Digging up the Past Prisms tell stories of Calvin long ago To be a true mirror for the reflection of the student life and activity of Calvin College and Theological Seminary; to place in bold relief the diversity of interests which serve as an avenue of enrichment for the life of every student; to be a book of pleasant recollections, one which for many years to come will be a permanent remembrance of the spirit of good fellowship pervading our school; this is the purpose prompted by the issuance of this our first Calvin Annual. May it prove to be a cement which will bind us to each other in Christian Fellowship and in enduring loyalty to our school. May it also stimulate to greater generosity in our gratitude to God for his blessings. Forward of the first Calvin yearbook, The Calvin Annual, 1920 In keeping with its mission statement in the first issue, Calvin’s yearbook Prism has reflected the trials and triumphs of the campus since its humble beginnings. The 156-page soft-bound book that began the legacy featured commencement texts, pictures and quotes from the 47 graduates, jokes and advertisements. Student organizations more than 70 years ago include an open forum club, the Fortnightly Club (where they discussed the philosophy of religion), Aurora Society (a social club), Nil Nisi Verum (a club that studied the Calvinistic principles and the applications to the church, state and society) and Girls’ Literary Society. In sports, the 1920 Cal- vin Rivals and Rivalettes played only basketball; the Rivaletts were undefeated. “Nine rahs for the Rivalettes! The certainly deserve them,” the yearbook said. The class of 1929 had 80 graduates who were involved in a variety of activities, according to that year’s Prism. The Girls’ Knicker Klub was organized to “stimulate a greater degree of friendliness and sociability among the Calvin girls.” Others were involved in the Freshman Dutch Club (“to guide one anther through the labyrinth of arbitrary genders...), the Excelsior Club (I have no idea, the explanation is all in another language... Dutch perhaps?), Gamma Pi Sigma (literary criticism club) and a Plato Club. As the 20th century wore on, Calvin and Prism become a bit more recognizable. In 1950, Calvin had seven athletic teams and 30 student organizations. Although Calvin was still at the Franklin Campus, the yearbook reflected modern goals; “our campus, still growing at the half-century, still building with this in mind: ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it’,” the Prism reported. “The world changes,” the book continues, “but not the timeless faith that Calvin left us as his heritage, not the God that both he and we worship.” The 1954 Prism echoes the sentiment that through the passages of time “the idea [of] a dynamic faith in a living God” remains the same. It also tells that Prism operated on a budget of $10,000 a year and up to 20% of the costs were paid for through advertising. The 1954 Prism business staff consisted of about 25 students. Advertisements were at the back of the yearbook and in. Include ads for gas laundry dryers, Old Kent Bank, $50 flannel suits and greeting cards at the Calvin College bookstore. 1976 was an important year for Calvin; not only was it the bicentennial, but it was also Calvin’s 100th anniversary. Prism captured the uncertainty of the times and events with a special cen- tenial edition.