Eastern Kentucky University - Milestone Yearbook (Richmond, KY)

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26 The Seventies

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1975-76 Bob Martin ain ' t no president. He ' s a construction engineer. — Julian Carroll In the 1975-76 year Eastern joined the nation in celebration of the Bicentennial. On November 8, 1975 nearly 2000 students joined hands to circle the University campus in a demonstration of campus unity and as a symbol of national unity. Other Bicentennial events included Ed Nelson ' s one-man show GIVE ' EM HELL HARRY!, and a university production of A HISTORICAL EVENING OF MUSIC, SONG AND DANCE FROM COLONIAL AMERICA. Also in 1975 the Law Enforcement Building was completed, and In August the College of Law Enforcement moved in. But the big news of this year was the announ- cement by President Martin of his retirement. At his inaugural address in 1960, Martin spoke of his Vision of Greatness for Eastern, and dur- ing his 16-year tenure, Martin realized his dream: the physical plant of the university, valued at $7 million in 1960, expanded to a worth of over $124 million by 1976. And these physical improvements were matched by academic expansion; 200 degree options were available in 1976, almost ten times the number available at the time of Martin ' s inauguration. Governor Julian Carrol summed up Martin ' s tenure as president at the Robert R. Martin Tribute Dinner, when he said, Bob Martin ain ' t no president, he ' s a construction engineer. The Seventies 25

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1976-77 J. C. Powell took office as Eastern ' s seventh president on October 1, 1976. He inherited the reality of Robert Martin ' s vision, and pledged to keep it a reality: Eastern ' s position as a nationally recognized public university is one which I would jealously guard and seek to enhance, he said at his inauguration. But Powell asked people not to expect a carbon copy or Robert Martin, and to realize that he would operate with his own style. The football Colonels recaptured the OVC crown, which had been lost to Western in 1975. With their 6-1 conference record, Eastern ear- ned the right to host the first round of the Divi- sion II play-offs. The home advantage didn ' t help though; the Colonels fell to North Dakota State 10-7. The Seventies 27