Dr. Seth Eastvold, President of Pacific Lutheran College, and bronze dedication plaque hung mid February 1950 on the front exterior wall of the Student Union Building. The plaque cites the donors that made the construction of the building possible. The Student Union Building housed many of the students' activities and included such facilities as the main auditorium, organ practice rooms, college bookstore, general lounge, coffee shop and several offices. Dr. Eastvold's administration, 1943-1962, was characterized by capital expansion. (TNT 2-26-1950 A-10)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Plaques; Eastvold, Seth C.;

College students converse and pass the time on the steps to the library at Pacific Lutheran College. Other students stroll in front of the brick building. The library was designed by local Tacoma architect Emanuel J. Bresemann and was dedicated in 1939 and remodeled in the late forties. In the late forties and fifties, the College grew greatly, both in student body and in capital expansion. TPL-9329

Students--Parkland; Libraries--Parkland; Educational facilities--Parkland; Education--Parkland; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

ca. 1947. Construction photograph of Pacific Lutheran College's Memorial Gymnasium, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. The gymnasium was dedicated in December of 1947 and built from a design by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects. A new gymnasium had been planned as early as 1944, and postponed by the war. A fire of unknown origin razed the old gym in 1946 and brought new urgency to the construction of the new gymnasium. The new building was a part of the move toward capital expansion, headed up by College president Dr. Seth Eastvold, president from 1943-1962.

Educational facilities--Parkland; Education--Parkland; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950;

Pacific Lutheran College faculty committee for social activities was organizing a formal reception to welcome new and returning students. Three hundred freshmen and hundreds of students from the other classes were expected to attend. Dr. S. C. Eastvold was President of Pacific Lutheran College in 1947. View of faculty and students gathered together to plan the upcoming festivities.

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Students--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950;

Pacific Lutheran College was formally founded in 1891, when the first cornerstone was laid. The school was well established within a few years, and after World War II enrollment dramatically increased and the school grounds expanded. Lea, Pearson and Richards were the architects that designed PLC's Memorial Gymnasium. The dedication ceremonies were planned for December of this year. Exterior view of PLC's Memorial Gymnasium, photo ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Saga, 1948).

Gymnasiums--Parkland; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Memorial Gymnasium (Parkland);

Pacific Lutheran College's new student union was using their new snack bar for the first time in October of 1947. Left to right at the counter are PLC students taking a break from their studies, Dareld Sateren, Jean Hesla, Martin Gulhaugen and Alma Heen. The snack bar is located on the main floor, PLC students are getting ready to have their first party in the new student union building (T. Times, 10/31/47, p. 5).

Student unions--Parkland; Cafeterias--Parkland; Students--Parkland--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Sateren, Dareld; Hesla, Jean; Gulhaugen, Martin; Heen, Alma;

Pacific Lutheran College had just opened their new $150,000 student union and their very first party in the building was held on October 31, 1947. The new building had many more services and comfort areas for students, including a lounge and lunchroom for female day students. The building had high open beamed ceilings and a lunch counter on the main floor. View of faculty, staff and students celebrating in the new student union (T. Times, 10/31/47, p. 5).

Student unions--Parkland; Parties--Parkland; Celebrations--Parkland; Students--Parkland; College administrators; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950;

Pacific Lutheran College had their first party in the new student union building, planned for October 31, 1947. The building was designed by architects, Lea, Pearson and Richards, and cost about $150,000 to build, the building had recently been dedicated. The student union had high open beamed ceilings, a new snack bar, spacious lounge and a girl's day lounge and lunchroom (T. Times, 10/31/47, p. 5).

Student unions--Parkland; Sports & recreation facilities--Parkland; Students--Parkland; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950;

The impressive new Science Hall at Pacific Lutheran College was in full operation, classes from the natural sciences department were being taught and departmental offices were relocated into the new building. View of two students working on their science labs, a frog skeleton, gas nozzles and microscopes are all available for the students (Saga, 1948).

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Laboratories--Parkland; Classrooms--Parkland; Science--Parkland; Students--Parkland; Microscopes; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950;

Pacific Lutheran College's new Memorial Gymnasium had recently been dedicated and the first basketball game had been played here. Pacific Lutheran's new gymnasium was used by the women's and men's basketball teams. The gymnasium was one of the most modern gyms of its type, and one of the best in the Pacific Northwest. View of PLC's Memorial Gymnasium, a line of students are walking toward the gym (Saga, 1948).

Gymnasiums--Parkland; Students--Parkland; Queues--Parkland; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Memorial Gymnasium (Parkland); Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950;

Pacific Lutheran College dedicated their new gymnasium in 1947. This gymnasium was built after their original gymnasium was destroyed in a fire. The building construction was slightly delayed because of World War II. Exterior view of Pacific Lutheran College's Memorial Gymnasium, showing concrete foundation. Photo ordered by Holroyd Company, manufacturers of concrete, bricks and other building materials.

