Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

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David Barton David Barton COLORS ARE BELIEVED to affect a person's ability to study and learn. Green and blue, the colors of this room in Grubbs Hall where Dr. Victor Emmett, English professor, teaches advanced composition, aid learning. White and yellow, however, are believed to hurt the learning process . Dale Bratton THE BEAUTY OF a cloudless fall day is a welcome sight to students and faculty at P$U. The deep blue of the sky frames the the Leonard Axe Library on a day in early November. Color Traditions

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David Barton University campus abounds with col r | he campus of Pittsburg State University is a collage of color. The buildings, the grounds, and even the student's clothing reflect a wide variety of shades that combine to create a pleasurable atmosphere. More often than not, students are only vaguely aware of the importance of their surroundings upon their mood and health. After many years of study, scientists and psychologists have concluded that attractive, harmonizing colors are beneficial to the well being of all people. Certain colors are used to set a mood, develop a specific theme, and to brighten an otherwise dull, boring day. As students go about their daily routine, many colors used on campus influence behavior. From spring to winter, flowers bloom brightly to cheer even the most tired student. Many hours are spent by campus workers maintaining the grounds. Each flower bed is planted with care, taking into consideration the shades which will compliment each other. After a dull, gray winter, the newly leafed trees and multi-colored THE BRIGHT RED colors on the third floor of the Leonard H, Axe Library are psychologically stimulating for studying. Jeff Collins, Oakley senior, and Linda Jo Hawkins, Osage City junior, are two of the students who benefit from this atmosphere. blooms are as welcome as the warm sun. It's no wonder that spring fever attacks most students. Who wouldn't rather sit outdoors than in a classroom? Classrooms, believe it or not, are also carefully planned to be as pleasant and cheerful as possible. In Grubbs Hall, most classrooms are painted in two shades of a cool color such as blue or green. Scientists who study productivity have concluded that such colors improve production, create better quality work, relieve eye strain and produce finer morale. The soft colors do not distract the student from more important things. Test scores are also known to be higher in properly painted classrooms. However, there are times when bright colors can actually help a student study. In the Leonard H. Axe Library, warm colors such as red, orange and yellow are used. The colors usually evoke feelings of vigor and vitality. The walls of the library are yellow, orange and cream: colors that present a feeling of coziness for the student. The chairs are covered in a red fabric. Even the most tired student THE DESIGNERS OF Heckert-Wells, the new chemistry building, color coordinated the building down to the smallest detail. Even the coat hangers outside the chemistry lab are cheerfully colored. Color Traditions

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continued from page 26 perks up when his eyes look up from a book and sees red. Psychologists believe the color red stimulates people much the same as caffeine. Since drinking coffee is not allowed in the library, looking at the red seats might be useful the next time one is studying late. One of the newest additions of bright color is in the Heckert-Wells Science Building. The stair towers are painted in large vertical and horizontal stripes. Cary Carlat, campus planning director said, 'The stripes were the idea of the building's architects, Hight and Jackson Associates of Coffeyville. The multi-colored stripes were used to help coordinate the different colors used on each floor, and to brighten the large amount of space used for the stair towers. Reaction to the striping has been mixed, said Carlat, but most students enjoy the modern design. Laurie Manley, Coffeyville junior, said, the stripes are cheerful and make my trip to zoology lab a little more pleasant. The colors used around campus are so important that a full time position of Graphic Designer is held by Jeff Morris of Girard. For five years, Morris has been responsible for the street signs, interior directory signs, and the colorful murals that decorate many of the buildings on campus. Before painting one of his murals, Morris first draws a preliminary sketch and attains approval from University administration. He then paints the pictures freehand. Some of the most popular murals, are the ones in the Weede Physical Education Building in the gymnasium. They depict men and women playing the sports offered at the University, Morris said. He is also responsible for the Norman Rockwell look-a-like in the bookstore. Morris often incorporates the school colors, crimson and gold, wherever appropriate. This adds to the feeling of school spirit and pride one feels when walking around school, he said. The school colors themselves have long been a part of Pittsburg State University. The first mention of them was in the 1910 Kanza in the school song. However, as Eugene DeGruson, special collections librarian, stated, There is no information available about who decided on the colors. They've been standard for many many years. The students themnselves are becoming more and more color conscious in their choice of clothing. In recent years, the seasonal color theory has strongly influenced the choice of colors worn, especially by girls on campus. One of the most popular books on the subject, Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson, is often checked out at the University library. The theory, which is based on sound scientific study, proposes that a person's skin tone and natural hair color determines the appropriate season, spring, summer autumn or winter. The theory insists that everyone looks best in one of the four color palettes that relates to these seasons. For instance, autumn and spring are warm palettes; the individuals have a yellow undertone to their skin. Summer and winter are cool palettes; the in- dividuals have a blue undertone to their skin. By wearing the right color of clothing, a person can look younger and healthier. An autumn woman dressed in natural earth tones that complement her coloring can be more effective in communicating her ideas, than if she were to dress in another season's palette. A woman can spend $40-$50 to have her season charted by a professional color analyzer at local department stores. Most PSU students check out the book at the library and try to figure out the best shades for themselves. Selection of clothing is made easier and faster since the choice of colors has been narrowed down to specific shades. It's obvious that color effects every aspect of life at Pittsburg State University. So whenever you're hurrying from one building to another, slow down and take time to enjoy the variety of colors which were selected for your benefit. Who knows, you might even feel a little better about that English class in Grubbs Hall now.— by Margaret Downing Colors on campus Tradition