Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

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Helen Messenger - 1930 College was just as much 'the thing to do' then as it is now. Students today are learning more be- cause they' re smarter. They have a much broader range of experience than stu- dents when I was going to school, said Helen Messenger, a 1930 KSCP gra- duate. Messenger, a physical education teacher for over 35 years, said she thinks most students today are as serious about their education as they were when she was in college. Some, of course, are more seri- ous than others she admitted. There were just as many peoplein my age group who went to college just because it was the pattern of life. College was just as much 'the thing to do' then as it is now. Messenger feels that PSU students today should be very proud of their university. It's always been a good school. My dad was so proud of the college that he thought it was stupid to go to some other college. The campus is a fabulous place now, says Messenger. She points out the fact that old schoolmates coming back for class reunions always rave over the im- mrovements since their graduation. When we were in school the only build- ings were Russ Hall, Carney Hall, White- sitt Hall, the Library, Horace Mann School, the old gymnasium, the College Inn, and the Music Hall- my Dad helped build that. Everyone always hung out at the College Inn ilocated where the New- man Center now standsj between class and at lunch and the like. It was the place to have a coke and sit around and talk and yell at each other and just generally tave fun. Messenger, who has never married, was raised in Pittsburg and has lived here most of her life. I remember watching Russ Hall burn to the ground during an electrical storm when I was seven years old. She recalled that the fire engines were pulled by horses and that one of the favorite horses was electricuted in the storm. Messenger was a member of the Pitts- burg High School class of 1926, the first :lass in the old public high school building at 1310 N. Broadway. During her college years she lived at her father's home, 223 W. Adams. Most students couldn't afford cars, Mes- senger recalled. Some used the family car whenever they could get it away from Dad. One could often catch rides with friends or, for a nickle, ride tne street car which ran down Broadway all the way to Chickapee. Usually, however, the most reliable mode of transportation was walk- ing. The twelve blocks that Messenger traversed every day didn't really seem very far. I walked out of necessity then: today l just walk for my own pleasure and health. Messenger was a member of Lambda Phi Delta, a fine arts sorority on campus, which was housed on Lindburg Street. One of the main projects of the sorority was presenting a play in the annual vari- ety show on campus. There was fierce competition for the best play award and everyone worked very hard on them, she recalled. Messenger worked part time at Banta's Jewelry Store, which was located in the 500 block of North Broadway, during her college years. Most of the money she earned was spent on clothes, her educa- tion being paid for by her parents. As a physical education major Messenger was involved in all phases of that depart- ment. She was a member of the Women's Athletic Association which gave demon- strations of different sports and spon- sored 'playdays' for girls in area schools. There were no Intramurals or women's sports teams during her college years. Competition with girls was never accept- ed. The only sports competition Mes- senger recalled being involved in in col- lege was swimming. I was often sent to represent the school in swimming and div- ing meets. After graduating in 1930, Messenger be- gan her first teaching job in Tulsa. Her starting salary was S100 per month. To me that was a lot of money. I had enough money to pay rent, buy a Chevy coupe and still have plenty left over for Christ- mas presents and spending money, she said. After two years, she moved to Des Moines where she taught for a year be- fore returning to Kansas. In 1940 Messen- ger began teaching at her old alma mater. PHS, where she was a physical education instructor and coach for 29 years. I felt ike l'd come back home, she said. Since her retirement in 1969 at the age of 62, Messenger has traveled extensively. touring Europe and the Far East as well as parts of the United States. Her most re- cent jaunt was a fishing trip to Canada last year. Messenger has always been intrested in teaching children, especially girls. Be- sides teaching in the public school, she was a girl scout leader for over ten years and taught Fied Cross swimming for 20 years. l had a fine time going to school be- cause l loved doing it, Messenger con- cluded.

