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1940s

Our orchestra had Howard Hanson conducting his symphony. The excitement of playing with him was almost impossible to imagine. The tension grew and grew. I looked back at the trombone section and there were tears in the football playersÕ eyes. I think we were all affected!
Dorothy Lichty Crawford, ISTC '41
San Jose, CA

I came back to ISTC and got my M.A. in 1962. A great school and wonderful accommodations.

Norman Hanson, ISTC '41
Cedar Falls, IA

Hearing the campanile chimes- bells! Sweating through calculus classes! Working at the Commons cafeteria!
Glenn Miller, ISTC '41
Hemet, CA

Riding on the trolley to downtown Cedar Falls to work at Boysen's Shoe Store. A pleasant escape from school studies.
Ivan W. Maurer, ISTC '41
Decatur, AL

Meeting my lovely wife, Lois, of 58 years!
Don Eells, ISTC '41
Cedar Rapids

Dancing at the commons to the "Tutor Ticklers." Moving into the "new" Lawther Hall. My favorite professors were Miss Smith and Miss Arey. Having to sit at the baseball games where Forrest was the catcher.
Marjorie Johnson Hanifan, ISTC '41
Knoxville, IA

Hurrying to eat dinner so we could get to "rec" dancing.
Charlene Gilbert Muir, ISTC '41
Oak Park, ILL

Commons dancing at noon and lunch in the fountain lunch counter of an olive and nut sandwich and a Coke.
Luella Workman Larsen, ISTC '41
Cedar Falls, IA

Rec. dancing Ð Tutor Ticklers. College Eye reporter, my first big assignment was to report on Lawther Hall before it opened.
Betty L Burley, ISTC '41
Mason City, IA

1. Night lady bawled me out for ringing the bell so long instead of being late.
2. Women's Phys. Ed. Dept. taught me how to walk down stairs after I showed up with bleeding knees form falling down Auditorium steps.
3. Sadie B. suggested I not take Contemporary Affaires because most students felt it was difficult and I was working at Clay Equipment on war time productions at night. I enjoyed that class and did well. I was even written up in the College Eye because at that time I was the only student commuting!

Rita Kane Weapie, ISTC '41 and '46
Independence, IA

For 25 cents per hour in 1941 or 1942, I followed Phi Mu Alpha frat brother Myron Messerschmidt as the Campanile player (and this was before it was electrified and turned into a carillon). Climbing all those stairs on a cold Iowa morning, taking off my jacket in order to push down the heavy levers with my arms for each note, and obtaining a triad by playing a pedal with my foot was this non-jock's 15-minute phys ed period. "Smitty on the Keys," my column in the college newspaper, referred more t o my playing piano in the Commons. But oh the joy of crazily clanging away on the huge bells, yelling instead of singing along, and arching my back as if I were Quasimodo up in the belfry. Little wonder that I switched from music to literature in my senior year . . . and am about to be included in the upcoming CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS.

Profs I recall with fondness: Brock Fagan and John Cowley in English; Lyle Baum and Carl Wirth in music; George Holmes in journalism; Martin L. Grant in biology; and President Malcolm Price (for I drew him as my beat on the COLLEGE EYE). When in my Manhattan recording studio I once recorded the organist of Radio City Music Hall, I told him I had played an even larger instrument. He was incredulous . . . until I told him about the ISTC campanile.
Warren Allen Smith, ISTC '48
New York, New York


1950s
Intramural basketball-so much fun. Many good times-good classes.
Ray Cooper, ISTC '51 & '59
Clear Lake, IA


I had many wonderful teachers at ISTC and they all brought a love for learning to the classroom!
Gerald Carpenter, ISTC '51
Ramona, Ca


My memory is more a feeling than an event. Given the era 1947-1951, and being female coming from a modest income family, each day I felt thrilled to be a college student on my way to becoming a bonafide 4-year college graduate. I sensed the dawning of an era of social permission for women to wake up their respective minds for service to themselves and to others. I feel grateful that ISTC was an encouraging academic setting for women as well as men. Dr. William Lang, Dr. Josef Fox and Dr. Lloyd Douglas were among special mentors.
Berdena J. Nelson Beach, ISTC '51 & SCI '75
Cedar Falls, IA


