Distinguished faculty at Pacific Lutheran University. President Robert Mortvedt (extreme right) presided over graduation ceremonies on June 2, 1968, on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University. (L-R) Retiring professor of English Dr. Herbert R. Ranson, retiring professor and former dean Dr. Philip E. Hauge, and visiting dean of University of Utah's graduate school Dr. Sterling M. McMurrin joined President Mortvedt and the 347 graduates at the Sunday morning baccalaureate service. Dr. Ranson had 28 years of service on PLU's faculty; Dr. Hauge, 48 years. Dr. McMurrin gave the commencement address. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran University. (TNT 6-3-68, p. 4, p. 5)

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Graduation ceremonies--Parkland; Mortvedt, Robert; Ranson, Herbert R.; Hauge, Philip E.; McMurrin, Sterling M.;

Art Building. On January 24, 1970, a series of photographs were taken of an accident scene occuring on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland. This color view is of the school's Art Building. It is not clear whether the accident occurred at this location or outside one of the nearby buildings. Photograph ordered by Seattle attorneys Reed, McClure, Moceri.

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1970-1980; Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--Buildings; Accidents--Parkland;

In 1963 Pacific Lutheran University celebrated the 30th anniversary of May Festival. In this May 3, 1963, photograph, a dashing young dancer is the object of several admiring gazes. Ronald Miller appears to have his pick of four young ladies for a Lithuanian folk dance; from left to right are : Dani Saxton, Rhoda Pappajohn, Jean Andrews and Dallas Schuler. Students practiced an entire year to bring the two-night folk dance festival to fruition. (TNT 5-5-63, D-14)

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Festivals--Parkland--1960-1970; Folk dancing--Parkland--1960-1970; Students--Parkland--1960-1970; Miller, Ronald; Saxton, Dani; Pappajohn, Rhoda; Andrews, Jean; Schuler, Dallas;

Dennise Tetz and Phil Langston, foreground, delight spectators with their quick footwork in "La Furlana" during the 30th anniversary of May Festival at Pacific Lutheran University. The duo are dressed in folk dancing attire on May 3, 1963. Miss Tetz and the unidentified female dancer behind her have on laced vests, full skirts and wear large kerchiefs over their heads. (1963 Saga yearbook, p. 99)

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Festivals--Parkland--1960-1970; Students--Parkland--1960-1970; Folk dancing--Parkland--1960-1970; Tetz, Dennise; Langston, Phil;

This smiling group of Pacific Lutheran University students show the happiness of the annual May Festival. Under the direction of Mrs. Rhoda Young, a whole year of dedicated practice would culminate in the May, 1963, two-night performance of the folk dance festival. Not only were dances from the Scandinavian countries represented, but also those thousands of miles away, from the Philippines. (1963 Saga yearbook, p. 98-99)

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Festivals--Parkland--1960-1970; Students--Parkland--1960-1970; Folk dancing--Parkland--1960-1970;

Circulation clerical assistant Mrs. Olga S. Fisher assists a young man at the Pacific Lutheran University library on January 16, 1963. There are shelves of reference books beside her; use of these books was limited to one-hour. (1963 Saga Annual, p. 36)

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Libraries--Parkland; Books; Fisher, Olga S.; Students--Parkland--1960-1970;

In the early '60's, Pacific Lutheran University apparently provided instruction in the secretarial arts as well as in the sciences, nursing, business and education. Several young women are pictured on January 16, 1963, in the process of typing and the case of the student in the foreground, perhaps learning to transcribe dictation.

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Students--Parkland--1960-1970; Studying--Parkland; Typewriting--Parkland; Typewriters--1960-1970; Dictating machines;

Paying little heed to the lovely campus beyond the large view windows, these Pacific Lutheran University students are hard at work on January 16, 1963, studying at the school library. Long tables provided plenty of room for students to spread out their books and other materials.

