University of Wisconsin Stevens Point - Horizon / Iris Yearbook (Stevens Point, WI)

Page 9 text:

Peter J. Michelscn, a name and personality that influenced the lives of many in our college, announced his retirement at the annual music homecoming in the spring of 1954. Norwegian-born and educated, Mr. Michelscn came to Central State from Richland Center, Wisconsin, in 1931 to head the music department. He worked hard to make the music department serve all of Central Wisconsin. His many projects were: tnc annual clinics foi high school bands and glee clubs, the band homecoming, and the President’s Concert during graduation week. Above all we will remember his Christmas Concert with its traditional candlc-lit procession winding through the darkened auditorium to a tree-banked state ... the nativity tableau and Mary's song to the Christ Child . . . and the glorious climax with the voices of the entire group joining in the Hallelujah Chorus.

Page 8 text:

New friends now . . . For the first few days the Freshmen are the most important people on the campus. Something is planned for every minute, and it seems they must be everywhere and do everything at once—all in a tremendous rush. They arc welcomed from all sides, for the upper-classmen feel it is very important to meet and know” the newcomers. Classes start with a bang, and numerous freshmen, frantically trying to study their first assignments. Rroan that “high school was never this hard.” School slips into a routine. The upper-classmen are suddenly too busy with their own affairs to give much more than a casual greeting in the hall. The freshmen find that they weren't really expected to read all five chapters for tomorrow. They begin to feel lonely as things slow down a bit, and wistful letters inquire about what’s going on at home. Each freshman is certain that if he left tomorrow no one would notice or care. Decisions which have always been made for them, even minor ones like what to have for supper, become major difficulties when they must be faced alone. All this is a part of being new, but soon the strangeness wears off and the letters begin to tell instead of ask— tell of good times, hard work, new friends ... all the wonderful things that go into college life.

Page 10 text:

It’s so good to be back ... September—the same exciting rush to get started on a brand new year. There’s time for fall picnics when no one cares if the hot dogs have a smoky t3stc and rain comes through the shelter roof . . . it’s good to see the gang again. There’s time to get accustomed to the new room mate who sleeps with the window wide open and peanut-pickle sandwiches before hopping into bed. But classes too arc part of school. You start out with a briefcase of good resolutions .. . only you over sleep the first 8:15, and twice a week your ccon class becomes a coffee hour. It’s so good to be back!