Eastern Kentucky University - Milestone Yearbook (Richmond, KY)

Page 31 text:

The massive building program which would later come to characterize the 60 ' s at Eastern began in Martin ' s first year of office. Alumni Coliseum, Martin Hall, Brockton, the Ault Building, and the Gibson Building were all begun at that time. Courier Journal columnist Joe Creason quipped, Someone ought to put up a sign — Eastern Kentucky State College . . . Under Construction. Increasing the size of Eastern was only one of Dr. Martin ' s goals. Early in his term, he predicted that Eastern would enroll 6,000 students and become a university by 1970. His predictions were right but his timing was off. Eastern enrolled 6,999 stu- dents in the fall of 1965, and early in the Spring Semester of 1966 House Bill 238 passed the State Senate and university status was granted to Eastern. President Martin said that granting Eastern university status was just identifying the school for what it is, a large, multi-purpose university. Later, he phrased it more sim- ply, It ' s like calling an orange an orange. OPPOSITE PAGE: Dr. Robert R. Martin ad- dressed many audiences during his term as president of the University. Top right: A familiar sight for the school during this time was ground-breaking ceremonies. Middle right: The Rowlett Building under construc- tion. Bottom right: The Rowlett Building near completion. m

Page 30 text:

A Vision Come True ■ When Dr. Martin assumed office, Eastern Kentucky State College was still primarily a teacher education institution. Eighty-two percent of the graduates of 1960 received teaching certificates. The institution was relatively small. Although enrollment had doubled since World War II, it still stood at less than 3000 when Dr. Martin took office. But, in his inaugural ad- dress, Dr. Martin informed the audience that Eastern would be going through changes. He challenged them to think big. As we cope with the problem of ever-increasing numbers, we must realize that there is no alternative to becoming more inventive, creative, and imaginative in our use of the human and material resources which were available . . . We must provide here on this campus a place of beauty for gracious and stimulating living. Our building should directly and indirectly con- tribute to the training of the youth who frequent these halls . . . When we have accom- plished these imperatives, then we shall have developed on this campus a spirit so powerful that it will not let us go. We shall have developed for Eastern a ' Vision of Great- ness ' !

Page 32 text:

. . A Vision Come True Campus construction con- tinued for the next eight years, with nearly $56 million being spent in that period. Thirty-six construction projects were completed during Dr. Martin ' s administration, including renovation of every building on campus built prior to 1960. Dr. Martin resigned in 1976. He is now serving as state representative from Ken- tucky ' s 5th district.