Susquehanna University - 1980 to 1989

In 1980, the Blough Learning Center began to offer database searching with the introduction of DIALOG and ORBIT. Because both databases were located in California, searching via phone connections resulted in large long-distance phone bills and so searches were only done for faculty and special research projects.

In 1935, during the re-configuration of the south side of campus, female Ginkgo trees were planted, lining Kurtz Lane. Every fall, nuts from the trees emit a foul smell. This Crusader article explains the science behind that stinky, stinky tree.

The Counseling Center at Susquehanna offers free and confidential counseling to students. In October of 1988, the Counseling Center sponsored a support group for Susquehanna University's gay and lesbian students. The group would get together to talk and share experiences.

This amusing play-by-play description of an imaginary faculty food fight appeared in the 1980 April Fools Day edition of The Crusader, the University's student newspaper.

A Crusader poll accurately predicted the winner of the 1980 presidential election. Ronald Reagan came out on top by garnering 32% of the vote. His future choice for vice president, George H.W. Bush, tied for last place with none other than Mickey Mouse.

Sponsored by the Student Government Association, G. Gordon Liddy, made famous by his involvement in the Watergate break-in, presented the lecture "Government: Public Perception Versus Reality" in Weber Chapel Auditorium on April 13, 1984. At the time, the National Association for Campus Activities had named Mr. Liddy the top lecturer on the campus circuit.

In May of 1982, Selinsgrove created and consumed the World's Largest Banana Split. The tasty treat ran the length of the town, and earned an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. The title was later lost to a fraternity at Bowling Green State University. Anxious to regain the title, the town of Selinsgrove planned to create and consume a 4 1/2 mile long sundae on April 30, 1988. This newspaper article invites community members to actively participate and GO BANANAS! The title was returned to Selinsgrove and a recreation of the banana split was created and consumed in 2003 to celebrate Susquehanna University's Sesquicentennial.

The John App Honor Society was established at the University in 1980 to recognize and encourage scholastic achievement. Membership required a student to be a full time junior or senior with a 3.75 or higher grade point average. John App was an influential Selinsgrove citizen who in 1858 donated land which helped in the founding of the Missionary Institute, which would later become Susquehanna University.

Under the direction of Dr. Robert L. Bradford, the summer study program in Oxford, England provided students with a six week course of study in the humanities, social sciences, business and economics. It had been offered on a biennial basis since its inception in 1966 but in 1982, due to high demand, the program became an annual opportunity.

The Campus Center Game Room was a place for students to unwind. During the fall of 1982, students could enter a weekly competition for the highest score on a video or pinball machine chosen prior to the event. Stakes ran high with winners taking home their choice of an ATARI home video game cassette, a pocket calculator or $15 cash.