University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

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SM or CHANGE AT F.S5.C- The 1947-48 DIORAMA is the first annual published by the students of Florence State Teachers College since 1937. It is a revival of the old PANORAMA publication of a decade ago. During this ten year period, the en- rollment of the college, the curricula, and the building facilities have more than doubled. In view of these many changes, the students have felt an Increasing need for an annual publication. This enthusiasm was climaxed in the Student Council, where our new yearbook was given birth. In a student contest for a new name for our annual, LeVaughn Davis emerged the winner by contributing the name DIORAMA, which means a painted canvas. In sections, which tells a story. The job of telling the story of ten years of progress has been both difficult and interesting; it has awed and inspired the staff. It has been our purpose, in this yearbook, to feature only the highlights of this period of expansion. At the opening of the summer quarter, June 6, 1938, when Dr. J. A. Keller assumed the duties of President of Florence State Teachers College, the college accelerated its march of progress. In the fall of the same year, preliminary preparations were made for the construction of our gymnasium and swimming pool and the girl ' s apartment dormitory. The following year, the building p,-ogram went into full swing with the construction of our new library, the student lodge, and the president ' s home. The erection of these buildings was followed. In 1941, by the construction of the boy ' s dormitory, with still another boy ' s dormitory being completed in 1947. Also, In 1946, twenty-four housing units were built for the use of veterans and their families. The latest building acquired by the college is Courtview, which will be named Rogers Hall, our social center. This tremendous building program was complemented by expansion in our curricula and enrollment. In 1939, Florence State Teachers college was chosen one of five Alabama colleges to take part In the National Civilian Pilot Training Program; this program was started In 1942. Curriculum experts came to the campus in 1939 to confer with the college faculty in preparing a four year curriculum. Including a secondary education group; this also Included the B.S. degree. In 1940, many curriculum changes were Inaugurated with the fall term. Among these were Secondary Education, Secretarial Science, and Business. These addi- tions were followed by Pre-Engine- ering and Pre-Medlcal Training. The newest department of the college is that of Home Economics, started this year. These academic advances were highlighted by the addition, in 1947, of two new degrees the Lib- eral Arts and Bachelor of Sciences degrees. The faculty membership and the student enrollment have grown in corresponding measure to the many other accomplishments. Interrupting this period of continual good news was the untimely death of our be- loved Dean Dr. C. B. Collier, on December 19, 1947. STCians over the state were saddened by this tragedy. We were fortunate in hav- ing Dr. F. E, Lund selected as our new dean. The college points with pride, particularly, to the increase in stu- dent enrollment: from 650 students, in 1937, to approximately 1400, in 1948. Florence State Teachers Col- lege is now the third largest college in Alabama, and the end of this expansion Is not in sight. We are indeed proud of this ten-year record, and the staff members of the DI- ORAMA are pledged to the pur- pose of recording this continual march of progress In the years to come.

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