University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

Page 26 text:

1947 A University Is Born 1 9 4 7 THE COLLEGE BECOMES THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS! At last the hopes of men Uke President Van Meter be- came realities. Doors were opened which would start a new era of expansion. More dormitories were soon built to cope with the projected increase in enrollment and the School of Engineering was established to meet the obligations of a university. PRESIDENT RALPH VAN METER, who served from 1948 to 1954. With the help of his many efforts, the changing of the College ' s name to the University of Massachusetts be- came a reality. BEFORE THE STUDENT UNION CAME INTO BEING, students had to have somewhere to go for their coffee breaks. The old C store, or College Store as it was officially known, pro- vided the answer. 22

Page 25 text:

SHOWN ABOVE are President Baker and Dean William Machmer, former Professor of Mathematics. Dean Machmer was held in the highest regard by students both as Dean and as a professor. MASSACHUSETTS STATE COLLEGE at commencement time in 1941 — The peaceful atmosphere which prevailed in the Spring of ' 41 was not felt again until 1946. The advent of World War II had a strong effect on campus life as military service made its inevitable claim. The male enrollment was reduced to a minimum with co-eds taking over the fraternities as living quarters. PRESIDENT HUGH POTTER BAKER who served from 1933 to 1947. Behind him can be seen Chadbourne dormitory nearing comple- tion. 21

Page 27 text:

W-- . . isei. THE TIME IS 1946. The construction of these dormi- tories was part of the great expansion program which was about to begin. THE TRADITIONAL ROPE PULL was always the scene of excitement as the freshman and sophomore teams battled for supremacy. It looks like a draw here but within a few moments there were probably a few drenched individuals. 23