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

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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]

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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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School History a gift of the local Kiwanis club, and the gymnasium. The most modern annex to the campus occurred in 1941 with the addition given to the gymnasium building, housing a boxing room on the first floor, and seven music rooms or. the second floor. Having been destroyed by the fire, the library had to be slowly rebuilt. With the wing added in 1931 to Main, the library acquired a stack with a 70.000 volume capacity and a reading room seating 165 students. The present collection of nearly 45.000 volumes represents an acquisition of only some thirty odd years. Laboratories. with equipment that today is valued at more than $15,000. were reconstructed for use by the science and fine arts departments. These labs arc used daily by students in biology, physics, chemistry, geology, art. engineering drawing, and manual arts. The building also possesses three spacious art rooms and is provided with a well-equipped stage in an auditorium seating 800. As the school grew, so grew its curriculum. School life was enriched by activities in forensics, dramatics, art. music, journalism, and athletics. The rooms in the building resounded the achievements of her various occupants who were setting the school as an example of sportsmanship and leadership. During twenty years of participation in oratory, the college won eleven first places in the state and eight championships in the interstate contests. It boasted of having five undefeated debating teams and of winning, in 1930 and 1931. first place honors in two state and one interstate extemporaneous speaking encounters. Since the early days of dramatics, the department has become a well organized and an initiative-filled group. Back in 1907. when theatricals first appeared, a debate took place as to whether it was proper to appear in a presentation or not; the drama won out. Today’s stage is a far cry from the stage of yesterday. Then, the stage was lighted by three gas jets suspended from above like a chandelier, throwing shadows all over the stage; the curtain was pulled back and forth on an iron rod by hand; and. the foot-lights were gas jets surrounded by black circular reflectors. During war years, the play-production classes suffered man-power shortages and gave plays with all women casts. Through the men and women in the College Players, the students enjoy three plays each year. Courses in music education have been given since the opening of the school. Compared with today s large organization, the orchestra of 1911 included only eight persons: piano, three violins, drums, clarinet, coronet, and the director. It wasn't until 1939 that the college was given permission by the board of regents to offer a major in music. Now. besides regular courses in theory, music education, and applied music, the department offers an a cappella choir, a women's glee club, a men’s glee club, orchestra, band, and other studies in the field of melody. Since 1939. there have been regular series of concerts, demonstrating the talents of professionals and the abilities of the student body. One of the outstanding events of this department is the annual presentation by the college choral society and orchestra of Handel’s Messiah”. Publications are an all important part of school life and society. The Gitchc Gurnee was the first publication to appear. It started in 1898 as a quarterly magazine. lasting until 1908 when it finally emerged as an annual. It stands as such today. The Peptomist first appeared on January 15. 1920. as a bi-weekly newspaper. The fraternal society. Iota Delta Chi. was responsible for the organization r 8 i