History of the Tel-Buch
Every now and again time allows us to take a look back at our roots. Here
at the Tel-Buch, we had the idea of taking a look at our own past. A journey
back to our early days in order to see just how our humble yearbook came to
be. It all began in the year 1880, ten years after the founding of the
University of Akron. A group of seven seniors led by Editor-in-chief C. B.
Wright published "The Argo" in May of 1880. Their opening page read this
hopeful message:
Publications often remind us,
We can also publicate,
And departing leave behind us
Proofs of Wisdom Grand and Great.
Therefore we have launched the Argo,
'Tis a staunch and gallant ship
And we hope you'll like the cargo,
Of our first and trial trip
These earlier publishers called themselves the Argonauts, borrowing from
the Greek myth of Jason and the Golden Fleece. This early effort is much like
the yearbook we publish today, but over 120 years ahead of its time. The Argo
included sections on Class Officers, Seniors, Faculty, students at The College
Prep School, Athletics, Organizations, and Greek Life. Things were far
different in the 1880s than they are today; one of the most interesting
contrasts was the athletic section. There were the standards like football and
baseball, but also a very curious activity; eating clubs. The names of these
included: College Gastronomers, The Boys, Anti Brown's
Anti-Carnivorous Club, and Gentle-Order-United-Tooth-Pickers. Much
like today the yearbook was generously sponsored by local businesses that made
financing the book possible. Hoping that this noble endeavor would inspire
future college students to publish a yearbook, the publishers wrote this
inspiring quote: "...the humble effort which we lay before you in this the
first, we trust, of a series whose worth will continue to increase as the
college years go by."
The wishes of these Argonauts were granted two years later in 1882 when The
Buchtel was published by the senior class of Buchtel College. These publishers
wrote this inscription on their first edition of The Buchtel: "To our alma
mater, what the honor paid her. Whether small or great, let our Book-tell."
The Buchtel was published intermittently for the next several years by the
senior classes of the young and growing Buchtel College. From the years 1894
until 1908 there were no issues of The Buchtel published.
Finally in 1908 publication resumed until 1911 when the name was changed to
its final and current version Tel-Buch. The name Tel-Buch is just a clever
rearrangement of the last name of our University's founder John R. Buchtel.
The Tel-Buch has been around for nearly a century and has seen the world as
well as the campus change in many ways. Despite the passage of time, the Tel-Buch
still continues to capture life at the University of Akron for the benefit of
those who will come after. We hope you, the newest generation of University of
Akron students, will enjoy our "humble effort."
By: Patrick J. Dobrowolski
