World War II brought about immense changes in California. The military-industrial complex, to which President Eisenhower referred, transformed the state from a dominant agricultural economy to an industrial one. The aerospace industry and related manufacturing and technology literally took over southern California and many parts of northern California. The state was so progressive in all aspects of life that many said "California is the Future," and Californians agreed with that. To protect this premiere status, it was felt that young Californians needed to be well-educated, and because the Golden State had always taken a egalitarian position, being settled by pioneers, everyone had to have that right. Politicians and high level state educators heard the prophecy, and felt they were destined to be the facilitators of the promise; thus came the impetus to create new public institutions of higher learning, and out of it came Stanislaus State College and three sister campuses. Population influx too fanned the fires. The state was growing enormously, and there were regions that especially reflected that growth. State officials studied the population data, and concurred that state colleges were needed in prescribed areas. One of the areas was inland central California where the cities of Stockton, Modesto, Turlock, and Merced were found. After evaluating all the determining factors, it was decided that Stanislaus County was the center of population, and hence, that would be a site for a state college. Up in Sacramento, the Chief of the Division of State Colleges and Teacher Education, Dr. J. Burton Vasche, an Oakdale native and Stanislaus County educator, was very supportive of this plan. In his short tenure in that position, he saw the planting of the four expansion campuses, and he was appointed to be president of the Stanislaus one. A man of great determination and creativity, he sought to make the new college the best it could be. Thus, begins the story of Stanislaus State College.
7/5/57 California Governor Goodwin Knight signed AB 166, authored by Assemblyman Ralph M. Brown (D), Stanislaus County, an appropriations bill for $500,000 to purchase and prepare a site for a new state college
9/1/57 California State Public
Works Board selects Turlock as the site of the new state college
- the permanent campus would be at Monte Vista Road and Geer
Road
5/8/60 A proposal of $56 million was submitted
to the California State Department of Finance for construction
($46 million) and equipment ($10 million) for the permanent
campus
5/13/60 Dr. J. Burton Vasche (California State
Associate Superintendent of Public Instruction & Chief
of the Division of State Colleges and Teacher Education) appointed
to be president
5/25/60 First faculty member appointed, Dr. Lloyd
E. Bevans, Professor of Elementary Education
9/1/60 First faculty meeting
9/19/60 "Opening Day" (first day of
classes)
9/21/60 First student body meeting
10/24/60 First "SSC Student Directory"
12/7/60 President Vasche receives medical treatment
at Stanford
12/8/60 First practice of the men's basketball
team
12/12/60 "Warriors" was selected as
the mascot
12/13/60 First issue of The Signal student
newspaper
12/15/60 The "College Singers" gave
their first performance
12/16/60 First college dance "Winter Wonderland"
12/22/60 First men's basketball game
1/22/61 First baccalaureate service
1/28/61 First commencement service
3/16/61 Faculty constitution and by-laws are approved
4/13/61 Selection of school colors of rich red,
gold, and light green
4/13/61 First spring concert performed
5/8/61 The name "Kiva" was chosen as
the name of the bookstore
5/19/61 Junior-Senior Prom, "Moonlight and
Roses"
5/20/61 Senior banquet
5/25/61 First faculty Retention, Promotion and
Tenure Committee elected
6/4/61 Second baccalaureate service
6/10/61 Second commencement service
7/1/61 The California State College system was
formed as an independent unit governed by a board of trustees
Campus Development, Planning, and Physical Plant
Even though the permanent campus site had not been
chosen by the state, money was allocated on July 5, 1957 of $500,000
to purchase and prepare a site for the new state college (the
fifteenth) to be located in Stanislaus County. The appropriations
legislation (AB166) was authored by Assemblyman and Speaker Ralph
Brown, Democrat of Stanislaus County and was signed by Governor
Goodwin Knight.
On September 1, 1957, the Turlock site at Monte Vista
and Geer Roads was chosen by the California State Public Works
Board. The Turlock selection became controversial because Modesto
site supporters could not accept the decision. They became outraged
that the Turlock site had been selected, and they sought to have
the decision overturned. There had been a friendly rivalry between
the cities of Turlock and Modesto concerning the site, but after
the selection a heated debate ensued even involving Governor Edmund
Brown. (See "Major Events and Issues" section)
The Turlock site was 220 acres in size and was in
field crops and orchards. It was purchased for $371,150. The following
is a listing of the ownership at the time of purchase:
Abner Crowell---40 acres with buildings
Coleman Crowell---10 acres with buildings
Loren Crowell---20 acres
Orvan Crowell---20 acres
Darpinian & Sons---90 acres with buildings
Frank George, Jr.---10 acres with buidlings
Roy Hedstrom---10 acres with buildings
Tony Ferreira---20 acres
At the first faculty meeting on September 1, 1960,
Gerard Crowley, Campus Development Officer, spoke of the permanent
campus which was projected to serve 10,000 fulltime students maximum
by the year 2020. (This figure was formally established by Dr.
Roy Simpson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, in a
communique of August 19, 1960.) Crowley listed these nine phases
the permanent campus would go through before it would be ready
for instructional use:
Educational specifications by the college
Review by Department of Education
Review by Department of Finance
Preliminary plans by architect and college
Budget from legislature
Working drawings from architect
Public Works Board approval
Construction
Equipment installation
On November 3, 1960, President Vasche commented on
the progress being made concerning the permanent site:
The general development of the college is well ahead
of schedule, since the negotiations for purchase of site proceeded
at almost unprecedented pace. It is hoped that progress can be
made at the 1961 Legislative session on the matter of budget for
the development program, and that the first permanent buildings
can be available as early as 1963.
On December 13, 1960, President Vasche issued this
statement:
The college hopes that it may
occupy its first building on the permanent campus site in the
fall of 1963. This means that the work which was done this fall
will in turn be translated into a legislative program, to be
considered in Sacramento by the Legislature shortly after the
first of the year. During the spring semester, the Legislature
will make its decisions, and then faculty will be required to
work in earnest on formal details next summer, and during the
1961-62 college year. It is our objective to make our permanent
building program one which will be well suited to meet the needs
of the college both now and for many decade to come, and to have
our final college plant the finest of any college development
in this country.
The establishment of the instructional program by
the faculty was primary to the designing of a master plan for
the permanent campus. Once the instructional program was designed
and approved, Crowley then prepared the document "Skeleton
B-2" with the help of the faculty. "Skeleton B-2"
served as the major source in formulating a master plan for the
permanent campus. The service area for the college was consider-able,10,000
square miles which encompassed the counties of Merced, Mariposa,
Stanislaus, Tuolumne, San Joaquin, and Calaveras.
On May 8th, it was announced that a prosposal of
$56 million for the permanent campus was submitted to the California
Department of Finance. Of it, $46 million was for construction
and $10 million for equipment.
In the interim the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds
was used as a temporary campus. The exhibition buildings on the
south side of the grounds became the academic halls of the new
college. Turlock High School auditorium and gymnasium were used
for special events and sport activities. Before moving into the
exhibit buildings, offices and classrooms had to be constructed
in them. Local carpenters and campus employees designed and constructed
the new working space and installed the new equipment.
The buildings needed names to help students locate
the offices and classrooms. The names too gave some semblance
of a collegiate atmosphere to the new state college. On September
26th, names for the buildings were released. The classroom building
became known as "College Hall" which housed 8 classrooms,
the business office, the president's office, and the snack bar.
The building for student activities carried the name of "Pioneer
Hall" while the third building housed the library and was
referred to as "State College Library."
The college was a guest at the fairgrounds; therefore,
accommodations had to be made to ensure a healthy partnership
between the college and the fair. Parking had to be orderly; streets
were one-way to control the flow of traffic; and maintenance had
to be done by fairground employees. A reminder of this need to
cooperate appeared in the Campus Digest (newletter) : "It
is requested that all [college-related] vehicles be kept off the
grass areas so that necessary mowing, water, etc., may be done."
Parking instructions were published in the Campus
Digest of March 3rd:
AUTOMOBILES ON CAMPUS - Please help us maintain an orderly parking situation by observing the following rules:
1. Student vehicles are permitted only in the parking
lot area north of the Fair Restaurant building. 2. Visitors
and persons coming to pick up students or staff may park in
the thirty-minute zone North of Pioneer Hall. 3. Each staff
vehicle must have the parking permit affixed to the windshield
and must be parked in the area along the South fence. 4. Paraplegics
and others needing special parking had to see the Business Office
for permits.
When the county fair rolled around in August, it
became necessary to move parts of the college to Turlock High
School as detailed here in the Campus Digest of May 22nd:
ASSIGNMENTS FOR MOVING TO AND
FROM COLLEGE HALL - Business Manager Ernest Rives and Campus Development
Officer Gerard J. Crowley will be responsible for handling all
details relating to the moving from College Hall to the Turlock
High School for the summer sessions, and for the return move
to the Fairgrounds in early September. Mr. Rives will provide
all members of the faculty and staff shortly with a statement
of procedures to be followed in preparing to move desks, bookcases,
files and other instructional materials . . . The President's
Office, the Business Office, the college switchboard, and the
College Library will remain at the Fairgrounds throughout summer.
There was another event that had an effect on the
college at the fairgrounds. Every year the fair hosted the Far
West Turkey Show where turkey growers exhibited their prize birds
and competed against one another. For a time each December "gobbling"
penetrated the serious collegiate atmosphere. President Vasche
wrote about this on December 5th to college employees and students:
This week is one of the most
interesting and busy ones to be experienced at SSC. The Far West
Turkey Show will be sharing the Fairgrounds with us for the next
five days, and to the Show will come visitors from throughout
the entire United States. We are indeed pleased at the wonderful
cooperation which both the Fair Board and the Board of Directors
of the Far West Turkey Show have given to the program of the Stanislaus
State College. In previous years the Show has utilized both exhibit
halls and other facilities which the college now is using for
its operations. It has been necessary therefore, for the Far
West Turkey Show to make some adjustments in program. This fact
we appreciate, and it is with humility and pride that we welcome
the visitors to our campus this week. Let us all share in the
events of the week and do everything in our power to have all
Fairground guests know and respect our program at SSC.
To the chagrin of some academicians, the college
became known as "Turkey Tech." Its first official address
was Post Office Box 1000, Turlock, California, and its phone number
was ME 2-2411.
Administration and Support Staff
The first president of the college was Dr. J. Burton
Vasche who was appointed on May 13, 1960. He was born and reared
in Oakdale and graduated from San Jose State College in 1931.
