy in my job."

As usual this year the students published a year book. At Radville Christian College, publishing the year book meant not only taking the pictures, writing and arranging the material for it, but also printing the book and binding it. When Roger Peterson was a student in the Bible department, he learned the printing trade form J. C. Bailey who was then editor and publisher of the _Gospel Herald_. That winter (1949-50) the first year book, ten pages was published under the Precious Memories, with Roger Peterson as editor and publisher. The following year the name was changed to the _Northern Lights_, which is still the name of our annual publication. Our book has become bigger and better one with the passage of time and many students have learned the rudiments of the printing profession by working in the print shop on this book. While yet a student in high school, John Bailey published two year books and Roy Davison and Alex Muller Published three. Both John Bailey and Alex Muller have put to good use their printing knowledge since high school graduation.



1955-1956

Enrollment: Bible--4; High School--46

During the summer the east end of the Air Force building was change from boys' dormitory rooms to a much needed third classroom. The tamped-earth Orr house just off the campus accommodated the overflow of boys from the other dormitory rooms. Ellis Krogsgaard was responsible for the greatly improved appearance of the classroom area when school opened that fall.

Ellis Krogsgaard was then a teacher on the Radville public school staff. We are very grateful to him in many ways. For several winters, Brother Krogsgaard coached our hockey teams. One tern he taught our boys wood-working and drafting. Some of the furniture in our present campus common room reminds us of the work he had done for our school.

The fall term opened with clean, bright looking classrooms, but other points of our school landscape were rather dark and gloomy. As one views the past, certain incidents and years are recalled with pleasure and others with depression. I shall always think of 1955-56 as the Teacher Trouble Year. Do not misunderstand me. It was not their personality nor their character that disturbed me, but their elusiveness.

Early in the spring, Brother Donald Perry had resigned from the faculty with the intent of continuing his studies in a college of education. Although we regretted his impending departure, we realized that his reason for leaving was legitimate. The problem was--"Who will replace him?" To our surprise, very soon we had hired a young man from Central Christian College. In July, news arrived that because of an accident, he would be unable to teach. Through advertisements in various papers, we contacted another young man, Mr. X, who promised to be at Radville for the beginning of September classes. When Mr. X had not arrived, the Saturday before school opening, or business manager telephoned him only to learn that his present employer would not release him from his duties before January.

What a quandary! Teachers have always been difficult to obtain for our school as there are so few in Saskatchewan who are members of the church. For a time, no solution to our predicament seemed available. One classroom had no teacher the first day of school. Then Richard Dacus, evangelist from Estevan, came to our rescue promising to teach one month. Next, Ernest Hillman of Regina helped us by offering to teach until Christmas time. These gentlemen motored to Radville Monday morning and returned to their homes Friday afternoon.

In the late autumn we received word from Mr. X that he would be unable to be with us for any of the present term. Another search for a teacher! A former graduate David Lidbury, became our "man of the moment" by offering to complete the spring term.

Why were the courses of this one teacher not divided among the other three teachers? We were busily occupied teaching the classes that the Department of Education requires. Besides teaching all day, without any spares, I regularly taught evening classes for nights a week.

There was one very bright spot in the fall of 1955 and that was the installation of our telephone system. As we lived two miles from town by car road, not having a telephone was extremely inconvenient at times. Financed by the Alumni and the Board of Directors, Robert Peterson, aided by our students, built a telephone system to our campus and installed six telephones in various buildings. I still remember the first long distance telephone call received at the Girls' Dormitory. It was Ernest Andreas calling from Gladmar, but I would not have been more thrilled if it had been a man from Mars.

That fall the J. C. Bailey print shop was moved out onto our campus. During Christmas holidays, an office was made form a portion of this building and in January, Shirley Lewis, another Radville Christian College graduate, became our first full-time campus secretary.

Anxious moments over the seemingly "ever changing" faculty and over a few boys who needed a stern father rather than an irritable mother, encouraged me to resign as principal of Radville christian College. I had occupied the position for ten years. At an early spring meeting of the Board of Directors, I acquainted the members with my decision. My resignation as principal was accepted and I note that the minutes of the board meeting state that I was to be retains a "normal" teacher. (Some students feel that teachers are never normal.)



1956-1957

Enrollment: Bible--5; High School--46

Brother Cecil T. Bailey of Winnipeg was hired to replace me as principal; his duties commenced in September. For six years Brother C. T. Bailey had been living in Winnipeg, preaching, attending University and teaching in one of the city high school. During that time, encouraged by his wife, he had completed his work for his Bachelor of Arts degree, Bachelor of Education degree and almost completed the requirements for a Master of Education Degree.

Brother Bailey already had the reputation of an excellent gospel preacher and was well liked by young people for his kindly and humorous ways.

During the summer holidays, through the untiring efforts of Ellis Krogsgaard, Lawrence Anderson, Allison Parker, Earl Jacobs and many other kind friends, a running water system was installed in the two main buildings of the campus.

You who have lived where you have accepted running water and bathroom facilities as a necessary part of decent living, cannot truly imagine life at a residential school without it. Through the years, it had been a constant battle with hand pumps that would run dry, melting of ice and snow and with tattle tale grey in sheets and even sometimes in a few faces of younger students. I note that one issue of the _Trumpet_ headlines "Prominent Winter Sports at R. C. C." "Cutting ice, hauling ice, filling water barrels. Saturdays are busy days for the boys who volunteer for the ice cutting bees."

On Saturday evenings, a chief occupation for the boys was heating water or melting snow or ice on the kitchen stove so that they could revel in their weekly bath. We became very modern when a makeshift hot-water system consisting of two barrels attached to a stove could be used as a hot water supply. The boys had to haul water or ice from the river to fill the one barrel and in return the girls would do all the washing and ironing for the boys. Boys who attended R. C. C. in those days could tell tall tales about water carrying expedition.

We drank the water from the kitchen well. R. C. C. drinking water had a reputation all of its own. Certain types of medicine were never required by its drinkers. One of the most spontaneous roars of laughter I ever heard n the dining hall was in June 1956 at the Farewell Banquet with the staff providing the entertainment. In a short skit, Mrs. Williams and I, as char-women, were relaxing on a park bench when we noticed a man (Lawrence Anderson) apparently contemplating suicide by drinking from a bottle. After our struggling with him a while, I wrenched the bottle from his hand and read the label in a puzzled voice, "R. C. C. water." That joke was thoroughly appreciated by our audience.

I could not truly describe how happy we were to have all the comforts of a running water system in our dormitories when it arrived in November 1956.

We had many blessings that fall: a new principle, C. T. Boll; a sports director; David Olson '53; and a Bible Teacher, R. Pectol, from the very first school day. (Recalling vividly the worries of the previous year I was especially thankful for that last blessing.) I was very happy with the progress and development of the school.

Imagine my chagrin, when Principal C. T. Bailey threw a bomb shell into our peaceful midst--our school should move to the airport at Weyburn. There were good buildings there and the government would rent them to us at a very nominal rate. This suggestion was an answer to the problem of lack of accommodation that had disturbed us for several years, but it was not the answer that many of us desired.

Leave R. C. C. Campus with its trees and river an its thousand and one memories--bonfires and sing songs by the river, campus radio broadcasting, twenty wiener roasts at a nearby hiking spot, the dear old battered buildings where boys had given their hesitant yet inspiring speeches at morning chapel services, where study periods had sometimes been conducted by candle light, where mistakes had been made and victories had been won--it just could not be done!

Nevertheless, at the annual meeting Brother Cecil T. Bailey proposed that the school move to Weyburn. A Committee consisting of Cecil T. Bailey, Ernest Andreas, Edgar Ashby and Mickel Jacobs was chosen to investigate the Weyburn situation. As a result of these investigations, a special meeting of the shareholders was called in March 1957. There were ninety shareholders present for this meeting. The morning had been devoted to conducting tours of visitors through the proposed buildings at the Weyburn airport. The first part of the afternoon meeting consisted of hearing two reports--one stating the advantages of the Radville site and the other stating the advantages of the Weyburn site.

In his report, Brother E. Ashby listed the following advantages of establishing the school in Weyburn: more and better accommodation, better transportation connections, better mail service, more opportunities for work, new radio station there, better staff accommodations, outside influences on the students offered a challenge for better training to cope with such influences. (Many people had questioned the wisdom of exchanging the present very private campus for one near a factory area and near a city.)

After a lengthy open-forum discussion, the shareholders voted on this question, "that we move our school to the Weyburn buildings if it is possible." The result of the balloting was 68 in favor of the motion and 15 against. With my heart heavy at the thought of leaving our beautiful campus on the banks of Long Creek, I cast my vote in favor of moving because I knew that our beloved school would have more room for expansion at Weyburn.

The committee chosen at the fall meeting was to continue its negotiations with the provincial government, while a new committee consisting of Dryden Sinclair, Allen Jacobs and James McCuaig was chosen to raise funds to liquidate a debt of $11,000.00. At the meeting, James McCuaig personally obligated himself to paying off one-tenth of the debt. Other liberal donations were made at the same time.

All the opposition to the proposed move was not overcome in a day. One gentleman declared that the only reason for the move was that Cecil Bailey was "more windy than J. C." (I might say right here that J. C. Bailey could see that the move had proved beneficial to the school, he admitted his mistake and is a very loyal supporter of Western Christian College.) The provincial government was very gracious to our committee and soon an acceptable agreement was concluded between the two parties.

By means of a rental agreement, the government of Saskatchewan through its Department of Public Works, made available to us four buildings at the Weyburn airport for a period of five years at the very nominal rate of seventy-five dollars a month. Furthermore, we were given assurance that our agreement could most probably be renewed at the end of this period with perhaps even more attractive terms.

When it was later learned that all of these buildings needed new electrical wiring, the Department of Public Works cams to our rescue in arranging to have this work done with the department financing the project. An agreement was arranged whereby we were to pay the amount of six thousand dollars, the cost of this work, at the rate of one hundred dollars per month, without interest.

The question of moving to Weyburn over-shadowed all other events of the year. The teacher problem loomed on the horizon for awhile again when Brother Pectol was force to leave Canada because of draftboard requirements, but it was solved when John Bailey, a former student studying at Abilene Christian College, consented to come and be a member of our faculty.



1957-1958

Enrollment: Bible--3; High School--84

Brother A. Parker and his sons, Elgin and Douglas, were the first people to move to the new campus at the airport as they started preparing the buildings for occupation in July 1957. Soon afterward, Ernest Andreas and his family moved into the second and only other prepared suite in the for large buildings which we rented. Whereas Brother Andreas had been the school business manager since March 1954, he had not lived on the campus before. Even before Brother and Sister Andreas lived on the campus they served our school well, but since they have moved to the campus they have most loyally laboured toward making our school lives run more smoothly.

During the summer of 1957, Brother Andreas and Brother Parker had the herculean task of transforming two huge buildings with long, barren, empty halls into classrooms and dormitories. Occasional visitors to the campus wondered how it possibly could be done. Our workers were hampered by lack of funds to buy much needed material and by lack of time. They dared not incur further expense by hiring extra carpenters. The opening of school had to be postponed until September 16. Brethren from Estevan and Regina came to help build partitions and scrub floors. Parents who visited the school one week before school opening, expecting to choose the room for their son or daughter, were greeted by long halls, piles of lumber and sawdust strewn everywhere. It was amazing that one week later there was cleanliness and a semblance of order everywhere. However, Brother Parker had worked such long hours, straining every muscle and nerve to prepare the buildings, that he was sick in bed the day school opened.

Those first few weeks of school on the new campus were hectic ones: many of our school books and supplies were still at Radville; we had no commercial teacher until finally Ray Lock, a former student from Saskatoon, was persuaded to come; no furnaces running in either dormitory or classrooms, therefore no warm water; and a cold spell necessitated the wearing of overcoats during classes. By Christmas time, we had found places for everything and unearthed many lost articles, and long before that time we were all revelling in the heat of the furnaces and in the spaciousness of our new location.

Our new home consisted of five buildings, including our print shop moved from Radville, located in a group on the east side of the Weyburn airport. The campus is located close enough to a small city to benefit from city life, yet far enough away to have the quiet and peace of a rural community.

After years of struggling without certain modern conveniences, we surely did appreciate having them here, but assuredly our greatest blessing was the adequate space. We had classrooms for each grade, a typing room, a large library, a science room, a Bible room and a home-economics room. (Compare theses rooms with our three classrooms and typing room at Radville.) We had a game room near our classrooms. For our chapel services there was an Assembly Hall with a seating capacity of one hundred and twenty persons. There were large dormitories that would eventually accommodate 180 students, a dining hall which would seat the same number,a nd a large gymnasium for physical training classes. The gymnasium with its good stage and its seating room for four hundred is still used for programs and special services of the Church. Though I had been reluctant to leave our small buildings at Radville because of their dear memories, I was more than pleased with our new home at Weyburn.

Although we were very happy with our improved accommodations we were not living in luxury. in fact, I heard of parents who refused to send their children to Weyburn because the buildings were inadequate. They were not attracted by the weather beaten, unpainted shingles of the old barracks, nor by the long narrow dimly lighted classrooms, nor by the dormitories where the only walls between the rooms were imaginary ones except for the clothes closets built between every two beds.

Yet, in contrast to our quarters in Radville, we thought our new ones good. My own unfinished apartment with shoulder high partition separating my bedroom from Baileys' hallway to our shared bathroom was a decided improvement over my damp, never-warm-in- winter, tamped-earth house in Radville, simply because it was always comfortably warm.

Building do not make a school. It is nice to have good buildings but not imperative. When T. C. Douglas addressed Teacher's Convention one fall, he told of his visit to a famous school in Scotland that had produced many great statesmen, scientists, and literary giants. He mentioned his surprise to discover staircases worn with the pounding of many feet, dull faded rooms, and desks creaking with age. No, buildings do not make a school. The two essential ingredients for a good school are eager students and dedicated teachers.

Eighty-four students attended the school in 1957-58. The enrollment was double that of the previous year. Many opponents of the move to Weyburn became more reconciled because they realized that the increased attendance could not have been accommodated in the Radville buildings.

The official opening of our school at Weyburn was November 8, 9. The afternoon of November 8 was Open House. Touring parties were conducted by various students through all the buildings and then tea was served to visitors in the Assembly Hall. Brenda Meneer, a grade XII student, was in charge of the Open House. Morris Brown ironically described her fine work in the _Trumpet_ in these words:

"It is well worth noting that under brenda's excellent management only four touring parties managed to get lost and all but two of these have been located since."

