For anyone thinking that collegiate cynicism (or is it realism?) is new, consider these definitions from the "REVISED STANDARD DICTIONARY, WITTENBERG EDITION," published in The Wittenberger of 1922:
- ABANDONED., adj., descriptive of a classroom when the professor enters five and one half minutes after the bell has rung.
- BOOK, n., that which contains knowledge. Just as every dog has his day so every book has its night and that is the night directly preceding exams.
- CURRICULUM, n., that which presents many difficulties to the Freshmen. Should be handled in much the same way as a roulette-wheel.
- DOCTOR, n., a title used by students in addressing certain professors in whose estimation they wish to rise.
- FRATERNITY, n., has no meaning.
- LESSON, n., that which professors assign each day. That is the extent of its meaning.
- PROFESSOR, n., one who professes to love young people.
- STUDY, v., to apply one's mind to a subject matter. Some thing in which no Wittenberg student indulges to the point of intemperance.
- A., a symbol denoting a very enviable height which some of us, as students, have attained.
- B., that symbol which designates that a student "has gotten away with it."
- C., signifies that one belongs to the middle or bourgoisie class.
- D., a grade which warns us that all is not as it should be.
- E., a grade given by professors who wish to earn a few extra dollars from condition exams.
- F., a symbol for farewell. A signal to entrain.
About The Project
With Wittenberg now celebrating its 175th year, and the University unable to hold regular in-person classes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor of History Thomas T. Taylor has started circulating several pieces on Wittenberg's history. Some originated in earlier series, either This Month in Wittenberg History or Happy Birthday Wittenberg. Others have their origin in the Wittenberg History Project or in some other, miscellaneous project. Sincerest thanks to Professor Taylor for connecting alumni, faculty, staff, and students through a historic lens.