University of Wisconsin Superior - Gitche Gumee Yearbook (Superior, WI)

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School History By Serge E. Logan Education serves to explain many things in history. Revolutions that almost completely changed the lives of people and the state of nations had the basic incentive —knowledge. Displacements in government and modifications in the code of life throughout the world were led by the powerful cries of intellectuals. In Superior, by the shores of the Gitchc Gurnee , the State Teachers college has played, however small, an important part in America’s history; from her halls have come American citizens: writers, educators including college deans and presidents, international educators. social welfare workers, scientists, bankers, miners, laborers, and housewives — all builders of this great democracy. This year the institution is celebrating its golden anniversary, and college publications from the earliest times unfold a telling history to the reader. When Superior Normal school opened its doors in August. 1897. only 150 applicants appeared for admission, but that number far exceeded the expected registration. It was a strange experience for the new students, as they have recorded in the Gitchc of the following year, this entering a school which had not as yet re-echoed the sounds of wisdom and learning—everyone was a first-timer : freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. No one had an advantage over the others; they were all green together. As they wandered over the building hunting their classrooms, one group could not make sport of the others—they were too busy finding their own way about. Then as now, many of those attending were from out of town, and that proved a stumbling block to quick acquaintances. As the years rolled on. however, new means and new events for casing the situation had been inaugurated. Gradually the college grew. From the September day in 1895 when the first building of S. N. S. was dedicated, until this half-century mark, the institution acquired four more buildings, and many varied facilities within. The school was a handsome structure from the start, possessing a Doric pillared entrance, huge wings, and two towering spires that were dominated by a dome. Within, there were fifty-two classrooms in which students pursued any one of four curricula: Latin. German. English, or scientific. There was a library that harbored 6.000 volumes and was a great aid in providing students with the additional knowledge they needed in facing the teaching profession. Students from all over northwestern Wisconsin were drawn to S. N. S.'s doors because of these many advantages it made available. The school boasted of having three laboratories, a swimming pool heated by steam, a ventilation system, and a large gymnasium. The gym of the Normal school was one of the finest in the area. It was circular in form and situated at the rear of the building. One of its enjoyable features was the indoor swimming pool accessible to dressing rooms, locker rooms— and bath tubs. One day in 1914. however, this magnificent structure was completely destroyed by fire—school, library, and facilities. Crownhart hall, built through the efforts of Regent C. H. Crownhart in 1910, survived the fire. It was 1915 before the new building, as it now stands, was completed. It was a remarkable accomplishment to have built a new building in just one year. The following years saw the addition of McCaskill Demonstration school in 1917. and in 1922 the building of the observatory. [61

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jr V 2 -' r Here By the shores of Gitclie Gurnee where an ancient Indian civilization once reigned, we arc. after fifty years of living and laughing, beginning a new era of civilization. The primitive problems of the Indians were as important to them as our modern day problems of the atomic age are to us. The problems of the Indians, however. were localized while ours concern the whole world. Therefore, during this year even more than during the last fifty years, our attention has been centered upon education for peace and for normal living. All of us. we who stayed at home and we who went to war to preserve our way of life, need an understanding of the customs. traditions, politics, and religions of the other peoples of the world. We need tolerance and patience. Like our predecessors, the Indians, we have tried to prepare ourselves to meet the problems of our civilization. By learning By seeking special interests By keeping fit By living and laughing here “By the shining Big-Sea-Water.” a i j,’h .• J h y+ . i

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College Orchestra This was S. T. C. fifty years sro A champion basketball team. Hair styles may come, and hair styles may ro. but the Lambdas ro on forever. The beginning of our present college orchestra, I 7]