In the evening, a banquet was served in the dining hall. Besides the board members and their wives, staff members and wives, there were guests from the city of Weyburn. Our guests of honour were the Honourable Mr. W. S. Lloyd, provincial minister of education, and Mrs. Lloyd, and His Worship Mayor J. H. Staveley and Mrs. Staveley.

At eight o'clock that evening, the banquet guests, together with many other friends of the school, assembled in the gymnasium to witness the official opening ceremony. For the occasion, the stage had been beautifully decorated in the school colours, green and white, under the direction of student Loretta Williams.

The following program was presented.

  1. O Canada
  2. Choral Singing--directed by Mr. John Bailey
  3. Chairman's Remarks--by Mr. C. T. Bailey
  4. Piano Duet--Noreen Johnson and Gaylene Mellum
  5. Address--Mayor Staveley
  6. Vocal solo--Betty Bailey
  7. Address--Mr. R. Meneer
  8. Piano Solo--Yvonne Laycock
  9. Octet--directed by Mr. David Olson
  10. Address--Honourable Mr. W. S. Lloyd
  11. Official Opening Ceremony--Mr. R. Meneer
  12. The school song--by the students
  13. God Save the Queen

In his address, Mayor Staveley sincerely welcomed the school to the Weyburn area. He stated that in this age of materialism, a school that stressed the development of spiritual values would be ana asset to the Weyburn community.

The Honourable Mr. W. S. Lloyd also wished us success in our new location. In the course of his address, he mentioned that a nation whose educational system stressed scientific and technological advancement was doomed unless those advancements were directed toward the service of mankind.

The official opening ceremony was simple but impressive. After a few appropriate remarks, Mr. R. Meneer, chairman of the Board of Directors, cut a white ribbon held by two students, Janice Mooney (secretary of the students' assembly) and Lloyd Hotchkiss (president of the students' assembly.)

In that manner our school was officially opened at its new location, but the activities of our official opening were not yet complete. The following Saturday morning, the alumni and the school football teams had their annual battle; the alumni defeated the students by a score of 14-7.

At the annual shareholders' meeting in the afternoon "Western Christian College" was chosen as the new name of our school. In reality three names were selected that day, but because two of them were illegal for us to use, automatically our choice was Western Christian College. In March 1958, by a special act of the provincial government, the name became legally ours.

In the evening of November 9, a variety concert given by the students of the school was the final event of the two-day Opening Ceremonies. Two plays, "The Keeper of the Land" written by a Saskatchewan Dramatist, Mrs. Arps, and Moliere's "The Doctor in Spite of Himself" was produced by the Drama Club. The same musical items that had been enjoyed on the previous night were given as well as a tumbling act. All the students and staff members had worked in the big co-operative effort of producing two days that will linger long in our memories.

An innovation, introduced by Principal Cecil T. Bailey that year received favourable comment from many people. All residential students were required to donate a number of hours each week (4) to the school. If a student worked above that number he would be paid at a reasonable rate. We believed that this phase of our school life was excellent training for our students. They would learn now to be responsible "on the job." While a few students tried to shirk their duties, the great majority worked very faithfully to "put in their hours." Sometimes when staff members became discouraged with careless workmanship, we suggested that if we could teach students to work well at these jobs we have really helped to educate them. Today (1969) the system has been revised so that while all students still have kitchen and dormitory duties, no record of time on the job is kept.

In February 1958, a new staff member was hired--D. W. Dryden Sinclair as Public Relations director. The previous year he had been chosen one of a three-man committee to raise funds to liquidate a debt. The committee had accomplished a great deal of the school during its year of operation, with travelling to different places, speaking publicly and privately, advertising in the _Messenger_ and inaugurating the Pay-for-a-day Plan. Nevertheless, to provide for further expansion, the Board of Directors realized that a full time Public Relations Director was necessary. An important forward step was taken by choosing Brother Sinclair for this task. With his sincere devotion to God, great faith in the worth of our school, and his gift of making others realize their good fortune by sharing in the work, Brother Sinclair is ideally qualified for his position. During his year on the staff, he travelled thousands of miles and made many friends for the school.

Assisted by Allan C. Mitchell during the summer holidays, he raised money needed to pay off pressing debts and to prepare and equip our buildings more completely. Probably his two outstanding accomplishments of the year were the organization of the W. C. C. Women's Service Club and the American Western Christian Foundation, Incorporated.

The W. C. C. Service Club was organized on November 10, 1958. Brother Sinclair suggested to the ladies gathered at the gymnasium at that time that they could "render service to the school that would be directly beneficial to the students." Mrs. Allan C. Mitchell was elected to serve as president, while Mrs. Eric Johnson of Estevan became the secretary-treasurer. The first project that the group chose was the decorating and furnishing of the boys common room in the boys' dormitory. When this project was completed, I know the boys were grateful to the ladies of this club.

The Western Christian Foundation, Incorporated, is a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Texas, set up to receive funds in the United States to be used for Christian education.. These donations are tax exempt by the government of the United States. The first president of this Foundation was James W. Kennedy of Rankin, Texas, and its firs vice-president was H. M. Holmes of Sheffield, Texas.

It is interesting to note here that Brother Kennedy and his family visited the old R. C. C. Campus in the summer of 1947. At that time he had been so very much impressed by the tremendous effort put forth there, and by the very fine hospitality shown his family by Brother and Sister J. C. Bailey and others that he remained a friend of out school throughout the years.

Jim Kennedy always a loyal supporter of Christian education , continued as president of the Foundation until his death in June 1969. Western Christian College owes much to Jim Kennedy--"a big man with a big hears, a man of service."

Besides the official opening, two other red letter days in the first year of operation at the Weyburn airport were the "Bible School Closing Exercises" and the "Graduation Exercises."

The _Messenger_ carried this account of the Bible School closing:

"On March 28, the closing exercises of the Bible department were held in the school assembly hall. Mr. C. T. Boll, principal. acted as Master of Ceremonies. In his opening remarks, Mr. Bailey emphasized the importance of the Bible Department in our school. He praised the progress of this year's student body and urged increased enrollment for next term.

"Larry Hoff, Vancouver, B. C., represented the students and spoke on 'The Abundant Life.' He suggested that, in order to live the abundant life, one must have good health, build a good home, and have a deep interest in spiritual values.

"Guest speaker for the evening was Brother R. Dacus, Estevan, Saskatchewan. His subject was taken from the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Just as the little boy was willing to share his food, and just as his unselfishness resulted in a blessing for thousands so we should be willing to share the little that we have, so that others might be benefited.

"Two plays were presented: 'Pyramus and Thisbe' under the direction of Gordon Hobbs and 'Corn-Fed Babies' directed by Shannon Pawlak. Acting awards went to James Johnson, Faye Mooney, and Bernice Johnson.

"Musical items were also on the program: piano solos by Phillip Bailey; vocal duet by Sharon Fisher and Fred Brehaut. The chorus, directed by Mr. J. Bailey, concluded the program.

"After the program, Mrs. Brandt and some of the students served lunch and the wonderful evening was concluded with a devotional service conducted by Mr. D. Olson."

The _Trumpet_ gives this description of the high school graduation exercises:

"Western Christian College held its first annual graduation exercises on Saturday, May 10, 1958. There were fifteen graduates.

"One hundred and twenty guests were served at the banquet. Grades nine and ten students were in charge of the banquet with David Williams as convener of the committee. Three short speeches, given at the table were made by Miss Torkelson, vice-principal; Mr. D. Sinclair, public relations director, and Mr. R. Dacus, chairman of the Board. These speakers brought forth valuable messages intended for the graduates.

"Following the banquet, the graduation exercises began in the gymnasium. After the ceremonial march of the graduates, Betty Bailey gave her salutatorian address. There were several musical items including songs by the Octet, Chorus, and Glee Club, a vocal solo by Betty Bailey; a piano solo by Jean Harkness and a piano duet by Noreen Johnson and Yvonne Laycock.

"The graduates then gave their Last Will and Testament and presented a skit written by Morris Brown.

"The ceremonial passing of the Torch was made by Lloyd Hotchkiss to Dale Start, a grade XI student.

"The speeches for the evening were given by Roy Davison, valedictorian, Dan Wieb, the Board of directors representative and John A. King, our guest speaker. The program concluded with the presentation of diplomas by Mr. Dacus. Our principal was master of ceremonies for the occasion."



1958-1959

Enrollment: Bible--6; High School--8

In the summer, the Board purchased the former Air Force school building. This building was partially demolished and we were able to save thousands of dollars by using its valuable mate rial to make partitions in dormitories and build several new staff suites. There were three work bees during the summer. At one bee, seventy- five men were present to help with the task of demolition.

One wing of the purchased building was moved onto a foundation near our dining hall. This building, larger than our dining hall, was used as a waiting room for our newly constructed outdoor skating rink as well as storage and work room. Now, we have six buildings on our campus.

In order to distinguish more easily in conversation among the buildings on our campus, the Board decided at its fall meeting (1958) to name a number of them. The Board used this opportunity to honour a number of pioneers in the church work of this area and in the work of our school.

The Assembly Hall was to be known as the H. A. Rogers Chapel in honour of Brother Rogers who preached the Truth to so many of us on the prairies.

The dining hall was to be the H. C. Morgan Cafeteria in honour of Brother Morgan of Carman, who left our school a generous bequest ($5000.00) in his will. A portion of the money was used to install the much needed running water system in Radville.

The J. C. Bailey Library was to be a memorial to Brother Bailey who has worked in so many ways to help our school, and who has done a great deal to build up our library by donating all profit made through the sale of religious books.

The Wilfred Orr Residence (boys' dormitory) was to remind us of Brother Wilfred Orr and his sacrifices for the school in its beginning years. The school was first located on land given by him, and classes were first held in a building built by his volunteer labour or by volunteers working under his direction.

The girls' dormitory was to be known as Torkelson Hall, probably to honour the staff member who has stayed with the school through all these rich and rewarding years.

This year marked the appointment of the first president of the college. Our first president was Richard Dacus, a native of Oklahoma, U.S.A., then engaged in evangelistic work at Estevan, Saskatchewan. He had been a member of the Board of Directors since 1956 and a substitute Bible teacher at R.C.C. for several weeks at various times. Although a non-resident president during his two year term of office, he brought a stability to the administration that was appreciated by us all.

In the fall we were pleased to welcome three new faculty members. For a long time, we had felt that Grade IX students needed special attention because they were away from home for the first time and because they were entering the new high school situation. Mrs. C. T. Bailey, wife of our principal, became their home room teacher and did a very commendable job of orientating the class to its new situation. I have always thought that she was the best grade IX teacher I have ever known.

Mr. and Mrs. Allan C. Mitchell were the other two members added to the faculty. They came from Helena, Montana, where Brother Mitchell had been a preacher of the Gospel for a number of years. Brother Mitchell, a graduate of Harding College, became our capable dean of boys and grade ten home room teacher. Mrs. Mitchell added new life to the home economics classes as their instructor.

A new activity of this fall term was the organization of the Personal Evangelism group managed by Thomas Eaves (local evangelist who arrived in October from Tennessee) and Allan C. Mitchell, and sponsored by the local elders of the church. This group met every Saturday evening at 6:30 and on Sunday afternoon. The students sang together, prayed together, learned of the work on mission fields, and considered how they could be of service to their Lord. Every Sunday afternoon they went to the Saskatchewan Hospital at Weyburn to sing for the patients or visit with them there.

This activity was only one of the many on the campus designed to bring the lessons of the great Master teacher before their lives- the regular chapel services, the evening devotionals in the dormitories, the Friday night hymn singing after "mixed" snack, (C. T. Bailey could not figure out if the food were mixed or the young people) and the regular Bible classes by dedicated teachers. If our students ever get so that they cannot enjoy spontaneous singing of hymns while doing dishes or ending an evening's entertainment with a few moments of devotion, then I believe the faculty and staff will need to take stock of both their purpose and their methods.

The mental hospital visitation project continued for eight years with a few changes. Twenty to forty students participated each year. When the patients who profited by this visiting began to be sent to half-way houses, our visits ceased. During those eight years several staff and students from Western received pins to honour their more than one hundred hours of visiting. The hospital administration was grateful for our interest in their patients, but I shall always contend that our students were the real beneficiaries of this project. As a result, there are hundreds of young people scattered throughout North America who have a better understanding of mental illness and a genuine sympathy for the patients.

In contrast to the rushing excitement of moving into new quarters the year before, the second school term at North Weyburn seemed comparatively uneventful. Two events of importance in the fall were the visit by T. C. Douglas, premier of this province, and our fall Lectureship. We were greatly honoured by the presence of Mr. & Mrs. Douglas on October 8. A program of chorus singing was held in their honour in the Assembly Hall. Mr. Douglas then gave an inspirational talk "The Secret of Successful Living." In his speech, Mr. Douglas suggested that the success of our lives is not measured by the fame we attain, the wealth we accumulate, or the knowledge we acquire, but by the personality and character we develop. In addition to charming the students with his ready wit, Mr. Douglas impressed them with their great privilege of attendance at a Christian school. At the conclusion of his address, he presented the coveted Douglas Trophy to Betty Bailey, the daughter of the principal. Since that time the Douglas Trophy has been presented annually to the grade XII student who has won the highest marks in the June examinations set by the Saskatchewan Department of Education.

There is an anecdote concerning Mr. Douglas and Western students that I tell occasionally:

The first year we were at Weyburn, Mr. Bailey arranged with Mr. Douglas, who was also the Weyburn member of the Legislative Assembly, for the grade XII students to spend an afternoon annually at the Legislative Buildings in Regina during the Assembly session. Mr. Douglas was always the gracious host of the class for luncheon at the cafeteria there. One year when I was in charge of the touring group, we discovered that there was no water on the table after we had sat down to the table in a small private dining room. Just as I was about to ask a student to fetch a tray of water glasses, Mr. Douglas, the premier of the province, jumped up and insisted that he would get the water for his guests. The students were greatly honoured by his attention and thoroughly appreciated his natural, easy manner with them.

The outstanding event of the 1958 fall term was decidedly the lectureship held November 8-11. _The Western Christian Messenger_ carried this account of the event:

"How does one measure the success of any venture? To say that the first annual lectureship at Western Christian was a success is to deal in understatement. If we are to measure the success of the lectureship by the number of visitors who attended, then we must say it was successful beyond the dreams of the most optimistic. Over 500 visitors registered over the week-end. Roughly speaking, this comprises between 40 and 50 percent of the membership of the church in Western Canada. Besides our own Canadian brethren we had visitors from Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Texas. Canadian visitors came from distant places such as Edmonton and Calgary. One hotel in the city of Weyburn was filled by visiting brethren and the campus was overcrowded as well. On Lord's Day, the largest single gathering of brethren ever to assemble in the West met to worship God. As nearly as could be counted, 450 were present for the service. Yes, if we are to measure the success of the lectureship by those who attended, we must admit great success.

