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Daniel E. Meyers

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Section 04 – The 1930s

Irvin Hall’s Centennial: 1925-2025
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

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The 1930s
Old buildings were redesigned, and after Irvin was completed in 1925, new buildings were freshly designed in the neo-Georgian style. POSTCARD OF IRVIN HALL IN 1930
[…] That was Joe Bachelor — paternal, avuncular, trailing cigar smoke and sentiment, tritely nostalgic and emotional — and unforgettable. He was just forty years old but he seemed a wise and venerable professor. […] On his desk was the Shakespeare text, its margins filled with his neat square handwriting, and a pile of small squares of yellow paper. The yellow papers were his daily Shakespeare quiz — a two minute answer to a single question. His students dared not come to class with the assignment unread. In the classroom he read Shakespeare like an actor; his voice could command, intone or murmur as he became Macbeth, Falstaff, Mercutio. In that northwest room of Irvin Hall sixty students held their breath, while others, outside the door, listened in the hallway. In 1930 Professor Bachelor began his unique course in “Words.” A rigorous course, it was always overenrolled, with students waiting to get in. Photo of JOSEPH M. BACHELOR
IRVIN HALL’S NORTH WING AND IRVIN DRIVE IN 1930
RECENSIO Irvin Hall 1930 (left) Irvin Hall 1933 (right) For the benefit of the seniors, we included a picture of Irvin Hall, home of the School of Business Administration, the English and history departments, sub-chapter house for the Phi Delts (rooms 8 and 9) and Betas (rooms 10 and 11.)
DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES IN IRVIN HALL AS OF 1931 BUILDINGS Irvin Hall, a classroom building for the Liberal Arts college, and the School of Business. The north and east sections provide the classroom and offices, while the south section houses the departments of Botany and Physics. The School of Business is also located in this building. OFFICERS OF ADMINISTRATION Harrison C. Dale, Dean, School of Business Administration. 208 Irvin Hall DEPARTMENTAL HEADS Arthur T. Evans, Professor of Botany. 229 Irvin Hall. Harrison C. Dale, Professor of Business. 208 Irvin Hall. Edwin S. Todd, Professor of Economics. 221 Irvin Hall. John D. Rea, Professor of English. 113 Irvin Hall. Howard White, Professor of Government. 213 Irvin Hall. William E. Anderson, Professor of Mathematics. 118 Irvin Hall. Ray L. Edwards, Professor of Physics. 123 Irvin Hall.
DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES IN IRVIN HALL AS OF 1931 Physics Botany – General & Bacteriology History – English & American Government Mathematics English Geography Business Administration Economics School of Business Dean’s Office
COLLECTION OF LOST ARTICLES REPORTED Another choice collection of misplaced textbooks, hats, gloves and raincoats has been reported by Jim Ross, custodian of Irvin Hall. The custodian picks up countless articles every day on this journey through the building. The following persons are owners of articles which Jim has in his sanctuary in Irvin Hall basement: [Listing of Names follows] LOST ARTICLES? COME GET ‘EM Pens, Books or What Have You Might be Found In Lower Irvin Hall There is an old saying that many people would lose their heads if they weren’t fastened on and there are a good many people in the university who have lost things in the past few weeks. Pencils, pens, books, articles of clothing, in fact most anything may be found with a slight search in the lost and found room in the basement of Irvin Hall. The treasure room is 15 and the gentleman in charge is Jim Ross. A lost of those with articles missing follows. These people may claim their belongings by visiting room 15. [List of Names follows]
IRVIN JANITOR WELL TRAVELED Custodian Has Been In All but Four Stales While Working at Many Jobs By Elwoord Spoonamore Student, cook, waiter, porter, miller, and janitor – these are some of the occupations that have claimed the time of Jim Ross, well-known and popular colored janitor of Irvin hall, during many years of Interesting and varied experiences. Although Jim was Inclined to be reticent about telling of his many interesting achievements, it seems only fair that his many student friends and acquaintances should know more about him. Jim was a medical student at Fltzbutler College when he was forced to drop his education because of a year when the tobacco market paid only four cents a pound instead of the expected ten cents for his father's tobacco crop. During the years that followed, when Jim satisfied his desire to travel at the same time as he earned his living, he was in all but four of the 48 states. While working in some of the best hotels and for some of the famous American railroads, he came In contact with many famous people. He served "Champ" Clark, Senator from Missouri, who rode on the "Hound Dog Special" of the B. & O. line. It was Jim who pointed out Harper's Ferry to the "Champ" as they passed that place. Tom Marsh. Governor of Indiana and vice president under Woodrow Wilson, gave Jim a recommendation for his excellent fried chicken. The imposing list of names of other well-known people is too long to mention here, but many of those on the list may be found in the American "Who's Who". For some time Jim served as a miller and received his papers as a member of the trade. Later he worked as janitor of a large building in Cleveland and also worked at other jobs In that city. Jim came to Oxford in 1918 and among other things, drove a truck between here and Cincinnati. After the war he served in several fraternity houses and is well known to many of the "old grads" for his ability to decorate for dances and parties. Jim has been janitor of Irvin hall since the building was completed. Since being on the campus he has made many friends among the students of each class. If you haven't met Jim you should do so, as he will prove a helpful and interesting friend.
DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES IN IRVIN HALL AS OF 1933 BUILDINGS Irvin Hall, one of Miami’s newest buildings, is largely devoted to classrooms for the College of Liberal Arts, and for the School of Business. The north and east sections provide classrooms and offices, while the south section is used by the Departments of Botany and Physics. The School of Business is located on the third floor. The Recensio and Student offices are located on the ground floor, near the secretarial laboratory. OFFICERS OF ADMINISTRATION Harrison C. Dale, dean School of Business Administration. Office, 208 Irvin. DEPARTMENTAL HEADS Arthur T. Evans, Professor of Botany, Office, 229 Irvin. Harrison C. Dale, Professor of Business, Office, 208 Irvin. Edwin S. Todd, Professor of Economics. Office, 221 Irvin. John D. Rea, Professor of English, Office, 113 Irvin Hall Howard White, Professor of Government. Office, 213 Irvin. William E. Anderson, Professor of Mathematics. Office, 118 Irvin Hall Ray L. Edwards, Professor of Physics. 123 Irvin.
DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES IN IRVIN HALL AS OF 1933 Physics Botany – General & Bacteriology History – English & American Government Mathematics English Geography Business Administration Economics School of Business Dean’s Office Publications – The Miami Student & Recensio
MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING OF BOARD OF TRUSTEESJUNE 8, 1934 [...] Judge Peck: Any further motions? Mr. Gaskill: A few more motions to report. I do want to say a word or two about Judge Giffen, and the resolutions. They are beautiful resolutions and I concurred in them with all my heart but after over twenty years of service with him on the Building Committee I have a high regard of his integrity, honor, judgment and ability. There is one incident I want to relate and I don’t know whether you know about it. I have been on this Board a long time and sometimes I wonder at the way you concur in these honorary degrees at Commencement time. They go to men sometimes who don’t ever appreciate them. I have told the story about the time we had Brander Matthews here — one of two Ccmmencement orators. As we walked together over to the auditorium I spoke about the fact that we were delighted to confer an LLD. He spoke and said “Don’t care about those things —- have a whole bureau drawer full at home." I wondered about conferring degrees on the men like this — Conferring them on Tom, Dick and Harry. Judge Giffen has given thirty odd years of life to the University and I asked them if they wouldn’t vote to confer on him an LLD and I am pleased beyond measure that Dr. Upham took it up immediately, and the school gave evidence of its appreciation. When we first told Judge Giffen he tried to appear as if he wished we hadn’t done it. Eventually he told me that nothing the University had ever done had given him so much pleasure. It was a little like the time we christened Irvin Hall. Horace Irvin was president of the Board. You remember I brought up the question of the older members know that Horace Irvin was very active in getting the appropriation. I got up before the Board and said the hall is going to have one name — Irvin Hall. Horace was sitting beside me and said that would never do and I took hold of his coat and told him to sit down. The next week in his office with tears in his eyes he told me that nothing the University had ever done had given him wo much pleasure. I mention this incident because it is the one nice thing the University has ever done for Judge Giffen. I move that the Building Committee be and is hereby authorized to arrange preparation of plans and specifications, employment of architects, advertisement for bids, and of letting contracts for the construction of buildings and improvement of grounds within the appropriations made therefor. Mr. Fichter: Seconded. Judge Peck: Any remarks or discussion? All in favor will say Aye. (Unanimous vote in favor of adoption of resolution) So ordered. […]
IRVIN HALL IN 1934 FROM A CAMPUS PROMOTIONAL BOOKLET
