Era of Advancement
The Late President Tulloss Takes Wittenberg to a New Level

Since 1845, each president of Wittenberg University has defined the campus during his administration, but none stayed the course as long as Rees Edgar Tulloss, the seventh president of Wittenberg.

Tulloss, who began his tenure on July 1, 1920, guided Wittenberg for 29 years, including through the “Golden Years,” the Great Depression and World War II. Tulloss set in motion many programs at Wittenberg and presided over one of the most ambitious campaign’s in the school’s history. The $1.5 million “Greater Wittenberg Appeal” promised new buildings, better salaries, increased equipment, a larger teaching force and new departments.

By 1924, his efforts resulted in Wittenberg’s accreditation by the Association of American Universities, which recognized only 20 percent of the liberal arts colleges in the country at the time.

Tulloss also introduced events and programs that continue today, including honors courses, which were established to provide gifted juniors and seniors the opportunity to pursue independent study and investigation under the direct guidance of a professor. Traditions, such as an Academic Honor Day, Activities Honor Day and the celebration of Founders Day originated under his leadership as did the Student Chest, patterned after the Springfield Community Chest Tulloss helped to organize a year earlier, which “raised funds to support the Y.M.C.A., the Y.W.C.A., the college band, European student relief and other worthwhile causes.”

In 1925, the emergence of WCSO college radio provided experimental work in the new field of electronics. Wittenberg was one of the first schools to possess such facilities, and the station broadcast student debates, oratorical contests, chapel programs, music and speeches.

Tulloss’ efforts increased the size and pay of faculty, and led to an all-professional faculty. Administrative additions included the first assistant to the president, vice president, a dean of men and a dean of women. He also adopted new and more efficient methods in administration, student records, office procedures and financial collection.

Several academic departments were added including a department of American literature, one of the first established at American colleges. Additions to the Zimmerman Library and Ferncliff Hall, the construction of Koch and Blair Halls, a Health Education building with a swimming pool, Weaver Observatory and the Wittenberg Stadium were also all built during his presidency.
Deemed by community leaders as a scholar, educator, clergyman, inventor, scientist, businessman, financier, fund-raiser and college president, Tulloss found favor in local, national and world arenas.

In his Founders Day address in 1930, Tulloss defined Wittenberg with these words, “Only by holding to its glorious heritage of the past, its ideals of the present and its purpose for the future can Wittenberg make its contribution to the world.”

— Phyllis Eberts ’00