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Libraries--Parkland; Students--Parkland--1960-1970; Studying--Parkland;

An unidentified Pacific Lutheran University student receives one-to-one instruction from a chemistry professor believed to be Dr. Laurence D. Huestis on January 16, 1963. Dr. Huestis had joined the faculty at PLU in 1961 after receiving his Ph.D from the University of California. (1963 Saga Annual, p. 21)

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Teachers--Parkland--1960-1970; Students--Parkland--1960-1970;

A complex mathematical formula is being figured out on the blackboard by a Pacific Lutheran University instructor believed to be E. Robert Newell on January 16, 1963. Mr. Newell graduated with a B.A. from the Western Washington College of Education in 1956 and was involved in graduate study at the University of Washington. (1963 Saga Annual, p. 22)

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Teachers--Parkland; Blackboards;

A variety of photographs were taken of the Pacific Lutheran University campus in early October, 1960, by the Richards Studio, showing new facilities and improvements. The photograph above shows the Jacob Samuelson Chapel in the new Administration Building, a multipurpose room used for devotional meetings, closed circuit TV lectures, and recitals. It utilized an innovative notion--multiple television sets mounted on walls to provide students with a clearer view of professorial lectures broadcast from the school's own new studio. The chapel was a gift from Mr. Samuelson's estate. (TNT 10-13-60, C-6)

Universities & colleges--Parkland--1960-1970; Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Televisions; Pianos; Lecture halls--Parkland;

Students at Pacific Lutheran University enjoy a sunny fall day in 1960 as they chat in front of the new Administration Building. In contrast to the Gothic style buildings on campus, the Lea, Pearson & Richards-designed structure has a very modern look with flat roof, multiple windows with blinds, and overhang to protect students from the elements. Pacific Lutheran College officially became Pacific Lutheran University on September 1, 1960. The school celebrated the 70th anniversary of its founding during the weekend of October 14, 1960, when the new Administration building was dedicated. (TNT 10-13-60, C-1)

Universities & colleges--Parkland--1960-1970; Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970;

Production crew at work. In 1960 Pacific Lutheran celebrated its 70th year of existence along with a change to university status. Now known as Pacific Lutheran University, the school maintained its well-known music and theatrical departments. Students and staff are shown backstage in this April, 1960, photograph preparing for an upcoming event. Props and scenery are being put into place. This may be the Curtain Call Club which furnished the assistant directors and back-stage crews for many campus plays. Membership in the club was open to all students interested in any phase of the theater, from directing to make-up and costume design. (1961 SAGA yearbook, p. 151)

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1960-1970; Theatrical productions--Parkland--1960-1970; Stage props;

Pacific Lutheran University students pay close attention to their professor in this April, 1960, photograph. Gordon O. Gilbertson was an associate professor of music and director of the P.L.U. band. These musicians probably make up the woodwind and brass sections of the school band.

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Students--Parkland--1960-1970; Musicians--Parkland--1960-1970

The Concert Chorus at Pacific Lutheran College posed for the camera seated in an open fan shape in the Music-Chapel on April 9, 1958. The men all sported tuxedoes while the women were primarily dressed in evening gowns. According to the student yearbook, the SAGA, the popularity of the group was increasing rapidly in the Seattle-Tacoma area. The chorus performed several times on Fort Lewis, at various churches, and at chapel exercises on campus. They were honored to be the first choral group to sing at the new Central Lutheran Church in Tacoma. The Concert Chorus, under the direction of R. Byard Fritts, concluded its year by recording music for the sound track of a technicolor movie to be released by the United Good Neighbors. (1958 SAGA yearbook, p. 94)

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

Delighted Pacific Lutheran College co-eds applaud the selection of freshman Nadine Bruins of Arnegard, North Dakota, as the Lucia Bride on December 12, 1958. She has her eyes closed as the traditional red sash is wound around her waist. Tammara Oman (L) and Solveig Leraas (R) were selected as her attendants. The Festival of Santa Lucia is a very old Swedish custom, generally held the 13th of December, which features the eldest daughter of each household approaching her sleeping parents dressed in a long white gown with a red sash and wearing a crown of lingonberry leaves in which are set seven lighted candles. She supposedly represents the white-clad maiden, wearing a crown of burning candles, who brought food to starving Swedish villagers. Pacific Lutheran, like many other schools with large Scandinavian populations, celebrated this festival annually with the selection of a lovely Lucia Bride. (1959 Saga yearbook, p. 190-191, TNT 12-13-1958, p. 3)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland; Bruins, Nadine; Oman, Tammara; Leraas, Solveig;

