Pencilled on the back of this 5×7 photo is the date-1937. No other details or notes but that clue means this photograph of my father standing by a chalkboard, was taken in Champaign-Urbana, at the University of Illinois. Looks like his handwriting. I transcribed the handwriting as best I could, from a closeup crop. See below. I see most of the women are wearing hats.




What I can decipher.
Why are we in college?
1. Prepare to make money
2. “Get” an education
3. Sent by parents
4. Find a Life mate
5.
6.
What place will religion ____?____
in our college life ____________?
My father graduated in 1939 and went on to Yale Divinity School to become a minister in 1942.
What a cool find.
I agree. It was tucked in an album but I’d never looked at it before
Those questions about college are still asked today.
I think you’re right.
What an absolute treasure to have that photo and that list, which seems as appropriate (mostly) today as yesterday.
I could read almost every word on that chalkboard. I was wondering if it was on a Sunday as all the women were wearing hats.
Can you imagine wearing a full suit to class every day? And what would these people think to see how college kids dress these days….
No, I can’t imagine.