Susquehanna University - 1950 to 1959

The nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union was in full swing in the 1950s. The inevitability of war and what its effects might be were on the minds of many. Susquehanna University students weighed in on the matter in this 1951 article from The Susquehanna (student newspaper).

The Susquehanna University community has always come together in a time of need and most particularly during war time. This newspaper article details the need for blood during the Korean War and encourages students to donate not only for the soldiers but also to keep up the reserves on the homefront.

Built in 1928, the University's Library has seen its share of changes but some things remain the same. This 1951 article from the school newspaper attempts to uncover the secrets the Library holds. Please note the 3:00 observation of a request for help with an assignment due in just twenty minutes. Times (and students) haven't changed!

The Library was built in 1928. By 1956 a new addition to it was needed for its growing book collections and the increasing student body. On the front page of the 1956 Susquehanna Alumnus, the Library announces plans to expand its building. In time for the Susquehanna University Centennial, the Library had its additional space built onto the south side of the Library.

Because the music department had outgrown its area in the Conservatory Building, Heilman Hall was built in 1958. In recognition of Mary Heilman Spangler, the new building was named in honor of her father John Heilman and brother Stephen Heilman.

The Men's Student Council was revised in 1924 under the leadership of Roger Blough, who would later become the chief executive officer of the United States Steel Corporation. The Men's Student Council initiated the student handbooks and also played a leading role in maintaining student judicial order. Shown in this image are rules from the 1958 Men's Student Council Handbook.

Roger M. Blough graduated from Susquehanna University in 1925. In 1955 Mr. Blough was elected as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Untied States Steel Corporation. From the pages of the 1955 Susquehanna Alumnus, a write up of his accomplishments and the esteem in which he was held by his peers was shared with other Alumni. As a result of his generosity, the Roger M. Blough Learning Center was later named in his honor, following the 1972 addition to the existing Library.

Each year, the senior students would climb to the top of Mahanoy Mountain in Northumberland and once at the top a student would scale the flag pole and attach the SU banner. This image shows members of the Class of 1959 atop Mahanoy Mountain. Led by Susquehanna University's President, this tradition continues to this very day.

The Susquehanna University Wives' Club was established by the wives of day students as a way for their families to get together and socialize. The new organization was announced in May 1957.

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From jewelry to dinks, the campus bookstore was your one stop shop to finish all of your holiday shopping in 1952.

In honor of Susquehanna University's One-Hundredth Anniversary, a book on its history was written by William S. Clark, class of 1948 and Dr. Arthur H. Wilson, Professor of English since 1931. An article from The Susquehanna Alumnus announces that the book is finished and will be ready for publication by the Susquehanna University Centennial year.