Concrete--Tacoma; Concrete products industry--Tacoma; Reinforced concrete construction--Parkland; Foundations--Parkland; Gymnasiums--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Holroyd Co. (Tacoma);

Pacific Lutheran College offered their students an "Education for Life" and "Build for Character". They had programs in Liberal Arts, Teacher Training, Music, Parish Work, Pre-Medical, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Theology and Pre-Law. Pacific Lutheran College had brought a lot of benefits to the Parkland community. View of Pacific Lutheran College school grounds, building on left side has ivy covered walls, Chapel in background (Saga, 1948).

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Education--Parkland; Educational facilities--Parkland; Students--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950;

A view from the wings onto the stage in the new chapel-music-speech building at Pacific Lutheran College.

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Stages (Platforms);

The 1951 May Queen, Marjorie Anderson, and her court are shown at one end of the gymnasium during the festivities at Pacific Lutheran College for May Day 1951. The senior attendants to the queen were LaWanna Wellsandt and Amy Knutson. Junior attendants were Patricia Kilmer and Margaret Lucas. Naomi Roe and Charlotte Brandt were the sophomore attendants and Darlene Dejardine and Inga Astrup represented the freshmen. (TNT, 5/3/1951, p.D-3)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Anderson, Marjorie; Wellsandt, LaWanna; Knutson, Amy; Kilmer, Patricia; Lucas, Margaret; Roe, Naomi; Brandt, Charlotte;

Three couples are shown dancing during the festivities at Pacific Lutheran College for May Day 1951. Two Lithuanian folk games were presented, accompanied by Jurgis Bendikas on the accordian. Six other games, Scandinavian, Spanish and western were performed by Inara Dermanis and Eugene Shaw, Doris and Lloyd Harvey, Gloria and Carl Larson, Lois Swanson and Robert Brass, Carolyn Johnson and Robert Knutson, Hazel Johnson and Philip Thorleifson. (TNT, 5/3/1951, p.D-3)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Folk dancing--Parkland--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. The new West Hall dormitory building at Pacific Lutheran College. The new dorm had been built at a cost of $580,000 and would provide housing for 151 women. Its "L" shape formed a rectangle with the North and South Halls, completed 2 years ago, at the west end of the campus. The building was 3 stories of steel, concrete and masonry construction, with a solid brick exterior. Students posed in front are, left to right, Twila Gillis, Carolee Chindgren and Richard Rhea. 1323 students were expected to start classes at PLC in September of 1956, a 13% increase over 1955. For the first time since World War II, women would outnumber male students 664 to 659. They came from 21 states, 2 territories and 3 foreign countries.They would be taught by 70 full time faculty members and 8 part time teachers. For the first time, a total of 22 majors would be offered. (TNT 10/5/1956, pg. A-8, 10/19/1956, pg. B-1)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Gillis, Twila; Chindgren, Carolee; Rhea, Richard;

ca. 1956. The new West Hall dormitory building at Pacific Lutheran College. The new dorm had been built at a cost of $580,000 and would provide housing for 151 women. Its "L" shape formed a rectangle with the North and South Halls, completed 2 years ago, at the west end of the campus. The building was 3 stories of steel, concrete and masonry construction, with a solid brick exterior. Students posed in front are, left to right, Twila Gillis, Carolee Chindgren and Richard Rhea. 1323 students were expected to start classes at PLC in September of 1956, a 13% increase over 1955. For the first time since World War II, women would outnumber male students 664 to 659. They came from 21 states, 2 territories and 3 foreign countries.They would be taught by 70 full time faculty members and 8 part time teachers. For the first time, a total of 22 majors would be offered. (TNT 10/5/1956, pg. A-8, 10/19/1956, pg. B-1)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Gillis, Twila; Chindgren, Carolee; Rhea, Richard;

ca. 1955. Framed in a darkened doorway, the Tudor/Gothic library of the Pacific Lutheran College in Parkland can be seen in the distance. Planned in 1937, when the school had an enrollment of 700 and was a Christian Junior College and Normal School headed by Dr. O.A. Tingelstad, the building was dedicated May of 1939. It was designed by the Architectural firm of Heath, Gove & Bell and Architect E. J. Bresemann. The total cost was $104,000. PLC undertook all development at this time on a debt free basis. Therefore, the reading room and offices were not completed until 10 years later in 1948. Severely cramped by the enlarged student body, the library was replaced in 1967 by Mortvedt Library. The dearly loved original building was remodeled and took on new life as Xavier Hall, housing the social sciences and geology departments.

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. The Administration Building, "Old Main," now Harstad Hall, at Pacific Lutheran College. The College was founded in 1891 by Rev. Bjug Harstad and construction began on Old Main. The building was ready for occupancy and the school open for students in 1894. Tuition at that time was $1.00 per week and the school stood on an empty prairie. Through the years, each graduating class planted ivy to climb up the buildings sides until it was covered. In 1950, the English ivy was removed because it was damaging the building and the building was given a modernizing face lift. The building now houses a mens dormitory.

