1949-1950

The Faculty

Lloyd Robert Newcomer, A.M. Assistant Professor of English; Northern Illinois State Teachers College; Iowa University; A.B. University of Wyoming; A.M., University of Southern California.

Alvin Cline joins the faculty as an instructor in composition and public speaking.

William Owen Pugh, A.M., Instructor in English, A.B., Whitman College; State University of Iowa; A.M., College of the Pacific; joins the faculty in 1946; teaches speech courses. May or may not have taught this year.

Frederick James Hunter, A.M. Assistant Professor of English; Los Angeles City College; A.B. University of California; A.M., University of North Carolina; joins the faculty in 1946; teaches drama courses

Big Team

Debate team

First Row, R. NELSON, R. RASANEN, P. MCMULLEN, G. MAULDEN, C. NELSON, D. BEALE, G, SHIELDS, G, JAYNES, B. VAN ARSDEL, C, BERNEY, C. MICHAELIS, P. CREIGHTON, E. MILLER, P. GRIFFITHS, B. GRAHAM, R. GAISER, D. MYERS.

Second Row, J. CARLSON, MR. NEWCOMER, M. MACY, B. OSTGREN, A. PENNINGTON, B. SORENSON, J. OLIVER, D. GERSTENBERGER, M. BIRD, L. BUSHNELL, J. DOTY, D, ALLARD.

Front Row, J. HICKS, J. TUCKER, M. HOUCK, M. GIESE, E. LOSS, B. MAROLF

Whitman News

I. Whitman College in 1949-1950

A. The college added 7 new professors to the faculty.

1. In the division of arts and letters, Alvin Cline, instructor in composition and public speaking; and Miss Adele Christoffers, instructor of English were added.

2. The physical education department added Joseph Beidler and Robert Burgess, both assistant professors.

3. Miss Georgia Standing, instructor in voice; Mrs. Rodney Alexander, instructor in piano; and Luise Errol, associate professor of piano, were added to the conservatory of music staff.

B. Art Whitman was the student body president.

C. Chester C. Maxey was the college president.

D. Lloyd R. Newcomer was the debate coach.

E. Mary Jo Reed was the debate manager.

Clayton Michaelis and Lloyd Newcomer circa 1949. Sent by Clayton himself!

Under the direction of Professor Lloyd R. Newcomer, Whitman's debate and forensic squad has proved it speaking mettle in five major tournaments this year.

In November Whitman debaters were host to the Regional Debate Meet, with seven schools participating. "Mac" Michaelis and Mr. Newcomer were in charge of the tournament.

Following this, a group of nine debaters entered the Western Association Speech Tournament held at Stanford University. Competing with 450 contestants from 43 schools, Whitty came home with the first place cup in senior women's debate, thanks to Carmen Gleiser and Bonnie Marolf, and garnered two ties for second spots, due to the efforts of Joye Mott and Marlyn Strange, and "Mac" Michaelis.

Then on the annual trek to Linfield, Gordon Jaynes and Ernie Miller, debating in inimitable style, copped highest honors in senior men's division. In addition, Phil Griffiths placed third in acting. The Pacific Forensic League Conference in April saw "Mac" Michaelis representing Whitman as student delegate.

The perfect climax to this year's debate activities was the selection of a Whitman team to represent the West Coast at the West Point National Invitational Debate Tournament. Gordon Jaynes and Ernie Miller were the Whitman debaters attending the meet. This marks the first time in the history of Whitman College that the school has been represented.

Intramural Debate

Two weeks of intramural debate on the topic "Resolved: that the United States should nationalize all basic non-agricultural industries" was held under the able management of Mary Jo Macy, and the judging of varsity debaters. Without final playoffs, the Phi Mu team, Betty Sorenson and Audrey Pacot, received the honors of women's division. Delta Tau Delta copped men's division honors with Bob Aug and Charles Talbot the winning team.

Pioneer: October 27, 1949 -- "Debaters prepare: Pictured discussing plans for the Inland Empire Debate Meet to be held here November 11 and 12 are, from left to right: Donna Gerenberger, standing and seated, Marilyn Bird, Mac Michaells, Jim Carlson, and Ron Cowan.

