NCC: Charles C. and Evelyn Hower papers

Collection

Identifier: NCCA-C142

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains notes, exams, addresses and papers read, information about staff, alumni class letters, correspondence, applications, photographs, postcards, party games, button, and scrapbook. A majority of this collection is lecture notes, translations, literature, and exams all written by Charles C. Hower for his studies and classes at North Central College. These materials also include addresses and papers read by Hower at dinners and other meetings. Within this collection are exam booklets by Hower when he was student at NCC. While at North Central, Hower put together a list, collected obituaries, and resumes of the faculty. There are also alumni class letters written by Hower, updating others about milestones in his life. There is correspondence and an application for studying at the University of Munich. Evelyn Hower is represented within this collection mainly through the Dames’ Club, North Central College’s social club for women employed by North Central College and wives who had husbands employed by the College; there are invitations, lists of members, and other correspondence. There is also a play for the centennial of North Central, written by Evelyn Hower. A majority of the photographs and postcards date from when Charles Howard was a student, but there are some from his time as a faculty member. There is a button and scrapbook of the Howers, along with party games to entertain guests.

Dates

1924 - 1999

Biographical / Historical

Charles C. Hower was born in Indiana on August 25, 1902. He graduated from North Central College with a B.A. in 1927. In 1928 he received his M.A. from the University of Illinois. He spent a year teaching at Hendrix College in Arkansas. While getting his PhD from the University of Illinois, Hower also taught at Hanover College in Indiana. He received his PhD in 1936. The same year, he was hired as Professor of Classics at North Central College. He also taught Morse code for students enlisted in the War Training Service program. He married Evelyn Wendling in 1947. Hower was also North Central’s registrar from 1943 to 1963. He retired in 1970. Hower died February 15, 1982; his eulogy was given by Professor Richard M. Eastman.

Evelyn Wendling was born in Aurora, Illinois on April 3, 1918. She graduated from North Central College in 1940. Hower taught for five years and in 1945 received her Master’s from Denver University. Afterwards, she became secretary for North Central College Presidents Rall and Geiger from 1945 to 1955. From 1974 to 1991, Hower was office manager at Grace United Methodist Church. She died February 1, 2008.