Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

Page 32 text:

Following the crucial years of WW I, lighter living and prosperity returned to the campus. The motor cars, quite Annual May Day cele- brations gave the stu- dents an opportunity to welcome spring, the birds, and the flowers. The May Day Queen ruled the festivities as maidens danced and the May Pole was wound. a luxury for a student in the 1920 ' s, began to make its appearance as a vehicle of prestige and entertainment. 28

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Call to War Obtains Eager Student Reply Entrance of the United States into World War I on April 6, 1917, stimulated interest and effort of K-State ' s students and faculty. Many members of the faculty obtained leaves of absence and a number of students withdrew at once to enlist in the national armed services. The crisis also called for the organiza- tion of the Kansas State Council of Defense. Declaration of war caused an immediate response by students. Kansas State, as did many colleges, gave a bonus in academic credit to each man who with- drew. Seniors were graduated if they had completed seven-eighths of their required work. In the summer of 1918, the War Department erected several wooden barracks on campus for the men in the Stu- dent ' s Army Training Corps. The progress of the war indirectly affected Kansas State to some extent through increase in prices. Fi- nancial support was given directly by purchase of liberty bonds, war savings bonds and thrift stamps. A large service flag was prepared to commemorate the service of K-State men in the war. A white star represented each man in service, and a gold star for each life that was lost. At least 52 men died. Training in simulated combat action replaced much of the formal drill on the parade field after the United States Advance cadets, officers-to-be, took their training most seriously, knowing they might soon be called upon to serve. became committed to the war in Europe. Special provisions were made to encourage participation in advanced training. 27

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In a period of lightness and frivolity, the arts enjoyed a period of great success. Living groups competed in dance and drama in one of the predecessors of the present Y-Orpheum during the gay 20 ' s. ' Roaring 20V Affect All College Activities Forgetful of the war, which had so recently been fought, and unsuspecting of the depression which was to come, K-State students, as did all Americans, lived the Twenties to their fullest enjoyment. Crisis of the day ranged from the bloomer scan- dal, which brought national acclaim to the school, to the administration ' s attempts to ban the Brown Bull, a campus humor magazine. The bloomer crisis occurred in 1927 when Dean Mary Van Zile declared that no coed could attend a dance unless at- tired in bloomers. This brought such an uproar from the student body that several metropolitan papers printed coverage on the battle. The Brown Bull was censored when the admin- istration felt that its jokes were beginning to lean toward the risque. Serious pursuits of the students of the 20 ' s were preparing for the Ag Fair, the May Fete, the regular snake dances, and hazing pledges. Through this period of rebirth and gaiety, the school continued to grow in size and prestige. En- rollment passed the 4,000 mark for the first time in 1924. Further esteem came in 1928 when the Associ- ation of American Universities approved the College. Blushingly modest beauty was one of the trademarks of the period and fair queens were selected for every occasion. 29