Too cool for swimming now that it is November, but Pacific Lutheran College students can still enjoy the presence of the new outdoor swimming pool. The pool was presented to P.L.C. students by President and Mrs. S.C. Eastvold on May 28, 1958. The Eastvolds were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary and their 15th anniversary at P.L.C. The swimming pool is adjacent to three women's dorms. It is 20 feet wide, 40 feet long, and nine feet deep at the diving end. Its heating system is powered by propane gas and the pool has a chlorinating system with water changes every 6-8 hours. Surrounded by a chain link fence, use of the swimming pool is restricted to students and staff. Photograph ordered by McCarty Co. of Washington, an advertising agency in Seattle. (TNT 5-29-58, p. 13) TPL-9354

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

Gordon Gilbertson directed both the 27-piece orchestra and the 48-member concert band at Pacific Lutheran College in 1958. He is standing to the extreme left of the January 14, 1958, photograph, next to the bass player. The PLC Concert Band added to the spirit at football and basketball games with cheerful, colorful tunes. They also performed at the Rainier State School, McNeil Island, and the First Presbyterian Church in Seattle. Occupants of Eastern Washington, Idaho and Oregon were privileged to hear the concert band during its nine day tour. The band concluded its year with participation in the graduation ceremonies. Names of band members are listed in the 1958 SAGA yearbook. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College. (1958 SAGA yearbook, p. 97)

Bands--Parkland--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Gilbertson, Gordon;

Under the direction of Gordon O. Gilbertson, the Pacific Lutheran College Concert Band during the 1956-57 school year performed many concerts, both at school and at neighboring locations, as well as providing added spirit to basketball and football games. The band is pictured here in the Music & Chapel building on January 17, 1957. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College.

Bands--Parkland--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

Pacific Lutheran College, exterior of the Music/chapel building with students. The building with the spire is the combination chapel, music and speech building dedicated in 1952 and designed by Lea, Pearson and Richards. The building is now known as the Eastvold Chapel, named after Dr. S.C. Eastvold, president of the college during its greatest period of growth. The three story building is concrete faced with brick and forms a quadrangle with the Science Hall, library (to the left of the picture) and Old Main. The library, science hall, chapel and student union buildings were all built around the same time period. The 126 acre campus had stately Douglas firs and lush green lawns that set off the neat modern buildings. It was considered one the finest small colleges in America. (TNT 10/19/1956, pg. B-1+)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings;

ca. 1955. This appears to be a more intimate coffee shop atmosphere on the campus of Pacific Lutheran College in 1955. Students could place their orders at the nearby counter and then relax alongside the large plate glass windows. This photograph was taken in the evening as students enjoyed their ice cream sundaes, pie and milk. The coffee shop, located in a spacious room in the new College Union Building overlooking Wheeler St., seats 90 persons. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College. (TNT 12-18-55, A-19, TNT 2-5-56, B-6) TPL-9321

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

ca. 1955. Students enjoy tasty meals at one of the dining halls on the Pacific Lutheran College campus in 1955, while lines of people wait to be seated. This may have been taken roughly around Thanksgiving, as trays are filled with plates of turkey, mashed potato, peas, and pumpkin pie. The dining hall appears to be very large with bright overhead lights and plenty of windows. The new dining hall seats 600 persons. Everything is new, including furniture, dishes, silverware, and even trays. Students who board at P.L.C. eat very well on $1.33 a day covering three meals. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College. (TNT 2-5-56, B-6) TPL-9320

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

Professor Gunnar Malmin, Director of Pacific Lutheran College's Choir of the West, stands at the base of the cross composed of choir members in January of 1956. The choir was taking its annual two-week tour through the Pacific Coast states of Washington, Oregon and California where it presented a sacred music-only program. It appeared before many civic organizations and church groups. Besides the tour, the choir also appeared on many radio broadcasts and gave a concert, for the first time, at the state prison. Names of choir members are listed in the 1956 PLC Saga yearbook. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College. (1956 Saga yearbook, p. 120-alt. photograph)

