Springfield College - Massasoit Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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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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Luther Halsey Gulick The inverted Triangle was adopted as the school's emblem three months before the first comencement ceremonies,. The symbol was devised by Luther Halsey Gulick and symbolized the unit of many in his spirit, mind and body. When Dr. Reed retired, Henry S. Lee reluctantly agreed to become president. During his two year term, Lee saw the invention of basket ball. Professor James Naismith needed a game to keep the students active between football and baseball, and therefore the game of basket ball came into being. (There is not a misspelling of the word. Originally, the game was two words, but numerous mispellings has caused it to be known as basketball today.) The cornerstone for the first building on the “new” campus was laid on May 12, 1894. This building is now known as the Administration Building. Originally, the building had classrooms, dorm rooms and offices. It was five stories tall, but had the top three floors removed during World War II, after being found structurally unsound by the government. 4

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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.