I took several classes from Dr. Elaine McDavitt in Speech. She was a perfectionist and hard to please. Once in an interpretation class, she asked me to repeat a long line in a poem over and over: "I must go down to the sea; the lonely sea and the sky," etc. I was to feel what she felt for the idea in that line. At that time this Iowa farm boy of 18 had never seen a sea, let alone been tossed around on one! I just could not make her sense that I dramatically measured up to that great line! But I learned that there was a real beauty in words, especially in poetry, and we had to feel what we performed. I did not get an A in that course but I did in later ones. I thank her for insisting on a higher degree of perfection in me.
Bernard J. Brommel, ISTC '51
Chicago, IL


Triple jeopardy of 1) dating a town girl, 2) who was also one of my students, while student teaching, and 3) who was also a professors daughter.
P.S. We're celebrating our 50th Anniversary in December.
William Gauger, ISTC '51
Iowa City, IA

When I attended summer school, Campus Kindergarten was held in a small wooden building near the Women's Gym. Five of us did student teaching under a wonderful instructor. Rewarding!
Naomi Kimberley Ritzman, ISTC '51
Hampton, IA

Sorority events and especially leadership opportunities!
Natalie Clayton Meyer, ISTC '51
Denver, CO

My first class as a freshman was 1 credit hour- it was a beginning typing class and it was an 8:00am class across campus on the 3rd or 4th floor, and many typists were not beginners, as I was. Most pleasant memory was being an attendant to Old Gold Queen in '51.
Ardello Recher Butler, ISTC '51
Clarinda, IA


I really enjoyed being a member of the A Cappella choir and also the trips we took. Mr. Gerard was a fantastic director.
Barbara Long Bratland, ISTC '51
Bode, IA


Simply the entire four-year process of preparing me to realize my dream of becoming a basketball coach.

Don King, ISTC '51
Cedar Rapids, IA

I played football for four years ('47-'50), coach was "Buck" Stanbeck. I rode a triumph motorcycle. The two of us were visiting by side of men's gym and he wanted to ride my 'cycle, identifying he knew how to ride one. He took off with it, balanced bad and ran into a tree. He was my "ideal" for a coach.

Homer C. Bienfang, ISTC '51
Clear Lake, IA


I met so many nice people with such varied interests; they helped expand my views of the world. Working in the Commons did much to this.
Enid Roth Roscoe, ISTC '51
Atlantic, IA


October 1, 1948 - At a night dance, Colleen Gadwin chose me to dance at a "Ladies Choice". That's when we ment, and we have now been married for 49 years, have raised 4 children, and we now have 10 grandchildren with number 11 & 12 on the way!
Robert P. Robinson, ISTC '51
Overland Park, KS


Sharing a 2 1/2 year Honeymoon with my new bride, Norma, with whom I have enjoyed 53 years of marriage.
DeWaine Silker , ISTC '51
Rochester, MN


Dancing in the Commons; working on art projects in the "new at that time" art building; having "gab fests" with my Pi Theta Pi Sorority sisters; football & basketball games; listening to the Campanile at 6p.m..
Virginia McGovern Abney, ISTC '51
Cedar Rapids, IA

Meeting friends on the "Hill" for a coke. Also, dorm or wing parties.
Shirley Miller Joens, ISTC '51
Clarinda, IA

Dancing and music in the Commons after meals.
John M. Wallace, ISTC '51
Rogers, AR


Art class with Devid Delafield. He made class interesting even for those who had no Art. A Cappella choir - Maurice Gerow. Marching Band. Tours with A Cappella choir & Marching Band. You were not just a number.
Dorothy Zirat Rokes, ISTC '51 and SCI '62
Cedar Falls, IA


They are many and meaningful but don't deserve special mention.
Shirley Bollhoefer Suckow, ISTC '51 and SCI '63
Newton, IA


I enjoyed living in both Bartlett and Lawther Halls. I made many lifelong friends. We had so much fun together. Some of my classes were very interesting and opened up a wider world to me. Thanks for the education.
Ellen Boust Opsal
, ISTC '51 and SCI '65
Cedar Falls, IA

Times spent with friends. Meeting my husband, Lee Miller.

