As the 20th century dawned, Fairmount College was experiencing a construction boom. In addition to providing work for local contractors, the construction, which included the building of Fiske Hall, helped forge a relationship between the institution and the Shuler family.
For brothers Frank and Buel Shuler, money wasn't their only compensation for helping with the building projects. Part of their payment came in the form of free tuition for family members. "Quite a few of the Shulers took advantage of that offer," says James Addington, Frank's great-grandson.
One of those who did was Frank's son and James' grandfather, Harry Shuler, who earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1913. He went on to earn a master's degree in education in 1930 and became an educator, serving as both teacher and principal during his career.
He worked in Independence, Kan., taught industrial arts at Wichita's Mathewson Junior High School and, in 1920, signed a contract to teach for $85 in Marion, Kan. A former student of his there later recalled discussing Einstein's new theories during Harry's physics classes. After retiring, Harry had more time to play golf, one of his favorite pastimes. "That's where I played my first round of golf, with him at Echo Hills golf course," says James. "I was around 12 or 13."
Other Shuler family members who graduated from Fairmount or its later incarnations include Harry's twin sister Elgie, their cousins Mildred, Don and Ivan, Harry's daughter Virginia Addington, her son James Addington and his son Michael Addington. When Mildred Shuler was 107, she attended Michael's graduation ceremony in 1998, WSU's 100th year of hosting commencement ceremonies.
"She was the oldest living graduate at that graduation," says James. With James' nephew and his son's stepdaughter now attending Wichita State, the Shuler family has, in one way or another, been connected with the university for six generations.
