Illinois Wesleyan University - Wesleyana Yearbook (Bloomington, IL)

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Prologue Spring, 1970 Spring, 1970, Wesleyan: kite-flying, class-cutting, anyone for the lake,', momis day, making love on the quad, derby day, finalsftypical iwu spring activities-fun, relaxing, nice. But protests, arson, demonstrations, increasingly violent criticism of adminis- tration policies vied with springs simpler pleasures for the attention of iwu students. Somehow, unpleasant things kept trying to intrude into the serenity and oblivi- ousness of the campus. Leonard Wineglass . . . earth day . . . Senatels move to send military recruiters to Holmes Hall . . . stu- dent protest over the tiring of Sam Lynde . . . the commencement controversy . . ., the Kent State week activities . . . all reared their heads in the midst of sunshine and lollipops at Wesleyan. Some students awoke, became interested, active, responded. Others became aware, then turned off the issues. Still others were never aware at all. The same small group of students who were always involved again were involved. Of all the protests and movements of the 1969-70 school year, the Kent State activities involved more Wesleyan stu- dents than anything except, predictably, Kansas City. The Kent State killings set off a planned program of protest and community edu- cation unlike anything previously seen at Wesleyan. It brought together an unlikely coalition of ex-Senate officers, freshman activists, moderates, radicals, tired seniors and enthusiastic underclassmen. At first the Kent State news caused few reactions on campus. But the outraged reaction of a small group, followed by their request that the University's flag be lowered, soon began to awaken more students to the tragedy of Kent. Typically Wesleyan, they worked through channels, consulting the administration, who consulted Senate, who said Yes.', At the flag lowering, the words Hwe have gathered not as an organization but as a group of deeply troubled individuals expressed the feelings of many surrounding the flagpole. Other students, incensed by the action, stood around in menacing groups, some attempting to argue with the peace creep Commies around the flagpole. A campus divided. Not violence, but thoughtn proclaimed a Pantagraph headline describing actions following the flag lowering. A mass meet- ing, plans for action, formulation of reasonseall were planned with an eye to community education, with radical suggestions quickly rejected. Leaders stepped forward, work began, the Action Committee for Peace was formed. Greeks, independents, freaks, radicals, si- lent majority members, faculty, staff- there were no typical participants. The

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Credits Albert Davis Beth Evans bette ann hepner, end sheet artwork Bruce Lakin, photography, editor Dave Breen, photography, assistant editor Dee Ehmke Ginger Jacobs Jim Morrell, photography John Hale Judy Kasper Kathy Lewton Keith Jason Lance Cook, vibes Linda Farrell Linda Roe Lori Lillie Nancy Zabel Paul Tisher, photography Patti Svendsen Sheryl Freeburg, drawing The Grunge, dirty work Vicki Wenger, tlc Much of the copy was ripped off the ARGUS, by permission of Editor Tom Wetzel. Contents Prologue Administrators Homecoming Concerts 8a Convocations Sports Fine Arts Farragoes Graduation Senior Essays Photo Gallery Activities Dedication 3-5 6-7 8-17 18-25 26-53 54-77 78-97 98-105 106-1 19 120-143 144-157 160

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goals and motivations of this loosely- organized group of students overrode stereotypes, prejudices. Harmony did not pervade the entire university, however. Students and faculty were outspoken in criticism, labeling the ACP members peace freaks,', f'Commu- nistsf' 'gradicalsf' In classrooms and the Commons, dorms and Greek houses, argu- ments and tempers flared, as emotion overrode reason, passion triumphed over logic. Senate lined up with ACP, supporting its agenda, giving funds, asking for class cessation 'gto symbolize our outrage over recent events at Kent State University . . . This last request was partially granted, causing more student criticism. President Eckley did comment that 6'The university supports the efforts of students to express themselves on Cambodian in- tervention and other issues and com- mends their reasoned approach of Wesleyan studentsf' A march, A march-Wesleyan is having a real, live march. Over 300 Wesleyan stu- dents lined up, dressed in black and dark colors, some excited, some apprehensive, some quietly thoughtful, to meet with ISU students for the march. Eerily silent, the two groups of students walked through downtown Bloomington, in an expression of concern, protest, grief, outrage. The marchers were a strange lot. Some of the people expected to be thereelike the newly-elected Senate officers-were con- spicuously absent. Some people you never dreamed would be thereflike sorority girls and even fraternity guys, and your roommate who you thought was straightflead the ranks. A rally, speeches in local churches . . . the Kent State activities ended, gone, and all too soon forgotten. Back to kite-flying and class-cutting. Presser's burning! Campus tension, quieted after the Kent march, rose again, as so- rority houses were sure they were next on the arsonist's list, and administrators took to staying all night in university buildings. Music majors wept, students were somber, as Presser flamed. Not typical springtime fun . . . who ever thought there would be ARSON at Wesleyan?'? University division was again heightened during the Great Commencement Con- torversy. Administration selection of Illi- nois Governor Richard B. Ogilvie as commencement speaker had drawn sting- ing criticism from seniors, who claimed they were not consulted in the choice. When a senior appeared at Honors Day with an upside-down flag on his robes, and another senior flashed the upeace sign from the podium, reaction was swift. Faculty and students denounced the student, others stood behind him, others emphasized his RIGHT to wear the flag upside down. We were greatly disturbed by the senior who did mistreat the flag . . . said one Argus letter, while another countered When this university can no longer tolerate peaceful dissent, when tradition becomes more important