Donnabelle Beatty Miller, ISTC '53
Dewey, AZ


As a freshman I lived in Stadium Hall. It got so cold that a bowl of goldfish froze solid during the night. We also used the women's restroom during the week. One Saturday morning on a game day I went into the restroom and all of a sudden I noticed women's shoes on both sides of me.
Jere Graetz, ISTC '56
Burnsville, MN

In 1950 I shared a room in Stadium Hall with five other guys in three bunk beds. It was a terrible situation for an incoming freshman. I left at the end of my freshman year for four years in the U.S. Navy returning to ISTC in 1955. I remember living in Sunset Village in quonset huts as a married veteran. When I returned from class one day in a raging blizzard, I found my wife crying her eyes out and when I asked what was wrong, she replied "Why did we have to leave San Diego?" I didn't have an answer for her but we finished in January, 1958 and lived happily ever after.
Jim Berry, ISTC '58
Iowa City, IA


1960s
I remember my inability to grow a substantial beard for Men's Union Day... getting dumped into a cornfield near Dike by my TKE "brothers"... paying $100/semester to attend ISTC, what a bargain!... watching Dutch Elm Disease wreak havoc on campus trees... and watching athletes sweat as they had to recite bone landmarks in Art Dickinson's anatomy course.
David (Bert) Lamb, ISTC/SCI '61
Worthington, OH


1970s
It was the fall of 1966 and I was a freshman looking forward to watching the Panther football team play. UNI, then SCI, had pretty good football back in the 60's and we were looking forward to the game (and a big win) against Morningside College. One the first possession of the game the UNI defense held, forcing the Chiefs to punt. Our defense blocked the punt and it rolled out of the back of the end zone, giving us a safety and the early lead, 2-0. Incredibly, those would be the only points scored in the game. I have never forgotten that game. I am sure that UNI has never had another game quite like that one, winning 2-0.

Then, in late spring of 1970, my senior year, I was all set for graduation. All that remained were final exams, which were scheduled to start the next week. This was also the time of the Vietnam war and on many campuses around the country there was considerable unrest and student protests against our involvement in the war. The Univ. of Iowa in Iowa City was the site of some particularly violent protests. In Cedar Falls though, things were fairly quiet. Suddenly, without any warning came the announcement from the President's office, that to avoid any potential protest problems on campus, final exams were being canceled. What a graduation present for us seniors.

Bob Saunders, SCI/UNI '70
Iowa City, IA

I have so many fond memories of my time at SCI and UNI that it's impossible to stop at just one. I remember dances every weekend in the gym and in the Commons Ballroom (no suitcase college for me!). I remember hollering myself hoarse at basketball games in the Men's Gym. I remember scheduling as many classes as possible in the Old Aud because it was the shortest distance from Bartlett Hall where I lived and therefore the least amount of time in the cold during the winter months. Those worn oak floors always seemed warm and welcoming. And the theater productions in the Auditorium were a real treat. I often volunteered to usher so I could see more productions. One of my favorite spots was the library. So many books; so little time. My love of research started there, no doubt. And it was a much better place to study than the dorm, although the ironing room down the hall in Bartlett was at least quiet after midnight. I remember great professors like Dr. Eiklor in Humanities and Dr. M.B. Smith in Advanced Speech. I could go on but I just have to say UNI was and is a great place - Happy 125!
Carol (Denter) (Koch) Bodensteiner, UNI '72
West Des Moines, Iowa

I remember the snow storm that hit Cedar Falls, for the first annual SUNI Days (Spring U.N.I.) in April of 1973. It caused classes to be canceled for 2 days. And during that time there was a food fight in the 'Regents', and then the banning of kegs from the dorms thereafter!
Kathy Mundt Henningsen, UNI '75
Atlantic, Iowa


A blonde blue-eyed girl named Paula and studying for the CPA exam in the library.
Joe Ryan, UNI '76
Oskaloosa, IA

