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

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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

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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

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Early Chemical Laboratory These ten years have seen great physical progress in the building up of Rhode Island State College. In May 1934, an appropri- ation was made which provided for a new women’s dormitory, a new library and ad- ministration building, an improved dairy barn and the remodeling of Lippitt and Edwards Halls. In 1935, a new Home Economics Building was completed. Three years later, dedication ceremonies, attended by Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt and Mr. Robert Quinn, who was Governor of Rhode Island at that Bliss Hall time, gave these buildings their official titles. The next step in the building program it is hoped, will be an enlarged gymnasium to fulfill the needs of the expanding Rhode Island sports activities. Rhode Island State College athletics have gained prominence in the last decade. In 1938, four Rhode Island men made the all- conference basketball team and now Rhody boasts the national scoring champion in basketball. The Keaney teams are still thrill- ing the basketball world with their two- point-a-minute scoring ability, and they have traveled to Madison Square Garden for two years to bring fame and honor to the college sports record. The Rhode Island track team has also built up its strength and power. In the last four years the campus has seen records smashed right and left, with the final victory of a national championship for the track stars of Rhode Island. The graduating class of 1942 was ushered into Rhode Island by a hurricane in 1938. 17