PROFESSOR WM. F. H. WENTZEL, B.S., M.S.

I was born in a humble home in the backwoods of Berks County, Pennsylvania. I had few companions outside of school hours in the little country school where we studied in English and played in German. I had no one of intimate acquaintance who had any appreciation of higher education or of professional life. The awakening of a moderate ambition was largely due to the influence of a devoted mother and an inspiring teacher.

With three months’ cramming in a summer normal, I changed from a student to a teacher in the little red school house. During the long vacations that followed I attended Perkiomen Seminary, where I was graduated in 1902. When I passed my twenty-fifth birthday I had given eight years of service to our schools at a salary of $238 per year. I had paid for my preparatory education and had saved $200. At this time I also had signed an anti-saloon petition which efficiently barred me from further employment in the same school. This predicament put me to thinking what would be the next best step. My prep. school was an excellent eye-opener for college possibilities for poor boys, yet 178 I never before realized what it could mean to me. However, in one month after my downfall I was making my exodus to the Pennsylvania State College. I was without a friend that could give me advice or direct me to means by which a young man might work his way. My $200 was dwindling to a small margin as I got my equipment of books, uniform, instruments, fees, board, room, etc. I soon hailed an opportunity to husk corn on Saturdays.

Time progressed slowly, work became scarce, football enthusiasm rose to a high pitch. Most of the boys were planning a trip to see our team face its foremost rival of the season. It seemed evident that a three to five dollar outlay on such a trip could not include me. There were more meetings, music, yells, and speeches; and the fellow who refused to go either had poor spirit or he felt real mean. I was one of those who felt mean. So did my room-mate. We raised a question and forth came the solution. I suggested that we go at the lowest possible outlay. On the morning of the game when the band led the march to the depot we were in line. The enthusiasm and the victory seemed to be fully worth the price. When the noon hour arrived and the boys resorted to the hotels, chum and I sauntered down along the railroad, secured a box of crackers, and with some dried beef that I had brought from home, we made the noon-day meal. On our return to college we proceeded to work out the balance of the program: that was to 179 board ourselves until we had saved the amount. With a tin tomato can hung above our student lamp as a cooking outfit we proceeded with our experiment in domestic science from Thanksgiving to Christmas. We were so elated with the success and the economy that we returned with well packed trunks after Christmas and continued the experiment until Commencement week, when we both secured positions as waiters. This scheme made a nice saving, as it cost us less than $1.25 per week each for our board. I waited on tables for my board for the remaining three years of my college course.

The first year closed with my financial rating $200 less than it was at the opening of the school year. It was the close of my hardest year. With my fragmentary preparation and several entrance conditions I found it necessary to work to the limit of my ability, mentally and physically.

I adapted my summer vacation to my needs and divided my time between farm work and canvassing for the “Wearever” Aluminum Cooking Utensil Company. I saved enough to equip myself with clothing, books, etc., to start my next school year.

I started the work without definite plans for the finances of the year. I gave some assistance to a student agent selling drawing instruments. This line of work put me in touch with the commercial possibilities for a student to earn his way. I noted the pennant agent, the pin agent, the clothing agent, the laundry agent, etc. Yet was I too sensitive of 180 my backwoods instincts to move myself from the outside of this field to a top notch competitor with upper class agents. Various college activities seemed to prevail upon my time and I could not curb that inner desire to be active along these lines when the finance seemed to be within my control. However, in my junior year I accepted partnership in the drawing instrument business which netted me a considerable income for the opening week of the school year. In my senior year I made my only real commercial venture. I gave security for my stock and took $1,000 worth of instruments on the field. I secured a store room where I had a good window display, took in second-hand uniforms, which I sold on commission, and, too, late in my college career, I learned the commercial possibilities open to the student who will do things in a business way. I gave students from 20 per cent. to 40 per cent. discount on instruments and yet cleared enough in two weeks to aid me greatly in my senior year.

Amongst other means of support I shall mention a few of a general type. I was chapel monitor for over two years which was worth one doll............