I remember attending football games at O.R. Latham Stadium during my freshman year. I also remember using food service trays as sleds on the hill near Bender & Dancer Halls.
Janis Wehner Jehle, UNI
'79
Cedar Falls, IA

I remember the dance marathon my freshman year in the union. I remember the long journey on cold, windy days from the Towers to "upper campus".
Sandy Murphy Wilder, UNI '79
Des Moines, IA


1980s
Stumbling, (I mean walking) home from the hill. Great friends who I still see every year.
Rick Umsted, UNI '80
Indianola, IA


There are so many memories...eating popcorn by the "vators" in Dancer, the opening season of football in the Dome, penny draw night at the Stein, people watching in the Union, mixers, food fights in the Towers dining room, living off campus in an apartment with 8 other women whose friendships I still cherish today...it was such a fun, carefree time in our lives.

Sheree Meyer Menadue, UNI '80
Ankeny, IA

Being proposed to at the top of the Campanile.
Vannessa Rolison-Foelske, UNI '83
Ankeny, IA

I remember the winters being so cold and windy that your eyelashes would freeze when walking to class.
Michelle Ludwick Walker, UNI '86
Urbandale, IA

First trip to the Campanile for homecoming my freshman year - Bay of Pigs - Dr. Halverson.
Susan K. Conner Voss, UNI '86
North English, IA

I remember the positive learning experience I had at the School of Industrial Technology and the mentoring from Dr. James LaRue. UNI's foundry education program gave me the start of a very successful career in the foundry industry. Finally, I can't forget the fun we had at Stebs on the hill and Mary Kay's cheese fries!
John L. Grahek, UNI '88
Oskaloosa, IA


1990s
I remember playing in intramural flag football games for Hagemann Hall. Parking in "Dike" really was bad when you had a ton of laundry and books to carry back to the quads. I loved the times we spent sitting out in the grass outside Hagemann in the sun during the beginning of spring.
Kara Shultz Schnathorst, UNI '96
LeGrand, IAx


Faculty/Staff
In the fall of 1973 I came to UNI for one-year temporary appointment as an Associate Professor with the Geography Department. I remember fondly of Dr. Basheer Nijim, Head of the Geography Department, who made me felt at home during this year.

A year later, I became a regular faculty member at UNI until my retirement from the University in 1992. During the years, I appreciated, among others, Dr. Bill Lang, Dr. Gordon, Dr. Bill Dryer and Dr. Valj as he is called. Drs. Lang and Gordon were real Christian gentlemen as well as is Bill Dryer. During my last years as the department head, I appreciated very much the service which Mrs. Sandra Heller randered and the cooperations of my contempory colleagues who helped me to do my work easier.
It was through the introduction of Dr. Nijim that I met Professor Denis Baly of Gambier College who helped me to develop my interests in biblical geography. With the approval of the departmental as well as the University Curriculum Committees, I introduced and offered a course, Geography of the Bible, as an academic subject at the University.
I remember appreciatively my old colleagues, Murry Austin, Roy Chung, David May, Fred Fryman and Bob Clark, all of them made my years at UNI memorable.
Among students, I remember Brenda and Tracy who met in my geography of the bible class and later married and they are now serving as Christian missionaries in one of the Eastern European countries.
Finally, but not the least, I want to say, God bless America, and God bless UNI, with anticipations, during the second 125 years.

Jonathan J. Lu
Professor of Geography


In February of 1967, I came to the campus of the State College of Iowa for my interview. I was brought to the New Administration Building (Gilchrist was at that time another building, attached to the Auditorium, and the "Aud" was many years away from being renamed after the hero of this story). I was introduced to a tall, distinguished-looking gentleman, named William Lang. Dean Lang (really the equivalent of a VP and Provost) told me "Mr. Oates, if you're a good teacher, we'll keep you and if you're not, we won't". Our entire meeting lasted no more than 15 minutes. Later, after I had returned to campus (now renamed UNI) as a beginning faculty member, I was walking back to my office when I recognized that same tall gentleman coming in the opposite direction. Before I could open my mouth, he said "Hello, Mr. Oates. How is it going?" It so impressed me that Bill Lang should remember my name! This incident helped me feel at home in Iowa and gave me a sense of belonging to this university.
Michael D. Oates
Professor, Modern Languages Dept.