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

Pacific Lutheran College's May Festival Queen Maudie Straub. Queen Maudie was a religion major from Vancouver, B.C. Queen Maudie transferred to PLC from the University of British Columbia. She was president of Tassels, the scholastic honor society for senior women, and also of the Parish Workers Guild. She had the unique honor of being the only female member of Kappa Rho Kappa (KRK) and served as its secretary- treasurer. KRK was an organization for students of the Greek language, most of whom were studying for the seminary. (The 1956 yearbook "Saga")

Straub, Maudie; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960;

The interior of one of the classrooms in the new chapel-music-speech building at Pacific Lutheran College. The student chairs have writing arms and are permanently affixed to the floor. A table and lectern sitting on top stand at the front of the classroom. Venetian blinds cover the windows.

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Lecture halls--Parkland;

A crowd filled the lower level of Chapel Auditorium in the new chapel-music-speech building at Pacific Lutheran College. Dr. Seth C. Eastvold, president of the college, is speaking from a podium on the stage (lower left). A Casavant pipe organ would be installed later in the year in two large chambers on either side of the chapel stage with the console below on a stage level. (TNT, 8/23/1952, p.14) TPL-9319

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Stages (Platforms); Auditoriums--Parkland; Eastvold, Seth C.;

1952 May Day Festival at Pacific Lutheran College. May Day Queen Louise I is surrounded by young attendants. Senior Louise Stephenson was crowned as the 1952 May Day Queen with a court composed of two young ladies from each class at the College. (Pacific Lutheran College yearbook "Saga '52")

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Stephenson, Louise; Evening gowns--Parkland--1950-1960; Children--Parkland--1950-1960;

The 1951 May Queen, Marjorie Anderson, and her senior attendants, LaWanna Wellsandt (left) and Amy Knutson (right) are shown with the children who also participated in the festivities at Pacific Lutheran College for May Day 1951. The children were twin sisters Ingrid Rae and Iral Ann Mobroten as the flower girls; Cathy Harshman as the train bearer and Jonathan Nesvig was the crown bearer. (TNT, 5/3/1951, p.D-3)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Anderson, Marjorie; Wellsandt, LaWanna; Mobroten, Ingrid Rae; Mobroten, Iral Ann; Harshman, Cathy; Nesvig, Johathan;

Folk dancers perform during the festivities at Pacific Lutheran College for May Day 1951.

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Folk dancing--Parkland--1950-1960;

Pacific Lutheran College has an important role in the education system of the Pacific Northwest. The growing College has gained national acclaim for its outstanding methods of instruction. Pacific Lutheran experienced an increase in student enrollment following the end of World War II. Exterior view of the newly built Memorial Gymnasium, one of the best college gyms in the west. Photo taken for PLC's Saga, the school yearbook (Saga, 1948).

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Education--Parkland; Gymnasiums--Parkland; Memorial Gymnasium (Parkland); Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings;

May Day celebration. Ardys Bredvold is seen walking to the dais before she was crowned queen of Pacific Lutheran College's May festival May 8, 1948. Some of her attendants are already on the dais while others hold a long ribbon designating her walkway to the throne. Margaret Ronning served as her train bearer. Guests are seen standing and an orchestra is playing in the background to the right. (T.Times, 5/10/1948, p.1)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1940-1950; Celebrations--Parkland--1940-1950; Bredvold, Ardys; Evening gowns--Parkland--1940-1950;

May Day celebration. The royal court that reigned over the Pacific Lutheran College's May festival held May 8, 1948, included Queen Ardys Bredvold, seated in the center. Seated in front of her are two sophomore attendants, L-R, Jean Hesla and Phyllis Brynestad. Other attendants standing in the back, L-R, are: Dolores Berg, Doris Berg, Afton Hjelm, Anita Roth, Catherine Breum and Doris Johnson. Four children were included in the coronation, L-R, Dean Johnson, crown bearer, Ann Marie Malmin, train bearer, and Margaret Ronning and Judith Leraas, flower girls. The young women are wearing floor-length evening gowns. (T.Times, 5/10/1948, p.1)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1940-1950; Festivals--Parkland--1940-1950; Bredvold, Ardys; Evening gowns--Parkland--1940-1950;

Dr. Seth C. Eastvold, President of Pacific Lutheran College, and his wife Enga are getting ready to depart on a three month trip to Europe. The Eastvold's will be visiting England, Scandinavian countries, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Italy. Dr. Eastvold plans to make two quick stops prior to leaving for Europe. In Moorhead, Minnesota he will give the Commencement Address at Concordia University, and he will attend the Biennial Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. The Eastvolds will return to Tacoma in September (T. Times, 5/29/48, p. 10).

Universities & colleges--Parkland; College presidents--Parkland; Travel--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Eastvold, Seth C.--Family;

Choir, Pacific Lutheran College, Mr. Nesvig. Pacific Lutheran's Choir of the West participated in many concerts throughout the Pacific Northwest, but they also had countless radio performances, broadcast over KOMO Radio, in Seattle. The choir had over fifty of the most talented singers and a number of soloists. Conductor Gunnar J. Malmin stands in the center of the second row.

Choirs (Music); Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Choir of the West (Parkland); Malmin, Gunnar J.; Conductors;