Springfield College - Massasoit Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

Page 10 text:

During World War I, the effect of the war took it’s toll. The size of the classes were reduced, the faculty was reduced and the number of students and alumni that were killed in the war grew. The first class to graduate after WWI was the class of 1920. The members of that class donated a pair of plaques that were hung at the entrance of the Marsh Memorial Library. One carried the American’s Creed and the other carried the names of graduates who gave their lives during the war. In 1921, students petitioned the trustees that the name of the school be changed from The International Young Men’s Christian Association College to Springfield College. The suggestion was taken, and Springfield College was to be the name used. However, the former name of the school was used for the next thirty years on diplomas and stationary. At the end of summer classes in 1927, the announcement was made that women would be admitted to SUMMER classes the following year. Alumni Hall was dedicated in the fall of 1927, after an extensive fund drive was successful. 1932 saw the establishment of an Arts Sciences division at Springfield College, caused by the Depression and declining enrollment. In 1936, the school received sad news. President Doggett submitted his resignation after serving the school for 40 years. World War II greatly effected the campus. In 1944, the school’s campus was used as an Air Force training bas and Alumni Hall was used as a naval hospital. When the Navy left SC, the college persuaded them to donate a huge drill hall from Sampson Naval Station near Geneva, NY. This became the new Memorial Field House.

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Faculty 1885: I. J.P. Browne; 2. Rev. C.S. Rogcr . D.D. 3. Rev S.L. Merrill; 4. Rev. I).A. Reed. D.D.: 5. Rev. E.P. Armstrong 6. Rev T.H. Hawkes. D.IX: 7 J.T. Herrick. M.D. The need for a full-time president arose and in 1896, Dr. Lawrence Locke Doggett accepted the position of president, not becauses of the salary or academics, but because of the enthusiasim displayed by the young students. His presidencey lasted 40 years from 1896-1936. One of Doggetts decisions that drastically changed the position of the president, was that ALL fund-raising for the school should be established and maintained by the president. This new venture started slow'ly, and after a few costly mistakes, Doggett learned that the right way to raise funds was not to set the goals higher than expected. The sky was not the limit. Doggett’s fund raising activities helped to establish new buildings. By the 25th anniversary, the school had Pratt Field ready for dedication, a gymnasium ready for it’s cornerstone and the library ready for ground breaking activities. 5

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After Stone’s retirement and the election of an interim president, a new president was selected. He was Rev. Dr. Glenn A. Olds. The Olds’ years saw the building and dedication of Massasoit Hall, Lakeside Hall, Reed Hall, International Hall, Appleton Hall and Schoo Hall. His presidency saw the school granted the right to award Bachelor of Arts degrees; the students voted to declare two cafes “off limits” and to bar the sale of cigarettes on campus. Olds also saw the celebration of the school’s 75th anniversay. Rev. Olds was the person who persuaded Art Linkletter to visit Springfield College. (Mr. Linkletter was to attend SC, but because of the Depression, finances would not allow it.) One year after first visiting Springfield, Art was awarded an Honorary Doctorate, and then elected as a Trustee the following year. Mr. Linkletter's work as a Trustee includes: fundraising for the Natatorium, which bears his name, the P.E. Complex, and the Fuller Art Building. In September of 1951, the first women entered Springfield College. The gift of Abbey Hall by Emily F. Abbey Gill was used as the first women’s dorm. The ivy that now adorns many of the buildings was brought to Springfield in 1953 by it's new president, Donald C. Stone. He and his 2 daughters planted 30 English Ivy plants. The various location included: the Memorial Filed House, Abbey Hall, Alumni Hall and a few other locations. His reasoning? In Stone’s words: “When I came to Springfield, I found the creeping professors in abundance but not much of the creeping ivy.” During the presidency of Stone, Springfield saw the adoption of a policy that would award scholarships on the basis of need, NOT athletic ability. Another change was the printing of “Springfield College” on all diplomas, and the school was pulled out of the red and placed in the black by Stone.