"If we want to measure the success of the program by the calibre of the lectures themselves, again we must announce success. Brother LeMoine Lewis of Abilene, Texas, presented a series of five lectures on the great theme: "A Changeless Gospel in a Changing World!' The challenge that he presented to the church will long be remembered. Those of us who heard each of these lectures will be strengthened and encouraged by them as long as we shall live. The lecture by Brother Harvey Childress of Minneapolis on "The Scope and Value of Christian Education" will likewise be remembered for a long time. The challenge that we have to make a success of our Christian schools is a huge o~e and Brother Childress certainly made us aware of our obligations along that line. Equally to be remembered and prayed about is our Brother J. C. Bailey's challenge: 'The next ten years will be the greatest for the church in Western Canada.' This lecture upon this theme will challenge day by day those who heard it and are working to make it come true.

"If we measure the success of the lectureship by the number of good men who had part in its program, we must again admit success. We shall never forget the part played by these men.

"The classes, too, were very successful with increased attendance at each session and lessons presented which will help each of us to better live the Christian way of life.

"So we must say that in every department, the First Annual Western Christian College Lectureship was a success and we want to thank each one who had a part in the planning and execution of the plans. Without your help we could not have been successful." (The planning committee consisted of A. H. Beamish, R. Meneer, and E. D. Wieb.)

A visitor and teacher at the Lectureship, Robert Boyle, Sheffield, Texas, was so impressed with our need for more religious books in our library that he raised $1,200.00 to be used for that purpose. This was the largest gift our library had received thus far.

For several years after moving to the almost barren, flat prairie of the Weyburn campus, we sorely missed the Radville river valley for hikes and picnics in the spring. To fill this void, in 1959, we began our weekend picnics away from the campus. Students motored to Lumsden, Pasqua, Katepwa and Kenosee to be near trees, water, and hills. At first, each grade went to different areas for the week-end; however, as arranging for accommodation became increasingly difficult, the undergraduates settled for a one-day picnic, and only the grade XII class picnic continued for the week-end.

I shall never forget the seven glorious week ends I spent at Pasqua Lake in beautiful Qu'Appelle Valley during the years I was grade XII home-room teacher. With comfortable accommodation in a friend's cottage and a neighbouring cottage or boat house, we enjoyed hiking up the steep high hills, boating and swimming in the cool waters, the games of archery, horse shoes and croquet on the sandy beach, and the pleasant wiener roasts with the evening sing-songs. The quiet lake frequently rang with shrieks of laughter as daring boys pushed timid girls off the rafts.

As interest in the class picnics waned, 1969 witnessed the debut of the Spiritual and Recreational Retreat at the site of Clearview Christian Camp on Kenosee Lake. Once more enthusiasm ran high as a bus load of eager campers from all grades participated in a week- end program packed with discussions, devotionals, quiet times and organized outdoor games. The weather was forbidding with its drizzling rain and unusual coolness during most of the weekend, but this was no damper on high spirits during the ball game nor during the discussions on Romans. The campers hope the Retreat will be repeated next year.

As a result of this week-end away from campus, the students seem better able to cope with the intensive study required during the month of June for the much dreaded yearly final examinations.



1959-1960

Enrollment: Bible--6; High School--127

In August, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Peterson were welcomed back to the faculty after an absence of three years. During that time Roger had completed his studies toward a Master's degree in Bible at Abilene Christian College. Roger came to teach science and Bible, while his lovely wife, Helen Marie (Sinclair) '49, became the new dean of girls.

Roger Peterson is a versatile man. During his eighteen years at the college (by 1969), three as a student in the Bible Department, and fifteen as a teacher, Roger has successfully occupied most positions available when the need arose, except kitchen cook and history teacher. He has been printer, chorus director, boys' dorm supervisor, telephone line builder, commercial teacher, science teacher, math teacher, Bible teacher, home-room teacher, vice- principal, principal, and mushroom grower.

Two additional courses were added this term. Ray Lock began a one year commercial course with eleven students. (Ray Lock has the distinction of being the first graduate to become a member of the Board of Directors.) His commercial course was a success.

Among those eleven students was Alma Schiller, who very soon began to work in the public relations office at Western. Since that time, Alma has been with us in one office or the other. Her cheerful manner, in spite of rugged physical handicaps, and her genuine interest in others, especially the homesick and the lonely, have been an inspiration to staff and students alike throughout the years.

The second course added for this year was Grade XIII, as we called our second year college work. The small class of five students consisted of Leslie Anderson, Fred Brehaut, Manley Gilpin, Warren MacLeod, and Bill Muirhead. The courses offered, together with their instructors, were as follows: Bible--Roger Peterson; history- -Allen Mitchell; psychology--Cecil Bailey; calculus--Lillian Torkelson; English--Cecil Bailey. The texts and course outlines were those used for second year college work at Abilene Christian College. Although our college graduates could not receive credits at the University of Saskatchewan, they would obtain credits at A.C.C.

While grade 13 was a very interesting experiment for both students and instructors, it was not repeated in succeeding years for the administration deemed there was insufficient demand for the courses to merit their continuation.

During the 1959-60 term, a rather elaborate citizenship program was instituted under the leadership of Dryden Sinclair, public relations director, and Principal Cecil T. Bailey. From among the students, each month, the faculty chose the Citizen of the Month. On Citizenship Day, the chosen student was presented a Citizenship Certificate during an assembly. Prior to the presentation, some Weyburn or provincial personality addressed the assembly on some phase of good citizenship. During that year we had some outstanding messages by such men as Judge Thompson from Weyburn, Mayor Henry Baker of Regina and Dr. Riddell, Dean of Regina College.

To encourage further interest in the development of good citizenship, the Lock family decided to present annually the W. M. Lock Shield to the best citizen of the year. This shield was donated by the family in memory of their husband and father who had been actively concerned with the welfare of R.C.C. in its early struggles. In June the first student to have his name engraved on this shield was Ernie Jacobs of Manson, Manitoba. Ernie was editor of the _Northern Lights_, president of the Debate Club, a judge of the Student Court, and a member of the volley ball and curling teams.

In addition, at the Farewell Banquet in June, five special crests were awarded to the top citizens of the school, together with ten achievement bars to another group of fine citizens. The students are still honoured to win these awards each year, but after two or three years the Citizenship speeches were discontinued.

Among the memorable Citizenship Days stands out January 29, 1960, when our guest speaker was Mayor Henry Baker of Regina. While Mrs. Bailey, Mrs. Mitchell, and I awaited the assembling of the students, we were dismayed to realize suddenly that no preparations had been made to entertain Mr. Baker after the program. Then decisively, Lavine Bailey turned to me, "Delay Mr. Baker after the program a few minutes while Mrs. Mitchell and I prepare at my apartment. We'll invite the faculty and the Citizen of the Month for coffee with Mr. Baker." At the conclusion of the address, the two ladies slipped unobtrusively from the building to make hurried preparations for an unexpected twelve to fifteen guests.

When the students were dismissed, Mr. Bailey and I considered ways and means of lengthening a tour of our small classrooms, concentrated in one wing of the building. I amusedly recall that Mr. Baker seemed restive over the delay. Finally, when we could no longer find excuses for procrastinating, we walked to the nearby Bailey apartment less than one-half hour after assembly dismissal. Imagine my surprise to find a bright and shining living room with delicate china cups and saucers attractively arranged on a tea table covered with a beautiful cloth. A gracious smiling hostess stood at the door. After a slight delay, the ladies served hot chocolate cake, ice cream, and coffee to the room full of guests. The cake had been mixed and popped into the oven after the program and the ice cream had been purchased from the canteen! We had a delightful afternoon of conversation ranging from the light-hearted to the serious. Mr. Baker seemed unaware of the last minute rush. Henceforth, plans to entertain our guest speakers were made well ahead of time!

During the Christmas holidays the old Air Force drill hall was converted into an indoor ice skating rink. Assisted by students Elgin Parker, Douglas Parker, Bill Muirhead, and Gordon Patterson, Mr. Parker built the dressing rooms and waiting room inside the building. To make the ice, they covered the floor with packed snow. Then daily they sprayed the snow with water until a layer of ice was formed. To level the ice and fill the cracks, next they covered the rough surface with hot water a few times, allowing freezing between each dousing. Saskatchewan young people often wish for cold weather so as to reduce the time required for ice making.

On January 5, the opening night of the winter term, the new rink resounded to the laughter of young people and the clash of skates on ice as Western celebrated the opening of the rink. Master of Ceremonies, John C. Bailey, led the students in a whirl of skating activities. He introduced variations from regular skating that encouraged the students to mix with one another. In the waiting room, Mrs. Andreas and her helpers served hot chocolate and hot dogs to the guests. This gala night was the first of many skating parties on the first day of school after the winter holidays. We have been very thankful for the indoor ice-skating rink. Young people always need exercise, and especially this truth is obvious in a residential school where living and educational quarters are close together. Many a time, the skating rink has reduced the headaches of the deans of the dormitories.

Our students achieved recognition in two sports during this school term. In the first place, the football boys (touch) won the South Saskatchewan Championship for the first time. The final game was against St. Oliver of Radville one cold, miserable day in October on the Weyburn Collegiate playing field. We won with a score of 14:13.

In the second place, the girls' curling team not only won the South Saskatchewan Championship, but almost captured the provincial crown. In the final games against Saskatoon, our girls lost in an extra end of the third game. After defeating fourteen other teams in the playdowns, they met their only set back in Regina. Shirley Hanson, the skip, said that she played the last end of the final game in her dreams all night--the result could have been victory if she had thrown her last rock in just a slightly different manner. The other members of the rink were Heather LaBatte, Yvonne Laycock, and Ardith LaBatte. John C. Bailey was coach.

Prior to the last game, Western sent a telegram to the girls signed by the entire student body, staff and faculty. Besides many telegrams of congratulation, the girls received pins, crests, and trophies and were entertained at luncheons and banquets in Regina. Although the curlers lost their final game, Western was intensely proud of the girls, because they won the reputation of being fine young ladies and good sports.

In the spring, our campus received its first side-walks. They were board walks with the boards just far enough apart to wreck the narrow high heels of careless pedestrians. Still these same board walks reduced the janitor's work considerably during the June rains.

For her fine dramatic ability, Marilyn Covell, grade XI, was awarded an all-expense paid trip sponsored by the Canada Council to the Shakespearian Festival in Stratford, Ontario. She was one of the thirteen Saskatchewan students selected by the Department of Education, Regina.

In June, as a protest against certain Board decisions, Cecil T. Bailey shocked everyone by resigning as principal of the College after four years in that position. Both parties acted in good faith, with high purpose, but the disagreement could not be settled. This resignation had far reaching consequences, not only because Western lost an exciting teacher loved by young people and a Christian gentleman who had devoted many years preparing himself to fulfill a dream, but also because some brethren blamed the College for his resignation so that for a period of time the College did not enjoy the wholehearted support of the Western Canadian brethren which it had previously sustained.

My heart will always ache a little whenever my thoughts turn to Cecil's resignation and its aftermath; nonetheless, I am firmly convinced that all things work together for good to those that love the Lord.

I am reminded of Milton's "On His Blindness." "His state is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed and post o'er land and ocean without rest," and the sonnet concludes with "They also serve who stand and wait." We should be slow to say how we can serve Him best or what serves us best.



1960-1961

Enrollment: High School--100

ln September E. D. Wieb was appointed president of the College. During his first year of office, he spent one-quarter of his time at the College and the remainder in Winnipeg where he was minister of the Erin Street congregation.

After graduating from high school in Winnipeg, Brother Wieb engaged in the printing business there for several years before he and his family moved to Texas where he enrolled at Abilene Christian College. He received his bachelor of arts degree in 1955 and returned to Winnipeg to become minister for the Erin Street congregation. Brother Wieb had been a member of the Board of Directors of Western Christian College for three years.

He is married to the former Dorothy Stebbings and they have four children, Linda, Karen, Kent, and Allen, a chosen son. Another adopted son, Tommy, died in 1964.

The Wiebs have faced family adversity without bitterness. Karen, afflicted with polio at an early age, has endured surgery many times throughout the years, and Tommy's incurable illness was a lengthy one. These unhappy experiences have strengthened Danny and Dorothy's faith and deepened their purpose. Because Danny is an excellent Bible teacher, I regret that he cannot devote more time in the classroom. I share Aristotle's opinion:

"Those who educate children well are more to be honored than even their parents, for these only give them life, those the art of living well."

Some students will remember Brother Wieb for his informative, well- organized and thought provoking Bible classes, others will remember him for the personal counselling sessions in his office; still others for the curling games he organized but all students will remember him for "Jingle Bells."

During his years on the campus Brother Wieb has acted as master of ceremonies at many student gatherings. At the very first one in September, 1960, he opened the evening's entertainment by leading the assembly in the song "Jingle Bells." Since that time, winter or summer, "Jingle Bells" has been sung at all student social gatherings when he is present. Twice the chorus learned the song and sang it, as a surprise, to honour Brother Wieb. Several times at important basketball games the students have burst into "Jingle Bells." So has developed another heart warming tradition at Western.

The Daniel Pauls family came from Carman, Manitoba, to work at Western and have been here ever since. Brother Pauls is another example of the type of staff member a struggling school needs--a man willing to serve wherever necessity requires. He has been at various times dean of boys, kitchen supervisor, carpenter, and maintenance manager. For five years Mrs. Pauls cooked at the Morgan Cafeteria and is now (1969) available for special jobs of painting and cooking. Danny and Clara Pauls attended winter Bible school at Radville in 1942-43.

In the autumn, two other buildings at the air port were prepared for occupancy. The building south-west of the Administration building became the new chapel--Rogers' Chapel. Its foundations were repaired and gas heating was installed. Men of the congregation of the local church put up v-board for the chancel and painted the chairs, walls and ceiling. The chairs were discards purchased cheaply from Regina College. An electrical firm in Weyburn offered to supply the wire at 20% discount and let the men do the wiring under the supervision of its foreman. The renovations were made by volunteer labor as the local Church of Christ planned to have its worship services in the Chapel.

While the men were working at night in the Chapel, the students spent every spare moment renovating a low Air Force building located east of the Chapel to become a much-desired Student Centre.

