May Day events held April 30, 1937 at Pacific Lutheran College. Four prominent Lutheran leaders, on campus for the school's new library ground breaking ceremony, posed for a portrait near the stone entry columns to the campus. The men were honored guests at the ceremony held after the crowning of the May Queen. The men are, left to right, Dr. N.M. Ylvisaker of Minneapolis, PLC president Dr. O.A. Tingelstad, Rev. Alf M. Knaabel of Portland and Dr. T.F. Gullixson of St. Paul. (T. Times 5/1/1937, pg. 7 picture and article)

May Day--Parkland; Festivals--Parkland; Tingelstad, O.A.; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1930-1940; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940;

Pacific Lutheran College May Day festivities and dedication of new Library Building. Many people inspect library reading room. Ground was broken May 1, 1937 for the new library designed by E.J. Bresemann, of Heath, Gove and Bell, architects. With the construction of a new library in 1968, this building was remodeled and named Xavier Hall. (T. Times, 5/2/1939, p. 4)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1930-1940; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1930-1940; Dedications--Parkland--1930-1940;

Pacific Lutheran College, officials and guests at the dedication of new Library Building on May 1, 1939. Front row: Dr. H.A. Stub of Seattle, Dr. O.A. Tingelstad- President of PLC, Rev. Mikkel Lono- vice president of the Board and Rev. Ludwig of Portland. Back row: Dr. P.O. Bersell of Minneapolis- principal speaker, Rev. Alf Kraabel of Portland, Rev. S.J. Ylvisaker of Stanwood- delivering the dedication address, Dr. S.C. Eastvold of Eau Claire, Wis.- representing the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America and later president of PLC 1943-62, Prof. J.V. Xavier and Rev. Carl A. Bengtson of Seattle. The library was remodeled in 1968 and renamed Xavier Hall. (T.Times, 5/2/1939, p. 4)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1930-1940; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1930-1940; Dedications--Parkland--1930-1940;

On May 1, 1939, as the orchestra played "Pomp and Circumstance," eighteen senior girls gowned in pastel formals advanced bearing ribbons to form an aisle from Old Main to the May Queen throne. Queen Vivian Lunde, preceded by the ladies of her court, marched in procession.

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

The new officers of the Pacific Lutheran Dormitory Auxiliary No. 2 pose in front of the College library. The group was formed as a fund raising body for the construction of a girl's dormitory at Pacific Lutheran College. The officers are, left to right, Thelma (Mrs. Stanley) Willis, Clarice (Mrs. R. L.) Renwick, Mrs.Gerhard Haakenson, Aileene (Mrs. E.W.) Wegner and Dorothy (Mrs. August F.) Gratzer. (T. Times 6/22/1942, pg. 6)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Willis, Thelma; Renwick, Clarice; Wegner, Aileene; Gratzer, Dorothy;

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;

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;

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;

The interior of the women's dorm at Pacific Lutheran College showing one of the lounge areas. Several women are reading in the chairs and sofas placed around the large room. Large windows look out on the campus.

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

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;

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;