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;

Pacific Lutheran College graduates, class of 1952, pose on the lawn in cap and gown after the Baccalaureate Service.

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

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;

The Concert Chorus at Pacific Lutheran College, posed in the Music Building. The students are attired formally, with the girls wearing evening gowns and the boys in tuxedos. The 93 voice chorus was under the direction of R. Byard Fritts (seated.) The choir performed throughout the year, its productions enhanced by the special effects of staging, drama and costuming. ("1955 Saga" see the yearbook for chorus members names.)

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Singers; Choirs (Music); Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Evening gowns--Parkland--1950-1960; Fritts, R. Byard;

ca. 1955. Framed here in a darkened arch, the combination chapel/music/speech building was the religious and cultural center of the Pacific Lutheran College in Parkland. The groundbreaking for the $750,000 structure was in 1949 and the building was dedicated in May of 1952. Dr. S.C. Eastvold was President of the College. The three story building was built of concrete faced with brick, designed by Lea, Pearson and Richards to harmonize with the new library, science and Student Union buildings. It lay to the west of Old Main, forming a quadrangle with the Science Hall, library and Old Main. It held a large chapel/auditorium that seated 1200 with a oversize stage of 36 x 72 ft., a smaller devotional chapel directly under the 150 ft. spire that held 75, radio and speech studios, 17 piano and 2 organ practice rooms, several music studios, a music library and a small stage. In 1967, it was renamed Eastvold Chapel in honor of the retiring President who oversaw much of the growth of PLC. TPL-8607

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

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;

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;

ca. 1955. An exterior view of the Student Union Building at Pacific Lutheran College. This building was constructed in 1947 on the foundation of the gym that was destroyed by fire in 1946. It was designed by Lea, Pearson and Richards, Architects. During its use as the Student Union, it served as the center of student social and extra curricular activities. It contained a bookstore, coffee shop, recreation room, student lounge, auditorium, and stage. It was replaced in 1955-56 by a larger and more modern Student Union and this structure was converted to classrooms.

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

Pacific Lutheran College's May Festival. Eight couples perform a folk dance. The entertainment included a demonstration of folk art from Lithuania, Sweden, Russia, Germany, Spain and the U.S. The women are dressed in skirts with contrasting ribboned stripes at the bottom, short vests, white blouses and flower chains in their hair with cascading ribbons. The men are dressed in white shirts and pants with string ties and bright tied scarves at the waist. (The 1956 yearbook "Saga", TNT 4/29/1956, pg. D-2)

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

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. 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;

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;