Sometimes there were tasks that required more experienced hands than the students could provide. When this occurred, they came to the chapel and in exchange for a carpenter or plumber, they sent over as many as twenty students to wash windows, walls or floors in the Chapel building. Because of very fine co-operation among students and staff, both buildings were ready for use at the November Lectureship.

On the cool, shivering afternoon of November 11, one hundred and twenty people stood outside the Student Centre to witness its grand opening.

Just five months before, plans had been laid by the student council directed by John Muller, grade XII student, which culminated in this grand opening. The students had organized a campaign to obtain money for the project. They mailed one thousand letters during the summer and contacted personally many friends of the College.

John C. Murray was chosen by the student council to be head of the construction committee and student council president, Verner Ulrich, believed that J. C.'s organization of the work was the key to its punctual completion.

As the suggested opening date, November 11, drew nearer, student activity after school, after supervised study period, and into the wee small hours became feverish. David Sawyer was the electrician; Vaughn Warriner, the carpenter; while Dale Elford and James Parker say they were jack-of-all-trades. Marilyn Hope organized the girls into groups each with specified tasks such as sewing curtains, washing windows, walls and floors. The tired, yet elated students finished on the late night before or rather early morning of the official opening.

Because of his responsibility in organizing the work and encouraging the workers, in addition to working industriously himself, student John C. Murray was honoured by having the lounge bear his name.

Besides the lounge, the Student Centre included a canteen with counter and stools, a game room for ping pong, darts and small games, offices for student publications, "The Northern Lights" and "Trumpet," and a club room. The student council was to be in charge of the canteen and supervise the Student Centre.

At the official opening on November 11, President E. D. Wieb as Master of Ceremonies mentioned the value of such a centre to the students. J. C. Murray expressed appreciation to the students for their splendid co-operation. Then Mayor Onstad of Weyburn cut the ribbon and declared the student centre officially open. The guests rushed into the Centre to get out of the cold and to inspect the new quarters. Soon student groups were busy playing various games. Free refreshments were served to all students and their guests at the canteen that day.

The Student Centre project demonstrated once again that teen-agers will accept responsibility and will gladly devote much of their time to hard work in a Cause.

In January, D. W. Dryden Sinclair, vice-president and public relations director of the College, and family moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, where he became executive director of Western Christian Foundation, Inc., organized in 1958. Because Dryden Sinclair and Western Christian College were both unknown among the brotherhood of southern United States, he had a struggle awakening an interest in the financial need of the College. In a report to the Board, May 1961, he stated that in three months, after travelling seventeen thousand miles, he had raised only nine thousand dollars. In those discouraging days, Dryden wrote:

"Have faith in God, Mark 11:22. It seems to me that we need these words so much these days. Always we try to figure out how am I going to do this or that. We are apt to forget about God...I am begging you, my brother and fellow worker for souls, let us pray more and as Jesus might say to us 'Have faith in God.'"

As we dip into the future, we can see that Dryden's perseverance, kindliness, and faith have made many friends for Western. There have been times when Western's financial crises have been weathered successfully only through the assistance of Dryden Sinclair and the Western Christian Foundation. We are deeply grateful to him and our kind and generous American brethren.

For the third straight year Vaughn Warriner of our boys' basketball team was awarded the most valuable player plaque. Our boys made history in basketball that year too. For the first time they participated in the provincial finals (March 18). The team won the consolation. Naturally, the boys wondered whether the out come would have been different if Vaughn Warriner had been playing. At the time, he was lying in the hospital sick with pneumonia.

Another first for Western-we entered the provincial drama competitions. On February 9, the students presented "A Game of Checkers," written by Coy Roper, one of our teachers, and directed by his wife, Sharlotte Roper, at the South-East Saskatchewan High School Drama Festival Marilyn Covell won the best actress award and Marilyn Hope and Timothy Hotchkiss received honorable mention. Marilyn Covell was convincing as an emotionally disturbed, middle aged woman who played with a beautiful big doll. During the five years (1959 1964) the Ropers were at Western, we participated in several provincial drama festivals and won awards in all of them. In 1963 we reached the provincial semi-finals with "Footfalls" and Martin Harvey as the blind shoemaker received the most promising actor award at this contest.

Still another first for Western-Sue Wilson with the topic "Upheavals in the Congo" won the Weyburn Unit Oratorical Contest. In our fifteen years of high school operation, Sue was the first to win the school unit contest.

There is a rather interesting side light regarding Sue's Africa speech. Two years before, Sue had won the all-school contest with a speech entitled "The Story of Africa". Later, when Sue went to Michigan Christian College, she met and married a young man from South Africa. Now Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Uys are missionaries in East London, South Africa.



1961 - 1962

Enrollment: High School--79

Rumour said that Western Christian College might not open in September, but as usual, rumour was unreliable. True--the College was suffering from both financial and public relations problems. The Board and Administration were fighting indifference and some open antagonism in the brotherhood. At a special shareholders' meeting in June (1961) it was stated that $25,000.00 must be secured before August 31. The Western Christian Foundation volunteered to raise half of this amount. As Canadian donations for the month of June and July totalled only $1,811.08 prospects looked gloomy. Nevertheless, classes did begin and the financial pressure had eased somewhat at the time of the shareholders' regular meeting in November.

We were able to pay the Saskatchewan government the obligatory three thousand dollars on our building agreement through the efforts of Jim Kennedy and Dryden Sinclair of the Foundation. Total donations during the past year were $38,294.60 with approximately $12,000.00 coming from Canadian donors.

Furthermore, at the annual meeting, J. C. Bailey once again accepted nomination on the Board. J. C.'s faith in the worth of Christian education and the faith that the brethren had in him became valuable assets of the College.

The Board stood together during those trying days. "The storm was weathered and a new dawn is breaking for Western Christian College" wrote a retiring member of the board.

"What hopes are these, what dreams! But surely there is yet a hope that sixty-two can be indeed a pleasant, happy year, that Peace may reign and Joy and all Prosperity. Wherein such hopes? What right to dream of such a year? Wherein thy Trust? On what depend? Surely not in man! If not in man, then where? In God!!"

Students arriving this year were pleasantly surprised to find newly painted bedrooms, because so many ladies generously responded to the "paint the dormitories" campaign of the Women's Service Club. The entire upper floor of Torkelson Hall and one-half of the Wilfred Orr Residence were painted. In addition, the classrooms had been remodelled and redecorated to improve lighting and teaching facilities. An inspector from the Health Region Office previously had given a very critical report of the lighting in our classrooms.

In December the dormitories were converted into hospital wards and Mrs. Cutting, the Dean of Girls, became a Florence Nightingale over night when an influenza epidemic that swept across the North American continent struck our campus. Nearly every student became ill before the epidemic left us. All eventually recovered with no after-effects except the dining hall personnel's difficulty in recovering all the trays they had toted to the dormitories.

Marian Stewart, a grade XII student from Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, reigned as Queen over our first annual three-day Homecoming festivities in February. On Friday evening, February 2, following a basketball game with Radville, Marian Stewart was crowned by alumni president, David Lidbury. Her princesses were Erna Seibel of North Weyburn and Carol Long of Missoula, Montana.

The _Messenger_ reports:

"The homecoming program was the first and was considered to be a success by those involved. About fifty exes returned to the campus along with seventy-five junior high and high school students as prospective students. The activities of the week-end centered around sporting activities and other pro grams by the students of the college.

"One of the highlights of the eventful week end was the construction of snow displays. The winning display was a huge snow man who belched fire from the top of his head to proclaim a welcome from the 'Fireballs' to the campus visitors.

"The students were victorious in each of their homecoming basketball games but were narrowly defeated by the alumni in the ice hockey game.

"A one-act play 'Pink and Patches' and chorus program rounded out the festivities and a Sunday blizzard added a real northern touch to Western Christian's First Annual Homecoming."

Among the many events that have been added to the festivities since that first Homecoming in 1962 are the annual banquet, basketball games for the alumni, the tea at Miss Torkelson's, honouring the Alumnus of the Year, and special guest speakers on Sunday. But the alumni boys still have their traditional moonlight hockey game on late Saturday night!

Homecoming has become a popular event, assuredly one of the highlights of the school year. Alumni declare that there is no better opportunity to renew friendships with so many former students.

This was an unusually cold winter. Small irritating problems and big serious problems developed because of the weather.

"Because of the age and construction of these buildings, there is a constant need for repairs and renovation. Especially in a severe winter such as this one has been, there is a need for this. For instance, one morning when the temperature dropped to 35 degrees below zero, some of the steam valves froze. Our custodian worked several hours to restore heat to the buildings.

"It is expensive to operate in such a winter. Besides the natural gas used in some buildings, our coal furnaces consume about 600 tons of coal during the winter. Heating, lighting and other utilities run into great expenses."

To aggravate further the financial situation this year, the enrollment was low. In fact, this was the lowest enrollment during all twelve years the College has been located at Weyburn. In the fall (1961) we started with 79 pupils but we concluded in June with only 66. When facilities exist to accommodate 100 pupils and there are only 66, the budget is upset. It takes just as much heat and rent; and we still have to pay the same faculty and staff salaries, yet the income is reduced by one-third.

Why the low enrollment? Several reasons, but I wish to mention two that may not be obvious:

When the College first moved to Weyburn, many parents of the surrounding area enrolled their problem sons and daughters-- problems socially and academically. The school gained the reputation as a place where problems can be solved. Because the faculty and staff were Christian, they wished to help these youngsters become good citizens and successful students. In many cases we were rewarded with favorable results, but sometimes through lack of wisdom we failed to benefit the students. Those unhappy students withdrew from school, or we dismissed them for fear their companionship might corrupt the standards of the rest of the student body.

These actions caused a boomerang. Tales, often exaggerated, of the misdeeds of the uncooperative students spread far and wide. Consequently, some good Christian parents hesitated to send their children to Western for fear they would become contaminated. Thus our enrollment decreased. The smallest enrollment during our years at Weyburn was in 1961-62.

For several years, the administration was criticized for admitting so many problem students. Picture its dilemma. Christians must always be ready to seek and save the lost; yet, they must provide an environment conducive to spiritual growth of all entrusted to their care. For such a program to succeed, there must be a high percentage of good students or their influence will not permeate the whole. Possibly for a few years the ratio between the weak and strong students was not at its best.

At present (1969) the College gets students who are slow learners or who are poorly motivated, but the tough, social problems do not enroll, for the administration discourages the enrollment of all applicants not interested in our religious and spiritual programs.

In spite of doubtful interest from some quarters, an unusually cold winter, a flu epidemic, financial crises and discipline headaches, we had a very good school year (1961-62) with a Lectureship kindled by Otis Gatewood, an exciting first Homecoming, an enthusiastic visitation program at the Saskatchewan Hospital, a lively Drama Night, a memorable Spiritual Emphasis week with A. H. Beamish, a successful academic program with Tom Ulrich receiving the highest standing in seventeen years in June Departmental examinations, and with twelve students dedicating themselves to mission work.



What Two Southerners Think
of Western Christian

by Sharlotte and Coy Roper

"When we moved to Canada two winters ago, the first question asked by everyone was, 'Well, how do you like Canada?' Since we had been raised in the sunny climate of Texas and Oklahoma, the first answer that occurred to us was, naturally, 'It's nice-but cold.' It has remained our standard reply to that standard question.

"And indeed it is cold. We have adopted an entirely new concept of the weather. When after a cold spell it gets up to five below, we think it's positively warm. If it gets up to thirty-five above in the winter, it's almost hot. Two of the first words Dee Ann (who was born in Weyburn) learned to say were, 'Cold outside'. Our car, a solid southern vehicle, suddenly turned into a model of contrariness which only ran when it felt like it. Usually, during the winter, it didn't. It still hasn't become acclimatized.

"However, there are compensations for the cold. We have gone ice skating and tobogganing. We have curled (curling, by the way, is a game played on ice, not a method of setting one's hair). We have learned to enjoy Canada's most popular sport, hockey. Besides, we have learned to really appreciate warm houses, warm clothing, and hot food.

"But the things that really warm us in this cold weather are more intangible than clothing or houses or food. They are the inspiring things that happen almost every day. For instance, we can remember: ...cool spring nights when we have student devotionals around camp fires...spontaneous singing of hymns erupting on many occasions... outstanding performances by students in chorus, in dramatics, in sports...the improvement of student's attitudes toward good things...pleasant recreation at parties with staff and students...a student's suggestion that we have prayer before ball games...great moments of inspiration at lectureships and meetings and in our weekly worship services...the decision of twelve students to do mission work abroad.

"There are discouraging moments, too: when students are unreasonable or lazy, when the staff just can't seem to get along, when differences in customs do make a difference, when there is too much to do and too little time to do it, when the winter seems to stay too long, when prize pupils disappoint, and when we fail to help problem students. But of the things that really count-- wholesome recreation, Christian fellowship, the opportunity to serve, a knowledge of permanent and perhaps, eternal good being done--there is an abundance, more than enough to outweigh the discouragements.

"Or, to put it another way:

"A boy came here three years ago who was a prime prospect for reform school. He showed no interest in Bible and little in anything good; he was almost sent home that first year for misbehavior. Last fall he was baptized. Today he is a dedicated Christian, often erring, but always trying. We taught him, we coached him, we visited with him. When he became a Christian, all the trials, and disappointments seemed worthwhile. It's easy to forget daily struggles in and out of the classroom, but it's impossible to lose the memory of young feet set upon the path of righteousness.

"Our friends in the South sometimes comment upon our 'sacrifice' in coming to Canada. But we are doing what we want to do, we enjoy doing it, and we are richly rewarded for doing it--not in money, but in satisfaction. Therefore, we are making no real sacrifice for we have given up none of the important things of life. We are part of a great work and proud to be part of it."



1962-1963
The Year Of Renovations

Enrollment: High School--90

The Morgan Cafeteria was large enough to seat two hundred people comfortably, but the building required a great deal of renovating. The sanitary inspector pronounced the plumbing unsatisfactory; there was no proper kitchen area; facilities for dishwashing were inadequate.

Spurred on by the Women's Service Club's purchase of a natural gas food table, the administration remodelled the Cafeteria during the summer holidays. The dining room was painted in attractive tones of turquoise and yellow. New yellow drapes were hung at the windows and four large, beautiful landscape prints gave the dining room a cheerful, home-like appearance.

The work area of the building was subdivided into four rooms: the receiving room, the grocery storage, the kitchen and the dishwashing room.