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Francis Baxter - Frances Baxter attended summer school in Pittsburg in 1922 and 1923 as Frances Lawrence. She was a full time student in 1924 and 1925, she acquired her Life Certifecate for teaching in 1925. Baxter came back to Kansas State Teacher's College in 1944 and received her bachelor's degree. She went on to obtain her master's degree in art in 1949. As an art major, Baxter's advisor told her that she would have a better chance of getting a job if she were active in the campus organizations. Taking this advice to heart, she joined Lambda Phi Delta, a fine arts social sorority: Delta Gamma Zeta, an English Society, Kappa Delta Pi, an education honor society: and the for- eign language society. On weekends, Baxter often went home to Hume, Missouri, about 60 miles away. Although her father wanted her to go to business college in Kansas City, Baxter wanted to be a teacher. ln order to do as she wanted, she spent the regular school 1925 terms of 1922 and 1923 working in de- partment stores in Hume to earn the S90 needed for tuition, room, and board for a summer term. She finally borrowed the money to finish her education. After receiving her Life Certificate for teaching, Mrs. Baxter taught two years in Cherokee and one year in the art depart- ment of KSTC. She has taken eight hours of ant and Spanish at the International University of Mexico. She also worked in the county treasurer's office in Girard. While a student, Baxter met her future husband, E. Victor Baxter. They were married in 1927. He founded Pittsburg Broadcasting and KOAM-TV. When her husband died in 1975, Baxter became the chairman of both boards: positions she still holds at 75 years of age. Baxter has spent her leisure time painting, traveling with her husband, and studying and teaching foreign languages. She won second place at the District Women's Art competition in 1958. She studied German and Russian through Adult Education classes and taught Spanish to Adult groups during the 1950's. She now spends her spare time as a member of the Diamond Jubilee As- sociation for the Pitt State 75th anniver- sary. Baxter said she feels her education has helped her broaden her life. She feels that having an education helps you to under- stand your surroundings. Baxter said Pittsburg State University has grown in quality as well as quanitity. She said she believes kids are learning more today. I think TV has had a lot to do with that. Baxter has always enjoyed going to school, and she still loves learning, but she has finally stopped getting homesick every tall when classes resume. .... ,we xx . it? . 5 A 1 .v- K . j 3 , fi 'li PS U has grown in quality as well as quantity.

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Emmajean Boone - 1950 If they want to learn, it's there for them to do it, but they have to have the ambition. Emmajean Boone started college at Kan- sas State Teachers College in 1941, ma- joring in fine arts with a minor in music. At first she lived at her parents' home, later in a sorority house. In 1943, she was mar- ried and left school, only to return in 1948. Boone belonged to Kappa Phi, the national art fraternity, Phe Delta Kappa, an educational fraternity, and Psi Chi, a psychology fraternity. She was president of all three. Boone worked as an assistant in the art department. Her parents paid for the greater part of her education, but they insisted she earn part of it herself. This took a great deal of her spare time, but there was plenty left over for fraternity and sorority activities. Boone laughingly stated that most of her spare time was spent partying. At that time, Boone said, KSTC was probably one of the better, if not the best college in the state. Now I think they're slipping in some departments. She re- members the college's outstanding music department in the late 1940's. We had the best music department in the state, it was really fantastic. Many more students enrolled. I had a music minor originally, and classes were Ioaded. Boone said that college life was very peaceful, almost dull, compared to now. Even without riots, raids, and demonstra- tions, the attitude of students today is more influenced by world conditions and there is a great deal more unrest and ten- sion. Boone said she thinks students today are the same as students then, in regards to academic matters. lf they want to learn, it's there for them to do it, but they have to have the ambition. Boone said her education has helped her a great deal. I think it's a must. I don't care whether it's technical, education or academic educa- tion, you've got to have it. Boone earned her B.S. in art in 1950, and took over the housing and employment office on campus until 1953. In 1953, a masters degree in oil painting was offered for the first time, and she acquired this degree in 1961. It was the first master's degree to be issued from the art depart- ment. ln 1961, Boone started the art depart- ment at Southeast High School in Chero- kee, where she taught for four years. In 1965, she moved back to Pittsburg to teach art at Lakeside Junior High. She taught there until her retirement in 1977. Boone came back to KSTC to teach a summer session in the late 1950's. She has remained active in the Faculty Wives' Club and, all the educational clubs on campus.