By Kaylie Yaceczko
In its earliest days, The University of Akron held a high appreciation for literary expression. Students were often encouraged to participate in literary activities on campus, and they were sometimes required to present their written work such as orations and declamations to the public. Some ways students could present their writing and ideas would either be in chapel rhetoricals (presentations after required services) or even in front of one of the literary societies.
The University’s literary societies were a rather prominent aspect of campus life from near the beginning of its existence, and many of the societies had a robust number of active members and alumni who were involved.
The purpose of these societies was to provide an outlet for students who appreciated literary works and culture, and they also provided entertainment for the campus community. Societies would meet in “Old Buchtel,” the single building on campus, and the larger societies would even have their own rooms complete with furniture, decorations, and even libraries. Bierce Library, established in 1871 and named after Gen. L. V. Bierce who donated the majority of the collection, and the Reading Room, established in 1881, were open to students both in these organizations and others on campus to use for studying and casual reading.
In addition to sharing their writing, the societies would also present plays for the public, but they were especially well known for their debates and oratorical contests like the annual Ashton Prize Speaking Contest beginning in 1887, awarding a forty-dollar cash prize to the winner.
Three of the most well-known literary societies at the University—the Cary Society, Bryant Society, and the Everett Society—began the Inter-Society Contest in the winter of 1881, in which three faculty members chose a subject and members would compete against each other by performing orations, declamations, and essays. Contests and debates not only sparked interest in literature and interpretative work at the University, but they also began friendly rivalries between the literary societies and other organizations, bringing a sense of competition and excitement to campus life.
While the literary societies were a highlight in student life, their popularity began to decrease as time went on. Once the older societies died down, smaller societies would form during the 1890s and early 1900s; however, interest was high in the beginning but lasted for a short period of time. Fraternities grew rapidly on campus, and interest in literary societies fell as more students were interested in the social benefit rather than the actual literature. Many students did not want to be a part of organizations that required participation in literary activity, even though the literary societies were voluntary. While it seemed like desire for literary expression faded away with these societies, students continued to write both scholarly and creative work on their own time, which appeared in the classroom and in the most influential outlets on campus: newspapers and student-led publications.