at Frances Shimer, gave place to the Student Christian Service League, a religious and service organization, some of its members returning to school early every fall to help in the orientation of new girls.
Toward the close of Dr. Bro's administration, Dean L.A. Wilson introduced the "Shimer Plan" of a general education curriculum, including the greatest writings in the various fields of knowledge, with the help of teachers who shared a common sense of purpose and vision. A literary outlet for the students was the Shimer Record, a magazine in which appeared original poems, sketches and essays by the students The Green Curtain Club went merrily on its way year after year putting on very ambitious stage productions such as "Oedipus Rex," "Stage Door," "Ladies in Retirement," and "Taming of the Shrew." There was a "Charm Clinic" series in which, through talks and demonstrations, the girls learned just what a well-bred young lady should be, do and wear.
There were poetry readings, Dickerson Art Gallery exhibits -- the gallery on the top floor of the library, named for the trustee who most enthusiastically promoted and supported it. There were delightfully festive Thanksgiving weekends, Christmas Nativity Plays, Easter pageants, concerts, lectures, and every spring a more beautiful May Fete than the last.
Substantial gifts made possible new tennis courts, redecorating "The Grill," the popular student social center and snack bar in the basement of Hathaway Hall, a Hammond organ for the chapel, the gift of Dr. Culver's wife as a memorial to him, more scholarships and increased endowments.
Through the inspired leadership of Mr. W.A. McKnight, a trustee and father of Ann McKnight, a Shimer graduate who has distinguished herself in the operatic world, a big fund-raising campaign was launched in behalf of the school, now in need of a new dormitory. With the help of alums and other friends of the school the campaign was pushed with a fair degree of success. Several friends like Miss Lillian Tomlinson, left the school generous bequests in their wills. In 1949, Dr. Bro resigned to take a position overseas with the government.
John Hamilton Russel, who had been called to the school as Dean of the College in 1948 was asked to serve as Acting President while the Board sought a successor to Dr. Bro. Dean Russell received his A.B. from Illinois College, Jacksonville, and his M.A. from Harvard. He did further study at the Sorbonne and received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. For six years he was on the faculty at Blackburn College and served two years as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Dean Russel carried his responsibility very capably and prepared the way for the coming of the new president, Aaron John Brumbaugh.
Dr. Brumbaugh, who had served for some time as a very helpful member of the Shimer Board of Trustees, received his A.B. from Mount Morris, his A.M. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, and has received honorary degrees from Albion, Manchester, Bethany, and Mount Union Colleges. Previous to his call to the Presidency of Shimer College he had served as Dean of the College and Dean of Students at the University of Chicago and as vice president of the American Council on Education. The Trustees had come to know him at close range, while serving with him, and were well acquainted with his superior qualifications.
With the coming of Dr. Brumbaugh the affiliation with the University of Chicago was renewed and strengthened. Under his leadership the trustees and faculty of Shimer College laid plans for significant educational developments. It is the hope of those associated with the College that these new developments will be, in the worlds of the Psalmist, that are indicated on the Shimer seal, "When our sons shall be as plants grown up in their youth; and our daughters as cornerstones hewn after the fashion of a palace, happy is the people that is in such a case."