He earned a master's degree and doctoral degree in education from
Stanford University in 1947. At the time of his appointment, he
was serving as the Associate Superintendent of Public Instruction
of California and the Chief of the Division of State Colleges
and Teacher Education where he saw the establishment of four new
state college campuses under his guiding hand.
Vasche's appointment was important because of his
experience and his keen interest in education. The primary responsibility
of the college was to train teachers. It was his goal to make
Stanislaus State one of the better small institutions of higher
learning in the nation. With that in mind, he set out to select
the best staff and faculty he could find.
This is a listing of the "section heads"
hired by the president and their areas of responsibility:
Art---Mr. Richard B. Reinholtz
Business---Mr.
Gerald J. Crowley
Education---Dr. Lloyd E. Bevans
English---Miss Lola V. Johnson
For. Lang. & Math---Dr. Tom H.
Emmons
Library---Mr. R. Dean Galloway
Life Science---Mr.
James C. Hanson
Music---Dr. Joseph E. Bruggman
Physical
Science---Dr. Paula E. Loeffler
Social Science---Dr. John E.
Caswell
This is what he expected of them:
Section heads will have the responsibility for coordinating
the instructional program of the section, including but not limited
to, the development of major and minor academic programs, recommendations
regarding the number and type of additional staff members needed,
suggestions for adding, deleting, or modifying courses of instruction,
textbooks, and library material, instructional supplies and other
material requested. In effect, the designation of section heads
represents a recognition of the need for dividing responsibilities
within the faculty, with the ultimate goal that of formalizing
definite departments and divisions of instruction.
President Vasche knew of the importance of establishing
the infant college in firm roots. Communication was the key to
this, and he set about making sure lines of communication were
open throughout the campus and to the surrounding community. He
said this about the college newsletter, the Campus Digest:
It is hoped that the campus
digest is achieving its objective, namely that of keeping all
people informed as to developments on campus and as to events
which are scheduled as part of college life. Every faculty member
and student can cooperate in furthering the objective of the
campus digest by contributing news notes, announcements, and
other materials. All campus digest materials should be with Miss
Lorraine Johnson, and preferably, each item should be signed by
the person submitting it.
In the Campus Digest for September 29th,
Vasche commented on the relationship between the community and
the college:
SSC is off to a fine start,
and much of our success stems directly from the wonderful cooperation
that the College has received from the entire community. The people
of Turlock have been most helpful and encouraging, and since
the majority of the faculty are living in Turlock, this should
be the beginning of a close family relationship. Faculty members
are encouraged to take active part in the various community organizations,
and in turn welcome people of the region to the college campus
and to the classes, to share in the various functions an social
activities of SSC.
On December 15th, the Steering Committee for the
Community-College Council met primarily to discuss community assistance
in regard to the college:
The entire program of channeling
needs of SSC to the public was discussed. It was explained that
the state college was limited in many ways as to the expenditure
of funds for public relations activity, printing, or for student
body supplies and office equipment.
The council talked about donations for scholarships,
library materials, musical instruments, and student union funds.
On January 3, the Community-College Fund was established, and
these funds were designed to be used in areas not funded by the
state.
The college did receive many gifts from the local population as noted in this statement by Vasche at the end of the academic year:
All of us at Stanislaus State
College appreciate the many thoughtful gifts which have been provided
during this first year of operation. We have received a number
of substantial amounts from the friends of the college for scholarship
and loan fund use. Many books and other materials for instruction
have been generously donated. In addition, the Community-College
Council has helped to focus public attention upon the needs of
the college for materials and funds in those areas not covered
by state appropriations. We encourage the general public to consider
making gifts to the college, particularly when the gifts can
be used to the benefit of our students. We have tried to give
public recognition for all such gifts, and this will continue
to be our policy.
The president also knew of the importance of the
local broadcast media and set out to exploit it for the benefit
of the campus. He and Gerard Crowley spoke about the campus on
weekly radio broadcasts, KBEE (Modesto) at 1-1:15 pm and KTRB
(Modesto) at 7-7:15 pm. Also there was a daily feature Monday
through Friday on KTUR (Turlock) at 5:45. KBEE (Modesto) had a
weekly program on Wednesday at 1 pm.
Vasche's schedule was busy with speaking engagements
at such forums as the Modesto Lions Club, Future Teachers of Stockton,
YMCA, Hilmar PTA, Hilmar Grange, and Turlock Ministerial Union.
Others at the campus were also active on the speaking circuit
and radio, advertising the new college and trying to make a positive
impression on the community. Acceptance by the community was
paramount to the success of the college.
One of the personal means of communication was the
campus telephone system. It had a rough beginning as one might
expect with such technology. The telephone system at the fairgrounds
had lines going off campus and had an intercom network on campus.
The intercom conversations began blocking outside phone calls,
and hence, on November 8th this was issued to the campus employees:
During the past two weeks there
have been a number of instances where the Inter-com line has
been tied up with faculty or staff members in conversation for
extended periods of time. This has made it impossible for some
important outside phone calls to be routed to the proper parties.
Two suggestions: 1. On-campus calls on the inter-com should
be brief and to the point, and 2. If necessary to call the Admissions
Office, you might dial one of the outside lines not in use.
Other phone difficulties were announced on November
14:
Long Distance phone charges
amounted to $169.75 for the period of September 15 through October
15, 1960. Of this amount, $32.70 was not recorded on the report
of the long distance Telephone calls. Your cooperation in listing
every toll call on the log sheet will be appreciated.
With such a small student body, students had the
habit of using campus phones for personal purposes. On December
19, they were requested not to do this but to use the pay phones
found at College Hall and Pioneer Hall. Was the welcome wearing
off? Probably not. The campus may have been showing its first
signs of growth. This was definitely the case when the new switchboard
was installed on February 15, 1961. The Campus Digest commented:
"The installation of this unit is another indication that
SSC has reached a new milestone in growth and development."
Operators of this new technology were Pat Hillis, Esther Noda,
Mary Jo Ferrise, and Nanci Hamner.
More new technology comes to campus as recorded by
President Vasche on April 5, 1961:
EASY DOES IT.
Stanislaus State College is pleased that the first IBM unit, a
Key Punch machine, has arrived and is now in operation in the
Admissions Office. The sorter has been shipped, and will soon
be put to use. Not only will this equipment expedite the work
of the central office stafff, but it will provide more efficient
service for the college students today and in the future. You
are invited to drop in and see the equipment in operation.
The assignment of rooms became a problem. The president's
cabinet met on February 28 to clarify the issue. It was decided
that the Admissions Office had the responsibility of assigning
rooms for instruction, and the Campus Development Office had the
responsibililty of scheduling rooms for special meetings, daily
instructional changes, and any other emergencies.
The smoking debate began on January 6, 1961 when
smoking was prohibited in the classrooms but allowed in the hallways.
This notice was posted:
PLEASE NO SMOKING IN CLASSROOMS
- Recently a fire was discovered in one of the trash receptacles
located in a classroom. Quick action by Mr. Ortman in extinguishing
the blaze averted what could have been a serious fire. Please
observe the regulations! Do not smoke in any of the classrooms.
Place all cigarette stubs in the sand recepticles; not in the
waste baskets.
Compliance was slow because on January 17th, another
waste basket caught fire.
The competition for union membership began on December
2, 1960 when the local chapter, Don Pedro Chapter #67 of the California
State Employees Union (CSEA), hosted a free turkey dinner as part
of a membership drive. CSEA's best incentive for membership was
group health insurance. To get state paid insurance CSEA membership
was necessary.
A milestone in the infant college's short life was
a change in its parental body. On the November 1960 ballot, Proposition
4 was passed, which established the California State College
System. It was to be governed by a board of trustees beginning
on July 1, 1961, with its chief executive officer holding the
title of "Chancellor." For 98 years the state colleges
had been under the direction of the State Board of Education,
Superintendent of Public Instruction. With this new structure
it became the world's largest body of higher education and stated
purpose was: "to be California's major source of new teachers
while filling an expanding role as well-equiped and well-staffed
regional centers of higher education." On March 4, 1961,
Library Director Dean Galloway, Dr. John Caswell, and President
Vasche attended a meeting of the new trustees at Fresno.
Accreditation would be a concern of the new college.
At the faculty meeting of October 31st, Vasche announced that
preliminary accreditation meetings were to be held with the Western
College Association. He asked Gerard Crowley to form a committee
and establish a meeting schedule to begin the preparatory work.
A very important member of the President Vasche's
staff was his personal secretary, Lorraine Johnson who he "stole
from Turlock High School" complained her former employer
in jest. He paid tribute to her in the Campus Digest, May
25th:
TRUE LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE.
A college is a complex organization. A key person in our operations
at Stanislaus State College this first year is Miss Lorraine
Johnson, Secretary to the President. While she has been responsible
fo the general operation of the central office, her contributions
to the welfare of SSC have gone far beyond any list of duties
or responsibilities. Her pleasant manner and her spirit of cooperation
have made their mark upon all students and faculty. Her fund of
information has helped all of us over the rough spots, and her
always willingness-to-do an extra job has made possible the achievements
of many things otherwise would not have been possible. Lorraine
Johnson's ability to work with people has been reflected in the
wonderful support which come to the college from many sources;
her creativity has been felt in all college activities; and her
own interest in people has made the days happier ones for those
of us who know and work with her. We are mighty pleased that
she is at SSC!
The first support staff members were:
Leona Anderson
Irene Hatfield
Yvonne Baptiste
Harry Hlad
Barbara Benjamin
Lorraine
Johnson
Barbara Bullard
Patricia Moore
Majorie Channing
Esther Noda
Maude Edmonson
Milard Ortman
Mildred Eshnaur
Ruth Petit
Mary Jo Ferrise
Ernest Rives
Christine
Frederick
The first student body of the new college was atypical.
The average age of the SSC student was 37 with the youngest being
19 and the oldest was 66. The student already had two years of
college, and they were all commuters. Still the students needed
to be organized to have a voice on campus. The first student body
meetings were held on Wednesday, September 21, 1960 at these hours:
12:15 to 1:00 pm - Student Body Meeting for day
students
6:30 to 7:15 pm - Student Body Meeting for late afternoon
and evening students
President Vasche circulated a document on that same day entitled: "The Role of Student Government at SSC." In it he stated:
In its initial year, the college
will not be able to participate in formal intercollegiate athletics,
and instead, stress will placed on the development of the structure
for student government and student activities which can be implemented
as the college develops in the next three-year period. It is hoped
that SSC students this year will establish a student newspaper
and a yearbook, and that they will have the full cooperaton of
the faculty.