All the work of renovating was done by the college staff. This work included renewing sections of old plumbing as well as the installation of new plumbing. If contractors had been engaged, this job would have cost the College a large sum of money.

Besides giving a new look to the Morgan Cafeteria, the administration spent several thousand dollars to provide facilities urgently needed in three academic departments--science laboratory, woodworking shop and home economic department.

Roger Peterson built laboratory tables to accommodate experimental equipment. These tables made it possible for sixteen students to work independently on their experiments. Estimated purchase price of each table was four hundred dollars, but by building them on the campus from used materials, the cost was much less. The Alumni Association decided to equip the laboratory with twelve hundred dollars worth of much needed science materials. Everyone was proud of the now comparatively up-to-date laboratory.

For our Woodworking Shop, Norman Straker built some four-place benches. Again, by using old lumber, they cost only a fraction of the three hundred dollars each if purchased at a school supply house. More than a thousand dollars worth of tools were placed in the shop for our new shop teacher, Bernard Straker, and his students. We are eager to show this reasonably well equipped building to touring visitors.

After many years of shifting from the college kitchen to the apartment of the home economics teacher, the home economics classes finally found a home of their own, equipped with cup boards, stove, sink, refrigerator, tables and sewing machines. Compared with modern home economics rooms in provincial collegiates, this room seems very primitive, but compared with previous facilities at Western, it seems to be an improbable dream come true.

In early July the staff and faculty began renovations on the gymnasium, formerly the RCAF recreation hall. This project continued until November.

The entire interior was very shabby because of the lack of paint; "Old Smoky," the furnace, was faulty; since there was no ceiling in the building, it was very difficult to heat. During a basketball tournament the previous winter, the teams played with a cool 35 degree temperature within the building. The _Messenger_ reports the various phases of renovations that were made:

"In July, work began with the tearing down of the balcony and the laying of hardwood flooring to extend the floor. Materials obtained from the dismantling of the balcony were useful in laying the floor and much of the lumber was used as strapping for the ceiling.

"The next project was to equip the building with a lower ceiling. By removing some plywood panels from one of the unused buildings on the campus, a full ceiling was placed in the gym. At least one thousand dollars was saved by dismantling and rescuing this used material.

"Then the entire area was given a coat of paint. Twenty-five gallons were required to cover the walls and ceiling.

"The old furnace was overhauled and a new motor purchased to insure heat for the winter.

"Sanders were rented and the floor was completely sanded to remove the old varnish and paint. Then lines were painted for basketball, volleyball and badminton courts. Next the floor was given two coats of varnish. The gym floor now has the appearance of a new floor.

"New, sturdy frames were constructed of pipe to hold the basketball hoops. The frame at the stage end of the floor is equipped with pulleys and a winch so that it can be raised to clear the stage front."

By using our own staff plus used materials and volunteer labour, the cost of providing this adequate recreational facility that some Unit high schools envied, was 10% or 15% of the cost if the job had been done by outside contract labour.

Whenever I think of remodelling old buildings on the campus, I always think of Ernest Andreas, our bursar, for he has made the plans for the remodeling and then has saved money for the college by working long hours at plumbing and other tasks rather than hire outside artisans at high wages. ln addition, he has travelled many miles among the brethren raising the money to pay for these renovations.

A special meeting of the shareholders was called on November 17, 1962, to consider by-laws regarding disposal of assets in the event of the dissolution of the organization. It was agreed, "that the Board shall distribute all assets of the society to another organization or organizations to be used in such manner as the Board's judgement believes will best accomplish the purpose of this society, and no shareholder or group of shareholders shall benefit financially therefrom; or the assets shall be sold by tender or auction and the proceeds given to the organizations that in the judgement of the Board will best accomplish the purpose for which the society was organized."

February 1963, was victory month for Western. "Footfalls," directed by Coy Roper, won the South-East Saskatchewan Drama Festival at Oxbow and Martin Harvey won the best actor award. Later, at the provincial semi-finals, Martin won the most promising actor award in the same play.

Our boys' and girls' basketball teams also tasted victory at the East District tournament at Avonlea.

Derald Staveley won the Bryant Public Speaking Contest zone finals in Regina with his speech "The Training of an Astronaut" and proceeded to the provincial finals in Saskatoon. Although he did not bring back the provincial cup, we were proud of Derald as he was our first student to reach the final contest. In fact, only once before had a student from Weyburn ever reached the finals in forty years of Bryant Public Speaking history.

For the first time in College history, Western girls played in the Provincial basketball tournament. Although they were defeated by Lebret, they were happy they had reached the finals. After the games, Western played host at a banquet to the four participating teams.

It was a good year with improvements in the buildings, and with victories in sports, public speaking and drama. School spirit ran high. This was the year also of S.O.S. (Students Organized for Service Club.) Martin Harvey, class president, valedictorian, and first winner of the President's Award, expressed the sentiments of the graduates: "The class that leaves this year is a class full of gratitude to our parents, our teachers and our Lord. Thank you all. We shall do our best, and as you have been of service to us, we promise through skill and good faith to be of service to all."



1963-1964

Enrollment: High School-109

The Clinton Brazle family arrived from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to work with the Weyburn Church of Christ. Clinton and Faye Brazle have six children; the two girls enrolled at Western.

When the College was located at Radville, Brother Brazle had conducted a special gospel meeting for the church there. At the time we were so impressed with him that when we were scouting for our first college president, we contacted him. Brother Brazle declined the offer. Now we are happy to have him on the campus in a different capacity.

Straightway, he revitalized the Mission Study class which met on Sunday evening. Its theme, song became "I know the Lord will find a way for me." Soon the class became infected with Brother Brazle's ardent evangelistic spirit. His messages to the class this year, and in succeeding years, created a mission-minded student body.

Among the number of the charter class who will be witnessing for Christ in their daily lives in later years were Eleanor Pauls, in a summer campaign-for-Christ in Germany; Sharon Parker, wife of a missionary in India; Dorothy King, Bible study teacher in her nurses' residence; Marilyn Brazle, counsellor and teacher at summer camps; Ron Surry, minister for the church at Brandon, Manitoba; Ervin Nelson, establishing the Lord's church at Thompson; Orland Wilkerson, studying Bible at A.C.C; and...

Furthermore, Brother Brazle initiated another program that he has continued faithfully in succeeding years--the Preacher Training Class, later renamed the Young Timothys. Twice weekly, before breakfast, a volunteer group of boys from the College, together with pre-high school sons of faculty and staff meet to learn how to serve their Master better from the pulpit. In addition, Brother Brazle arranges speaking appointments for the older boys at seven nearby small congregations. During our Lectureships and our gospel meetings, the guest speakers always give a special message to our Young Timothys.

The charter class of twelve boys (average attendance throughout the years is seventeen) were Bob Andreas, Mark Brazle, Mike Brazle, Arden Start, Ervin Nelson, Orland Wilkerson, Don Straker, Ken Floyde, Ron Surry, Bob Parker, David George, Bryan Meneer.

Dipping into the future, I see Bob Parker as missionary in India; David George preaching in Duke, Oklahoma, Bryan Meneer studying Bible at A.C.C.

I maintain that Brother Brazle's work with the Young Timothys is one of the finest programs on our campus. Only the judgement day will reveal the extended achievements of this project:

"Our echoes roll from soul to soul
And grow forever and forever."

No account of the influence of the Brazle family on the campus of Western Christian College is complete without referring to Mrs. Brazle's Teacher Training Class with the high school girls. Before her illness, she conducted these classes on Wednesday nights in the chapel. As soon as her affliction from multiple sclerosis subsided somewhat, Mrs. Brazle taught the classes bi-weekly on Sunday afternoons at her home. This training series included not only discussion periods, but also practice teaching sessions. Countless little children will have more effective Bible teaching through Mrs. Brazle's efforts.

The autumn statistics for the college this year were as follows:

A 22% increase in the student body enrollment; 28 students in the largest graduating class thus far in College history; 50% more boys than girls; Roger Peterson, the new principal.

The salary schedule adopted in the spring came into effect this term. The schedule is 75% that of the Weyburn School Unit. Each salary will depend on educational attainments and years of service. Teachers are entitled to twenty days of sick leave annually; the unused portion of sick leave may be carried over to the ensuing year. A teacher on sabbatical leave will receive 2/3 of his salary.

This new agreement eases the financial burdens of the faculty. Before the adoption of this schedule, faculty members with several children lived on a very restricted budget and in some cases found it necessary to ration certain foods such as meat, to a once a week appearance on the menu.

Western Christian College has always had to struggle to obtain qualified teachers. It is hoped that this new agreement will encourage more teachers to apply. Hitherto, many young ~Christian teachers already handicapped by debts incurred during college years could not possibly afford the luxury of teaching at Western.

At the October shareholders' meeting, Walter Straker, reporting for the Board, expressed satisfaction with the progress of the school in the past, but encouraged consideration of the establishment of junior college work. During his president's report, E. D. Wieb also suggested that in the very near future, junior college courses should be included in the curriculum.

The seed of an idea is sown!

At the annual meeting of the Alumni Association held during the Lectureship, a new constitution was adopted. The purpose of this constitution was to develop a more orderly pattern for managing alumni business, and to provide a framework within which the Alumni could better assist their alma mater. "Nothing is more important than the critical and knowledgeable interest of our alumni. It cannot possibly be measured in merely financial terms" declares one university president.

I was appointed the first executive secretary of this association. One of my pleasant new duties is to publish quarterly the Alumni Reporter. Another incidental blessing derived from the office is receiving invitations to many weddings.

In February, the first annual Bible Reading Contest was held. To encourage better oral reading of the scriptures, the Sinclair family donated a trophy to the winner. This trophy was donated in memory of their father, D. A. Sinclair, who read the holy scriptures with beauty and reverence. The finalists in the contest were Brian Braithewaite, Gregory Close, Bryan Meneer and Orland Wilkerson. The trophy winner was Orland Wilkerson.

Excerpt from the class prophecies:

"I was passing near Italy, so I stopped in to see the former Eleanor Pauls and her husband who run an Italian restaurant. Their specialty that day was government pork, creamed onions, beet pickles and hot chocolate. Somehow the meal evoked memories of the cafeteria at WCC."

No story of Western Christian College is complete without reference to government pork. In 1960 the Saskatchewan Government decided to dispose of a meat supply held in storage by the Emergency Measures Organization, to institutions of the province. Western received 1320 cases, each containing 24 cans of pork. Because money was scarce and the meat was free, this so-called government pork appeared on Western's menus rather frequently. At first the students ate it enthusiastically but soon their appetite dwindled. In their Last Will and Testament the graduating classes bequeathed tons of government pork to the cooks. Even when the meat was prepared in tasty fashion, the standard remark became, "What! government pork again?" Since it is estimated that that supply will last the college twelve years, several graduating classes will still have to endure the delicious aroma of government pork!

The most impressive ceremony of our high school graduation exercises is "The Passing of the Torch" introduced by Cecil T. Bailey when he was principal. This year Principal Roger Peterson remodelled the torch so that a real flame could be lighted. Although I have witnessed this ceremony many times, I am deeply stirred at each performance.

When the lights grow dim, from back stage, appears the senior class president holding high the flaming torch. As he walks solemnly toward the front of the stage, the grade XI class president comes to meet him from the audience. The flaming torch is presented to the undergraduate president standing a step or two below the senior president who gravely reminds the undergraduates that this flame is symbolic of the light that must be kept flowing in the hearts of the student body. During the presentation and acceptance speeches only the torch and faces of the two class presidents are visible in the darkened hall. After his acceptance speech, the grade XI class president walks slowly down the centre aisle holding high the lighted torch while the graduates sing spiritedly, "Ho my comrades." At the first notes of the class song, the audience rises to attention. A truly unforgettable experience!

Because the presentation speech of Barry Ellis in 1964 is not available, I'll record that of Bob Andreas(1969) as a composite of all the speeches delivered by senior class presidents:

"As each senior class passes from the campus of Western Christian College, it must surrender to its undergraduates the responsibilities it has shouldered for the past school term. This torch symbolizes one of the most sobering tasks laid on the grade 12 class, that if creating and maintaining high conduct. It is not to be taken lightly. It demands the concentrated and unfailing efforts of the whole student body and you, the leaders, must be doubly determined to succeed. We trust as you ceremonially accept this torch, you will also accept the sometime common and unpleasant duties of fostering a healthy atmosphere on our campus.

"As president of the graduating class, I charge you to keep an active school spirit, an enthusiastic optimism and, above all, a living Christ both in your hearts and on this campus. We place our confidence in you!"

It was a good year with the Mission Study Class, Preachers' Training Class, the welcome parties, class picnics, chorus tour, sports, sing songs, the flaming torch ceremony and even government pork. "Our deeds shape our destiny."--Motto of the graduating class.



1964-1965

Enrollment: High School--107

When the College first moved to the Weyburn campus, we rented all four buildings used, at the nominal rate of seventy-five dollars a month. This rental was insignificant considering the size of the buildings and the facilities provided.

After a few years the Administration began negotiating for the purchase of those four buildings and of eleven others located at the airport. There was delay in making the final agreement because the land was owned by the federal government while the buildings were owned by the provincial government.

In the spring of 1964, unexpectedly we received notice that we could gain ownership of the buildings if we paid $36,733.30 by July 15. This was a saving of $10,600.00 from the originally suggested price as all accrued interest would be dropped.

Immediately, the Opportunity Campaign went into full gear. Here was an opportunity for us to own our college buildings that we had occupied since 1957. President E. D. Wieb and Ernest Andreas committed themselves to contact personally every member of the Church of Christ in Western Canada to give them an opportunity to assist in this great campaign.

On July 14, a certified cheque for $36,733.30 was sent to the Department of Public Works for the Province of Saskatchewan as complete payment for the fifteen buildings on our campus. A day of jubilation! A day of humble gratitude!

To make this day possible, 275 separate contributions were received in less than ten weeks from Canadian donors. This represents a majority of the wage earners in the churches of Christ of Western Canada.

During our campaign for building fund money in Canada, Western Christian Foundation undertook the task of raising sufficient money to balance our operational budget.

At the end of our fiscal year, it was revealed that Canadians had given almost forty-thousand dollars to the College during the past year and that donations from Western Christian Foundation totalled thirty-five thousand dollars. Canadian donations had increased 150% over the previous year and Western Christian Foundation donations had increased 90%. This is the only time since the foundation was organized in 1958 that Canadian donations have exceeded those from the foundation.

