North Carolina State University - Agromeck Yearbook (Raleigh, NC)

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Above: Pictured here is a Chemistry boolc used at State College in 1919. and the re- ceipt of payment for S 2 . Times have changed. Centennial 2 '

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Left: This copper box is from the King Religious Center (also known as the YMCA) cornerstone, and it was found to contain numerous items relating to the college. The box was removed in 1975, after a respite of some 60 years. Below: The Religious Center was built in 1913, overlooking Riddick Field. It was demolished in 197.5 when the Brooks Hall Extension (Design school auditoriumi was built. M : 20 Centennial

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■ • S«v.-- In 1917. the 2nd Bat- talion made use of Rid- dick Field to conduct bavonet exercises. h A M ' s first war heroes inspire entire nation in WWI By Michael Hughes In Ihc year 1917, the United States, and the North Carolina State Agricultural and Engineering College, were at peace. Sort of. According to Alice Elizabeth Regan, author ol ' A Narrative History of N.C. State University, a general feeling of unrest, excitement, and speculation pervaded the campus. And with good reason. Across the Atlantic in Europe, the costly and brutal First World War was being fought. Although the U.S. was not officially involved in the war effort of either side, preparations were made to train young men for the impending call to arms. Congress passed the National Defense Act of June 3, 1916. Consequently, State College formed a ROTC unit here in 1917 to (jualify students to become reserve officers in the U.S. Army. The training sponsored by ROTC was designed to interfere minimally with students ' civilian careers. Freshmen and sophomores were required to participate in not less than three hours of training per week. Upon completion of the first two years at A M, (as State was sometimes called back then) students could choose to receive not less than five hours of training per week for their last two years. These students were paid $100 a year pay by Uncle Sam. The terms were generally perceived as being fair and equitable, particularly by the standards of the early 1900s. There was no obligation to become part of the National Guard or Regular Army; no oath was taken beyond that necessary for the training period. There was a four week training camp at the end of each academic year. All uniforms and materials were paid for by the U.S. government. Upon graduation and successful completion of the voluntary training, students were placed on a list of reserve officers as second lieutenants. In times of war. Uncle Sam could call on these men to serve with any forces raised for national emergency. After the United States entered the war against the Central Powers, the country stepped up mobilization of armed forces. In the fall of 1918. State College ' s ROTC unit was replaced by a unit of the Student Army Training Corps ISATCl The SATC provided students with $30 per month pay. uniforms, room, board and tuition. Never before had such favorable benefits been given to the men of State. These generous benefits allowed many a North Carolina boy to attend State College: boys who otherwise would not have had the chance. A M ' s students reacted to the war with enthusiasm and excitement. The boys voted unanimously to wear their khaki uniforms throughout the college term, despite the fact that they were only required to wear them from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A look at the 1918 edition of the Agromeck reveals the martial bearing State followed. All portraits were taken in the students ' military uniforms. The campus was organized into six companies AG. AB-CD-E-F-G adds up to seven, but for some reason, there was no Company D. Each company was commanded by a senior who held the rank of cadet Captain. Captain Robert E.L. Spence. United Stales Army, Retired, was the Commandant of Cadets. Company A was commanded by Captain Wilmer Zadlock Belts, a senior in civil engineering. Belts hailed from Raleigh, and was known as Z or Zamrock to his friends. Beds was known for his neatness and hard work. Neatness thy name is pains: and Belts, his name is grind, according to the 1918 Agromeck. He was the hardest working man in the civilian class. Company B ' s commander quite possibly held more posts of honor than anyone preceding him. He was a member of the I ' ullen Literary Society, the Agricultural Club, on the YMCA cabinet and class historian, just to name a few. Despite his awards, he was known far and wide for his modesty. The IdlS Agromeck lists him as the prodigy of the Class. His name was Lyman Kiser, a senior in agriculture from Reepsville, N.C. He had the distinction of possessing one of the most original nicl ' names to grace the campus of the Agricultural Engineering College — the nickname of ' Iviser. V. ' 22 Centennial