Fort Hays State University - Reveille Yearbook (Hays, KS)

Page 11 text:

In a brighter tone, Fort Hays State celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1952 and launched new programs as it moved into another half century. When the Cunningham regime began, enroll- ment stood at 1,023 with 110 faculty members. The post-war boom was making an impact. Build- ings needed repair: classrooms were crowded and housing was at a premium. The man destined to be known as the Builder President wasted no time. Easing of war tensions and controls made pos- sible a program of expansion. Funds had been appropriated for the applied arts building, but were insufficient. An additional grant made com- pletion possible and the building (now Davis Hall) was opened in 1952, the first new class- room structure in 24 years. TOP LEFT: A spring blizzard damaged trees and left eerie beauty in its wake. But stark tragedy came with the flood of 1951 when water swept through the cam- pus, causing extensive damage to the Library, Coliseum and Picken Halls. LEFT: In 1952 the college assumed a festive mood for its 50th anniversary pageant. BELOW: A new classroom building— Applied Arts— opened for use.

Page 10 text:

Early in the Cunningham era the elements of nature tested man ' s mettle. Savage storms and flood are milestones of his- tory. On May 22, 1951, flood waters swept through Hays and the campus, bringing death and destruction. Damage to buildings and campus made it impossible to continue classes or to house students. The college year ended abruptly without final examinations and commencement. Vicious winds and driving snow, as well as epidemics of flu periodically disrupted commu- nications and routine of school life. 6

Page 12 text:

I lousing demanded immediate action. Stone upon stone was laid for a wing to Custer Hall, then two wings for Residence Hall (McGrath), followed later by three new halls— Agnew, then Wiest and McMindes. Married students gained a trailer court, then Wooster Place, an apartment complex. The Pres- ident ' s Home was built in 1954. Improvements were made at the stadium. Ser- vice buildings, a power plant, improvements on the college farm and air conditioning modernized the college ' s physical plant. The Memorial Union opened in 1958 and pro- vided a social center for students. A wing was added in 1961-62 to Albertson Hall, then Malloy Hall was opened in 1965. Most recently, Forsyth Library was completed in 1 968. 8