Eastern Kentucky University - Milestone Yearbook (Richmond, KY)

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War Years Change Campus Life America was facing the prospect of World War II when Dr. William Francis O ' Donnel became president. Five months after his inauguration, the Japanese bombed Pearl Har- bor, and the war was on. The effects of the war on Eastern were immediate: Enrollment declined by 77 per- cent by 1945, at which time fewer than one-fifth of the college ' s students were men. The Milestone discontinued publication for 1944 and 1945, while the Eastern Progress changed its name to the Progress and Engineer, in honor of the many uniformed pre-engineering trainees on campus. College football was can- celled for two years, and basketball was not played at the College during the 1943-44 season. Girls on campus volunteered their services to help the Alumni Office mail out newspapers and write letters to soldiers. And most importantly, 53 former students and one faculty member were killed or listed as missing in action. The effects were also long range. Veteran ' s Village was constructed to house the veterans returning to Eastern on the GI Bill of Rights. The Village later served as housing for married students until Brockton was built in the 1960 ' s. In 1948, Eastern began to of- fer its first non-teaching degrees, and became Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College. The Science Building (dedicated to those students who had lost their lives in the war), Keith Hall, and a music building were built during O ' Donnel ' s term. O ' Donnel was Eastern ' s first president to retire from office when he left in 1960. He was replaced by a former state superintendent of Public In- struction, and the chairman of the Board of Regents, Dr. Robert R. Martin.

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College Status Vpi Eastern ' s status grew as Dr. Herman Lee Donovan re- formed the college ' s academic organization into divisions of instruction. In 1935, The Normal School was discontinued and Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College was given the right to award graduate degrees. Six important buildings were added to the campus during Donovan ' s administration. The Weaver Health Building became the home of the Maroon basketball team, which compiled a 225-51 won- lost record during the 31 seasons they played in this building. The Keen Johnson Building, which housed the new student cafeteria, became the social hub of the campus. Brock Auditorium hosted three decades of commence- ment exercises. Miller, Becham, and McCreary Halls were also built during Donovan ' s 13-year term. Dr. Donovan left Eastern in 1941 to become the new presi- dent of the University of Ken- tucky.

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OPPOSITE PAGE: Crowded parking conditions are not new to campus as this 1958 picture attests. Top: Cheerleaders pose for their annual pic- ture in the old Weaver Gym. Upper left: The Eastem-Westem rivalry is the theme of this 1958 Homecoming float. Lower left: Students study in pursuit of their teaching degrees. Above: President William Francis O ' Donnell, who had the longest tenure of any of Eastern ' s chief executives, poses with his wife.