Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

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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.

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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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Twain, reading passages from his novels. In 1962, music and dance were themes as the Netherland String Quartet and the Le Theater D'Art du ballet company per- formed for large audiences. Then a change in values became appar- ent. Tastes changed towards something a little less formal. Folk singing became Leading the Pride of the Plains marching band through the Homecoming parade is Don Stuckey, Pittsburg freshman. The band provided invigorating music for several of the Homecoming festivities. popular, as the Smothers Brothers per- formed their songs and humor for the stu- dents on campus in 1965. That same year the Homecoming Festival presented a pa- rade of entertainers who have since made a large impression on the music world. Country boys Boy Clark and Glen Cam- bell performed before a huge audience. The Young Folk, a group of young stu- dents singing folk songs, expressed the emphasis on the importance of youth in America during the Homecoming Festi- val. fs.. ,Q ...V Ah x . . 0 is-2. 1, , N X Throughout the mid-6O's, youth-oriented groups performed on campus, they in- cluded the Brothers Four, the Lime- lighters, Glen Yarborough and the Four Freshmen. ln 1969, different forms of music and act- ing were brought to the campus. Famed pianist Peter Nero exhibited his style of combining jazz with classical elements. ln the early 70's, soft pop and bubblegum music was introduced with the Buckingh- ams, the Cowsills, and the Up With Peo- .. , , 1,f,a?3.Qf2'.. .i ' fi ' wig1g':'1'..i.'TiTifiL' . ' 5 W, , . 'M t 1 f X . ....... . ,gW,W,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,... ...... . 5' L M W, ,iff ' if I Z ri is 5 K :T b I Y . w r'-. WM N MMM ,, m-N, ,,,,,..., . .W,n A-M'- W 'W H W K'W w 1 . 1 Wlilillz if - 1 'f fr . SL lm- ' ill l' Elgl Q i t H f g rl homecoming