Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

Page 25 text:

homecoming Queen Jeanie Fowler gets a kiss from Gus Gorilla at the Homecoming Convocation, Her dazzling smile could win a kiss from anyone. ln the following years, Homecoming grew continually bigger and more exciting with more bands, floats, clowns, and specta- tors at the parades. Street dances, formal dances, stunt shows, and pep rallies were also added, and in 1949 the first queen, Mary Harpole, was crowned at the game. The annual celebration grew steadily until it blossomed into the gala affair of today. Current Homecoming preparations usual- ly take several months and the actual celebration lasts all week. Although the Homecoming celebrations of the late 1950's and early 1960's were more formal, the emotions remain the same. Homecoming continues to be a high point in the year with spirit and ex- citement at their peak during that week. David Steinberg smiles for a camera during the Ma- jor Attraction while he entertains the audience with one-liners and jokes.

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Past homecomings influence celebration Homecoming as we know it today is very little like the first Homecoming celebra- tion in 1930. That early Homecoming took place on a Saturday with the Greek houses and the dorms decorated. There was a football game in the afternoon and an evening banquet and dance. In 1946 the Homecoming celebration be- came more like the present day event when the parade was added. Several floats and 11 area bands participated in the procession down Broadway. At noon the Feast of the Oval was held on the campus oval with food and conversation for students and alumni. The annual homecoming game was held in the after- noon. Other activities of the day included judging the house decorations and an ad- dress by Gov. Andrew Schoeppel. Liz Fast, Columbus junior, and Jerri Dawn Statton, Girard sophomore, ride the first place float in the parade. The queen candidates represented Alpha Gamma Delta and Lambda Chi Alpha, respectively. Taking time out from his antics, Flay Stevens not only enlivened the crowd but also created a tranquil mood. The sunny day and exciting game brought the crowd to life during the game against the Wayne State Wildcats. The excitement came to a peak when the Gorillas defeated the Wildcates, 37-25. ,X f- . Q f- Sl til:- .w - iff Q 1 .. ' L ' Y:'.f :.a

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Student attitudes d1ctate entertamment With the lights turned low, a hush falls across the audience of students and ad- ministrators, and the announcer says, And now ladies and gentlemen, here's This was heard many times during the history of PSU in one way or another. The school brought many performers to enter- tain the student body, and as styles and fads changed, so did the type of perform- er. From the early years up to the mid 195O's, the variety and talent shows put on by the students were a main source of entertainment. The school's theater pro- ductions were another. Both are still pop- ular today, as the drama department stages productions throughout the year, and students eagerly wait to entertain with serious and crazy acts. Talent shows and theater productions were not enough, however. The students and administration wanted to be enter- tained by the big-time professionals. They wanted to be a part of the culture that America was expounding on. The arts were important. As peopIe's styles and tastes changed, so did the performers. In 1959, the major attraction was the United States Navy Band, offering dancing and a sense of patriotism during homecoming. ln 1960, as much emphasis was being placed on opera and theater in the coun- try, the school brought Jan Peerce, well known tenor of the Metropolitan Opera Company, to town providing a taste of the culture of opera. Also in the same year, an acting troupe, The Canadian Players, traveled to Pittsburg to perform Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. As JFK and Jackie brought Camelot to the White House, the school responded by bringing the same type of art to the campus. In 1961, Hal Holbrook per- formed a one-man show as author Mark Jan Steele, Fort Scott junior, and John Barrington, Overland Park freshman, perform a stunt at the Homecoming Convocation. The couple are part of the Pitt State cheerleading squad.