At the October 19, 1960 Student Body meeting, the
final draft of the constitution was completed. The Organizational
Committee approved the entry of the campus into the Far West Turkey
Amateur Judging Contest. Another item of business was the drafting
of plans to hold a contest concerning the selection of the college
motto, colors and mascot. At the meeting, it was noted that the
first legitimate student publication would be the "SSC Student
Directory" which would be available on October 24th.
On October 21, 1960, a call for the submission of
entries concerning school colors, mascot, newspaper name, yearbook
name, motto, and emblem was announced. Winners would have a life
memberships in the Student Body Association. On November 23, a
faculty commitee was appointed to review the entries. Its members
were Tom Emmons (Chair), Joseph Bruggman, Ernest Rives, Richard
Reinholtz.
President Vasche wrote on December 12, 1960 concerning
this matter:
Every new college has the problem
of choosing certain emblems to mark it as an individual and distinct
institution. We must give long thought to determining the mind
set which we want developed within the general public of California
as it relates to Stanislaus State College. The choice of colors
carries much psychological meaning, and certainly any emblem
which is to be adopted to distinguish the college athletic teams
must be one which not only will meaningful, but likewise will
carry certain inspiration and color. Members of the student body
in the early stages of college development carry a tremendous
responsibility, in that their decisions will remain with the college
for many decades to come. It is desirable therefore, that all
considerations concerning such items be given long thought, and
decisions made only after all points of views have been considered.
Certainly the rich historical heritage which this section of California
has, includes many implications for the selections of the college
motto, its colors, and the emblem which will describe its representative
- be it in athletics or in other student groups.
On December 12th, Charlotte Silva's entry of "Warriors"
won for mascot. It would go to the Student Senate, student body
activity staff, and to the faculty for approval. "Legend"
was selected by the yearbook committee to be the name of the yearbook
which was approved by the Student Senate and needed faculty approval
as well. Also selected was the seal of the college which would
be the California State College System seal with the words "Founded
in 1960" written on it.
The ratification of the school colors by the Student
Senate was announced on April 13, 1961 which would be red, gold,
and light green. These colors would the "replace interim
colors" selected earlier. The colors are described in this
Campus Digest article:
SSC SENATE RATIFIES SCHOOL
COLORS - The banners of SSC will fly high
the colors of Rich Red, Gold and Light Green! Final approval
was given at a regular meeting of the Student Senate held Wednesday
afternoon. As explained, Rich Red relates to the Indian and
his vibrant coloring, Gold is a reminder of the discovery of gold
in California and the part it played in the westward expansion
of our country, and Light Green denotes the vast agricultural
resources of our central valley.
The selection of "Warrior" for the college's
mascot brought this contribution from the community. The Associated
Student Body received on June 6,1960 " . . . an Indian plaque
from Mrs. Walter G. Lang of Turlock. This hanging represents the
'Warrior' which was recently selected as the college emblem."
The first student body election was held November
4, 8 am, through November 10, 8:30 pm. The polling booth was in
the main corridor of College Hall. It was for the purpose of ratifying
the proposed student constitution and the election of officers
of the Associated Students.
The results of the first Student Body election, 1960-61:
President---Dick Brown
V. President---James E. Lynch
Secretary---Kay Norton
Treasurer---Robert Turnbow
Atty. General---Owen O'Callaghan
Justices---William Green, Bill Pringle, Douglas Hendricks, Louise Siewert
Coordinator of Student Activities---Thelma Keenan
The results of the second Student Body election,
1961-62, were announced on May 26th:
President---Robert Turnbow
V. President---Jackie Smith
Justices---Barbara Ross Patricia Lashbrook, Loree McGill
Secretary---Carolyn
Clapp
Treasurer---Bill York
Atty. General---Abe Rojas
Coordinator of Student Activities---Janice Berbena
Women Students' Representative---Lynda Talbert
Men Students'
Representative---Lee Fernandes,
On March 2, 1961 first junior class officers were
elected:
President---Lee Fernandes
V. President---Janice
Berbena
Secretary-Treasurer---Carolyn Clapp
Women Students' Rep.---Jackie Smith
Men Students' Rep.---Frank Beltram
On March 13, 1961 first senior class officers were
announced:
President---Beverly Palmer
V. President---
Doris Nelson
Secretary-Treasurer---Tom Maples
Women
Students' Rep.---Bette Stokes
Men Students' Rep.---Frank Runsten
Professor Lola Johnson met November 2nd with students
interested in working on the student newspaper and yearbook. Roy
Wilson was chosen to be the editor of the student newspaper, and
Ken Williams became the editor of the yearbook.
Members of the newspaper staff as submitted on November
16th were:
Editor---Roy Wilson
Reporters---Lionel Williams, Polly Olsson, Paula West, Delores
Litttle
News Editor---Truitt Roebuck
Copy Editor---Kay
Norton
Feature Editor---Walt Stinnett
Faculty Advisor---Lola Johnson
The first issue of the student newspaper was published
on December 13, 1960 edited by Roy Wilson and under the direction
of Professor Lola Johnson, adviser. The Campus Digest commented,
"The Signal has certainly set an enviable standard
for publications at our new college." President Vasche made
these comments in the first issue:
The publication of the first
issue of the Student Newspaper of Stanislaus State College marks
a milestone in the development of the Student Body and the College.
Congratulations to the Student Body on the publication of th first
issue!
Lola Johnson announced June 1, 1961, that the Creative
Writers' Club would be publishing a magazine entitled "The
Outlet" and would have its first issue ready the next day.
A faculty committee was appointed on December 13th "To advise the Student Body on fiscal affairs, to review the student body budget and budget practices and to make budget recommendations to the student body and to the president of the college." Its membership consisted of Ernest Rives (Chair), Lorraine Johnson, Lola Johnson, Tom Emmons, and Gerard Crowley.
The first student-sponsored activity was held in
late November which was a potluck. Some 100 student, faculty,
and staff members attended. President Vasche spoke on the aims
and goals of the college. Student Body President Dick Brown introduced
the student body officers, and music was provided by the Tetra-chords,
a woman's barber shop quartet of Modesto.
On January 26, 1961, it was announced that Dr. Bruggman,
Music Department, was appointed as Associate Dean of Student
Affairs. Bruggman was " . . . responsible for a comprehensive
long-range program of student activities and for directing various
public ceremonies which the student body holds."
On February 20, President Vasche commented on the necessity of student activities:
During the recent months a number
of clubs and other student activities have been added to the general
offerings of the college. While scholarship and study constitute
the goals of this institution, it is imperative that opportunity
be provided for wholesome recreational activities for all students.
In a complex student body, obviously, this requires a number
of diversified activities, and as student groups exhibit interest
in activities, the college will do all in its power to help make
such activities possible. Let us place primary responsibility
upon the student body for enumerating areas of possible recreational
interest, and then the faculty of the college will be pleased
to cooperate in helping to carry out the program. It is hoped
that well-planned and well-conducted student activities will
supplement the high quality educational program characteristic
at SSC.
The college had some exposure in the November 1960
issue of Turkey Producer, a national industrial magazine.
It had an article on the Far West Turkey Show to be held at the
Stanislaus County Fairgrounds with information on Stanislaus State
College. It was announced that the Sixth Annual Far West Turkey
Show would be held at Pioneer Hall on December 6-8. SSC student
judges were selected to represent the college who were Dave Galatro,
Ed Waller, and Cedric Benjamin. These amateur judges took third
in the turkey judging contest behind Fresno State College and
Pierce College.
The first college dance was held on December 16 at
the College Hall. Prices were $1.50 for a couple and $1 for an
individual. Attire was semi-formal. Its theme was "Winter
Wonderland," and there was the crowning of "Mary Christmas"
who was Darlene Ferriera and "Saint Nick" who was Bob
Turnbow. The organizing committee members were: Darlene Ferriera
(Chair), Ed Waller (Publicity and Tree Selection), Cedric Benjamin
(Music), Rita Luna (Decorations), and Jackie Smith (Tickets).
The next dance, "Hello Again," was held
February 17, 9-1, at College Hall with Hal Holmes and Orchestra
providing the music. The donations taken at the event were used
for student activities. It had a Valentine Day's theme, and Rita
Luna was the chair of the committee.
The first Junior-Senior Prom took place on May 19th
and was held in the open-air pavilion on the fairgrounds. The
entire college staff was invited. The theme was "Moonlight
and Roses" with music provided by Ken Lindley and his band.
The first baccalaureate was held January 22, 4:30
pm, at the Turlock High School Auditorium. Those present beside
students were faculty, local ministers, the SSC Chorus (Dr. Bruggman
directing), and President Vasche presiding. The program was:
The Very Rev. Monsignor Francis
McKenna of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Merced will give
the Invocation followed by congregational singing and the reading
of scripture by Rev. Willard E. Banghart of the Community Methodist
Church in Oakdale. The SSC Chorus will present "Sanctus"
by Schubert and the local pastor of the First Christian Church
, Rev. Primus Bennett has been selected to deliver the prayer.
"Jewels from King Solomon's Mines" is the topic for
the sermon by the Rev. Hartzell Cobbs of the First Christian
Church of the First Christian Church of Modesto, and the Rev.
Harry Murakami of the Grace Methodist Church in Livingston will
pronounce the benediction. With Mrs. Agnelsa M. Teachenor at
the organ, the Recessional will conclude this sacred ceremony.
The first commencement was held at 8 pm, Saturday,
January 28, 1961 at Turlock High School auditorium. Twenty-five
students received diplomas. President Vasche was the keynote speaker,
speaking on "This Pioneering Year." These three students
also spoke: Patricia Hillier, Frances Weir, and Norman Bruce Weston.
Hillier's topic was "History of the College and Class;"
Weston spoke on "Education in the Development of California;"
and Frances talked about "The Meaning of Education."
The orchestra providing the music for the occasion consisted of
community members who volunteered their musical services.
The members of the first graduating class of January
28, 1961 were:
Bachelor of Arts Degree:
Bachelor of Education Degree:
Ronald H. Baker (Ceres)
Haig Arakelian (Modesto)
Joanne Enyeart New (Oakdale)
Erma I Atwood (Modesto)
Gayle Norman Pinkney (Turlock)
Jeanette
B. Bessac (Riverbank)
Alice F. Porter (Modesto)
Alfred W, Bookwalter
(Patterson)
Lolita Week Seguin (Modesto)
Claudia Barker Fisher
(Oakdale)
Snow K. Shoji (Livingston)
Patricia Gaultney Hillier
(Modesto)
Simmon J. Smith (Modesto)
Beatrice Kelton (Ceres)
Barbara Ruth Spratling (Keyes)
Mary A. McG. Landers (Livingston)
Wilma R. Thompson (Cressey)
Jack McArthur (Modesto)
Edith Muriel
Trapasso (Sonora)
Marilyn L. Nelson (Merced)
Dorothy M. Weichert
(Waterford)
Robby Dale Nelson (Atwater)
Norman Bruce Weston
(Turlock)
June Owens Covers (Modesto)
Frances Shilling Weir (Merced)
The Senior Banquet was held on May 20th, 7 pm, at
El Patio Restaurant in Modesto. The prime rib dinner cost $3.75.
