Wheaton College - Nike Yearbook (Norton, MA)

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ter of Phi Beta Kappa in 1932, and he brought new approaches and enthu- siasm to the selection of faculty and courses. The depression of the 1930's brought about new worries to Whea- ton as it did to colleges nationwide, but with the proper management of finances, Dr. Parks maintained the high quality of life at Wheaton. Loans and scholarships assisted needy stu- dents and the campus saw the addi- tion of a new administration building, the nursery school, the student alum- nae building, the new library wing and the science building. All of these were completed before the onset of the war. With assets and all debts paid, Wheaton College continued to grow despite the difficult time during the war. Dr. Parks retired in 1944, but his character and contributions live on in lasting memorials at Wheaton and in the heart of those to whom he touched over the years. Dr. Meneely was appointed to presidency in Au- gust, 1944 following the term of Dr. Parks. As a past history professor, he undertook his new responsiblity with enthusiasm. Dr. Meneely now faced the position of leading the college out of postwar economics. While the curriculum and faculty committee re - organized, he focused on financial needs, mainly of the faculty. His ad- ministration made many changes, in- cluding modernization, the appointment of new officials and the vote in 1955 to enlarge and expand campus facilities. For instance, dor- mitories, a dining hall, and a newly awaited art center were among the additions. His task was to maintain ARRIVAL - ca. 1964 i j 7 SKI CLASS IN THE DIMPLE - 1964 the traditions of Wheaton’s past while keeping the pace with the new and upcoming changes in every facet of campus life. His successful term is one that has left its mark at Wheaton in meaningful and lasting ways. In the post-war period, Wheaton received an unusually large amount of applications. This increase was at- tributed to a growing birth rate and the overall heightened desire of American youth to gain quality for an education. Thus, the Wheaton trust- ees again realized that it was time to expand. It was the general consensus that a larger student body would en- able Wheaton to maximize its faculty and offer a broader range of course study. However, at the same time, concern was raised regarding the overall nature of the Wheaton cam- pus. Founded on the premise that a smaller school would instill a more personal interaction between students and faculty, members of the Wheaton community felt that the expansion would lead to the loss of the teacher- student communication. After care- ful deliberation, the trustees finally agreed upon an equitable plan. This satisfied the needs of the Wheaton campus. ee.

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ca. 1966 oa ‘we — 9 0) ver the years, Wheaton has extensively expanded. The 1920's and 30's saw Kilham and Metcalf dormi- tories Open as well as the remodeling of the Doll's House and the class- room buildings. The campus was once again renovated in the late 1950's and early 1960's by the addi- tion of New Campus. Since the early 1920's the faculty, college facilities, and student body had expanded to the current ratios. Throughout Wheaton’s 150 year history, it has continuously dedicated itself to pro- viding women with a thorough liberal arts education. The college has made an attempt to adapt itself to the nu- merous Changes in a progressing so- ciety. Its main goal has always been to prepare women to meet the chal- lenges of a modern society. FATHER’S WEEKEND 1961 FATHER’S WEEKEND 1960 FATHER’S WEEKEND 191 When speaking of the Wheaton family, the dedication and the contri- butions of Dr. Parks should not be overlooked. Reverend Parks was elected President in 1926 with eigh- teen years of service to follow. He was a warm, brilliant, and articulate man well remembered for his many speeches and addresses to the Whea- ton community. He was not a re- moved figure from the community, in that he took every opportunity to reach out to Wheaton on spiritual, intellectual, and leadership matters. Regardless of the attention he com- manded from other schools, he was completely dedicated in his commit- ment to Wheaton. He did much to enhance the physical beauty of the campus, leaving behind our well known Peacock Pond. He aided in the establishment of the Kappa chap-

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i des n 1955, plans were made under the Meneely administration to increase enrollment by 775 students. A new campus would be erected consisting of three dormitories and a new dining hall. In honor of Sarah B. Young, Young was the first modern dormitory built. McIntire dormitory (1959) and Clark dormitory (1960) soon followed. The decision to raise the student enrollment once more re- sulted in the building of Meadows Complex in 1964. These additional dormitories allowed the college to accomodate more students to the present day amount of approximately 1,200 students. a as “FEAST AWAY IN TRIUMPH” JUNIORS - 1963 28 CHASE ROUND - 1961 In 1959, Wheaton gloriously cele- brated its 125th year as an institution for higher learning. The development of the college was in progress at this time. New Campus was under con- struction and the faculty had expand - ed to 78 full-time members and student enrollment had increased to include 759 women. Additions to the library and the proposed plans for the Watson Fine Arts Gallery and the newly built Meneely classroom building all contributed to a new outlook for the college campus. The college celebrated this year's anniversary not only by adding to its physical facilities but by a series of key speakers, and discussions groups. Special attention and celebration was given to traditional events such as Fa- ther's Weekend, Founder's Day, and a special Anniversary Convocation. The celebration commenced on Feb- ruary 20, 1959 with a student-spon- sored symposium and several speakers including Secretary of Health Education, and Welfare, Ar- thur S. Flemming. Since the early beginnings of the college, there has been a concerted effort to include physical education into the Wheaton curriculum. Stu- dents of the early years were required to attend calesthenics in the new gymnasium built by Laban Wheaton in 1847. The catalogues of the mid HOLMES SMOKER (SOPHOMORE HOUSE) 1958-60