Choirs (Music); Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Malmin, Gunnar J.; Students--Parkland--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. College students enjoy some downtime during their busy day by chatting with friends, contemplating a roaring fire, or merely reading. The modernistic lobby contains contemporary curved sofas and chairs. During the day, the large windows would permit plenty of sunshine into the room; at night, large light fixtures would provide lumination. This early 1956 photograph was taken on the campus of Pacific Lutheran College in the new College Union Building, the center of student activity. The College Union Building would also contain a large recreation room with ping pong and pool tables, book store, post office, snack bar, yearbook and student council offices. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College. (1956 Saga, p. 1, TNT 2-5-56, B-7) TPL-9350

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

ca. 1956. These young ladies and gentlemen are preparing for an elegant evening out on the campus of Pacific Lutheran College in January, 1956. One girl checks her bag to make sure it contains all she needs for the evening while a young man reads a copy of the News Tribune while he awaits his date. Two couples appear to be enjoying a casual conversation. This is probably the foyer of the College Union Building which had recently been completed and would be dedicated in February, 1956. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College. (TNT 2-5-56, B-7)

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

ca. 1956. The college bookstore was an integral part of college life. Here a student could purchase books and materials necessary for courses plus "fun" items such as sweatshirts, jackets, and pennants bearing the school's name. Even toys like stuffed dogs could be ordered and paid for. The Pacific Lutheran College self-service bookstore was located in the new College Union Building recently completed in early 1956. Items were neatly displayed making it easy to locate necessary merchandise. Store hours were adjusted to suit the needs of its clientele; in this January, 1956, photograph, the store was open in the evenings past 6 o'clock. All furnishings were custom built. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College. (TNT 2-5-56, B-7) TPL-9351

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

ca. 1956. Pacific Lutheran College Chorus. Professor Frederick L. Newnham directed the Pacific Lutheran College Chorus in 1956 due to the absence of R. Byard Fritts. The Chorus had a very active year with many public performances including the Christmas Concert, journeying to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Olympia, and a farewell concert for the servicemen at Fort Lewis. The Chorus was headed by Richard Farness, president. Names of individual chorus members are found in the 1956 Saga yearbook, p. 121. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College.

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

ca. 1955. The lovely Miss Marion Gabrielson of Eugene, Oregon, will be crowned 1955 May Queen at Pacific Lutheran College. Her coronation would take place during a program on May 4, 1955, in the college gym. She was a senior nursing education student. She poses here on the campus grounds in front of what is probably the Science Hall. She is dressed formally in an evening gown and holds a bouquet of spring daffodils and forsythia. (TNT 5/1/1955, pg. D-1, 5/5/1955, pg. A-8)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Gabrielson, Marion; Beauty contestants--Parkland--1950-1960; Evening gowns--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Pacific Lutheran College's "Old Main," renamed Harstad Hall in honor of school founder Rev. Bjug Harstad in 1960. PLC was founded in 1890 by Rev. Harstad. Construction on Old Main began in 1891 and the building was opened for use in 1894. At that time, tuition was $1.00 a week and the six story building on the Parkland prairie 40 minutes from Tacoma (by street car or railroad) was the whole school. It housed dormitories, classrooms, library, chapel, offices and the dining hall and kitchen. Over the years, the building has undergone changes. Its famous ivy was removed in 1950 because it was damaging the building. The cafeteria was moved in 1955 to the Student Union and the offices and classrooms moved in 1960 to the new administration building. The entire building was converted to men's dormitory rooms.

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

Pacific Lutheran College students Naomi Rasmussen (left) and Lois Ronell are studying in the tidy room they shared in the school's new women's dormitory in October, 1954. Drapes on the large window are open to let in natural light and provide a beautiful view of a large tree-filled lot. Each girl seems to have a bed, bookcase, and possibly separate desks. Large cuddly stuffed animals rest on top of their beds. Computers and refrigerators are conspicuous by their absence.The new South Hall dormitory was home to 129 women in the fall of 1954. It had many amenities such as two decorated lounges complete with televisions and a grand piano, four small kitchen units, complete laundry service and study rooms. Mrs. Clara Nelson was housemother. (TNT 10-13-54, C-2, 1955 Saga yearbook)

Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Studying; Bedrooms; Stuffed animals (Toys); Bulletin boards; Rasmusson, Naomi; Ronell, Lois;