Semi-accurate description of prizes awarded at this time

The John Brining Prizes in Extemporaneous Speaking of $12.50 each are awarded to the best man and woman speakers in a speaking contest that is open to all members of the freshman class.

The Dovell-Gose Prizes in Oratory of $30 and $20 are awarded at Commencement to students upon the basis of a contest in oratory. The contest is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

The Austin Rice Debate Trophy is awarded to the champion women's intramural debate team.

The John W. Ackley Debate Trophy is awarded to the champion men's intramural debate team.

The Hugh Elmer Brown Debate Trophy is awarded to the man who is adjudged to be the best intramural debater.

Speech Courses

SPEECH 1 or 2. Fundamentals of Speaking. The course emphasized voice and diction, public speaking, and interpretation.

SPEECH 28. Voice and Phonetics.

SPEECH 41. Argumentation and Debate. SPEECH 42. Theory and Practice of Discussion.

SPEECH 53. Introduction to Radio Speech.

SPEECH 54. Radio Speech

SPEECH 56: Public Speaking.

SPEECH 74: Advanced Radio Speech

SPEECH 75 and 76: Advanced Public Speaking (debaters were advised to take this course)

SPEECH 81. Introduction to Speech Correction.

SPEECH 82. Problems in Speech Correction.

World News

II. In the world

A. NATO is founded.

B. “The Republic of Ireland proclaimed its complete independence from Britain.”

C. “The zones of Germany occupied by the US, Great Britain and France were transformed into the Federal Republic of Germany.”

D. “On July 27, De Havilland unveiled the DH-106 Comet aircraft.”

E. “America's monopoly on atomic weapons ended when President Truman announced, on September 23, that the Soviets had successfully detonated an atomic bomb.”

F. “On October 1st, the People's Republic of China was officially proclaimed, with Peking as its capital.”

G. “The Boeing "Stratocruiser" made its commercial debut on April 1, 1949.”

H. “Israel signs armistice with Egypt.”

I. A “cease-fire [occurs] in Palestine.”

J. “Truman proposes Point Four Program to help the world's less developed areas.”

Team Awards

III. At Whitman College

A. All the campus walkways were paved with asphalt, ending the annual Spring muddy season for students.

B. Student evaluations of professors were begun.

C. The way that returning Whitman students treated first-year students to traditional "welcoming" techniques raised tensions and a great deal of discussion.

D. The Pioneer ran ads for Chesterfield cigarettes and the United States Air Force.

IV. Debate at Whitman College

A. The topic for both intramural and intercollegiate debate was: "Resolved: That the United States should nationalize basic non-agricultural industries."

B. In intramural debate, Delta Tau Delta won the men's competition, and Phi Mu won the women's division.

C. Intercollegiate debate:

1. Whitman College hosted the Inland Empire debate tournament Nov. 11-12, welcoming 10 colleges. Whitman entered 38 students in the competition, and received sweepstakes honors - the largest amount of first place finishes. Of the five teams tied for 1^st in the women's division, 4 were from Whitman. On the men's side, 2 Whitman teams placed 2^nd.

2. At the Stanford Speech tournament in late November, 8 Whitties went up against 450 competitors from 35 schools, debating Far East foreign policy. Whitman's Bonnie Marolf and Carmen Gleiser placed 1^st, and two other Whitman teams received 2^nd place awards.

3. At the Linfield tournament in early March, 21 Whitties competed. Royce Nolan assisted Coach Newcomer at this tournament. Gorden James and Ernie Miller placed 1^st, and Phil Griffiths placed 3^rd in acting.

4. Four debaters traveled to the St. Martin's Coast tournament.

5. At the Western Division Tau Kappa Alpha, Whitman didn’t do so well, ending up with 4 wins and 8 losses.

6. Clayton Michaelis was the only Whittie to attend the Pacific Forensic League tournament at the University of Oregon. He placed in finals.

7. Whitman debate qualified for Nationals for the first time ever. After a desperate scramble for money, Miller and James traveled with Coach Newcomer to West Point, New York.

D. Bob Nelson was president of Delta Sigma Rho.