COLLEGIANS TAKE TO CHILLS AND SPILLS AS KING WINTER PROVIDES MORITZIAN SPORT ATMOSPHERE Miami might be a mid-western university, but when King winter makes a dramatic entrance upon the campus after keeping under cover for months, he sets the stage for an impromptu carnival comparable to St. Moritz and with his icy hypodermic makes the guys and gals of old Miami forget about being on the borderland of the South and transplants them in spirit to the Alps. The co-eds of the campus blossomed forth from the dormitories like so many Hollywood extras heading for an Adirondack scene set up on a sand lot. Rainbow striped tassel caps, sweaters, gloves, and socks gave the women the chance of a college lifetime to embellish themselves with something different. Feminine riding trousers dominated the scene and gave the co-eds a chance to swagger. Of course Oxford has no skiing platform, toboggan slide, skating ring, or snowshoe trails, but the slide on the encline between the library and Irvin hall, and fraternity bob sleds, brought to light after two years inactivity, served the purposes of amateur winter sports. The slide, about forty feet long, started Sunday night, was discovered by winter enthusiasts and improved upon all day yesterday. Last night it was the center of activity. Forced to desert the familiar warm weather scenes, and choosing to break the monotony of cold weather dates in the uptown, hangouts, Miami daters took to the glassy encline like a drowning man takes to the S. S. Leviathan. Some of the fans stayed at the slide for hours, and as skill improved with practice, daring young bucks swooped down the hill to do a leap for life over the obstacle of a human form lying across the center of the slide to furnish the handicap. Spills were many and the resulting bruises were surprisingly few, according to sportsters who were undaunted by sudden tailspins after a perfect take off. At ten o’clock when co-eds returned to the dormitories, the healthy atmosphere was like a page of breakfast cereal advertising. This morning, on the way to classes in Irvin hall, the student body suddenly decided that the new sport fad of sliding on the ice was over— St. Moritz had gone back to Switzerland—the slide was worn through to the bare cement.
CONSTRUCTION REVEALS MIAMI’S PROGRESS […] Irvin Cost 5,000 In 1925 the Woods construction company was awarded the contract for the erection of Irvin Hall, a new recitation hall to be constructed just east of the library and south of the old South dorm. Into this building the departments of economics, government, history, mathematics, religion, and sociology were moved. This alleviated the strain of overcrowding put on the old Main building. The structure was raised at a cost of 0,000 for the building, and ,000 more for the equipment. Construction was of the red brick type trimmed in stone and wood. Tire architecture is of the type harmonizing with the other buildings on the campus, and in keeping with the brick and tile roof architecture used in the modern improvements on the campus. The funds for its construction came from the State Legislature appropriation and University funds. The class room building was named in honor of Horace A. Irvin of Dayton, who was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1896 to 1925. While he was a member of the board, there was spent on the improvements of the campus, and the construction of new buildings, more than ,500,000. […]
UNIVERSITY MAINTAINS SQUAD OF FACULTY FAUCET FIXERS By Jack Smith Thousands of door knobs, thousands of faucets, thousands of window shades, and all of them in need of regular repair—this is the work of the University maintenance department under the direction of W. M. Everhart, supervisor, whose job it is to see that each of the University’s 33 buildings is kept in good condition. Six or seven carpenters and painters, and two plumbers are kept constantly at work doing little repair jobs when the door knob of Penelope Puddleworth’s room at Bishop falls off, or when the spring in Horace Hoppleweather’s window shade at Fisher expires. One man is kept steadily at work doing nothing but waxing the floors of various University buildings. He works every day, all day, pushing his electric waxing machine around. It takes him two weeks to make his round. Every summer about 16 wall-washers set out to wash all the walls and ceilings of every building on the campus. And after the day’s work of washing the several acres of wall that are included in the University’s 33 buildings, the wall-washers find time to play baseball under the team name "The Miami Wall-Washers.” Walls and ceiling are repainted every three or four years. Painting classrooms when nearly every one is in constant use from eight till four, is somewhat a problem. When Hughes, Herron, and Withrow were painted recently, the painters worked all night. And when Irvin was painted a short time ago, the men worked from 4 p.m. till 12. A part of the six or seven carpenters and painters spend their time putting up those little green fences at a cost of about five cents a foot for the sole purpose of discouraging members of our Infants’ Club. Also, it is necessary occasionally to repair the small barriers when our infants become destructive. All in all, it’s a pretty big job keeping a college campus in shape. But it is done quietly, unobtrusively, and smoothly.
DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES IN IRVIN HALL AS OF 1938 BUILDINGS Irvin Hall is largely devoted to classrooms for the College of Liberal Arts, and for the School of Business. The north and east sections provide classrooms and offices, while the south section is used by the Departments of Botany and Physics. The School of Business is located on the third floor. The Recensio and Student offices are located on the ground floor, near the secretarial laboratory. OFFICERS OF ADMINISTRATION Harrison C. Dale, dean of School of Business Administration. 208 Irvin. Phone 262. Raymond E. Glos, assistant dean; 209 Irvin. Phone 262 DEPARTMENTAL HEADS Arthur T. Evans, Professor of Botany, 229 Irvin. Harrison C. Dale, Professor of Business, 208 Irvin. Phone 262. J. Marvin Peterson, Associate Professor Economics, 206A Irvin. (Acting Head) Howard White, Professor of Government. 213 Irvin. William E. Smith, Professor of History, 218 Irvin. William E. Anderson, Professor of Mathematics. College of Liberal Arts. 118 Irvin. Ray L. Edwards, Professor of Physics. 123 Irvin. Katharine M. Betz, associate professor of secretarial studies. 20 Irvin.
Irvin Hall holds departments of the School of Business Administration and the office of the Dean, as well as many departments of the College of Liberal Arts. Here, enterprising students give their “all“ for Miami publications – offices of The Miami Student, Recensio, and “M” Book are located on the basement floor. DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES IN IRVIN HALL AS OF 1938 Physics Botany – General & Bacteriology History – English & American Government Mathematics Geography Business Administration Economics School of Business Dean’s Office Publications – The Miami Student & Recensio Secretarial Studies
REBOUNDS By George Skinner […] THOUGHTS WHILE WATCHING THE FACES COME RACING DOWN THE SLANTWALK BETWEEN CLASSES: Even when a bell at eleven o’clock can mean only that the telephone is ringing or the office building is on fire, we will remember the shift period on the Slant Walk .... Eddie Warren stands by the fire plug at the Irvin hall end waiting for someone to talk to on the way to Harrison .... Jim Honnert follows his bow tie to the cross walk where he meets his girl every day .... Ray Morris leans out an Irvin classroom window to holler at Doc Blackburn who is hurrying over to West hall for his morning date with Bill .... Barney Smith walks slowly but determinedly while he finishes a cigarette before class .... Everyone stops to listen to the private conversation between Sally White and ‘'Leather Lungs" Stew Witham . . . . Bill Postlewaite backs into three people while waving good by to Gretchen Heingartner .... Tom Stout proudly points out Betty Armitage as the farthest pedestrian to the left in a tire advertisement on the back of the front cover of February twenty-sixth’s “Colliers” .... Avery Phillis flashes his suspicious smile .... Chuck Danish looks with disgust at the girls walking past in low heels .... Mickey Finn tells a friend about the trick Bud Fa Ike played on him in order to be able to date his girl. (Bud suggested that he and Mickey go home over the week-end, but after Mickey made all arrangements, Bud said he couldn’t make it and stayed in Oxford to take care of Marge) .... Eddie Young laments the coin he had to drop into the Sigma Chi’s "No Swearing Fund” .... Jay Lang meets Bob Tallman at the Benton walk intersection, and tells him that he was “stood up” by a Western girl on two successive Saturday nights . . . . Tallman says the same thing happened to him .... Erhard Dabringhaus sees the "Hamlet” sign and thinks of his ambition sometime to play the balcony scene in Shakespeare’s “Romeo" .... Bishop hall would be a good place to try it. There is a good balcony and plenty of girls for an audience ....