I remember many things about UNI - before I came here as a student, because I grew up in Cedar Falls, also during the time I was a student. I also have new memories - because now I work here at UNI. It seems that UNI has been a part of most of my life. One of my fondest memories as child was ice skating on Prexies Pond in the winter with my family and my friends (now the site of the Curris Business Building). I also remember Prexies Pond during my high school days. It was the place where "bra burning" took place. Don't ask me why!

The year I graduated from Cedar Falls High School was the first year that Maucker Union opened. We had our graduation dance there. Twenty years later - in the Union Expansion - we had our 20-year class reunion dinner and dance.

I also remember the April '73 blizzard. My roommate's professor walked to campus just so he could keep a test schedule. Anyone who did not show up for the 8 a.m. test failed. Later that morning classes were canceled for two days - AND the Hill sold out of beer. Speaking of beer - does anyone remember when you could get one in the Union?

Now that I work here on the campus I really enjoy meeting all the students that I come in contact with and watching them make their own memories of their time here at UNI. It is a great place and I hope there will be another 125 years for all the future generations! Happy Birthday UNI!!!!
Sandee Ethington Murphy UNI '75
Secretary, International Programs

I have worked at the UNI physics department as a student, graduate assistant, and adjunct instructor for many years. I have several memories to share, First, I want to state the the Physics faculty are the friendliest, most helpful people on campus. I have proof! On a wet, rainy day I discovered I had a flat tire. When I went inside to phone for help, I ran into Ralph Engardt and Frank Vilmain, both now emeritu professors. Between the two of them they decided to change my tire! I couldn't believe it, but soon they were out at my car, kneeling in the mud, replacing my flat with the spare. Soon I was on my way, but I will always remember these two men not only as excellent teachers, but as helpful friends as well.

My second memory is of my children, who came with me to the physics department to play while I graded papers or worked on setting up labs. My children, Vicky and John, were about 7 and 5. Dr. Dale Olson's daughter Sara was about the same age, and she was also in the building with her dad. Sometime during my conversation with Dale I mentioned there was a giant slide rule up in the attic. Dale and I knew the slide rule was a lecture hall version of the tool which is now extinct, replaced by electronic calculators. That's why it was in the attic! We no longer needed a 6 foot long slide rule to multiply, divide, etc. But our children had never heard of a slide rule, and promptly found their way into the attic. It's an easy thing to do in the Physics building, where the attic stares are accessed through the bathroom on the top floor! They came down disappointed, there was no slide up there! Certainly not any slide they were familiar with!

Not only were the physics faculty helpful and kind, they were match makers as well! I was introduced to my husband, a returning veteran, by Verner Jensen. Professor Jenson made quite a long, formal introduction, and I could see that John was a little embarrassed by it, but he "hung in there" and we chatted together. It turned out John was not only in Dr. Hanson's Modern Physics class, but in Intoduction to Computer Science as well. I sat in back and watched him in Physics, and he sat in back and watched me in computer science! We got to know each other better in the punch card room, poking holes in computer cards which sent the program to the computer in Iowa City, since we didn't have one on campus. John's folk's soon figured out there was something more than studying going on, because they asked "What color are the computer's eyes?" The following summer we were together again in the first holography class on campus, and were married in the fall.

Patricia Henderson Higby, UNI '73
Adjunct Instructor, Physics Dept.

When I came to UNI in 1962, the cold war was going strong. There was a threat of nuclear attack by what was then the Soviet Union. As part of a safety program in the event of a nuclear attack, I was assigned to monitor all of the residents of Campbell Hall with a Gieger Counter for possible radiation exposure. We were then to move to designated fallout shelters distributed around campus.
Erwin Richter, MA, SCI '63
Radiation/Chemical Safety Officer, UNI Public Safety

 
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08/14/01