The Opportunity Campaign is one of our big success stories, "275 persons gave nearly $30,000.00 in 60 days." E. D. Wieb and Ernest Andreas declared that never had the work of fund-raising been so rewarding. Our Canadian brethren proved that they needed the College, wanted the College, and were determined to own the College campus.

When the Student Centre was first opened in the fall of 1960, it was supervised by the Student Council. This supervision included responsibility for housekeeping. This system of supervision worked well for two or three years. Then as the novelty of the Centre wore off and the student council had more difficulty in obtaining the co-operation of the student body in housekeeping jobs, the faculty and staff were supposed to rotate as supervisors. As the periods of supervision came only infrequently, sometimes the faculty and staff neglected to do their part. Consequently, the Student Centre was becoming a dismal-looking place that students did not visit except during canteen hours.

To remedy the situation, during the summer of 1964, the administration decided to build two apartments in the souther part of the Centre. One apartment housed a young couple, Ken and Bev Bolton from Winnipeg. While Ken attended College, Bev became the Student Centre supervisor.

Soon the Centre took on a cheery, spotless appearance that attracted the young people. Once again it became a busy centre of student activity. Bev's pleasant and friendly ways encouraged the students to go there; yet, her standards demanded that they treat the area with respect. Since 1964 the Student Centre has been managed by adults.

The construction of the two apartments in the Student Centre raised the number of campus apartments to twenty. Only two apartments existed in 1957. Converting long, narrow, dusty halls of old air force buildings into comfortable and convenient living apartments is no easy task. Some of our staff and faculty have worked many hours, building new apartments to accommodate our enlarging staff and faculty. These apartments range in size from four-bedroom apartments to a one-bedroom apartment where the bathroom is almost as large as the combined kitchen-living room. Visitors to the campus are often pleasantly surprised to see the comfort and attractiveness of our apartments. They are likely expecting the same drabness as the unpainted shingles of the walls and roofs of the apartment buildings themselves.

In the late summer of 1964, Western Christian College purchased a fifty-four passenger bus of 191 Ford variety. Daily this bus transported to public school in Weyburn nineteen children of our staff and faculty together with other children living at the airport or near the airport. The college students themselves greeted enthusiastically this addition to our facilities because now more students could attend off-campus sports events and the touring chorus could be enlarged. The slogan, "Canada needs more Christian Youth" was place in large green letters on the freshly painted white bus with green trim. Using the school colours made the bus truly our very own. The "hearse" as our old panel truck was nicknamed before its school colour paint job, was now relegated to being mail truck and delivery wagon.

The students can recall many happy rides in the new, big bus, but they can also recall a few break downs in cold winter when the long mid-night wait for help was shortened by sing-songs and story telling, or they recall the unexpected blizzards so thick that brave boys had to run ahead to indicate the obscured road.

Throughout the years, considerable dissatisfaction with the life membership of the shareholders had gradually developed in our organization. Since their original five dollar payment required to purchase a membership in 1945-46, some shareholders had exhibited very little interest in the school. They had not donated any money to help with its financial struggles for twenty years, nor had they visited the school nor written letters of encouragement, yet these same shareholders had the right to vote for the directors of the school.

At one time, it had been proposed that all life memberships be canceled. However, some shareholders objected to this proposal as they considered that the life membership had been promised at the original organization of the college and that the suggested change would be violating a contract.

Last year at the 1963 annual meeting, after pointing out some weaknesses of life membership, Manley Jacobs suggested that the by-laws be amended whereby future memberships be secured on an annual basis. As there was considerable support for this proposal, it was agreed that a draft of such an amendment be considered at the next annual meeting.

During the past summer the Administration circulated forms among the shareholders asking their opinions regarding the proposed change in the membership system. The returns of this survey indicated that a large percentage of the shareholders were willing to turn in their life time shares for annually renewable ones.

On October 10, 1964, the shareholders decided at their annual meeting to make membership in the corporation annually renewable. Memberships henceforth may be granted by the Board of Directors upon application, to be valid for one year only. These memberships will be renewed only if the members have donated to the college at least five dollars during the year. Although the original shareholders were asked to relinquish their life shares and apply for the new type of membership share, they still had the privilege of retaining their life shares if they so desired.

This new membership system should develop an alert, active corporation.

After serving the Board of Directors for eight years, six as Board Chairman, Richard Dacus of Sidney, Montana, declined renomination to the Board. While announcing this refusal, the Western Christian College Messenger praised Brother Dacus for his years of faithful and capable leadership:

"He has served faithfully throughout his terms and was helpful in making the transition from Radville to Weyburn. Brother Dacus served as first president of Western Christian College, along with his position as Board chairman. He also served as Bible teacher while he worked with the church in Estevan. Western Christian College owes much to Brother Dacus for his persistent efforts through the trying years."

At their May meeting the Board determined to rely on a "Pay-for-a- Day" scheme for meeting the operational deficit. According to averages over the recent years, the College requires $120,00 per day above the earned income. Since this May meeting, there has been a campaign to induce members of the corporation, friends of the College, and alumni to agree to "Pay-for-a-Day." While the response has been good, we still have many days not paid for. Consequently the bursar and office manager still have endless problems juggling the income to pay salaries and other debts fairly near the due dates."

In June, the A Cappella Chorus, under the direction of John S. Close, pressed its first record "O Lord Most Holy" with soloists Melinda Brazle, Pamela Stone and David George.

Our A cappella Chorus had its beginning in the fall of 1948 when it was organized and directed by Doris Lewis. From its beginning, the Chorus enjoyed a good reputation in the community. Very few small high schools had mixed choruses as not many could induce their boys to sing. Our students have always loved to sing; especially they enjoyed harmonizing without an instrument. As the enrollment increased, our chorus became larger under the fine direction of Roger Peterson, David Olson, John Bailey, Jack Close, Max Mowrer, and James Willett.

The chorus has toured various parts of Canada and the United States each year since the first tour piloted by Roger Peterson in 1956. In 1965 the chorus toured Montana--twelve engagements in ten days-- one day at the beautiful Bow and Arrow Ranch near Yellowstone National Park.

Making the first record is an important milestone in school history. Since that time we have made one each year. When Max Mowrer came, he organized a singing group of nine girls, "The Skylarks," and in 1969 James Willett added a boys' chorus and several other small singing groups. Mr. Willett allows all those interested in singing to enroll in the large chorus; in 1968 and again in 1969 more than ninety students enrolled in this chorus (total school enrollment 132 and 116).

We receive many lovely compliments for our musical activities. Last December a Weyburn school teacher made sure that she attended the Carol Festival the night Western sang. At a recent music festival, our entries received more audience applause than any of the singing groups. Our chorus has performed for service clubs where the students have received standing ovations.

With apologies to Fletcher's "Give me the making of the songs of a nation and I care not who makes it laws," I insist that if I hear the songs young people delight to sing, I can predict the future of the church.



1965-1966

Enrollment: High School--94

During the 1965 winter session of the Saskatchewan Legislature, the government decided to extend educational grants to private schools. Before this time, the public and separate schools received grants but private schools, such as Western, received no financial assistance from the government.

Since many people do not understand the difference between separate schools and private schools, let me explain. Separate schools may be organized in districts where a specified percentage of the taxpayers belong to a certain religion. Then these taxpayers designate that their school taxes be used to operate a school to teach their religious principles along with academic subjects. Private schools receive no local property tax money.

As the Saskatchewan Department of Education considers that private schools are performing a worthwhile service to the community, it has promoted the giving of provincial grants to them. These grants began September 1, 1965.

In order to qualify for the grant, the private schools must employ at least four certified high school teachers, must have a minimum of eighty students enrolled, must follow the provincial curriculum and must be open for regular inspection by the provincially appointed superintendent of schools. I might be wise to state here that the superintendent interferes in no way with our religious activities.

Since Western's faculty is eligible and since the College has always followed the curriculum of the Department of Education and has always been visited by the superintendents, the College had no difficulty qualifying for the grant. The grants are based on the number of Saskatchewan resident students. This year's grant is approximately four thousand dollars--scarcely enough to pay the salary of one teacher.

It is the faculty that received the greatest benefit from this new government policy. Now, we are members of the Saskatchewan Teacher's Federation and will automatically qualify for a low rate group insurance for extended sickness allowances, and for a retirement pension. Although former years of service at Western may not be counted when calculating the amount of the pension, at least now the faculty will be eligible for a more adequate pension from the government at retirement.

It is true that the Board had arranged for a group pension plan with an insurance company in 1961. The faculty had been pleased with that group plan, but the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation arrangement is superior. Because of this advantage and other benefits derived from membership in the Federation, the faculty rejoiced that at last the provincial government had decided to recognize private schools.

In January the chorus sang for the Weyburn Rotary Club. "The Weekly Spoke," a bulletin of the Club, February 7, 1966, described the event:

"The disciplined students of Western Christian College made the gathering a very pleasant occasion. Any group of singers that is accorded two standing ovations during the course of a program of song can rest assured that their contributions were appreciated by everyone in attendance. They can rest assured also that people still continue to enjoy good music.

"As we listened to these young voices give forth with sincerity, as we heard them respond to every flick of the hand of their conductor, we were more certain than ever before that whenever good example and leadership are at work, our young people do not seek escape by becoming beatniks or by becoming associated with the twisted attitudes of the fringe elements. We were also convinced that a well directed discerning Christian atmosphere that allows the young people ample scope for the expression of their youthful exuberance in a socially acceptable manner is still the best way of keeping them prepared for the role of responsible citizenship in a civilized community.

"We are certain that every father present would have been proud to see his daughter or son a part of that chorus..."

In the fall of 1964, the shell of an annex to the gymnasium was built. After Old Smoky had been honourably discharged, a new heating system was placed in one section of it. Now this fall, dressing room and washroom facilities were added in the regular gymnasium. The large annex was divided into sports' equipment room, drama storage room, canteen, a section for bleachers, and a foyer. These improvements were completed for Homecoming 1966.

We truly appreciate the large foyer where spectators or audience may remove coats and rubbers instead of milling around the entrance of the gymnasium, partly on the basketball court. Now we obtain refreshments from the canteen in the building instead of running fifty yards to the Student Centre during basketball half-time. In addition, when the games or concerts are finished, we use the connecting corridor to proceed directly from the gymnasium to Morgan Cafeteria for lunch instead of encountering a raging blizzard or freezing rain, but most of all we appreciate the bleachers which accommodate 150 people. Now, we watch the basketball games in comfort instead of standing around the edges of the basketball court.

The Pay-for-a-Day Campaign continued unabated throughout the entire year. I don't believe a publication came from the president's office that did not encourage people to become part of the program. The faculty and staff agreed to be responsible for thirty-five days. Becoming infected with the campaign, the student council with Gary Zorn's direction decided to raise money to pay for a day. Each grade became responsible for a certain portion according to its enrollment. When Principal Roger Peterson promised an evening with special refreshments to the grade which first reached its quota, the students began in earnest to consider ways and means of raising money. Among other money making schemes, they organized a slave sale and a car wash. The grade ten class with class president Ben Wuttunee was the proud winner.

The students became such successful fund raisers that they paid for two days--Graduation day and Farewell Banquet Day. At the Homecoming program Gary Zorn presented the $240.00 to Ernest Andreas.

In March, Lynn Anderson '55, the first Alumnus of the Year chosen by the Alumni Association, held a gospel meeting for the local church of Christ. He presented dynamic lessons on the theme "The High Cost of Holy Living," depicting the sacrifices of God and Man in the way of salvation. These challenging lessons inspired seventy-one to respond during the gospel meeting. To the young people it was a period of great revival.

At their April meeting, the Board of Directors made two important decisions. In the first place, it decided to make the airport location the permanent site of the College.

When the College moved to the Weyburn airport in 1957, the Board expected this campus to be only a temporary site. The city of Weyburn offered the College forty acres midway between the city and the airport for a new permanent site with the understanding that Western begin construction within ten years. A Regina architect's representation of the new campus was displayed in the public relations office for several years. Weyburn people often asked when we would move to the new campus. It was the original intention that the administration and classroom building be ready for occupancy by 1970.

Nevertheless, with the passage of time, other considerations arose and the Board delayed making definite plans for construction on the proposed new campus site.

In the first place, Weyburn was growing in a northerly and easterly direction. If that trend continued, it would not be long before the proposed new area would be enclosed by the city. The Board preferred a more remote and quiet section.

In the second place, as the buildings on the new campus would be erected over an extended period of time, some of the airport buildings would necessarily continue to be used. It would be inconvenient to use the two campuses at the same time as they were separated by two miles of country road with no regular bus service.

In the third place, cost of construction is high, and the College is continually struggling with financial problems at its present site. Renovation and care of the present buildings would hold costs to a minimum. Someone has estimated that it would cost over a million dollars to reproduce the present facilities in new buildings.

Consequently, the Board agreed that the present airport site will be the permanent site of Western Christian College.

The College surrendered her rights in the forty acre site and in return the city leased Western thirty-three acres adjoining our present campus on the East.

The second important decision made by the Board on April 3 was that September 1968 would be the target date for adding one more year to our academic program. To carry out this decision, more classroom space must be made available. The renovation of the "old mess hall" came under consideration. One more small step toward the goal!

With the financial assistance of the Radville Weyburn Alumni chapter, two hundred six-foot poplar trees were planted on our campus this spring.

This is only one of many attempts to beautify our barren campus during the past nine years. The first attempt was the hauling of sand and gravel by Ray Lock and Ernest Andreas in 1958 to make gravel walks lined with stones. Someone might comment that this was a very primitive attempt at beautification, but I can assure you that the campus looked neater and more attractive afterwards. In addition, the gravel walks were much easier on shoes in rainy weather than the sticky clay!

A few years later grass was planted in front of the two H buildings and in the square between them. Disappointment resulted as much of the grass was drowned in the low-lying sections.

Then in 1962 Sam Seibel and Norman Straker hauled one hundred and forty truck loads of rich soil to spread over these low-lying areas. Next, our famous thousand dollar grass was planted. This time it grew beautifully, surviving would-be careless feet because of Mr. Straker's stentorian voice ringing through the air, "Keep off the grass!"

At various times throughout the years, staff members planted a few flowers around the buildings, but it was not until 1967 that Mr. Straker brought colour to our surroundings with flower beds and hundreds of flowers in them. Now (1969) that Mr. Straker has built his green house, we have still more flowers. He had one giant geranium that grew nearly six feet tall. In fact, if our buildings were painted, we would have a pretty campus now with trees, grass and bright flowers. For much of this beauty we must thank Mr. Straker.

