19292ma9 THE Depression TRACY YEARS years were not always depressing by Lou Gladwell Class of 1934 eber State did not always have grand buildings containing auditoriums, cafeterias, dozens of classrooms, a union building and other needed facilities. There was a time a half century ago when Weber conducted its entire educational program in two buildings. Those were the classical old Moench building, built in 1891, and a gymnasium, built in 1925. The Great Depression was at its height in the 1930’s when Aaron W. Tracy was college president and enrollment was under 400. The depression disturbed the educational process greatly. Many high school graduates who planned on going to college saw their prospects dashed as money became scarce and prospects of getting a job to forward their education was almost out of the question. President Tracy and his faculty did whatever they could to enable the youth of the area to attend classes. President Tracy hit on an idea that would enable farm youth to deliver farm products to the college for tuition credits. The novel system received wide regional publicity. Many newspapers used photos of students unloading potatoes and tomatoes at the college to cover tuition costs and make enrollment possible. One student, Wheatley Taylor, a graduate of Weber High School, brought a live calf to the college, and that rated enough registration credits to cover a full academic year. Another student delivered a crate with live chickens. The chickens were bought for the home economics classes, and the heifer calf was purchased by the College Inn. The president’s own family of children and some of the students did the janitorial work because there was no money to pay for cleaning the buildings. Maurice A. Berrett, now 78 and student body president in 1932, remembers how students stood in long lines to register, because of lack of funds to employ an adequate college staff. “Sometimes the lines formed before daybreak,” he recounted. “There were no lockers,” Berrett said. in brief cases. To avoid lugging the cases all around to the various rooms, the students tossed them in a heap in the Moench Building, returning to the stack as the classes required during the day.” their education. f | Those years were | difficult times, | especially during the Great Depres- f Money Aaron W. Tracy was scarce, jobs were scarce, unemployment was around 37 percent at times, so one can imagine the difficulty in getting students to attend and in keeping the college functioning. In spite of President Tracy helped many to jobs and in some way get to the degree that they sought. In doing what he did to help he was repaying a debt he owed in brown bags.” and Berrett classified as “great faculty members” in Leland H. Monson, Ralph Gray, Harvey J. Taylor, J.G. Blaycock, Dr. John Lund, H. Guy Hurst and others. Berrett said during a hike to Ogden canyon Dr. Lund’s geology class studied rock to determine age and other data. One student picked a rock out of a river and asked Dr. Lund if he could determine the age of the stone. “That’s 100 million years old,” said Dr. Lund, a nationally known geologist. “It was made on the first day of creation.” With students and faculty suffering sO many irritating conditions, they probably had a strong dislike for the college. Right? Wrong. Both groups declared vigorously that those were the good old days when they made many life-long friends. “Intimate relationships were formed as we worked out our common problems,” Tribe said. “We had great respect for our teachers, and-we were happy. We will always have a soft spot in our hearts The faculty felt of the times too. “Members were money and partly said. “They were the economic pinch paid partly by by script,” Tribe helped by Gerald salaries were restored.” Dr. Merlon L. Stevenson, 93, was the only coach Weber had during the 1920’s and early 1930’s. He had the unusual experience of taking Weber’s football team to the Hawaiian Islands to play McKinley High School. A three-game series resulted, so players performed in both Ogden and Honolulu. The school had what Dr. Stevenson for those good old days,” he said. Dedication to students the help he, himself, received in completing his education. After finishing his first year at Weber, then known as Weber Academy, he visited with David O. McKay, who was then presidentto tell him that he probably would not be able to return to school in the fall because of conditions (he was orphaned at age 14) that made it necessary for him to go to work full make every effort possible to help anyone who desired to go to Weber. Fortunately, he had the support of many in the community who passed on to him job information and were always supportive of Weber’s cause. There was a great spirit of helpfulness and concern. One of President Tracy’s great fears was that someone might be overlooked, be turned away and not have the opportunity that might make a great difference in his live. time living with some relatives at a sion years of the thirties. Klomp, owner of Jerry’s Food Mart at 24th and Jefferson, who allowed faculty to charge groceries until faculty Students often paid tuition with chickens, eggs, produce or beef during the depression years. The produce was bought by the College Inn, and at times was given to faculty. President Tracy: by Donald R. Hall Class of 1948 Ask any number of people what they remember about Aaron W. Tracy when they attended Weber College during the time he was president and they will usually say something about what he did to Toe ee help them get “Students carried all their books Students hung their coats in hallways, and sat on stairs to socialize between classes. Junius R. Tribe, student body president in 1922, recalled there was no need for a parking lot in those days. “The combined number of automobiles probably totaled eight or nine, and there was ample room for those at the curb,” he said. “We all walked to school or rode the street car,” Tribe added. “There was no cafeteria, so we brought our lunch this, get others, for ranch in Idaho. On hearing that, President McKay said to Aaron, in fact demanded of him, that he return at the end of the summer to continue his schooling. President McKay promised to have a room for him at his house and Aaron could pay for his room and eJune 7, 1922 eSept. 2, 1922 eOct. 4, 1922 eMay 16, 1923 board by doing household chores, milking the family cow, taking care of the vegetable garden, etc. Having experienced, himself, what many wanting to attend Weber were going through, he was a kindred spirit and had the rapport that caused him to *eMay 17, 1923 eJan. 9, 1925 eJuly 1, 1933 Aaron W. Tracy appointed president. Weber Normal College becomes Weber College. Historic first trek to Mt. Ogden Peak. Final high school graduation held. High school classes discontinued. First college commencement exercises New gym (on 25th Street) opened. Weber becomes a state school