Northwestern State University - Potpourri Yearbook (Natchitoches, LA)

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1884-1920 alir JFiral Annual Jfmithall arain In Win a (EhamptottBhiy The tough Normal football team that won the 1912 Championship. T t T T Then in 1945, the school became a member of the Association of American Colleges. During his last few months in office, President Far- rar was ill. Augustus Maddox, head of the department of Mathematics, was acting president. On July 1, 1947, Dr. Joseph Gibson took office and served as president until September 1949. During his short administration, the state made new capital-outlay appropriations for the college. With this aid, needed buildings were constructed. The Col- umns also were in need of repair; he had these rebuilt. Another of his policies was securing higher salaries for the faculty. Because of these endeavors to preserve the college, his resignation came as a shock to the students. Yet no ill feelings were held against him when he went to work at Tulane. Seekers After Knowledge was the first organization at Normal. — 1890 The first President ' s home was a two room cottage. -1894 The Alumni Association was organized by Miss Bessie Russell. — 1894 The Klu Klux Klan, Witches, and Yum Yums were some of the early organizations. - 1902-1911 Caldwell Hall was completed at a cost of $85,000. 1906 The Modern Culture Club was organized. 1902 Old Bullard Mansion was demolished. 1913 Registration fees were two dollars. 1913 The first four-year class graduated m the summer. 1920 High School graduation became a requirement for college entrance. 1918 Band members, of the year 1919, modeled their uniforms Celebration of a Century ff N

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State Normal School President Roy was fortunate in one respect, in that he did not have to see the Normal during the Great Depression, for his resignation came four months before the Stockmarket Crash of 1929. Yet the Normal en- dured with the help of William W. Tison and Albert A. Fredericks. President Tison directed the col- lege from 1929-1934. During his term only one building was erected — the men ' s gymnasium. Curricula also were modified and strength- ened, new departments and pro- grams were installed, and the first national honor society was introduc- ed on campus. Though the ad- ministration was good, Governor Long replaced President Tison with Albert Fredericks, a man who had served Louisiana State Normal for a number of years as a faculty member. President Fredericks had the rare distinction in that he served as state senator from the twenty-fourth district while being president of LSNC. Because of his political con- nections, he was able to secure funding from state and federal pro- grams. Some thirty-nine buildings were either improved or built. In the area of academics, curricula were ex- panded with the addition of a liberal arts program. The semester system was also established under his administration. Together with these benefits and improvements came some restric- tions. For example, students had to sign in and out of dormitories, and women were given certain number of date nights each week. Another policy for women dealt with their riding in automobiles. Certain after- noon hours were set for that pur- pose. Hours were also set for danc- ing. At that time the Field House was opened (in 1934) for the students ' entertainment. Because of his political involve- ment, President Fredericks was replaced in 1941 when the Long regime was disbanded. Joe Farrar took Fredericks ' place as president of the Normal. World War II also came to the Normal at this time, yet under the supervision of President Farrar, the School came through it well. The enrollment dropped tremendously as men and women went to serve their country. Yet the Normal con- tinued and served her country well in her own way. The college provid- ed instructors for a unit of the Civilian War Training Service. And two naval aviation training schools were located on campus at different times. This relationship with the military probably influenced Presi- dent Farrar when he tried to secure a naval ROTC unit on campus after the war. In administration, President Farrar reorganized the various instructional programs. Three new schools were established: Applied Arts and Sciences, Arts and Sciences, and Education. This reorganization led to the school ' s name change on March 6, 1944, to Northwestern State College. Captain Caspari i l fl « « «s f .• A group of Normal girls took a break in between classes. T Celebration of a Century

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State Normal College The next man to take over the presidency was Dr. William McGin- ty. Although he was a temporary president, he served NSC well. A couple of buildings were con- structed, and several buildings were renovated. On April 3, 1950, a ROTC Anti-Aircraft Artillery Unit was ac- cepted for the campus. Yet the greatest of his accomplishments was the establishment of the nursing department. In order to serve as head of the Social Science Department at Ruston, President McGinty resigned as president of Northwestern in September of 1950. The next to assume the position of president was Coach H. Lee Prather, a man who had served NSC for thirty-seven years. He was well acquainted with the school by hav- ing served as coach, athl etic director, dean of men, dean of students, and professor of government at different times in his life. Many new benefits for students came about under President Prather ' s administration. Veterans from World War II went to school with assistance from the Veterans Administration. Students worked hard, but they also knew how to en- joy life. Dances and parties were held regularly. The Northwestern State College calendar was filled with traditional celebrations such as homecoming, State Fair, the POT- POURRI Ball, etc. Yet strict rules were still enforced. All freshmen and sophomores were to be in their dormitories by 8:00; therefore, dances during the week were over by 7:45. Also during Prather ' s term, more buildings were restored and three new structures were completed. In 1953, the Department of Nursing became the School of Nursing with its own dean. This program also grew to the point that the Nursing School had divisions in Shreveport, Alexandria, and Baton Rouge. After giving much of his life to North- western, President Prather retired in 1954. The Ten Commandments of the State Normal College J am the covenant, which brought thee out of the primary grades, out of grammar grades, out of high schools, into the most noted Normal College. Thou shalt have no other creeds before me. Thou shalt not chew gum in classes, or any likeness thereof obtainable in the Y.W. Shop above, or Sam ' s below, or Charley ' s below Sam ' s. Thou shalt not take the name of thy teacher in vain; for the teacher will not hold him Flunkless that taketh his name in vain. Remember Blue Monday is to keep wholly. Five days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the sixth and seventh shall be spent in dire fear of the forthcoming Monday. Honor thy President, Dean, and teachers that thy days may not be prolonged in the college in which they reign. Thou shalt not be late to breakfast. Thou shalt not commit thyself to having feasts at midnight. Thou shalt not swipe thy neighbor ' s property. Thou shalt not bear false tales against thy fellow students. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor ' s big mirror. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor ' s Latin pony, nor his ice cream, nor his English themes, nor his umbrella, nor his lesson plans, nor his ability to cut class, nor anything that is thy neighbor ' s. (Submitted with all due respect and reverence to the Ten Commandments.) J.B.C. Ill Celebration of a Century