MCGUFFEY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HOLD CLASSES IN UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS Over three hundred students of McGuffey junior and senior high schools are holding classes in university buildings during the reconstruction of the southwest wing of McGuffey Teacher's Training school. Students of the junior high school are housed in the McGuffey auditorium for study, and in small classrooms in the elementary school for recitation. Students of the senior high school hold classes in Brice, Irvin. Harrison, and Hughes halls, and study in the University library. The wing being remodeled was the original McGuffey Teacher's Training school, and was built in 19(17. the other wings having bee:, added since that time. The remodeling, which includes lire proofing and. an addition ot classrooms on the fourth flair, was begun on August 1, and will be completed sometime in March.
POWER OF PRESS HALTS SQUEAKS IRVIN HALL The power of the press has again been proved. Early yesterday morning three mysterious figures, clad In blue overalls and armed with screwdrivers, hammers, and other anti-squeak equipment, entered Irvin hall and quietly drifted Into room 207 as the early morning mists swirled and the lonely vines rattled 'gainst the windows. Going stealthily to work, they throttled the squeaks forever, but only after a floor-shaking struggle involving complicated maneuvers of offense which carried the attack to the shadowed Interior of the steel seat supports. The seats held their ground for considerable time, but repeated screwdriver offenses backed by heavy hammer artillery on the part of the Invaders forced the squeaks to give way as the gray mists of dawn began to clear above the battle. Testing the chairs after the first attack, the blue-clad boys discovered rebel squeaks still hidden in the scarred metal supports, Desperately, they again attacked, removing parts, and succeeded finally in routing the irksome squeaks from the very heart of the seat. The men were squeak specialists from the University maintenance department, and the attack was the result of a recent editorial published in The Miami Student,
CO-EDS THUNDER INTO IRVIN HALL ON ‘WINGED’ FEET There was no sound above the quiet, steady buzz of industrious freshmen writing headlines in The Miami Student office. Even the sophomores and the associate editor were quiet in the seriousness of getting out an Issue. But suddenly—suddenly from no definite source except the darkened and deserted corridors of Irvin hall—there came a rumbling, a deep, vibrant sound that swelled and re-echoed from the corridor walls and bounded around from classroom to classroom, throwing into a soft confusion the formerly quiet newshawks. “A Martian invasion!" thought one freshman. "An earthquake," mused another. "Ah—excitement!" thought a news editor. The sound continued and finally, with an overwhelming amplitude, it burst into the office from beneath the wheels of noisy roller skates, donned by a couple of clever frosh co-eds. "We’re here,” smiled they, And the staff went back to buzzing.
WHAT’S NEXT? CRIES JANITOR OF IRVIN AS POST BOBS LIP Lost — A milepost six years ago. Found — About the same time. Where? In the Recensio office, Irvin hall. Probably the object of some fraternity's affection or of some enterprising freshman with disregard for law and order they say there are such people. The milepost has lain in Irvin hall, getting kicked around for six long years. Jim Ross, janitor in Irvin, is perplexed by the whole situation, but he feels, as all law-abiding people do, that throwing government property in the wastebasket just isn’t being done. What are you going to do in a case like this? Anyone with a solution to this problem should come to room 15 Irvin hall and offer it to the grateful and bewildered people there. Better if the owner of the post can lie found, he may have the thing, upon identification. We won't miss it. What's to be done? First it’s lost cornerstones, and now it's found mileposts — what's next?
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