Lowell Technological Institute - Pickout Yearbook (Lowell, MA)

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In 1935, authority was granted for the award of Master ' s degrees in both engineering and chemistry. In 1937, by virtue of a special appropriation of the State, Louis Pasteur Hall was put under construction. This was a three-story addition to the old Colonial Avenue Building. The story of Textile during the years of World War II is told elsewhere in this book. Since the end of the war, Textile has again become a beehive of activity with both improvements and plans for ex- pansion. The retirement of President Charles H. Eames brought about the appointment of one of our own grad- uates as President, Kenneth R. Fox. President Fox is revamping and im- proving the curriculum to meet present day demands on textile graduates. He is assisting in the reorganization of student activities which disappeared during the war. The extremely active and interested Board of Trustees has brought to a successful conclusion its efforts towards expansion of the physical facilities of the school. These plans include the construction of dormitories, a Science Building, an Administration Building, and a Recreational Building. The chairman of the Planning Board, an- other Textile man, Mr. Samuel Pinan- ski, has come to be known as Uncle Sam for his untiring efforts in this direction. In 50 years, Lowell Textile Institute, as it is now known, has more than doubled its floor space and now oc- cupies over 200,000 square feet of floor space. The valuation has gone from an original $50,000 to about $800,000. The staff has increased from 2 to over 50. The student body has increased to about 450 day students with many hundreds more clamoring for entrance. The evening school now has 1450 students and could have many more if there were sufficient accommodations. Fifty years young, and the sky is still the limit! [11]

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as thorough as in the leading technical schools of this country. The courses in chemistry and dyeing were attracting the most attention from students. About 100,000 square feet of floor space was available for instructional purposes. The valuation of the school had climbed to $500,000 as new and modern machinery was received and installed. About half the valuation was the value of the equipment being used. Two more awards were made to the infant school. A Gold Medal was awarded by the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904, and another Gold Medal by the Lewis and Clarke Cen- tennial Exposition in 1905. Mr. Charles H. Eames became resi- dent secretary of the Trustees in 1905 and was in charge of the administration of the school. Within a few years, he became the first President of Lowell Textile Institute. In 1908, a course in textile engineer- ing was organized which caused the entrance requirements to be raised so that only high school graduates or those with equivalent education could be admitted. In 1 910, the Colonial Avenue Build- ing was built, gymnasium facilities were added, boating facilities were im- proved, and athletic fields laid out around the school. Entrance requirements were stiffened once again for day students by adding required courses to the other require- ments of admission. Post-graduate courses were organized particularly to attract graduates of other technical schools. In 191 1, the student enroll- ment had climbed to 231 day students and about 600 evening students. In 1 91 2, the degrees of Bachelor of Textile Chemistry and Bachelor of Tex- tile Engineering were authorized for students beginning that year and fol- lowing prescribed courses. The enrollment for the next five years dropped down to about 130 in the day school and went up to about 800 in the evening school. During the first World War, many of the students enlisted in the services. In 191 8, the Students Army Training Corps was instituted and lasted until the end of the war. The newly finished second floor of Kitson Hall was used as barracks at that time. In 1 92 1, returned servicemen swelled the enrollment to a record high of 278 in day school and nearly 1000 in night school. The valuation of the school was still rising and in 1923, the entire plant was worth in excess of $670,000. On July 1, 1 91 8, the school was transferred to State custody because of the anti-aid amendment to the State Constitution. In these first 25 years, the school had grown in value and size almost con- tinually, and had shown its strength by surviving the impact of a world war. Early organizations around the school were the athletic teams which had their ups and downs; the Alumni Association; the Olney Chemical Alum- ni; the Pickout staff; two national tex- tile fraternities, and a local fraternity. During the second 25 years, the school began to expand socially, and in extracurricular activities. The Text, the student newspaper, was begun. The Textile Players were formed to sponsor an annual play and dance. Tau Ep- silon Sigma, the honor society, was founded. The Rifle Club, the Textile Associates, and a fourth fraternity were added. Two student professional organ- izations were started, the Engineering Society, and the AATCC student chapter. A Student Cabinet, the Inter- fraternity Council, and the Athletic Council were added. Even a sorority appeared on the scene. [10]

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