Graduating seniors, non-graduating seniors, and faculty attended.
The second Baccalaureate service was held June 4,
1961 at 4:30 pm at the Turlock High School auditorium. Rev. Harold
F. Blakeley, pastor of the First Methodist Church of Merced delivered
the sermon. There were several other ministers involved in the
service. President Vasche presided and considered it " .
. . one of the most important college funtions this year."
The SSC Chorus under the direction of Dr. Bruggman sang"Beautiful
Savior."
Saturday, June 10, at 8 pm, the second commencement
was held at the Turlock High School auditorium where over 60 students
received degrees. President Vasche spoke on "The Pursuit
of Excellence." Librarian Dean Galloway gave an address on
"The Reader's Progress." There were two student speakers.
Cleo Maley talked on the "Opportunity - Blueprint for Progress"
and Kenneth Williams spoke on "A Partnership in Education."
Two ministers participated with Rev. Primus Bennett of the First
Christian Church of Turlock giving the Invocation and Rev. Harold
F. Beutler of the Patterson Sacred Heart Catholic Church giving
the Benediction. The graduating class was presented by Gerard
Crowley and President Vasche conferred the degrees. Cleo Maley
and Alyce Fastenau were commended for their grade point average
of above 3.5 achieved primarily from other colleges before coming
to SSC.
The "J. Burton Vasche Award" was established
by the senior class in May 1961 and was for this purpose:
. . . annually honor the graduating
senior, who by a continual display of the highest standards of
leadership, cooperation, participation, determination, and scholarship
symbolizes the spirit of Stanislaus State College.
Graduating senior Ken Williams was selected for the
first Vasche Award. The award committee consisted of George Kreuder(Chairman),
Marie Fiorini, Caryl Campbell, and John McVey.
At the May 11th faculty meeting, Dr. Bruggman announced that the formation of an
Alumni Association from the current senior class
members was in process. A faculty advisor was needed.
The College Singers gave their first performance
in downtown Turlock on December 15. The group was organized by
Dr. Bruggman and directed by student Sylvia Satern. Its officers
were Roberta Silveria (President), Barbara Wright (Secretary),
Margaret Hefer (Librarian), and Tom Maples (Sergeant-at-Arms).
The first college-area concert was performed on May
13 under the direction of Dr. Bruggman. The orchestra was composed
of SSC faculty, students and staff, and also community members.
Sylvia Ghiglieri was the soloist of the evening who performed
the first movement of "Mozart Piano Concerto." President
Vasche commented on the performance: "Stanislaus State College
has received enthusiastic support from every part of the six counties
served by the college. We have scheduled this concert as a demonstration
of our appreciation of this support."
The student body held fundraisers to meet some of
the expenses incurred by student organizations. The junior class
had a bake sale on April 19 to raise funds for the prom and other
activities.There was a SSC car wash on April 29 at Security State
Bank facility for $1 a car. For the price of $4.50 one would receive
a car wash and a copy of the campus' yearbook, The Legend.
The Turlock Horsemen's Club held a horse show and
rodeo on June 3-4, 1961, as a fundraiser for Stanislaus State
students. SSC students helped at concession stands, the gate,
and parking lots.
In was announced that $27,000 was available for student
loans. Each student could borrow up to $1,000 a year with a maximum
of $5,000 for four years. The college had $4,500 worth of federal
money available to students as well. A scholarship committee was
formed on August 17, 1960 with John Caswell serving as chairman
with members President Vasche, Dean Galloway, and Mary Brynes.
The committee worked closely with the Turlock Rotary Club of scholarships.
The call went out for "SSC loyal boosters"
to be at Angels Camp to support the frog, "Stan the First,"
owned and jockeyed by student Ed Waller. The frog jumping contest
was held May 21, but he impounded the frog on the Thursday prior
for rest and safety precautions. The frog jumped 6 feet and 4
1/2 inches.
On the matter of the student job market, this was
posted in the Campus Digest, January 25, 1961.
MEN NEEDED FOR FIRE HOUSE - Two men are needed
as "Sleepers" at the Rural Fire House, just across
the canal from SSC. Regular Dorm facilities with cooking previleges
are provided in exchange for fire call answering at night. Check
with Ruth Petit in the Admissions Office is you are interested.
The first faculty member hired was Dr. Lloyd E. Bevans
who served as Professor of Elementary Education. He had worked
for the State Department of Education since 1950. He was hired
May 25, 1960, and President Vasche called his appointment "a
key move" because the SSC curriculum would emphasize education.
Gerald J. Crowley was appointed on June 10, 1960
as Campus Development Officer. He would be reponsible for the
planning of the permanent campus and to serve as Associate Professor
of Education. Crowley too came from the State Department of Education.
He graduated from Loyola College and earned his master's at Boston
University. He had taught naval science for three years at Stanford
University.
On July 5, 1960, two new faculty appointments were
announced: R. Dean Galloway from Humboldt State College with
a master's degree from University of Southern California, was
to be the College Librarian, and James C. Hanson, with degrees
and teaching experience from the College of the Pacific, was to
teach science.
On July 18, 1960, two more faculty appointments were
announced: Dr. Mary L. Byrnes, from Contra Costa elementary schools,
was appointed as Associate Professor of Education, and Charles
R. Farrar, a teacher and administrator at Glenn and Humboldt counties,
was appointed as Assistant Professor of Education.
On August 1, 1960, Dr. Joseph E. Bruggman, with wide
background in music and music education, was appointed as Associate
Professor of Music and Education. His degrees were from Columbia
University. On August 5, 1960, Dr. Tom Emmons was appointed to
head secondary education instruction.
On August 15, 1960, Enoch J. Haga was appointed to
teach business education; Lola V. Johnson, from the College of
the Pacific, was appointed to teach English composition and literature;
Dr. Tom H. Emmons was named Associate Dean and appointed as Director
of Registration; Richard Reinholtz was appointed Assistant Professor
of Art; Miriam C. Maloy was hired as Cataloging Librarian coming
from Humboldt State College; and Dr. Paula Loeffler was appointed
as Professor of Chemistry and to teach German as well. She had
been a research assistant at Stanford and Princeton.
First faculty meeting was held Thursday, September 1, 1960, at 9 am. It was held in the Board of Directors Room of the Stanislaus County Fair. President Vasche convened. Those present were:
Dr. J. Burton Vasche (President)
Mr. Charles R. Farrar (Education)
Dr. Lloyd E. Bevans (Education)
Mr. R. Dean Galloway (Library)
Dr. Joseph E. Bruggman (Music
& Educ.)
Mr. Enoch J. Haga (Business)
Dr. Mary L. Byrnes
(Education)
Mr. James C. Hanson (Science)
Dr. John E. Caswell
(Social Science)
Miss Lola V. Johnson (English)
Mr. Gerard J.
Crowley (Campus Develop.)
Dr. Paula K. Loeffler (Physical Science)
Dr. Tom Emmons (Admissions & Records)
Mr. Richard B. Reinholtz
(Art & Educ.)
Mr.
Ernest E. Rives (Business Manager)
Miss E. Lorraine Johnson (Secretary)
First faculty meeting's agenda was:
Introduction of Lyla Hayes, Secretary to the Fair
Board
President reviewed schedule of events and distributed
the "Staff Manual"
President spoke formally of "The
Role of Stanislaus State College"
Coffee Break
Dean Galloway spoke on library operation, volunteers, and the
"Library Manual for Faculty Members"
Gerard
Crowley spoke about the development of the permanent campus
Ernest
Rives spoke on the bookstore, textbook ordering, mail system,
telephone calls, and group insurance
Tom Emmons spoke
on enrollment, class size, and foreign language curriculum Discussion
of foreign language program
President spoke about a degree
requirement committee
President concluded with remarks on the
responsibilities and privileges of the founding faculty
President Vasche's opening comments at the first
faculty:
It is with pleasure that I welcome
you to Stanislaus State College. This is a most important day,
for it signifies the begining of what will become one of California's
and the nation's outstanding institutions of higher learning.
This day will forever stand high in the history
S.S.C. because it marks the first time that faculty has assembled,
to start to work in ernest to build the wonderful college that
is to follow.
. . . I know that you have come here in large part
because you see the tremendous challenge which lies before us,
and you are determined to make you contribution to the achievements
that are to come.
You were selected as a member of the faculty because
of your training, experience, viewpoint toward your field and
toward higher education in general, and because of your professed
desire to work with your associates at the college on behalf of
the common purpose . . .
This college will require for its development a
sharing of time and thinking, the like of which no other institution
has probably experienced. We must build from scratch. We must
live together in quarters which fall far below accepted standards
for college instruction. We must buy new houses and finance the
purchase of new sofas, refrigerators, dining room sets, and other
household items at inflated prices. We must adjust to a new community
and to new friends. Our children must relocate in new schools
and face changes . . .
All of our attention must be focused upon the kind
of teaching and other influences which we exert upon the student
group. The college this first year will have as its students
many mature and professionally experienced men and women. There
will be a wide interests, of abilities, objectives and needs,
and I urge you to give every consideration to personalizing and
individualizing your instructional services . . .
The faculty must decide upon the quality which it
desires to build within the instructional program. It is my own
hope that you will set your standards extremely high, and that
the student who leaves this institution with a degree or credential
will leave with a full assurance that the time was well spent
and that while he had to work hard, the instructor was fair and
from the experiences, he gained a vast amount of new learning
and new attitudes . . .
It will never be the policy of the President to
issue dictums to you, just as he will not impose upon you patterns
of organization or committees. To be most effective, all here
must work in unison in determining organization and ways of best
working together . . .
The challenges and opportunities facing us are great,
but we are indeed privileged people to be here today to take
the first step in the development of this wonderful new institution,
Stanislaus State College.
The next faculty meeting was held from 3:30 to 5:30
pm, Wednesday, September 21, at the Fair Director's office. It
was for the purpose of evaluating the first week of classes. A
subsequent faculty meeting was held on September 23 and concerned
community speaking, junior college transfers, Campus Digest,
telephones, mail boxes, and curriculum development. And yet another
faculty meeting was held on Friday, September 30th to discuss
the master's degree program.
