Wheaton College Alumni Magazine Autumn 2013 | Page 38

alumni association

Returning
to Times
Gone By

When the Class of 1938 attended Wheaton, Amelia Earhart became the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to California.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected to his second term as President. And the German airship Hindenburg caught fire
and was destroyed in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The Great Depression brought its challenges, and events in Europe were
occurring that would soon lead to World War II. But at a small Christian liberal arts college in Illinois, young students were
preparing for a lifetime. This year the Class of 1938 celebrated its 75th reunion. Enjoy reading what Sam and Julia—two
’38ers—say as they reminisce about their Wheaton days.

Samuel H. Moffett

Julia Voget Hurlbut

Professor Emeritus,
Princeton Theological
Seminary; preacher, scholar,
missionary statesman;
author of eight books;
holds six honorary degrees;
Wheaton Alumni Association
Alumnus of the Year 1965
for Distinguished Service to
Society; 1938 Senior Class
President

Mother; church musician and
Bible teacher; partner with
her husband in his carpentry/
contracting business;
illustrator; bookkeeper; social
worker

Your major

The Classics, because my mother had taught me classical
Greek and Latin from about the age of five.

Spanish, because I lived in Southern California.

Surprises as a new
Wheaton student

As a freshman I wanted to enter the second-year Greek
class, but they were not going to allow it. I asked them
to give me an exam, but they said, “You’ll never pass it.”
But when I took it, I surprised them with 100% correct.

Since I came from sunny California, I was always cold and
often had a sore throat. My sister, Lamberta Voget hon
[Wheaton professor of sociology from 1935-75], would
pray for me.

Best friends

Dayton Roberts, Howard Moffett, Eugene Vickers, Carl
Henry, Eleanor Soltau, and Elizabeth “Bet” Tarrant, whom
I later married.

Elsie Olson. Ken Kemper was my first love. Years later
he encouraged me to draw flowers and to collaborate in
composing songs.

Favorite music

I liked listening to my radio but was disciplined for it.
I was also disappointed that all movies were banned.

The music of Wheaton. My! It was thrilling to hear the
boys boom out, “Wonderful Grace of Jesus.”

Favorite professor

Dr. Darien Straw, because he taught me how to write.

I loved English literature under the inimitable teaching of
Dr. Elsie Dow 1881, M.A. 1884.

Activities and interests

I helped to start Wheaton’s first soccer team. I was
captain of the men’s tennis team, edited the yearbook,
and belonged to one of the literary societies.

My clothes were not too pretty, but I did have one
special date, with George Kehrli ’39, to the Celt Literary
Society. Someone sent me $5.00 to go on the Senior
Sneak to Spink Wawasee Hotel. Thanks!

How the Wheaton education
shaped your life

In many ways. At Wheaton I felt the call to the ministry,
and the College prepared me well for further education at
Princeton Theological Seminary and Yale University.

After graduating, the young people at my church asked
me to direct their choir. “With a degree, you can do
anything,” someone said. I read a book and practiced
choir directing in front of a mirror. I learned to love choir
directing and did it for many years.

How you were challenged
spiritually
Accomplishments that
have brought the most joy

President Buswell’s Chapel talks were important to my
spiritual growth.

In Chapel when God sent a mighty movement of his Spirit
. . . . students were standing, crying out to God.

It is difficult to choose, but my missionary service in
Korea would probably be at the top of the list.

I have survived cancer twice— in 1979 and 2009.

Words for the Class of 2013

Remember to be faithful as a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ. To God be the glory! Great things he has done!

36     A U T U M N   2 0 1 3