Springfield College - Massasoit Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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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.

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In April of 1966, Wilbert E. Locklin was sworn in. He was the Trustees unanimous choice as the new president for Springfield College. One of Locklin’s first dilemmas was the financing of the natatorium. It was Art Linkletter who helped. He donated his Beverly Hills estate and encouraged I OCX) students to raise $25,000 during a work week. Locklin was responsible for adding 5.3 acres and 5 buildings to the campus within his first three months as president. The natatorium was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1967. Linkletter defeated Professor Charles “Red” Sylvia in a 50-meter crawl-stroke. This was just the beginning. Under President Locklin, the school has seen the construction of Cheney Hall, in 1968; the relocation of the football field to where Benedum Field now stands; the construction of the Babson Library, Gulick Hall; the remodeling of four buildings into classrooms, a student health center and an arts building.