Vasche notified faculty that attendance at faculty
meetings was required:
ATTENDANCE AT FACULTY MEETINGS: Each scheduled meeting
of the faculty will have as its purpose the review of basic policy
matters or the dissemination of information of importance to
the faculty. It is expected that all full-time faculty members
will be present at meetings, and that meetings may start on time
and close within the time allotted. Full-time faculty members
who find it necessary to be excused from attendance at any scheduled
faculty meeting should make arrangements with Miss Lorraine Johnson.
The faculty needed to develop its governance structure.
The Trustees of the California State Colleges passed a resolution
on April 6 establishing faculty policy-making bodies on campuses:
RESOLVED, That it is the policy
of the Board of Trutees of the California State Colleges that
a representative faculty body be established at each state college
for the purpose of participating in the determination of educational
and professional policy.
Librarian Galloway was appointed chair of the Faculty
Study Committee on October 7, 1960. The committee was to report
back with a plan on organizing the faculty. A Faculty Constitution
Committee was formed with Lloyd Bevans and John Caswell as co-chairs,
and members Dean Galloway, Lola Johnson, and Tom Emmons. Galloway
reported that he was receiving faculty constitutions from sister
campuses, and they would be available in the library to review.
At the April 13th faculty meeting with Faculty Speaker
Bevans presiding, the faculty constitution was approved. These
are some of the important sections:
(1) The preamble read:
We the General Faculty of Stanislaus
State College, in order to promote mutual respect, fellowship,
and harmony among all of its members, in order to assure that
the collective knowledge, judgment and experience of its membership
shall enter into the formulation of its college policies; and
in order to promote academic freedom with responsibility, directed
toward the best possible education of all students, do adopt this
constitution.
(2) Concerning the faculty's role, Article I of
the constitution stated:
The primary interest of the faculty is teaching,
and every effort is made to retain and strengthen an atmosphere
which assists both the student and faculty in the pursuit and
dissemination of knowledge.
While legal responsibility rests with the President,
there is clear delegation of duties and well-understood procedures
for the conduct of all details of the college program, all developed
through close cooperation of college personnel.
(3) Concerning general faculty membership, Article
III of the constitution stated:
Full membership of the General
Faculty shall be the President, Deans, Associate and Assistant
Deans, Professors of all ranks, Instructors, Librarians II or
above, the Business Manager, and the Campus Development Officer.
(4) Concerning faculty powers, Article IV of the
constitution stated:
The General Faculty shall make
recommendations to the President of the college and the Board
of Trustees of the California State Colleges in regard to academic
standards, establishment of curricula and matters of general policy.
The General Faculty shall vote final approval of all degrees.
The faculty needed to develop peer review procedures
for retention, promotion and tenure. This was announced on December
13, 1960 in the Campus Digest:
Important Committee Needed
- There is need for the faculty to give
careful thought at this time to the establishment of a faculty
committee to the concerned with the selection, orientation, promotion
and tenure of faculty members. Can we plan to establish such a
committee not later than mid-January?
No committee was formed; consequently at the May
25th faculty meeting, the president asked the faculty:
(1) To set up machinery so that
a committee of peers can judge fellow faculty members for promotion.
This committee may want to judge procedures used by other institutions
of similar standing, and prepare criteria to be approved by the
President of the college
(2) Determine criteria for retention
(3) To see him if there are problems
The members of the first Retention, Promotion and
Tenure (RPT) Committee were elected on May 25th and were: John
Caswell, Lloyd Bevans, and Dean Galloway (chair). The committee
was given the charge of determining criteria for RPT and procedure.
The library had on file copies of RPT processes at other campuses
to review and to guide the committee in its deliberations.
On June 1st, the RPT Committee introduced at the
General Faculty Meeting these basic tenets:
(1) RPT Committee recommendations are confidential
and go to the President (2) RPT Committee will not evaluate
deans or their staff (3) RPT Committee will not recommend
more than one-step increases (4) RPT Committee will require
a doctorate degree for promotion from assistant to associate
except in disciplines were the terminal degree is a masters.
President Vasche made these comments in the Campus
Digest on March 6, 1961, concerning faculty research:
We can indeed be proud of the
many fine contributions which have been made to the literature
during the first college year by members of the SSC faculty.
Much of this has been accomplished in spite of heavy teaching
loads and the pressures of opening a college in temporary facilities
as was the case this past fall. Let us hope that there can be
developed here a tradition of faculty study and writings of high
quality, and that the college can maintain a permanent list of
such contributions, as evidence of the quality and leadership
of it teaching body.
Faculty committee work began in earnest early in
the college's history with a host of committees being formed.
A curriculum committee was organized to study master's degrees
in education, social sciences, and English. The Faculty Handbook
Committee was appointed on October 31 with membership of Tom Emmons
(Chair), Ernest Rives, Gerard Crowley, Dean Galloway, and Lorraine
Johnson. The goal was to have a "Faculty Handbook" ready
for Fall 1961. The first Commencement Committee met on November
29th with membership of Tom Emmons (Chair), President Vasche,
Lloyd Bevans, Gerard Crowley, and John Caswell. On April 10th,
two new committees were appointed: (1) Educational Planning Committee
with representatives from each of the academic areas: humanities,
education-psychology, business, social science, science and the
library; (2) the Rules Committee membership included Dean Galloway,
R.C. Ferguson, and John Caswell.
At the May 25th faculty meeting, Chair of the General
Faculty Committee, John Caswell, listed the topics on which the
committee would concentrate its attention:
General education program, honors
program, instruction improvement, student events policy, individual
study standards, registration policy and procedure, policy regarding
incompletes, assistance of reading papers, travel to professional
meetings, undergraduate credit, public issues, master's degree,
new course offerings, extension courses, summer session policy,
probation and disqualification, faculty staffing formula, standards
for graduates in undergraduate courses, and role of research
and its financing.
Faculty began to investigate salary and benefit issues.
Galloway reported at the October 31st faculty meeting on the deliberations
of the State College Salary Committee of which he was a member.
Also Librarian Galloway announced at the May 11th faculty meeting
that the Modesto Chapter of the American Association of University
Professors had invited all SSC faculty to a June 2nd dinner where
San Francisco State President Glenn Dumke was to speak on the
California Master Plan.
The president announced on January 7th that the campus
was to be budgeted for 38.3 faculty positions for 1961-62 an increase
of 26 from 1960-61; consequently, new fulltime faculty were added.
Dr. Lorna M. Swain, school psychologist at Stanislaus County Schools,
was appointed to teach education courses concerning gifted children.
Agnes Bennett joined the library staff as a cataloger on February
21, 1961. She had worked at Idaho University and Fresno County
Library.
Dr. Max Norton, Director of the Department of Speech
and Hearing of Modesto City Schoools, was appointed to teach speech
and drama. Dr. David Stenzel was hired to teach European history.
He had taught at UC, Berkeley and Stanford. Clifford Cunha was
appointed to the Music Department. He had wide experience as a
teacher of music.
New faculty announced on May 22nd were: Walter Kohn
appointed as a librarian with a master's degree from UCLA; Dr.
James N. Javaher was to teach physical science. He had a doctorate
from the University of Paris, France; Roy Wilson was to teach
journalism and assist in campus planning. He had a degree from
Fresno State College; Rudolph Ferguson was to teach math, and
he had a degree from COP.
More new faculty announcements on June 5th were:
Dr. Donald Frantz, Jr. was to teach English and humanities, and
Glenn Hackwell was to teach biology. Frantz had doctorate from
University of Southern California. Hackwell had an MS from Brigham
Young University; Dr. James Conant was hired to teach education
and was working under a $300,000 Carnegie grant which was studying
the preparation of public school teachers and the criteria for
their employment as established by local, regional, and state
education authorities.
It was announced on January 20: "Faculty attention!
To assure that all final examinations are prepared in the form
and at the time needed, all copy must be submitted to Mrs. Hatfield
by 1:00 P.M. January 21 Saturday." This was the beginning
of the secreterial staff's longterm nightmare of having exams
printed on time.
Cap and gowns were necessary for the two commencements.
Rental costs for cap, gown, and hood were $6 for bachelor's, $7
for master's, and $8 doctor's. To purchase them the price was
from $40 to $70.
On October 18, 1960, the Faculty Wives Club was
chartered with Mrs. Joseph E. Bruggman as chair and Mrs. John
E. Caswell as secretary. The meeting was held at the home of the
president and his wife. The president spoke on the topic "The
Role of the State College Wife" that outlined the need for
faculty wives to become acquainted with the college's service
area. The official purpose of the club was "Education-Information-Social."
President Vasche disclosed on May 25, 1960 that for
the first few years the college would only offer junior and senior
classes. The SSC program was designed for students who were attending
other colleges and who now could take courses closer to home.
A full four-year program would be offered once the college was
at its permanent campus.
The State Board of Education approved SSC's degree
offerings on September 15th which were bachelor of arts degrees
for the standard areas of study: art, music, humanities (English,
composition, literature, and speech), mathematics, science, and
social science. On January 6, the board approved degree programs
for a BA in foreign languages and an MA in education.
Gerard Crowley was assigned to direct and coordinate
the instructional plan besides his campus development responsibility.
On October 31, a committee was formed to develop the BA program
in liberal arts. John Caswell was chair and members were Jim Hanson
and Lola Johnson. On April 3, 1961, a call for the formulation
of an Education Planning Committee was submitted to the faculty.
The curriculum emphasized teacher education. Dr.
Mary Byrnes, Associate Professor of Education supervised student
teachers noted that "A small number of student teachers will
be placed in schools immediately. This number will increase substantially
during the second half of the Fall Semester. An extensive student
teacher program is anticipated for subsequent semesters."
In February, 13 students were given assignments of
student teaching in local schools. They were: David Galatro, William
Tullock, Gary Giovannoni, Roy Wilson, Cletus Lilly, Crandle Stiles,
William Inderbitzen, Beatrice Hagens, Robert Ricci, Lionel Williams,
Joseph Zlab, Judith Bush, and Norma Reed. Students who wanted
to be teachers had to file a credential candidacy form with Professors
Bevans, Byrnes, and Farrar by April 21, 1961.
On November 23, 1960, school administrators from
the college's service area participated in a conference on campus
concerning curriculum, campus development and student teaching.
Eighty-three attended which was led by Mrs. E.L. Swanson.
