University of Rhode Island - Renaissance / Grist Yearbook (Kingston, RI)

Page 19 text:

and there were sixteen clubs of a widely varied nature in existence. Favorite college expressions in the “twenties” included “bum- ming”, and coeds were defined as the “femi- nine species of student usually distinguished by a dumb expression and a corn fed appear- ance.” The Rhode Island campus was coming of age. From 1922 until 1932, the campus pros- pered in every way. The Business Adminis- tration course was added to the curriculum in 1923. Edwards Hall, Memorial Gateway, Bliss Hall, and Rodman Hall were erected before the “thirties”. Rhode Island under- graduates began to gain prominence in the New England sports world. In 1926, a scrappy coed basketball sextet and hockey team entered their tenth undefeated season of matches with Connecticut College. The men’s Rifle Team lost only three of its thirty-three matches, and Rhode Island’s debating squad won its first triangular debate with New Hampshire. In 1927, the H Company of the 6th Regi- ment of Scabbard and Blade was organized at Rhode Island. In 1928, the interfraternity council was reorganized to be all-inclusive, and the Women’s Glee Club first appeared in conjunction with the Men’s Glee Club. But two years later the campus was sobered by misfortune when, in the spring of 1930 the college mourned greatly the death of its president, Dr. Edwards, who had faithfully seen the college through many prosperous years. In December of the same year, Dr. Raymond G. Bressler was appointed to the presidency. 15

Page 18 text:

T was also decided that because the full name, Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts was too lengthy for such a progressive organization, it should be shortened to Rhode Island State College. In 1910, owing to the increased interest in sports and the growing importance of football and athletic teams at the college, work for the needed funds for an athletic field and clubhouse was started by the students. During the decade from 1912 to 1922, two new buildings appeared on the campus, Science Hall in 1913 and Agricultural Hall in 1921. The main event of the Freshman calendar in these years was the Freshman- Sophmore rope pull. In 1912, Junior Week was instituted at Rhode Island State College, with the Junior Prom as its feature attraction. It was the custom for the Juniors to give a commencement ball to the Seniors. During these years a great many of the extra curricu- lar activities gained in importance on the campus. The first annual varsity debate was held in 1916, Pan-Hellenic Society made its beginning in 1919, the Chemistry Society was formed in 1920, and Phi Delta’s first play was produced in 1921. 1921 was an especially memorable year for the Rhody sports enthusi- asts, for Rhode Island was the victor by 1 point in the clash of its basketball team with that of Harvard; although the Brown Uni- versity football squad took the upper hand in their conflict, with R. I. by 1 touchdown. At the close of the decade, five national fraternities and two national sororities had placed chapters on the Rhode Island campus, Pres. Howard Edwards 1906-1930 19 12 19 2 2 East Hall 14

Page 20 text:

3 N 1932, East Hall was converted into a cafeteria for men and women, the infirmary was established, new roads were laid and the president’s house was built. At the close of 1932, the campus numbered twelve fraternities and three sororities, and its extra-curricular activity had expanded to include some twenty-six clubs and organiz- ations. Socially, the campus was progressing, and with the introduction of “talkies down the line” on Saturday nights, the usual Satur- day night silent movies with the dances which followed, were failures. As a result, in 1932, the dances were turned over to organizations, and for the first time a fixed fee was charged by the sponsors. The last ten years, have been stormy years and progressive years, Rhody sons have seen hurricanes blow, revolutions in teaching methods take place, and they have seen the college come close to its goal of becoming a university and another exchange of presidents take affect. In the last decade, the student body has gained its prominence in college student government. From the establishment of the Sachems in 1932, the students have progressed to a form of Student Senate, es- tablished in 1941, which is more democratic and progressive. The Glee Club, which first presented the Messiah in 1933, has in less than ten years gained reknown in New England’s musical realm. Beginning in 1934 a custom of electing a mayor of Kingston has prevailed and is now becoming a campus tradition. Pres. Raymond G. Bressler 1931-1940 19 2 2 1 9 3 2 Ranger Hall 16