Brother and Sister Straker joined the staff in 1959. Since that year, he has been custodian most of the time, and she has been one of our good cooks. They have five children, all of whom have attended Radville Christian College or Western and have married former students of the College.

The school year of 1965-66 was an interesting and exciting one. This year tackle football was introduced to the campus by Ken Starnes. Our boys won the South-East region but were routed 50-0 by Assiniboia. The game with Assiniboia resulted in our fullback, John McMillan, receiving two crushed vertebrae and several weeks' holiday from school.

This year our first school spirit week was organized.

This year the graduating class was so large that its home room was in a different building across the street from the other classrooms.

This year the Mustangs won the Weyburn Collegiate Basketball Tournament, the first time in history. It was also the first time any Weyburn team had won the tournament.

This year our player, Daryl Ellis, was judged the most valuable player of that same tournament.

This year four graduates received Canadian University scholarships and one a Nursing Scholarship because of their high marks.

This year the Skylarks were organized; Torkelson Hall had its first open house; the chorus sang at the Weyburn Festival for the first time and as the _Northern Lights_ suggested:

"Led by an energetic president, the council planned some new activity at almost every week's meeting."

The graduates went "Out of the harbor into the Sea."



1966-1967

Enrollment: Bible--2; High School--94

During the Lectureship in October, 1965, a "Paint the Buildings" campaign was initiated. For this purpose almost two thousand dollars were donated on gift night with the understanding that the paint project be undertaken the following spring and summer. In early spring, Brother Bozeman of Lubbock, Texas, advertised in the _Christian Chronicle_ for vacationers to Canada to spend part of their holidays painting at the Western Christian College campus. In response to this advertisement, vacationers from North Dakota, Michigan, Mississippi, and Texas assisted in painting the rooms of the Wilfred Orr Residence (Boys' Dormitory).

The Wilfred Orr Residence was completely decorated during the summer, but not entirely by volunteer labour.

No attempt was made to paint the exterior of the buildings. After two coats of fairly good paint on the south wall of the gymnasium, it had faded and worn away within the year. The Administration considered it impractical to paint any more dry shingles, so we continue to look at their dull, weather-beaten ugliness!

Once, a visitor touring the campus remarked to President Wieb, "Doesn't it discourage you to realize how much work needs to be done on the campus?" Danny Wieb replied in the negative, as we all do to such a question, because we look into the past and compare with the present. In the _Messenger_, he wrote:

"In 1957 dormitories were merely long, dusty, empty halls. Every building was out of service. Wiring was unsafe; plumbing was in disrepair. There was no grass where lawns should be; only two staff apartments. There was no equipment for dining hall, classrooms or offices. Just big, empty dusty buildings."

No, we do not get discouraged when we view our present facilities. We are truly grateful for the miraculous transformation from those days. We appreciate very much each new improvement such as the decorating of the Wilfred Orr Residence or the few yards of our first cement sidewalks completed in October. This fall, for the first time in our College history, a student received the Governor- General's bronze medal. During the Lectureship, Principal Roger Peterson presented this coveted scholastic award to Melinda Brazle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Brazle of North Weyburn, for receiving the highest standing in one district on her grade XII provincial department of education examinations.

Annually, the Governor-General of Canada awards a medal to each of the large city collegiates and to each of sixteen districts into which the remainder of the province is divided. In our district there are from thirty to forty high schools.

Throughout the years, we have always had a good "passing" percentage. Several times, with a small enrollment, 100% of our students received passing grades in their final examinations. Even with a larger enrollment, our failures have usually been much below the provincial average (15%). In fact, the failure rate was less than 2% in 1959 and also once again in June 1966.

Although we have been frequently gratified with our low failure rate, we have sometimes been disappointed with the number of high honour students graduating from the College. Among those who have received high honours in previous years are Alice Orr '53, Thomas Ulrich '62 and Orland Wilkerson '65, and now Melinda Brazle '66 who won the highest academic honour!

In my diary thus far, there have been repeated references to improvements in the physical plant and to our various extra- curricular activities, but only casual mention of the academic life of the College.

This lack of reference results from the common knowledge that our academic life is very similar to that of all our provincial high schools. We conduct regular classes in rather formal style (the college is not what is termed a modern free school). Students study, do their homework most of the time, attend supervised study hall, write unit tests and the dreaded final examinations unless they receive exemptions in grades IX, X, and XI.

The meager reference to academic life is in no way related to the significance of this aspect of a Christian school. On the contrary, I believe most definitely in the value of a good education, not in just obtaining a certificate.

Students learn to think and no one can think in a vacuum; he must know a few facts. Students learn to express themselves in both the written and spoken word. To have good ideas is invaluable but one must know how to express these ideas or he will not be able to accomplish good.

Learning according to ability and development of character are closely interrelated. Show me a successful student and you will also show me a diligent, disciplined person with good work habits.

Furthermore, much of man's progress has evolved from a quest for knowledge and a love of truth.

"A wise man is strong, yea a man of knowledge increaseth strength." Fortunate is the teacher who can motivate his students in the quest for knowledge and truth.

Critics contend inaccurately that the academic field is neglected in a Christian school. In a Christian school, a student will learn charity along with knowledge; he will learn to know God along with knowing Wordsworth, Napoleon and Einstein. A Christian school will give purpose to a young person's life and in consequence will increase interest in academic achievement.

As I scan correspondence from the president's office and issues of the _Messenger_ and _Alumni Reporter_, I note the constant recurrence of one problem that has confronted the College-- insufficient money to meet operational costs. If the College ever expects to climb out of this quagmire of operational debt, an Endowment Fund must be established.

Realizing the absolute necessity of such a fund, we were pleasantly surprised by the announcement during Homecoming week-end that the college had received an endowment gift of 885 acres of farmland in Oklahoma from Mrs. Gertrude Weeks, college librarian. Mrs Weeks has stated in her will that at her death the college will obtain clear title to the land. This is the largest single bequest ever made to the college. If more of our kind friends continue to make such generous arrangements, there may come a time when the payment of the butcher, the baker and the S.P.C. may not be such uphill work.

March 10-12 witnessed the formal opening of a large new brick building for the Weyburn Church of Christ. (The new Church building is located on highway thirteen on the outskirts of the eastern part of Weyburn City). The guest speaker for the occasion was Maurice Hall, former missionary to France and Viet Nam. Into many young hearts, his inspirational messages lighted flaming resolutions to dedicate their lives to the service of mankind.

This occasion affected Western Christian College because hitherto the church had worshipped in Rogers' Chapel. Henceforth, the students will be transported four miles by bus to church services.

Then too it is good for the young people to go off the campus for worship. It makes each worship service more of a special event, and worship should be special.

This was Canada's centennial year. Western students were desirous of marking this year by some distinctive celebration. Spearheaded by Bill Boyle, grade XII student, the students organized an amazingly successful Canadiana Night on May 5 as our main centennial project. "It was their way of saying that they are proud to be Canadians."

Our Canadian Night began with a banquet at which the city officials and Weyburn collegiate student council were special guests. The student waitresses in long gowns of yesteryear added the final touch to the Centennial theme of the decorated banquet room.

Following the banquet, all guests enjoyed a fine program in the gymnasium. The main feature of this program was a three act play by Weyburn's own W. O. Mitchell. "The Black Bonspiel of Willie McCrimmon" has been presented on radio and television several times.

In addition to this play, the audience enjoyed a speech by Bryant Oratorical contestant, Marilyn Brazle, on the subject "What should Centennial mean to you?"

A brief saga of John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister, was given by Brad Wilkerson, a senior student from Victoria, B. C.

Completing the program were patriotic selections by the Western Christian College chorus and the Skylarks.

Bill Boyle was the master of ceremonies for Canadiana Night as well as director of the play.

Remember 1966-1967? Remember the huge five tier snow birthday cake with the Canadian flag on the top tier?

Remember the almost weekly singing at Pioneer Place and the visitation at the Union Hospital?

Remember the bed that accidentally fell apart at an opportune moment in the comedy farce "Goodnight Please!"?

Remember that Mark Brazle won the prize for skating with the most girls at the Opening Night Party--63 of them?

Remember that Western played host to the Provincial A boys' basketball tournament?

Remember that the Skylarks won a twenty-five dollar scholarship at the Music Festival?



1967-1968

Enrollment: High School--116

On August 5, more than one hundred members of the Western Christian College Corporation met at a special meeting to discuss the extension of the Bible courses offered at the college. For sixteen years, after 1945, a winter Bible school of three to five months duration had been part of the College program. Because of lack of interest these courses were discontinued in 1960. (Only two students attended the Bible courses conducted by the Weyburn Church of Christ in the College buildings in 1966-67).

As many brethren, especially former Bible school students, considered the winter Bible schools invaluable in strengthening their own faith or for training young people for leadership in the church, they wanted either the old Bible schools revived or a different type of Bible course initiated. At this August special meeting, after much discussion, it was decided that the Board should consider the possibility of introducing a two year, nine- month advanced Bible program.

On October 2 at the regular annual meeting, a report on the proposed advanced Bible program was presented. This report was adopted almost unanimously by the Corporation members. It provided for the inauguration of a "two year Advanced Bible program in conjunction with a one-year advanced offering in Liberal Arts" in September 1968.

The students for the Bible program would not necessarily be high school graduates. They might be mature young people who wish to become more effective servants in the Kingdom of God. Those who would enroll in the liberal arts program would be high school graduates and with this additional year of study at Western they would graduate with an Associate in Arts degree.

This decision to add the two year Advanced Bible program and one year Liberal Arts can be compared in significance with the momentous decision in 1945 to organize Radville Christian College and the decision in 1957 to move our campus to the Weyburn airport. A feeling of excitement and accomplishment pervaded the air during the October 2, 1967, meeting very similar to the one on July 2, 1945. An optimistic hope bubbled in our hearts as we considered that the foundation for greater advancement of the cause of Christ had been laid.

In August, Ed and Marg Ashby agreed to become dormitory parents for the boys. As Ed Ashby had been a member of the Board for twelve years, he was well aware of problems connected with a boarding school. Nevertheless, he and his wife were willing to leave a position of security resulting from his twenty years of service with an international machine company to embark on a completely different career, simply because they believed Christian education vital in this modern age.

Marg Ashby enjoys the distinction of being the first house mother of the boys. This forthright lady with the tough exterior and the loving heart has won their loyalty and good will. At one time, she was affectionately willed Barry Nelson's flying license "because she is up in the air most of the time anyway."

The previous spring Calvin and Irene Young also gave up a life of comparative ease and security to manage the Morgan Cafeteria. I believe that these four people, as well as others, employed by Western are as much missionaries of Christ as those who go to foreign fields. They have the opportunity to touch the lives of hundreds of young people, not only in this generation but in future generations.

In September tragedy entered our lives when Penny Close '62, Mrs. John S. Close, and daughter, were instantly killed by a car as they crossed a street in Abilene, Texas. Young and lovely Penny, devoted to a life of service, was dead. She had just returned from three years of mission work in Paris, France. In response to requests of the friends of the Close family, the College has opened a memorial fund to purchase books for the library. These have been purchased and will be purchased in the French language section and the section related to foreign mission work.

The Women's Service Club finished paying for a two thousand dollar walk-in refrigerator which was installed in the Morgan Cafeteria. This is only one of the many gifts of the Women's Service Club since its organization in 1958. Over the years, the ladies have provided paint for the rooms in Torkelson Hall, paint and curtains, steam table, tables and chairs in the Morgan Cafeteria, furnishings for the common room in the Wilfred Orr Residence, study desks in the dormitories, drapes for the stage, and lockers (1968) in the new education building. May God's blessings rest on the many unselfish women who have been so generous with their time and money!

At last the Western Mustangs captured the elusive provincial trophy for basketball A. After four unsuccessful attempts at the provincial finals in 1961, 1965, 1966, and 1967, they were victorious in 1968. Before the Christmas holidays prospects of winning the title were not promising as the team suffered four defeats in league play. But after the holidays the tide turned. Barring one more defeat, all other games brought victory. Seventeen straight victories.

The Mustangs defeated Fillmore in Unit competition, Carnduff in District competition and both Kamsack and Kipling in the Regional. Once again, they were in provincial competition, played this year at Rosthern.

Their first game was against the defending champions, Kerrobert Rebels. It was a tough game. Mustangs led by one point at half-time but in the fourth quarter, they increased their lead and victory came with a 37-31 score.

Now, for the final game with Rosthern, who had the advantage of playing on their home basketball court. At half-time the score was tied, but again with a powerful upward surge in the fourth quarter, the Mustangs defeated Rosthern with the score of 53-42.

"Victory is our cry," rose from the eighty-five staff and students in the bleachers. They had ridden three hundred miles to see the final games. Many alumni from Saskatoon were also there. The boundless spirit of the rooters contributed toward the final victory. The coach of one of the defeated teams said that he knew the Mustangs would be victorious when he heard the cheers and songs of the bus load arriving for the games.

The coaches of the victorious team were Tom Ulrich and James Willett--"Couldn't have done it without you, Daddy Willett," cried the students. The managers were David McMillan and Ron May. The champs themselves were Ray Vass, Charles Muller, Tom Manning, Bill Ulrich, Fred Start Lockman, Ben Wuttunee, David Gates, Roger Box, Elvin Meakes, Mike Brazle, Mark Brazle.

Directed by Amy Bissell, the lively cheer leaders who boosted school spirit to a high point were Wendy Krogsgaard, Cheryl May, Debbie Sinclair, Ardith Laycock, Bonnie Davies, and Debbie Bailey.

It was a great night for Western! An almost unbelievable goal had been reached--a provincial victory!

Intercollegiate sports are excellent promoters of school spirit and certainly can encourage good public relations; nevertheless, I am convinced that intramural sports, if well organized, promote school welfare equally in another way. In fact, if a school had to choose one only of the two types of play, it should choose intramural activity.

A good intramural sports' program can have a therapeutic effect on a greater number of students. In this school business, we want the individual students, not so popular, not so gifted, to gain self respect by being an accepted part of a team. This acceptance seems so important to the average teenager in our culture.

Ever since the College moved to Weyburn, we have had intramural sports' competition first by grades, then by houses. In 1968 Glenda McAlister organized and administered a very fine intramural program-with games twice weekly all year. The Astronauts won the shield and the individual trophy winners were Betty Hettinger and Ben Wuttunee.

It is interesting to note news items in the _Messenger_ which indicate progress toward the goal of Junior College status in September 1968.

