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;

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;

Folk dancers performed during the festivities at Pacific Lutheran College for May Day 1950.

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

Four young men who will be performing during the festivities at Pacific Lutheran College for May Day 1950 pose in the stairwell in the gymnasium.

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

ca. 1955. Pacific Lutheran College's Memorial Gymnasium. Although already in the planning stages, its construction became a necessity when the old gym burned to the ground in June of 1946. The new gymnasium, designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards, was dedicated December of 1947. It was built of reinforced concrete. The interior was 134 x 142 feet and held 3,500 (or 2,500 spectators in bleachers with a 50 x 90 foot playing floor.) The building also had classrooms and dressing rooms and showers for men and women. A 46 x 50 foot addition was available for use by the Varsity football team. The cost of the gym was $250,000 and was built debt free.

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

Pacific Lutheran College's May Festival. Eight formally attired couples perform a circle dance. The student orchestra looks on, as does the grandstand seating as the couples, some with hands on hips, put their best foot forward in the dance. The program for May Festival included a demonstration of folk art, such as dancing, from the countries of Lithuania, Sweden, Russia, German, Spain and the U.S. The entertainment also included music played by the band with vocal accompaniment. (The 1956 yearbook "Saga")

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

ca. 1954. The 47 piece Pacific Lutheran College Band, attired in their black and gold uniforms and photographed with their instruments in the Band Room of the Music/Chapel Building. The band was under the direction of Dr. Robert Larson. The band played at all football games as well as performing a number of concerts throughout the year. They played the last concert of the three day Omnibus of Arts, the student cultural festival, with the PLC chorus on the Parkland campus. (1954 PLC yearbook "The Saga," TNT 2/21/1954, pg. D-7- see yearbook for names)

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Marching bands; Bands--Parkland--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. Housemother Freda Rouze shows the "sign out" book to Nancy Iverson at Pacific Lutheran College's newest dorm, West Hall. Another coed, Katherine Almgren, checks her mail at the dorm mailboxes. West hall was completed in the fall of 1956 and housed 151 freshman and sophomore women. It had much the same plan as the college's North Hall, and offered a main lounge, kitchen for student use, study lounges on every floor and a self service laundry. (1957 "Saga" & TNT 10/19/1956, pg. B-2)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Rouze, Freda; Iverson, Nancy; Almgren, Katherine;

Queen Vivian Lunde, the 1939 Pacific Lutheran College May Day Queen, and her court pose on a rustic bridge on the campus. They are, left to right, Ann Lassen, Dickie Svare, Carolyn Hoff, Mary Olson, Queen Vivian, Barbara de Berry, Carol Haavik, Constance Hanson and Aagot Gerde. Queen Vivian was a senior at PLC and was studying to be a teacher. (T. Times 5/2/1939, pg. 1)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Lunde, Vivian; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1930-1940; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1930-1940; Festivals--Parkland--1930-1940;

Library Building at Pacific Lutheran College, now Xavier Hall. Building designed by Tacoma Architect Emanuel J. Bresemann, firm of Heath, Gove and Bell, in 1937. The college broke ground on the building on May 1, 1937 and it was dedicated two years later. (T.Times, 5/2/1939, p. 4)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Parkland;

Pacific Lutheran College's 1959 May Day Queen and some of her Court. Queen Carolee Chindgren poses in the center of the group. The second row, left to right, are Linda Bloomquist, freshman, Margery Krueger, sophomore, Janice Snyder, junior and Janet Gullekson, freshman. This was the college's 26th annual May Festival. The celebration would be highlighted by gay spring music, colorful folk art and dancing and the coronation of the May Queen. Over 2,000 people attended the celebration. (TNT 4/28/1959, pg. 13, 5/3/1959, pg. D-11)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Chindgren, Carolee; Bloomquist, Linda; Krueger, Margery; Snyder, Janice; Gullekson, Janet;

Pacific Lutheran College 1939 May Day festivities. Queen Vivian Lunde pictured on her throne surrounded by her court. Queen Vivian was a member of the graduating class of the Normal department of the college. The throne faced the entrance of the college. It was a traditional silver chair backed by a lattice of spring flowers with tall baskets of Dogwood, Apple blossoms, lilac and palms. Included in the Queen's court were High school attendants Barbara Xavier and Betty Jo Forster, Freshmen Anne Lassen and Lenore Rasmussen, Sophomores Carol Haavik and Caroline Hoff and Seniors Ruth Downton and Aagot Gerde. (T. Times 4/20/1939, pg.3; 5/2/1939, pg. 1)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Lunde, Vivian; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1930-1940; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1930-1940; Festivals--Parkland--1930-1940;