Southern Illinois University - Obelisk Yearbook (Carbondale, IL)

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I On a spring afternoon in T959 President Morris turned the first sprideful of dirt on the site of the four million dollar University Center. Initial con- struction took two years and though the building is not yet finished it provides ample recreation facilities. M I T956-T963 It is doubtful that many universities in the nation have experienced a percentage increase in either enrollment or physical expansion which compares with that of our University. ln I956 Morris Library was completed and the first volumes were moved in. The building was originally designed so that addi- tional stories could be added and initial stages on this addition were begun in l962. A university bond issue was passed in the T960 general election which provided funds for construction of five major buildings on campus. The Wham Education Building was completed late in T963 and work had begun on a general classroom building and communications building. A second area at Thompson Point was completed in i962 and work was begun an a I7-story women's dormitory on the site of the old Dowdell Halls. The SIU Arena and School of Technology building complex were also under construction by T962-63. The years from T958 to T967 were the best for Southern's athletic teams in the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Confer- ence. They consistently won a majority of the conference cham- pionships and in T967 SIU placed first in every varsity sport, but tennis. The next year Southern chose to leave the conference and the Salukis began competing independently. Southern is in the midst of change, a change which affects all of her functions. Everyone can see the changef the falling trees and rising steel and brick bear witness to the fact. And some can feel it. The tempo of campus activity is a little swifter, compe- tition is becoming keener, and more effort is needed each quarter to keep pace. The change is good because it is a progressive change. But the cost is high when for each change something must be abandoned. We must abandon old policies and traditions. And new traditions take a long time to rlevelop. To build a reputation SIU dropped out of the IIAC. A lack of tradition and quality has been the most costly aspect of Southern's growth, today her only real tradition is progress. But eventually the University will reach a plateau where this rapid development will stop. Then effort can be turned to the development of high standards and a tradition of excellence. This picture of ancient Shryock Auditorium appeared in the I956 OBELISK as part ofthe coverage of New Student Week. As a result of constant remodeling and good maintenance the forty-eight-year-old building is in good shape and seats more than any building on campus. 1 I

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IIIE 1 ii Ill' .LL-P -23.-' I ....-----1--' or - 13. .ja I , , , .,-a ' ' 'Y . ' . f X 7 ,-, -7' 'ff ' - 1, l eff K ' Z I, 51 7 ' V w An integral part of any great university is its library and Southern has one of the finest. Pictured here as it looked when opened in 7956, five stories were added during 7967 -63 making it the orea's tallest building. A-xg , A 'K .4 s.-ge: . 11' .a gv l ge 1. 7 1 u as il , 4-J . V if? i.,1:r-l g .,,q?wfv . 2' ' 4. .2 P. it These students were part of a fanitorial crew in the old SIU student center. Southern developed a student worlr program over the years that today employs nearly thirty percent of the student body on a parttime basis. 16 As part of SlU's growing emphasis on quality education, the Plan A curriculum was begun in 7967. Directed by chosen faculty members, the program offered a course in discussion and research. Enrollments grew and a minor is now available in the curriculum. The visiting dignitaries who come to Soutl1ern's campus reflect her growth as a social and in tellectual center. President Kennedy appeared on campus in 7960 during the presidential ram He is pictured below with Southern's chief security officer Tom Leffler during a motorcade. M

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Southernts Connection with Ancient E ypt And all countries came into Egypt for to buy corn, because that the famine was so sore in all lands. Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence, that we may live and not die. And Joseph's ten brethren went clown to buy corn in Egypt. -Genesis 41:57, 42:l,2,3- In the summer of l842 there was not a bushel of corn to be had in Central Illinois. My father settled in that year twenty five miles west of Springfield. We had to live for a time on venison, blackberries, and milk while the men were gone to Egypt lSouthern Illinoisl to harvest and procure bread stuffs. -Roberson of Arnsville in CHICAGO JOURNAL, Feb. 8, 1872- Since that time Southern Illinois has carried the name Little Egypt. Settlers in the area named their cities after Egyptian cities. Southern Illinois University, being the educational and cultural center of the area, has acquired this Egyptian influence in many of her traditions and activities. Egyptians were the citizens in ancient Egypt and were charged with the responsibilities of efficient self government. The DAILY EGYPTIAN, our newspaper, is vital to efficient control as it reaches citizens of SIU. 1 I f , Nil TX. I if I QS X ' gf ' gX f X f' 'I fl Obelisks, four-sided, pointed pillars, were monuments built to revere the sun god, Ra. The history of Egypt was inscribed on them. Our own OBELISK also records history-the history of SIU. The Saluki is a dog of Egyptian descent. The swift-footedness and keen eyesight for which the Saluki is noted are traits of much value to the athlete. Thus the Saluki was chosen as Southern's mascot. A . . - - - N A fb C f 1 . v- yu , XsS.?2iv,ifg 37 'li' l Q , 4fcfZfil?8 I x. I I , I ' I Q If fl ,V iff' . 47 I . ef , , -g1:I' x If I N x. ,V ' I -fl , 1' fII,'l NX. x . 1-wi, .ff J, ' I f 14' wi' fit .' ' ' i ' I' i'i M ' J lyk iii L 1 .' ,.., Q ,pgs I 'MTI K 'Alai i 1' . In I Q lfffl , gl ii, NN gr' . ,so-N., - N' , f Iss' - - A -. 'fa. A Xu 2. ,K ll 'in .x fl' ,,-i yi - A. Vi I ful-flux XX, Y f if 'i ' Q' J fff'fIt 'SX . ff ,- 7 , yr , 3 if I 18W