Ellen Massey, with a master's degree in psychology and library science has been added to the faculty...James Pennington from Estevan will head the new department of Bible...Dryden Sinclair reports favorable progress in the fund raising campaign...the Board of Directors will meet on March 30 to formulate further plans for Western Christian's "Project for Progress"...David Lidbury '53 appointed the dean of the new college program...

A special all-day fellowship was organized by the Weyburn Church of Christ on May 26, to say farewell to Ray McMillan '58, his wife, Ellen McCutcheon '62 and Bob Parker '64 and his wife, Sharon Start '64 who left by Air-Canada from Regina May 17 for India to preach the good news of Christ. They planned to teach and train interested citizens for leadership in the church.

A bus load of students from Western and four car loads of other friends motored to Regina to bid Godspeed to the four alumni.

In previous years, former students have gone to foreign lands to teach the message of Christ: Mabel Rogers to Zambia, Roy Davison to the Netherlands, Sue Wilson to South Africa...Perhaps this departure had a greater impact on our student body because the four left from Weyburn. Their decision to serve Christ in a foreign land has inspired several of our present students to consider greater service in this land and across the seas.

In order to prepare for the increased enrollment anticipated with the inauguration of the two-year advanced Bible courses and one year liberal arts, the Board decided to open a new boys' dormitory. The building selected was one that had been used formerly to accommodate overflow crowds at special events such as Lectureship and Homecoming. This new dormitory was named Hanes Hall in honour of Mr and Mrs. Otis Hanes from Oklahoma, long time loyal supporters of Western. Repairs and renovations in this building were part of our summer works program in 1968.

In May construction began on the new education building. The old mess hall had all shingles removed from its walls and broken down appendages hauled away. The Foundation also announced a gift of ten thousand dollars from Mr. and Mrs. Otto Foster and Mrs. Rita Foster Stocking. Because the gift was to be used in the construction of this building, it would bear the name--Rita Foster-Stocking Education Building.

Work continued on the building during June, July, August, and September. Much to our disappointment, the building was not ready for occupancy at school opening time. Except for some sub- contracting, labour was done by college staff directed by Danny Pauls and Ernest Andreas. The renovations have cost $82,000.00, but it has been estimated that an entirely new building with such facilities would cost at least $200,000.00.



1968-1969

Enrollment: Junior College--19 full time, 3 part time; High School--132

A year with six milestones--six notable days! At our fall staff and faculty institute, August 19, James E. Pennington delivered the following definitive speech, describing the new Junior College Bible Program:

"The autumn of 1968 was somewhat unusual on the prairies of southern Saskatchewan in that the last weeks of summer had brought with them an unusual amount of rainfall. Each morning, a misty haze covered the unreaped fields and a cool dampness made one face the day with a tug at the collar.

"On the Western Christian College campus new things were underway. The campus centre had moved from the old administration building to a gleaming new five gable structure housing a complete Educational Complex. In addition to the new building was a new Junior College Program of Liberal Arts and Bible with Related Subjects. The 1968-1969 High School Bulletin and Junior college Catalog introduced the new program in these words:

'The entire program is focused in the belief that the Bible is God's revealed will and that it should be the core of the education of man.

'Academically our purpose is to provide a complete high school standing plus additional studies in Liberal Arts and Religion on the junior college level. The college program will prepare a student to pursue higher education in college or university. A terminal course is also offered, designed to prepare a young woman or a young man for more complete service in the kingdom of Christ. Credit for courses on the college level will be given by senior Christian colleges in the United States...'

"To the far-sighted person who has felt the thrust of the Winter Bible Schools of the past, the addition of the Junior College Program holds similar effect for modern Western Canada.

"This speech is intended to be a description of the newly formed Bible Department and Related Subjects. The first statement of philosophy of instruction in the Bible Department is the slogan of Western Christian College: 'A Bible Centered Education'...

"There are three reasons for the addition of the Junior College Bible Department which stresses a 'Bible Centered Education.' First, the Christian youth in Western Canada have a need and a capacity to study the Bible on an advanced level. Just as the past called forth the Winter Bible Schools, our modern Canadian culture calls forth an advanced study of the Bible for our keen modern Christian youth.

"Secondly, the expansion of the Bible curriculum makes Western an appropriate centre for such an advanced Bible program. It is here that qualified staff and teachers are already assembled. It is here that the students have gathered for study. It is here that a classroom program is presently in progress which can easily be expanded to include the Junior College Bible Program. So--it is here that the Bible centered education is being placed on a Junior college level. Thirdly, Western Christian College is offering a 'Bible Centered Education' in 1968-1969 because we are convinced that such a program will be a blessing to Canadian youth, to Canadian congregations, and to Canadian generations, some of which are yet unborn.

"The second statement of our philosophy of instruction in the Junior College Bible Department is that the instruction will be based on the Restoration Principle. The teaching of the Bible will proceed with the understanding that in the New Testament is found the will of God for man today. The Restoration Principle is a philosophy that teaches that the original pattern of faith and practice was intended to be passed from generation to generation without alteration.

"Secondly, Bible instruction will be based on an evangelical scholarship. This means that our emphasis will be placed on evangelism rather than intellectual (or pseudo-intellectual approaches so common in some religious schools..." Thirdly, Bible instruction at Western Christian College will be based on the needs of Christian youth in Western Canada. The catalog devises a plan for both those who plan for other higher education and for those who plan to take only the offerings in the Western Bible Program. Regarding the student who desires higher education, the catalog says: 'The college program will prepare a student to pursue higher education in college or university...' But should a student desire to take only the courses offered by Western...the catalog points up that the program was planned to be an adequate course if all classes are taken.

'A terminal course is also offered designed to prepare a young woman or a young man for more complete service in the kingdom of Christ...'

"My closing exhortation to my fellow-workers in this college is that we all be sufficiently aware of the gravity of our task in establishing a Christian Junior College in Western Canada. Let us carefully lay the foundations and upon them build a structure of 'gold, silver and precious stones' for if we do not carefully and prayerfully lay the foundations and build upon them, our work could be 'wood, hay, and stubble.' While we are not so foolish as to bend to flattery, or so naive as to build for praise of men, let us keep in mind that what we do will surely be evaluated by many generations. As John Ruskin has said:

'When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for. And let us think, as we lay stone on stone, a time is come when these stones are held sacred, because our hands have touched them--and that they will say as they look upon the labour and wrought substance of them: Look--this is what our fathers did for us.'"

In this speech, Brother Pennington gave public, oral expression to the private hopes and dreams of the assembled staff and faculty. Suddenly we were confronted with the awesome realization that we were writing the chronicles of time. Tomorrow lay crystallized before us; the vague future was compressed into the vivid present. For a brief moment, it was as though we caught the "vision splendid." Small wonder that I regard August 19 as a great day of the year.

I must admit that the vision did not remain continuously during the school term. Often life was a fairly routine business where I wondered if grade ten had been granted a sabbatical or why grade twelve students thought they had too much homework.

September 9 was the second date of historical importance. It was registration day for the new junior college program. Fifteen full- time students (three later additions) and three part time students registered on that date. The charter members of the college class are Heather Brown '67, Dale Elford '61, Pat Hamer '68, Wesley Hanson '64, Wendy Krogsgaard '68, John Machin '64, Tom Manning '68, Elvin Meakes '68, J. C. Murray '61, David McMillan '68, Carole Pauls '66, Ruth Phypers '68, Fred Start Lockman '68, Sharon Straker '66, Clair Weltzin '68, and Jimmy Lee Willett. Three others enrolled later during the year: Sandra Rhodes, Daryle Edstrom, and Bathini; Christopher.

This is the roll call of the charter junior college faculty:

David Lidbury, Dean of the College: Master of Education degree-- intelligent, and friendly.

Mrs. Glenda McAlister: Master of Education with a physical education major--a gracious lady.

Walter McAlister: Master of Education with a history major-- levelheaded, straightforward.

Mrs. Ellen Massey: Master's degree in psychology and library science--creative, limitless faith in young people.

Mrs. Raymona Pennington: Bachelor's degree in English and Education--thorough and definite (sincerely appreciated by this writer).

James E. Pennington: Master of Science degree in Bible, Practical Field--scholarly and organized.

James L. Willett: Bachelor of Arts degree with graduate courses in music--patient with young people and understanding.

October 9 was the fourth day of historical significance. That was Moving Day--all equipment moved from the old classrooms by an excited faculty and student body to the Rita Foster-Stocking Education Building. The old mess hall, formerly used for storage had been completely transformed into a modern building with stucco exterior and modern Sasko outswing windows.

The Education Building has eight classrooms which will accommodate 250 students, two science laboratories, the J. C. Bailey Learning Resource Centre, and office and lounge facilities for the faculty. The two science laboratories have been fully equipped through gifts by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moore, Canton, Ohio, and Dr. and Mrs. J. Warren Jackson, Kerrville, Texas.

The chemistry laboratory has individual stations complete with stainless steel sinks and gas jets. A folding wall between two classrooms can be opened to create a study hall that accommodates eighty students. The wide, well-lighted hallways with beige tiles are a remarkable contrast to the narrow, dimly lighted one with brown masonite of the former classroom area.

The J. C. Bailey Learning Resource Centre, which rapidly became the favorite room of the students, is a large square room with wide hall ways on three sides which open into the class rooms. The greens, gold and orange of the carpet harmonize with the same gay colours on the walls. Mrs. Massey chose these colours because to her they were Saskatchewan:

"Delicate pastels are blending
Gold and green of every hue,
With the Master Artist's cloud-prints
White and grey on purest blue."

wrote Ellen Massey about Saskatchewan in her book published a few days before her untimely death in August, 1969.

While the students were hurrying around bringing desks, maps, books, and science equipment, I explored our new premises in tip- toe wonderment almost expecting the mirage to disappear at any moment. The Education Building is the finest one in which I have ever taught in my nearly forty years of teaching.

But do you know, I nearly shed a tear as I gave the old, narrow, dark classrooms one last good-bye glance?

October 13 was the fifth date in the chronology of important events. On that cool, windy afternoon several hundred alumni, students and friends of Western Christian College gathered in front of the building as Dr. McIsaac, Saskatchewan Minister of Education, cut the green and white ribbons to open officially the Rita Foster- Stocking Education Building.

Before the ribbon cutting, the visitors listened to the dedication ceremony.

PROGRAM

1. O Canada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A Cappella Chorus
2. Invocation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. E. Pennington
3. Welcome-Introduction of special guests. . . . . . . D. Lidbury
4. Letter from Mrs. Rita Foster-Stocking . . . . . . .D. Sinclair
5. Dedication of Building. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. D. Wieb
6. Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. Kennedy
7. Hymn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A Cappella Chorus
8. Messages:
    Minister of Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. McIsaac
    Mayor of Weyburn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .T. Hart
    Superintendent of Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . .A. Goeres
9. Presentations for Library
    Weyburn Branch Canadian Legion
    Weyburn Rotary Club
10. Sign Placement . . . . . . . . . . . .E. Andreas and D. Pauls
11. Hymn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A Cappella Chorus
12. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. . . . . . . . .Minister of Education
13. Tour of Building

President Wieb dedicated the Rita Foster-Stocking Education Building to the purpose of serving the youth of Western Canada. Here each student will be educated in all aspects of his four-fold being.

Dr. McIsaac expressed appreciation for the fine work accomplished at Western Christian College and commended the Board for its initiative in proceeding with the junior college program without requesting government assistance.

Mayor Tom Hart acknowledged the impact of the College on the educational and social life of the Weyburn community.

During the tour of the building other special gifts were made to the opening day book collection of the Resource Centre.

Touring guests were very congratulatory in their remarks: "You have to see it to believe it." "Was this really an old air-force building?" "Look at the bright colours in the library." "It's lovely." "You must be very happy."

Afterwards the special guests were entertained at tea at President Wieb's apartment.

To most of the alumni and friends of the College, October 13 was the bold red-letter day of the year; to me it was somewhat anti- climactic after Moving Day.

May 23 was the sixth and final prominent day in the table of special events 1968-1969. This was the date of the first commencement exercises of the new Junior College program.

"Where are you going?" was the question asked by Bruce Tetreau '55 of Regina in his address to the college class. He said that Canada is being invaded by a people who want control of all facets of life. In fifty years Canada will be controlled by these invaders- the youth of today. Bruce urged the graduating class to find their place in this invasion.

One hundred and twenty friends and relatives of the junior college class had gathered in the Morgan Cafeteria, colourfully and appropriately decorated by the high school graduates. The theme for the decorations was "pionera" as the college students called themselves the Pioneers. Dean Lidbury was master of ceremonies.

Elvin Meakes was presented the Academic Award and the Dean's Award for his contribution to the school.

A Bible was awarded Dale Elford for his accomplishment and promise in the special field of Bible and Religion.

Heather Brown received the Future Homemaker Award and Carole Pauls received a certificate of achievement.

Elvin Meakes was also recognized for being the first president of the college class; Wesley Hanson for general attitude and co- operation in class; Clair Weltzin for his work with the college radio station, and Jimmy Willett for his work with the college radio station and for his song writing, and J. C. Murray for his achievements as president of the local alumni association.

Five of the seventeen students honored at the commencement exercises were presented with Associate in Arts degrees. They were Patricia Muriel Hamer, Wesley Jerome Hanson, Wendy Karen Krogsgaard, Elvin Charles Meakes and Carole Joanne Pauls.

Mrs. Roberts, dean of the high school girls, the Skylarks, and the graduating class all entertained the gathering with several songs.

During the past twenty-five years we have reached various goals in Christian education. Already we plan for new ones "Yet all experience is an arch where through gleams that untravelled world."



EPILOGUE

When I consider the former students who have travelled the miserable road of failure...

When I consider those who have forgotten their God...

When I consider that our lack of wisdom during the years may have contributed toward these calamities, then I am saddened by memories of the past. When I consider the former students who enrolled twenty-three of their sons and daughters in 1968, the seven who are members of the Board of Directors, the more than one hundred who gave gifts to Western during the past year and...

When I consider former students who are missionaries in Zambia, Belgium, India and...

When I consider those who are ministers of the gospel and Bible teachers in Kelowna, Regina, Brandon, and...

When I consider the host of others who are serving mankind in various professions and trades in Manson, Toronto, Yellowknife and...

Then I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I have had the privilege of being at Radville and Weyburn all these years.

O God, give the administration the courage to make decisions that will redound to Thy glory.

Give the staff and faculty the constant realization that their purpose is to help the student.

Awaken appreciation in the alumni so that they will devise ways to assist Western.

Grant us countless friends who will have faith in our cause. In Thy Son's name I pray. Amen.


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