Louisiana State University - Gumbo Yearbook (Baton Rouge, LA)

Page 29 text:

s In commemorating LSU ' s centennial, a color film was produced depicting the university ' s progress.

Page 28 text:

In an effort to forget the impending war, students of the late JO ' s kicked up their heels to dances like the Big Apple. ing for a small insurance tax for the support of the University. This additional revenue made it possible for additional construction which included a large dormitory for women (the first ever des igned for women at LSU) , a Music and Dramatic Arts Building, a building for the School of Medicine in New Orleans, and a practice house for home economics students. The 1930s were years to brighten the hearts of any sports-loving alumnus and memorable ones for students. The spectacles included the 200 piece LSU band, the purple-clad women ' s cheering section, the football specials led by LSU ' s No. 1 fan, Huey P. Long and the coming of LSU ' s best-loved tradition, Mike the Tiger. By 1933 the Tigers had made the big time. They ranked second to Alabama in SEC, and fifth and sixth nationally. Under Bernie Moore the 1935 team was the conference cham- pions for the first time since 1908, tied for second place nationally with TCU and placed their first All-American Gaynell Tinsley into the ranks. The 1935 Tigers were the first to play a bowl game. On January 1, 1936, they were defeated 3-2 by TCU in the Sugar Bowl. Until the 1958 Tigers defeated Clemson 7-0, LSU had never won a Sugar Bowl game. Mike the Tiger came to the University November 21, 1936, and was welcomed by a student strike and a gigantic parade. Named in honor of Mike Chambers, who originally suggested the purchase, he was bought by student contributions. Mike the Tiger served the University as a mascot faithfully for almost 20 years before his death on June 29, 1956. The presidents of LSU in the early 1940s, Paul M. Hebert and Campbell B. Hodges, saw the be- ginnings of such structures as the new Arts and Science buildings, the French House, and several addi- tional residences for men and women. By this time enrollment had sky-rocketed to the 6000 ' s, creating even more expansion problems. The tenth man to serve as president of the University was William B. Hatcher. His appointment to the presidency in 1944 came as a recognition of his administrative abilities, his scholarship, and his years of devotion to public education. During his administration he faced the problems o f veterans re- turning from the War, physical problems of housing and classroom space, academic problems of ad- missions and credits, and problems arising from a greatly increased enrollment and a large proportion of students who were more advanced than usual students in experience and maturity. Hatcher, having to retire because of ill-health, was succeeded for a very short time by Fred C. Frey who acted as president for a period less than one year. He was replaced by Harold W. Stoke who remained for a period of four years before leaving the position. Normal life at the university was interrupted by the sudden advent of World War II.

Page 30 text:

Stoke was followed by the current president, Troy H. Middle ton, who had previously served the Uni- versity as commandant of cadets. General Middleton has worked to stress the importance of maintaining the high educational stature of the institution and to increase academic standards on all sides. Under General Middleton ' s guidance the University began a building program in the early fifties, the weight of which is just now being totally felt. Since 1950 many new structures have been completed on the main campus alone, including 5 new dormitories for men plus an addition to the stadium dormitory, Highland Cafeteria, the University Lab School and Gymnasium, a number of new fraternity houses, a golf club house, an addition to the Mili- tary and Air Science Building and a large new library. This period of building brought to a close the Century of Achievement. The foundation for the future of progress is being laid on the solid foundations of even more con- struction and expansion. Currently being built are buildings for feed and fertilizer laboratories and the electrical engineering, industrial education, and home economic departments. So with this spreading of the institution to two additional campuses, one in New Orleans, the other in Alexandria (the founding sight) , and the plans for such structures as a new student union, a physics and astronomy addition, and an addition to the administrative, Boyd Halls, the University is preparing for the projected enrollment of 20,000 by 1970.