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President Bryan and Geneva Elliott
From 1921 to 1934, Ohio University's president was Elmer Burritt Bryan, who
had a reputation for knowing his students. I realized it was true after
I
met him in 1933.
Dr. Bryan had come to give a talk in Caldwell, Ohio, and since I was
trying
to decide where to go to college, I went to hear him. After the talk,
he
invited students who had any interest in O.U. to come up and speak to
him.
He showed a warm interest in me, and asked where I lived. When I told
him,
he said he would have his driver return to Athens that way, so he could
get
a drink of water from our well.
I promptly went home and sat on the front porch swing, watching and
waiting. I could not have been more flattered. Nor, as the hours went
by,
could I have been more disappointed. He never did come, and I supposed
I
would never know why.
In the fall, I matriculated at Ohio University. On a sunny October
afternoon, I was strolling to the library when Dr. Bryan came walking
toward me. My mind raced. I didn't know what I should say, or if I
should
just ignore him. But then he called out to me: "Oh, Miss Elliott, I
want to
tell you why I failed to come to your house last April. My driver
insisted
that the route through Marietta was much better than through
McConnelsville
and Amesville."
I marveled at his memory, his ability to recognize me instantly, and
identify me with the right situation. I was convinced that he cared
about
each and every one of the students at Ohio University. And I know that
he
was loved.
Geneva Elliott Schuler, 1933-35