President Vasche wrote in the Campus Digest,
March 13, concerning the music curriculum noting that the college
would develop a comprehensive program in music. Thus far the music
curriculum was used to prepare elementary school student teachers.
Vasche, trying to keep in the forefront of educational
technology, emphasized its uses on campus especially since the
new college lacked broad-based curriculum. Educational television
courses for chemistry and math were offered, 6-7 am daily, from
KMJ (Fresno), KCRA (Sacramento), and KRON (San Francisco). These
courses were connected with NBC. Stanislaus State participated
with Fresno State in sponsoring specially designed courses to
meet the needs of SSC students.
Vasche stated on October 26, "Educational television
is receiving an enthusiastic reception from Stanislaus State College
students." Radio station KBEE of Modesto offered the course
"Survey of Opera" for three hours on Saturdays. About
50 SSC students registered.
First inter-campus television broadcast to be offered
to SSC students took place on January 28-30. It was a three day
symposium telecast entitled "Man and Civilization: Control
of the Mind" from the Medical Center of San Francisco. The
broadcast could be seen at Wheeler Hall at UC, Berkeley.
On November 23, 1960 it was announced that first
issue of Data Processor published by the Society for Automation
in Business Education had arrived. Professor Haga at SSC and a
faculty member at San Diego State organized the society. Its purpose
was "to promote the growth and development of knowledge and
understanding of automation among business teachers and other
interested parties."
Information concerning "teaching machines" appeared in the Campus Digest on December 14, 1960. It was a summarizaton of material found in the book Teaching Machines and Programmed Learning by Arthur A. Lumsdaine and Robert Glaser:
These machines come in all shapes
and sizes priced from $20 to several hundred dollars . . . the
inner works is the 'Program," the carefully sequenced instructional
material which makes up a lesson or course. Estimates indicate
that experts might have to work 2-3 years programming a single
course or lesson . . . might cost as much as $40,000 . . . but
if the programs are used by thousands of students for a number
of years, the per-student cost might not exceed present textbook
costs . . . The machines will free the teacher for really creative
teaching and allow him to concentrate on the problems of the
individual students . . . With our tremendous teacher shortage,
it is preposterous that instructors now have to waste their time
on such jobs as routine drills or grading tests - brighter students
might be able to finish grade school by the age of 10 instead
of 14.
On February 14, Campus Development Officer Gerry
Crowley met with the Turlock High School Board of Trustees concerning
the use of their facility for SSC summer session. Tentatively,
two sessions were planned: (1)six-week regular session, July 3-August
11 (2) four-week post-sesssion, August 14-September 8) There would
be a pre-session held at the fairgrounds in June. Summer Session
and Extension courses fees were $11 per unit.
Concerning the scheduling of 1961 fall courses, this
was announced on May 22nd:
PROGRAM OF COURSES FOR FALL
SEMESTER 61-62 - Members of the faculty are asked to work with
Gerard J. Crowley, Campus Development Officer in preparing the
schedule of courses for the fall semester. Consistent with our
established procedures, each division chairman is asked to work
with his faculty associates in enumerating the courses to be
offered, with the proposed time schedule. In addition to the
listing of courses, it will be necessary for the division chairman
to transmit to Mr. Crowley the titles of books to be used in
the several courses, and needed equipment.
The first college catalog, which covered academic
years 1961-62 and 1962-63, was ready in June 1961. President Vasche
made these comments concerning it: "In the development of
the catalog it is necessary that major programs and the various
fields of study offered by the college be outlined. This has necessitated
many hundreds of hours of hard work on the part of members of
the staff."
Everyone shared the load concerning written English.
The Written English Usage Committee presented to the general faculty
draft student papers "for further consideration, comment,
and adjustment by the faculty." The committee's membership
was Lola Johnson, Lloyd Bevans (Chair), Charles Farrar, and Gerard
Crowley.
On May 25th, President Vasche writing from his Sacramento
office, estimated that student enrollment would be 200 part-time
and full-time students, all in the field of education. But by
August 5th, it was reported that the college had 600 interviews
with students and 300 were admitted. This outpouring of interest
prompted the president to publically state, "We are indeed
gratified at the fine public response which the college has received
these past few weeks."
On August 8th, 400 students had applied for admission,
twice as many women as men. About 140 students wanted fulltime
enrollment with 160 students seeking a BA degree and 50 seeking
completion of Bachelor of Education degrees. Applications were
coming in at 20 per day.
The first registration was held September 15 ,16,
and 17. There were 752 upper division students enrolled. Of this,
124 students took 12 or more units; 61 students took 6 to 12 units;
567 students took six units or less. Fees were $17 for 6 units
or less, and $33 for 7 units and more.
Students came from 38 cities and towns. Listed below
are the number of students and the cities or towns in which they
lived:
48 Atwater
41 Ceres
11 Delhi
15 Denair
7 Escalon
9 Hilmar
10 Hughson
5 Keyes
34 Livingston
9 Los Banos
31 Manteca
56 Merced
223 Modesto
7 Newman
19 Oakdale
18 Patterson
5 Ripon
9 Sonora
4 Stockton
13 Tracy
157 Turlock
7 Waterford
6 Winton
1 each from Gustine, Farmington,Groveland, Banta,Pinecrest, Salida, Dos Palos, Crows Landing, Tuolumne, Lockeford, and San Pablo
2 each from Empire, Cressey, Hickman, and Riverbank
For the first spring semester the total student enrollment
was 820: 205 fulltime, 615 part-time, which calculates into 348.66
full time students.
Demonstrating the importance of a college library,
President Vasche sought a librarian as his third person hired.
He selected R. Dean Galloway of Humboldt State College to be the
College Librarian. Under the leadership of Galloway the library
became the center of learning on the young campus giving the campus
academic credibility and strength to instruction.
By the end of the first academic year the library
had 7,000 volumes of books with 1,000 ready to be used. It had
15,000 issues of periodicals. Some of these materials were purchased
but most were gifts.
Helen Hohenthal, head of the History Department at
Turlock High School and SSC student, donated a collection of books
to the library. Congressman John J. McFall gave a set of U.S.
Treaties and Other International Documents. The Tegner Women's
Civic Club gave the 5 volume set of the History of California,
by Zoeth Skinner Eldridge. The library began collecting books
concerning Scandinavia with the donation by Emory Bonander of
a Swedish-English dictionary. The Swedish Pioneer Historical Society
added three books as well.
Galloway began to develop his professional staff
by hiring Miriam Maloy as technical services librarian, Agnes
Bennett as cataloger, and Louise Carter as the reference librarian.
Dorothy Johnson and Nadine Yaure were hired to assist the library
faculty in their effort to provide excellent library service.
Student help was also needed and advertised with the slogan, "an
opportunity to learn while you earn."
Library hours for 1960-61 were: Monday-Thursday---
8 am to 9 pm
Friday---8 am to 5 pm
Saturday---9 am to
1 pm
Library fines were first charged beginning November 1, 1960 which was the same rate for all California State College libraries:
Two-week materials---$.05 per day
Overnight
& Reserve materials---$.25 for first hour, and $.05 per hour
thereafter
Overdue notices were sent out to students reminding
them to return their library materials. With the third overdue
notice came the requirement that the student make an appointment
with the College Librarian to:
. . . either return the material and pay the fine,
or to explain the reasons for not doing so. Failure to meet this
appointment is punishable by a $2.00 fine and the withholding
of grades, transcripts and the right to register until the library
record in cleared.
In a campus bulletin, the use of the Library of Congress
classification for the book collection was explained. Galloway
commented: "Our college library will never grow to that size
[Library of Congress], but the Library of Congress classification
will effectively serve the needs of the library when it grows
to the size required for a college of 10,000 full time students."
The library routinely sent copies of SSC publications
to the Library of Congress for inclusion in a national database.
This would establish nationally on record that the new college
existed. Sent were college bulletins and schedules, the Campus
Digest, the Signal, the library's acquistion lists,
and other miscellaneous publications.
A library committee was formed to advise the College
Librarian. Members of the first committee were John Caswell (Chair),
Galloway, Lola Johnson, Jim Hanson, and Joe Bruggman. Because
of the emphasis on teacher education, the library developed a
curriculum laboratory of materials to service student teacher
needs.
The need for microfilm in support of the curriculum
came early. The Signal, of May 8th had an article on microfilm.
The headline read "Microfilm Reader Is Asset To SSC's Library
Services." The article went on to describe microfilm and
the microfilm reader-printer available in the library.
Galloway's value to the campus and to the library
profession was seen very early. He was selected to serve on many
important policy making committees on campus. He also was appointed
by Clark Kerr of the University of California to serve 1961-1964
on the Advisory Council on Education for Librarianship.
An audio-visual center needed to be created. Dr.
Bruggman was appointed to develop such a center. A committee was
established to construct long range plans. On the committee were
Dean Galloway, Bruggman, Gerard Crowley, and Lloyd Bevans. Bruggman
contacted audio-visual centers at county and local school districts,
and at the other state colleges to find if materials could be
borrowed or used by the SSC campus. On November 10, 1960, he announced
that a list of films found at McHenry Library (Modesto) which
would be kept on hand at the Admissions Office, and these films
could be borrowed for instruction purposes.To entertain and educate,
Bruggman arranged a film program for the noon hour. The first
films shown were "Our Mr. Sun," "State of Idaho,"
and "Injun."
The college bookstore was opened containing textbooks needed for courses. The hours for the first semester were:
First week:---Monday-Friday---8 am to 9 pm
Successive
weeks---Monday-Friday---10 am to 2 pm
The bookstore needed a name. A contest was held and
the judges were: Joe Bruggman, Rita Luna, Jim Lynch, and Susan
O'Brien, the bookstore manager. The official name of the college
bookstore was announced on May 8. "Kiva" was selected
which means "storehouse" in the Pueblo Indian language.
SSC student Guy T. Guerney had submitted the entry and won a copy
of Webster's New International Dictionary as a prize.
The ordeal of having textbooks available on time
began early in campus history as this piece from the Campus
Digest testifies:
FALL TEXTBOOK ORDERS DUE - To
insure fall textbook delivery the Kiva (campus bookstore) had
requested that fall textbooks be ordered by June 1. During the
week of May 29, forms will be distributed on which to indicate
your choice of texts of the courses of instruction. Will faculty
members please return these completed forms to the Admissions
Office.
Equipment for the use in instruction was a valuable
commodity especially to a new campus. Any suitable gifts were
freely welcomed as this example expresses. On August 22, it was
reported that the campus received $1,000 worth of equipment from
the Modesto summer session of San Francisco State College. Items
included 4 autoharps, 3 tone bells, and 1 kiln for ceramics.
