Waveland Academy Alumni 1911 - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Sunday evening, an event commemorative of the good works of the Waveland-Collegiate Institute and its honored professor, Prof. HS Kritz concluded, after a successful three-day session. This was certainly a remarkable meeting and the good citizens of Waveland are entitled to great credit for their enterprise – in thus commemorating an institution of learning which did so much for the moral and intellectual welfare of its citizens, as well as to add to the fame of their town, and to the advancement of education in general.  Form 1849 to 1879, the Waveland College Institute, commonly known as the Waveland Academy, was recognized throughout the middle west as one of the leading institutions of learning. During most of this period the institute was under the immediate charge and control of Prof. HS Kritz, now beyond the age of 83, in whose special reunion was given. It was a co-educational institution and during its continuance, a large number of men and women were graduated and received their diplomas, going forth into the various states of the union and into foreign lands to carve out destinies in chosen professions and callings in the activities of real  life. When the states entered upon higher education in its free schools, these colleges, in the smaller towns, gave way to the free high schools, which taught a large part of the college curriculum. This reunion was unique in that the Collegiate institute ceased to have an existence more than 31 years ago yet its professor and chief built, now past 83, still alive and present at the reunion to witness the homecoming of the men and women who had received their diplomas from his hand, many of them more than 45 years ago. These guests, former students of the institute, whose life work is drawing to a close, came form many states of the union and from various callings and professions, to honor the name of their Alma Mater, and pay proper homage to the professor under whose training and advice success was made possible. The tear of joy was frequently seen in the age professor’s eyes as he was praised for the valuable lessons he had impressed upon the particular speaker’s mind nearly half a century ago. The banquet was held Friday evening at the Presbyterian Church and more than 100 former students and alumni were seated around the feastal board with the age Prof. Kritz at the head. Harry J. Milligan of Indianapolis, a former student and graduate of the college was toast master. Among those who responded to toasts were Rev. Joseph W. Mann of Illinois; Judge DR McIntyre of Illinois; JP Durham of Indianapolis and ME Clodfelter of Crawfordsville. Rev. Frank B. Solon, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Waveland, delivered the welcome address form his pulpit at the conclusion of the banquet. In this he eloquently traced the history of the college and success of its students.

The program for the entire reunion was carried out as announced in The Review last week and four days of rare enjoyment were spent by the returned alumni. Among the interesting relics shown by was a commencement program for the class of 1872 which was in the possession of Marion E. Clodfelter of Crawfordsville, a member of that class. Three young men and six young women composed the class.  Sunday was given over to devotional exercises and addresses to the returned alumni. The Review is indebted to ME Clodfelter for the facts concerning the reunion. Among the distinguished alumni who returned for the reunion were Rev. JW Mann; JP Durham; Harry J. Milligan; ME Clodfelter; Mrs. Harry Chenault; Sylvester J. Fisher; Prof. TW Smith; Samuel P. Johns; Major W. J. Richards; Dr. John T. Rice; SJ Milligan; Judge DT McIntyre; JG White and others. About 10 states were represented by the returned alumni.