Pacific Lutheran College was first known as Pacific Lutheran Academy between 1898 and 1919, in 1920 they changed Academy to College. In 1944 PLC officially stated they intended to build a new gymnasium, but building was delayed until the end of World War II. 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 (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);

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 offered classes in biology, chemistry, physics and botany, the new science building housed these departments. View of student working on his science assignment at the new PLC lab, he appears to be weighing a beaker of chemicals on an analytical balance. (Saga, 1948).

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

The new Pacific Lutheran College Memorial Gymnasium was dedicated at the first basketball home game of the season. The new gym has a sound proof radio booth, electric scoreboard, portable bleachers, classrooms, laundry facilities and a trophy ornament area. The $250,000 gym is considered one of the best in the West. View of Pacific Lutheran College and University of Washington basketball game (T. Times, 12/2/47, p. 9).

Gymnasiums--Parkland; Basketball--Parkland; Students--Parkland; Basketball players--Parkland; Sporting goods; 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).

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Aerial view of campus and grounds, Pacific Lutheran College, Mrs. Nesrig. Pacific Lutheran College had built three new facilities during 1947: a three-story student union building, a gymnasium and a science hall. This elevated view shows the older and newer buildings on the expanding campus. The campus consisted of 150 acres. (TNT, 2/17/1948, p. 4-D)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Aerial photographs;

This aerial view of the Pacific Lutheran College campus and grounds was taken in January of 1948. Harstad Hall, "Old Main", stands proudly in the middle of the expanding campus as shown in this elevated view. Just in front of the point where the sidewalks converge is the entrance gate to Pacific Lutheran College. The Student Union is to the left of "Old Main" and the Science Hall is between and above them. The library is to the upper right. In the far, upper left is the new Memorial Gymnasium. The cornerstone of Harstad Hall was laid on October 4, 1891 and it was dedicated in October 1894. Ordered by Mrs. Nesrig (PLC Saga Yearbook 1949, p. 5 & 9)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Aerial photographs;

Pacific Lutheran College. Marv Harshman, one of the two "Marvelous Marvs" (the other was Marv Tommervik, coach of football and baseball), coached the Lutes "thinclads" track team. Six young men have just taken off from the starting line in a foot race. A few other men stand along the side, one of them is holding a stop watch. A few automobiles are parked behind them.

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Students--Parkland--1940-1950; Running races--Parkland--1940-1950; Runners (Sports)--Parkland; Track athletics--Parkland;

May Day celebration. Queen Ardys Bredvold is seated in the center of her many attendants. She was crowned queen of the May festival at Pacific Lutheran College. Queen Ardys and her attendants are shown on a raised dais decorated with spring flowers and an arch of flowers behind her.

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May Day celebration. Queen Ardys Bredvold is seen with her attendants at Pacific Lutheran College. Ardys has been crowned queen of the May festival. Her coronation took place in the new gymnasium at the college. The young women in the front hold a long ribbon that formed the edges of the walkway the queen took to reach her throne on the dais.

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May Day celebration. Twelve young women in Norwegian costumes perform a folk dance for Queen Ardys Bredvold, her attendants and guests at the coronation celebration for the May festival at Pacific Lutheran college.

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1940-1950; Celebrations--Parkland--1940-1950; Folk dancing--Parkland--1940-1950; Costumes--Norwegian;

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)

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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;

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.;

Gaily decorated box lunches for two are auctioned off at the annual old fashioned Box Lunch Social in the main lounge of the Student Union building at Pacific Lutheran College. The event where coeds prepare elaborately designed containers with meals to be purchased by and consumed with the highest collegiate bidder was sponsored by the Lutheran Students Association with proceeds going to charity.

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

May Queen Camilla Loftness and her court are shown at one end of the gymnasium during the festivities at Pacific Lutheran College for May Day 1950. Other members of the court were Jean Hesla, Marjorie Anderson, Doris Johnson, Shirley Rovang and Beth Gottwald. The back of the dais has been decorated as blooming cactus.

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Loftness, Camilla; Hesla, Jean; Anderson, Marjorie; Johnson, Doris; Rovang, Shirley; Gottwald, Beth;

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;

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

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

Four young men who performed during the festivities at Pacific Lutheran College for May Day 1950 show their stuff while practicing outside the gymnasium.

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

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;

Folk dancers perform during the festivities at Pacific Lutheran College for May Day 1950. The men wear plaid shirts and jeans. The women wear long skirts with double rows of ruffles at the hem. May Queen Camilla Loftness and her court watch from the dais at one end of the gymnasium. Others watch from the bleachers.

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

May Queen Camilla Loftness and her court are shown at one end of the gymnasium during the festivities at Pacific Lutheran College for May Day 1950. Other members of the court were Jean Hesla, Marjorie Anderson, Doris Johnson, Shirley Rovang and Beth Gottwald.

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Loftness, Camilla; Hesla, Jean; Anderson, Marjorie; Johnson, Doris; Rovang, Shirley; Gottwald, Beth;

Three art students at Pacific Lutheran College are working on a still-life of kitchen implements.

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Painting--Parkland; Art education--Parkland--1950-1960;

The four youngest members of the 1951 May Queen's court are shown during the festivities at Pacific Lutheran College for May Day 1951. Ingrid Rae and Iral Ann Mobroten, twin sisters, hold baskets of daisies as flower girls. Jonathan Nesvig, wearing short pants, carries a floral crown on a pillow. Cathy Harshman, left, served as train bearer for the queen. All three girls wear floor-length dresses and their hair has been curled into ringlets. (TNT, 5/3/1951, p.D-3)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Children--Clothing & dress--Parkland--1950-1960;

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;

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;

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;

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;