First practice of the men's basketball team took
place on December 8 at the Turlock High School gym. Those attendance
were Frank Beltran, Bill Pringle, Cedric Benjamin, Willis Yates,
Ronald Fernandes, Robert Moore, Gayle Pinkney, Jerry Jerner, and
Jerry Sanders. The team competed in the Turlock City League, and
its first game was played on December 22nd at 8:30 pm against
Turlock Jr. Chamber of Commerce. On January 12th, a game was played
at the Turlock High School gym against the opponent Adams Turkey
Ranch.
A team needs cheering fans; consequently, this appeared
in the February 15th issue of the Campus Digest:
SEE BASKETBALL THURSDAY NIGHT
- The SSC Warriors meet the Jr. Chamber of Commerce tomorrow
night, Thursday, at 8:30 P.M. in the Turlock High School Boys'
Gym. SUPPORT YOUR TEAM!
On February 28th, President Vasche commented on the
SSC's first official sport effort:
Hats off to those brave sons
of SSC who banded together to form the first representative sports
team in college history. The team captured second place in the
Turlock Adult night league by winning Thursday night's game
over the Trailer Mart by a score of 54-51. This first venture
in the sports field may well be termed a success for SSC. We
express our appreciation for the efforts of squad members and
recognize the team as a definite part of the student body program
fo 1960-61. From this small beginning in the sports field, great
things will come in the years ahead. Congratulations again!
A men's baseball team was organized on February 13,
1961, by Bill Pringle, the student director for SSC men's baseball.
Jerry Jerner, Student Body Athletic Commissioner, noted that there
were two semi-professional baseball players interested in playing:
Jerry Streeter and Bill Inderbitzen. By March 6, they were still
looking for more players. They played March 12th, against Crows
Landing Naval Air Force at Turlock High School, but lost by a
score of 4-1.
The "Warrior" tradition began early. Following
a talk he gave on February 19, 1961, The Knights of Columbus presented
Gerard Crowley with a tomahawk to symbolize the "Warriors
of SSC."
Student is recreation is important. The new campus
found sponsorship in the community. Thursday was designated "SSC
Day" at the College Bowl. From 10 am to 4 pm, the rates were
$1 for three games including shoes. There was a student bowling
club on campus for those who were interested.
1. The Controversy Concerning the Permanent Site
of SSC: Modesto or Turlock?
It was decided by state government that upper San
Joaquin Valley needed a state college campus primarily to train
teachers and generally to offer liberal arts education to the
population in the region. Stanislaus County was selected as being
a central location for the six county service area. A number of
sites were submitted, and the number was reduced down to one site
north of Turlock and two sites west of Modesto.
It was assumed by most Modestans that surely one
of the west Modesto sites would be chosen because Modesto had
much more to offer than Turlock. Afterall, Modesto was the center
of county government and population, and it had a junior college.
Culturally it wasn't San Francisco, but it was better than Turlock
in their eyes. When Turlock was chosen, what had been a friendly
competition between two neighboring towns, now became a bitter
disagreement and an outrage. Here are the facts and the history
of the issue.
On November 9, 1956, the State Board of Education
established a policy on site selection for state colleges. The
basic tenets were:
(1) The site must be located near the greatest number
of eligible students in the region (2) The site must be central
to the greatest number of high school graduates in the region
(3)Junior college facilities must be built in the
region before a state college campus could be established
(4) A new state college campus could not jeopardize the
business of private colleges already in the region. (5)
The site must have the minimum commuting time and expense for
students of the region.
Governor Goodwin Knight signed into law on July 5,
1957 an appropriation of $500,000 for acquisition of a state college
site in Stanislaus County. The legislation (AB 166) was authored
by Assemblyman Ralph M. Brown, a Democrat of Stanislaus County
and Assembly Speaker. The money was ready, and now a site needed
to be chosen.
State college site selection was decided by the State
Public Works Board. Its membership consisted of the Director of
Finance, Director of Public Works, Real Estate Commissioner, two
members of the Senate, and two members of the Assembly.
Documents were prepared for the board to review and
testimony was solicited from the supporters of the sites. The
basic arguments concerned these areas:
(1) Center of service area population
(2) Center of service area for graduating high school students
(3) Road and highway access
(4) Soil
(5) Water
table
(6) Cost of site
(7) Location of junior
colleges and other higher education institutions.
Service Area Population
A map entitled "Primary Service Area of Proposed
State College in Stanislaus County" which is found in the
publication "Factors in the selection of a State College
Site in Stanislaus County," by the Division of the State
Colleges and Teacher Education, California State Department of
Education, September 1957, clearly demonstrates the thinking of
state authorities in regard to the center of population for the
six county service area. This is map is the key to the Turlock
argument.
The map eliminates San Joaquin County altogether
because it was a given that Stockton Junior College (now Delta
College) and the College of the Pacific (now University of the
Pacific) serviced the higher education needs of Stockton and San
Joaquin County. The map just had Stanislaus County and Merced
County on it with Turlock geographically the center, north and
south, of that region.
Therefore, 54% of the population of that service
area on the official agency map centered on Turlock which were
essentially the townships south of Modesto. Consequently, Turlock
won that argument in the minds of state authorities.
It might be added that the Turlock site had the endorsement
of the following city councils and/or chambers of commerce: Atwater,
Ceres, Delhi, Denair, Dos Palos, Gustine, Hilmar, Hughson, Keyes,
Livingston, Los Banos, Merced, Newman, Oakdale, and Patterson.
These are all points south of Modesto with the exception of Oakdale.
Center of Graduating High School Students This table lists the percentage of high school graduates for 1955-56 in Stanislaus County which was presented to the State Public Works Board:
Outside of Modesto ---8.7% Ceres 1.8% Denair,4.7% Hughson, 14.6% Oakdale,
3.5% Orestimba, 4.3% Patterson , 16.0%
Turlock , 53.6% Total
Modesto---46.4%
Modesto, 46.4% Total
It must be remembered when studying this table that
the map noted above divides the Stanislaus county population into
two sections: (1) Modesto and north to the Stanislaus County line
and (2)South of Modesto to the Stanislaus County line. This population
was felt to be the center of the service area. Therefore, when
looking at the statistics above, Turlock wins again. In this mix
other figures were added such as the population growth since 1950
for Stanislaus County was 18.1% and Merced County was 32.4%. Thus,
an added bonus to a Turlock state college site would be Merced
County which is just adjacent to Turlock.
Roadway and Highway Access
The Turlock site had access from
all corners. There was the four lane Highway 99 which was just
a mile away with a new freeway planned for it. This would provide
access for the Modesto and Merced area students. Geer Road would
provide access from Oakdale and smaller communities of that area.
Highway 99 provided access to the south along with Lander Avenue.
Monte Vista Road provided west-east access. The Turlock site was
rural where commuters did not have to travel on urban surface
streets.
The Modesto sites were not as easily accessable.
There were numerous urban surface streets students needed to take
which meant stop and go traffic. Highway 99 was near, but it still
meant urban travel for the commuter.
Commuter miles were presented. If all the graduates
of Merced and Stanislaus high schools had to travel to a Modesto
site, it would be 48,642 total commuter miles a day. For the Turlock
site, it would be 43,508 total commuter miles a day or a savings
of 12%. The only town north of Modesto (really northeast), which
was in support of the Turlock site was Oakdale, and that was because
of access. Oakdale was 18.2 miles from the Modesto sites and 16.8
miles from the Turlock site. Also, it was an easy commute down
Albers and Geer Roads.
Therefore, looking at the accessibility of sites
and the number of commuter miles saved, Turlock won again.
Soil The quality
of soil was contested. The Modesto sites had deep loamy soil,
good for trees and shrubs. The Turlock site soil wasn't as rich,
but agricultural experts said that it could be enhanced for the
plants needed at the campus. Testimony from local growers in Turlock
insisted that the soil there could grow anything with a little
care. It was claimed that nematodes (plant-destroying insects)
infested the Turlock site. Agriculture experts said that they
could be controlled. Therefore, this issue was a stalemate.
Water Table and Related Issues
It was a fact that the Modesto sites had deep water tables
that would not interfere with site preparation. On the other hand,
the Turlock site had a high water table of inches below the surface
to 7 feet below. The argument posited by the Turlock supporters
was the buildings of two stories or more could be set on pilings
for an relatively inexpensive cost.
Central to this issue was drainage. The Turlock site's
drainage could be fed into the TID canal system. This was not
true for the Modesto sites though supporters there claimed that
an arrangement could be established with the MID if need be.
Another related issue was sewage and drinking water.
The Turlock site would be immediately annexed into Turlock City
which would make available those services. This was not the case
with the Modesto sites.
Therefore, Turlock might be given the edge on this
question.
Cost of Site
The cost of one of the Modesto sites was $480,000. Turlock's
site had a price tag of $330,000 or a savings of $150,000. Modesto
supporters claimed that site preparation for the Turlock site
would cost thousands of dollars while the Modesto sites needed
no preparation.
This $150,000 savings played a big role apparently
in the selection of the Turlock site. John Carr, Director of Finance,
who was on the State Public Works Board making the decision was
quoted as saying:
I am influenced mostly by the
savings. The Turlock site will cost $150,000 less than the one
north of Modesto.
A Modesto supporter angrily responded that $150,000
was peanuts when the decision actually involved hundreds of millions
of dollars that Modesto would lose in the longterm.
Location of Other Institutions of Higher Education
As noted above, state officials felt
that San Joaquin County was already adequately served by a junior
college and a four year college. The argument went that Modesto
had a junior college and had access to COP where townships to
the south did not. Modesto supporters felt it was a natural for
MJC students to transfer to a state college right in their community.
Turlock supporters argued that they had the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds to house the new state college until the permanent site would be ready. Modesto had no such offering though some pointed to the fact that MJC might help in making facilities available.
On September 1, 1957, after considering all of the input, the board voted unanimously to grant the Turlock site the new state college. The unanimous vote came from the Director of Finance, Director of Public Works and the Real Estate Commissioner. The other four members of the board abstained from voting. They were the four politicians.
Presented that same day was the document already
alluded to above. Its title was "Factors in the Selection
of a State College Site in Stanislaus County." This document
was issued by State Department of Education and the Division of
State Colleges and Teacher Education. But it presents many of
the reasons why the Turlock site was selected.
Dr. J. Burton Vasche, Associate Superintendent of
Public Instruction and Chief of the Division of State Colleges
and Teacher Education wrote the preface of the document. He became
the president of the new college. He wrote in the preface:
Selection of a site for a new
state college requires a clear statement of specifications and
an evaluation of available properties upon the basis of established
standards and facts. Such information is included in the present
report.
