Florida Institute of Technology - Ad Astra Yearbook (Melbourne, FL)

Page 11 text:

Svaewure couber 2 ebate avei rear aM 3S Peder Onatt Nem Otwck HAND RALL: CRONE Abney oteat pas hepeeene OO et ep ees Geom PADVATE GOMMI NO RY w FORLR WouRe TERMI ER CRETE PER EARUDMS kwD LRERANTOR KS + UNEVEN RET CENTERS PL ar w ese FLED. 8 ¢¥ikMI NS: MRE ss SEVENEL Weyl aeNe AD wAnAgewcny ceares WE Omak ewan ee SOM RE WRE HV ERR futciae Wei evene ie To nema y eg r AT UDERT Kew aise M8. eestaner OF 2 EAs) Srtheke sari acre é 12 cegtone ancurearcus pouwes s : “Gamerue 'LORIDA Bik. 8 oO Oe OR Ne “EN-YEAR GOAT. Eee eee ss Beginning in the calendar year of 66, computing was added to the BEC curriculum. A fund drive was also slated so construction of two dorms, a theater, the quad and a science building could begin. The third dorm was already started. Federal financing for the two dorms came in April of 1966. BEC was first referred to as Florida Institute of Space Technology in February 1966. In May plans for BEC looked as follows: start of a science tower, plans to expand dining facilities, a SUB, a fifth dorm, the second phase of the science building in 1967; and in 1968 an engineering build- ing, a new library wing, a field house, and a sixth dorm. In June of 1966 BEC received its official charter as FIT. INSTITUTE O Sele MAM F TECHNOLOG ¥ L Oo R I pb Gleason Auditorium was now on its way, but the science tower was still being planned. Along the way the science tower was planned as a five story building, a six story building, and finally its present day status as a seven story building. With the beginning of 1967 FIT could claim four quid buildings, three dorms, Shaw, North (Campbell), and South (Grissom); an almost completed audito- rium, and land now totaling 85 acres. South Hall became Grissom Hall in January 1967. The hall was named in honor of Gus Grissom who died along with Ed White, and Roger Chaffe in a fire during a simulated countdown at Cape Kennedy. In March of ’67 two problems were evident that would not be relieved until a time which still in the future. One problem was a 46:1 ratio of men to women, anc .ue other problem was a need for a new library. More expansion plans were announced in May 1967. The plans included a three story student union building which would house a cafeteria, a four-lane bowling alley, a game room, a snack bar, a lounge, a bookstore, student banking, ad- ministrative offices, a ball room, and postal facili- ties. Plans for gym were also announced. The SUB was started in August. With ae growing greek population, plans for a fraternity row were wanted, but defeated. The Aeronautics Technological School was slated in November 1967. The site picked at the time was Valkaria Airport. Ground breaking for the gym occured in July 1968. The Aeronautics Technological Institute choose Cape Kennedy Airport as its site when a donation was made to purchase Campbell Aviation. The science tower’s construction was delayed two months in September of ’68.

Page 10 text:

Plans for a dormitory and a new library were made in December 1963. When these were completed the college was expedted to receive accredidation. The library was the key to receiving accredidation and in 1964 plans were finally under way. V. Brownlie donated the land on which Brownlie Hall stands. The hall was to be completed in September of 1964 and original- ly housed men. In April of 1964 ground breaking for the library took place. Mrs. Bartholomae donated the 100,000 dollars needed for the library in May of 1964. The donation was in honor of her late husband, August Bartholomae. Later a law suit was filed for the 100,000 which was never paid. nc pies bitters Wikuay AVERT LM: UBRaay The housing on campus was quickly becoming a problem. In August a federal loan for Brownlie Hall was granted but housing fell short in September so Southgate apartments were arranged on a temporary basis. With the library definitely on its way accredidation was granted in December 1964. January of 1965 was a priductive month. Groundbreaking for Brownlie Hall took place, and the August Bartholomae Library was dedicated. When the library opened it was considered very spacious — classes were held on the second floor. In May plans were announced for a second dorm and the com- pletion of Brownlie in July. Dorms were the main construction thoughts in 1965, and con- struction on the quad buildings continued. In October 1965 ground breaking for Shaw Hall, named after the founding part- ner of Radiation Inc., took place. At that time the future Camp- bell and Wood Halls were on the drawing board. Shortly before the dedication of Brownlie Hall in December the first dorm pranks were under way. Students placed a sports car in Brownlie’s lobby.

Page 12 text:

FIT wanted to build a Hydrospace Technological Institute. The oceanogra- phy department was growing frantically and plans for a sister school were being made. One projected site of the school was at Port Conaveral, but the Port Authority rejected this proposal. Many boats were being donated to the school at this time, one was donated by Nelson Rockefeller, the Dragon Lady. The Campbell Aviation Company was made possible by donations from Stuart Campbell. In September of 1968 a hall was dedicated to him. This was the fourth residence hall dedication. In January ’69 ground breaking for the future Wood Hall occurred. A month later plans for Roberts Hall were announced. The grant from HUD for Roberts came through in June 69. : In December of 1968 ground breaking of the one million dollar science tower took place. The Harlem Globetrotters did a benefit appearance, and officially opened the gym in February 1969. The opening of the gym was coupled with the dedication of the Denius Student Center. on ¢