University of Maine - Prism Yearbook (Orono, ME)

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Funds contributed by the members of the classes of 1922-23 and 1929-32 and contributions received from alumni, faculty, and friends made the construction of the memorial Gymnasium possible. Two campaigns re- sulted in the payment of over $480,000. The construc- tion of the Indoor Field Armory was started in 1925. When the Memorial Gym was dedicated on March 13, 1926, the field house was the largest of its kind in the country. It ranks second now to the University of Michigan which claims the largest. Dr. C. C. Little, President of the Un- iversity during the twenties.

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The Spirit Of The Times In 1926 the University made many needed improvements to the chapel stage, and a new floor was laid for the cast. Valuable and unique lighting equipment was added and everything pointed to a successful season for the Masque. In the fall the constitution and poli- cies of the organization were revised and modernized and set on a firm bus- iness basis. Women students of marked ability were now admitted to member- ship and meetings were held every month. Was Not All Lighthearted Fun The armistice was signed and the war was officially over; but the memory still lingered ... In 1922 the General Alumni Association decided upon the construc- tion of the Memorial Gymnasium Armory as a memorial to all Maine men who gave their lives in the services of their country in World War I. With the end of the war came the construction of many new buildings. In 1924 the main building of Stevens Hall was constructed to house the College of Arts and Sci- ences. It was named in honor of the late Dr. James S. Stevens, who was dean of the College for many years. In 1928 Crosby Laboratory and Rogers Hall were built. Crosby Laboratory contains the Laboratories of the De- partment of Mechanical Engineering. Rogers Hall houses the Department of Animal Science and contains laboratories for the manufacture of dairy products. 12

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It was Becoming a Woman’s World in the 30’s, All Maine Women Women began to play a significant role in the University’s history in 1872 when Maine became coeducational. Due to a rapid influx in enrollment, the Women’s Student Government Association was founded in 1919 to encourage active participation in self- government, high standards of personal con- duct, and group responsibility among the stu- dents. In 1925 the All-Maine Women Socie- ty was founded as a sister organization to the Senior Skulls. It is the University’s high- est honorary, non-scholastic society for wo- men. To promote congenial relationships be- tween sophomores and freshmen and to help the incoming women adjust to campus life, the Sophomore Eagles were organized in 1926. Women were finding their place at Maine in the twenties. Sophomore Eagle Society Women's Student Government Maine’s women proved they could outshoot any man through participation in their own rifle club. After the twenties the Women’s Athletic Association followed a system of inter-class competition, for varsity sports for women were abolished in 1931.