Clear or unclear, the Modesto supporters were enraged.
An article from the Modesto Bee of the following day:
The action [site selection decision] was preceded by an hour of debate between interests representing the two sections of Stanislaus County. Both Assemblyman Ralph M. Brown of Modesto, speaker of the lower house, and Senator Hugh P. Donnelly of Turlock, veteran legislator, remained neutral.
First indication the scales were tipped in favor
of Turlock came with the recommen- dation of Dr. Roy E. Simpson,
state superintendent of public instruction. Although Simpson was
not at the meeting, Dr. Burton Vasche, associate superintendent,
announced he was authorized to say the department strongly favors
the Turlock location. The unsuccessful case for Modesto was presented
by Milton Kidd, president of the Modesto Irrigation District and
City Manager Ross Miller of Modesto.
A related article the same day:
"Beyer Says Protest Move
Is In Order" - Fred Beyer, county superintendent of schools,
said today there would be a complete investigation as to why this
decision was made and to what possibility there is for reconsideration.
All implications of the decision should be reexamined, he said.
Superintendent Beyer was criticized for taking a
position on the issue because he was a public official who suppose
to represent the entire county in education. Now he became the
scapegoat for the feud that ensued between the two communities.
Modesto Mayor Hammond wrote to Governor Brown protesting
the action. Brown wrote a lengthy reply on April 6, 1958. This
statement from it is the essence of his stance:
I am sure you know that the
Public Works Board is responsible for the acquisition of sites
for all State facilities. The Board and its staff are impartial
experts with great experience. In the absence of compelling arguments
to the contrary, their recommendation can hardly be disregarded.
Modesto City Council invited the members of the State
Public Works Board to attend a council meeting to discuss the
selection, but no members ever came.
One Modestan was so perplexed that she lamented,
"Faculty would hate Turlock because there is nothing to do
there." Some claimed the decision was political, Turlock
Republicans against Modesto Democrats. But Turlock needed to celebrate.
They proclaimed the day after the decision as "State College
Day!"
Finally tiring of the issue, the editor of the Oakdale
Leader called for: Let's bury the old
Bowie knife, Modesto, and stick out a paw to the Turlockers, wish
them all the luck in the world and offer all the congratulations
they deserve. Our esteem for our big neighbor and county seat
has suffered a severe blow because of its unsportsmanlike attitude
over the state college affair. It is hoped future action will
banish the unpleasant feeling now inhabiting the pit of our stomachs.
(Sources: "How Turlock Won a College" by
Stanley T. Wilson; "Factors in the Selection of a State College
Site in Stanislaus County," by the Division of State Colleges
and Teacher Education, California State Department of Education,
Sept. 1957; "Mr. Carr:The Figures Favor Turlock," by
Stanley T. Wilson; and the Modesto Bee.)
2. OPENING DAY
Opening Day (first day of class) ceremonies took
place on September 19, 1960, 11 am, at the temporary fairgrounds
campus. Assemblyman Ralph M. Brown and Senator Hugh P. Donnelly
along with the Castle Air Force Base Color Guard and the Turlock
Junior Band participated. An informal ribbon-cutting ceremony
took place earlier at 8 am at the classroom building. President
Vasche and E.B. Leduc, Chairman of the Fair Board, cut the ribbon
officially opening the classroom building at the fairgrounds.
Invitations were sent to county supervisors, mayors,
city council persons, and service clubs. Dr. Roy E. Simpson, Superintendent
of Public Instruction in California was present. Assemblyman Ralph
M. Brown presented national and state flags to President Vasche.
Assemblymen Brown and Donnelly raised the flags officially opening
the new college. Luncheon was served through the courtesy of the
Turlock Chamber of Commerce and Turlock service clubs.
The Opening Day schedule from the Campus Digest:
PROGRAM FOR THE DAY - A ribbon-cutting ceremony
at 8:00 A.M. will precede the opening of instruction for the
Fall semester. All students and faculty members are invited to
attend this ceremony which will be held at the North Main Entrance
to the classroom building. The ceremony will be brief, and immediately
following its conclusion, 8:00 o'clock classes will convene.
11:00 o'clock classes will meet from 11:00 to 11:10
to permit announcements by faculty and the checking of enrollment
lists.
Immediately at 11:15 o'clock, at the east end of
the classroom building, there will be held the official opening-day
ceremony. The one-hour program will consist fo the flag-raising
ceremony, the introduction of distinguished guests, and greetings
from regional and state officials.
Student and Faculty members are invited to be guests
at the outdoor luncheon which will immediately follow the official
opening ceremonies. The luncheon will conclude by 1:30 P.M.
1:00 o'clock classes will convene at 1:35 P.M. today
and the College day from that point ahead will follow the regular
time schedule. The College will have many honored guests on
the campus today, and your assistance in greeting and guiding
visitors will be appreciated.
To celebrate the opening of the new campus the State
Assembly passed Resolution 125, which was introduced by Assemblymen
Brown, Monagan, Winton, Lunardi, and was co-authored by Senators
Cobey, Donnelly, Teale, and Short. It read:
WHEREAS, Stanislaus State College
opened for classes last September as the 15th unit of the State
College system; and
WHEREAS, Stanislaus State College will complete
its first year of operation with commencement exercises at the
temporary campus in Turlock on June 10, 1961; and
WHEREAS, Degrees will be awarded 64 students at
these ceremonies, who are in addition to the 25 receiving bachelor
of arts degrees at the January commencement; and
WHEREAS, Stanislaus State College is well on its
way toward its expected ultimate enrollment of 10,000 with 830
students attending the current semester and 790 having attended
the fall semester; and
WHEREAS, This enrollment response greatly exceeded
orginal estimates and thereby bears out the need for this institution
of higher learning in the six counties it is designed to serve,
Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and
Calaveras; and
WHEREAS, Stanislaus State College's brief history
establishes it as a most worthwhile addition to the nation's greatest
state supported system of higher education; now, therefore be
it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California,
the Senate thereof concurring, that the legislature take this
means to extend its congratulations to the President of Stanislaus
State College, Dr. J. Burton Vasche, his excellent staff, the
student body and the many Californians who have helped establish
this fine institution; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly
be directed to transmit suitably prepared copies of this resolution
to Dr. J. Burton Vasche, President of Stanislaus State College.
3. President Vasche's Health
President Vasche was preeminently the most important
person in the establishment of the college. As Associate Superintendent
of Public Instruction and Chief of the Division of State Colleges
and Teacher Education he saw the birth of Stanislaus State College
first hand. He was a very dedicated educator, a man of vision,
motivator of people, and a warm human being. The quality of his
first staff and faculty which he selected carefully became very
evident after a few months. This gifted and unique man was needed
to assure that the campus had solid roots, but his health wasn't
the best.
He had an operation in 1958 to remove cancer. Just
months after the opening day at SSC, on December 7, 1960, he went
to Stanford for medical treatment. SSC faculty and staff provided
him with a red robe and slippers for his stay. On January 3, 1961,
it was announced that his condition was progressing satisfactorily,
and that he would continue to work with his staff over the phone.
He had spent the holiday season at home in Turlock.
On January 23, Dr. Vasche was released from Stanford
Hospital. His local physician announced that his specialized treatment
had been successful.
Presidents:
1960-61 Dr. J. Burton Vasche
1962 Mr. Gerald Crowley (acting)
1963-68 Dr. Alexander Capurso
1969- 74 Dr. Carl Gatlin
1975-84 Dr. Walter T. Olson
1985-91 Dr. John W. Moore
1992-93 Dr. Lee Kerschner (interim)
1994- Dr. Marvalene Hughes
Buildings:
1965 Library
1965 Classroom
1969 Field House (P.E.)
1970 Arts Complex
1972 Science
1975 University Dining (Cafeteria)
1978 University Union
1978 Gymnasium
1979 Aquatic Facility
1981 Student Health Center
1982 Computer Science
1982 Television Learning Center
1989 Library Expansion
1992 University Union Expansion
1993 Residential Life Village
1995 Residential Life Village II
Student Body Presidents
1960 Richard Brown
1961 Robert Turnbow
1962 Robert Turnbow
1963 Pat Jara
1964 Jim Shuman
1965
1966 Tom Harris
1967 Ray Harrelson
1968 Ed Rible
1969 Tom Pivetti
1970 Pete Stavrianoudakis
1971 Marty Grynbaum
1972 Bruce Antman
1973 Timothy Rien
1974 Eric LaJoure
1975 Eric LaJoure
1976 Steve Wampler
1977 June Robertson
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984 Greg Wright
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992 Ninder Chima-Jordan
1993
1994 Zeke Duque
1995 Morin Jacob
1996 Ben Jacob
Faculty Speaker
1960-61 Lloyd Bevans
1961-62 Lloyd Bevans
1962-63 Don Driggs
1963-64 Lloyd Ahlem
1964-65 Fred Kottke
1965-66 Jim Cole
1966-67 Cecil French
1967-68 Steve Grillos
1968-69 Dean Galloway
1969-70 Evan Thompson
1970-71 Richard Jones
1971-72 Curtis Grant
1972-73 Harriet Stull
1973-74 Martin Camarata
1974-75 Bill Hayes
1975-76 Bill Crist
1976-77 Doug Taylor (Replaced Fred Kottke when he resigned)
1977-78 Don Bowers
1978-79 Sam Oppenheim
1979-80 Jerry Weedon
1980-81 Dieter Renning
1981-82 Jack Williams
1982-83 Gary Shaw
1983-84 Ida Bowers
1984-85 Bob Anderson (replaced Fred Hilpert when he resigned)
1985-86 Jackie Johnson
1986-87 Gary Shaw
1987-88 Tom Barrett
1988-89 Larry Giventer
1989-90 Fred Hilpert
1990-91 Dieter Renning
1991-92 Ron VanderMolen
1992-93 Steve Hughes
1993-94 Viji Sundar
1994-95 Ken Entin (replaced Doug Taylor when he died)
1995-96 Tom Carter
1996-97 Jim Tuedio
1997-98 Jim Klein
Outstanding Professor Award
1984 Narendra L. Maria
1985 Paula A. LeVeck
1986 Fred P. Hilpert
1987 John P. Rasmussen
1988 Fred E. Kottke
1989 Kenneth Entin
1990 Gary D. Novak
1991 Robert K. Anderson
1992 R.J. Moriconi
1993 Steve J. Grillos
1994 Viji Sundar
1995 James E. Byrd
1996 Ronald Lodewyck