Susquehanna University - 1980 to 1989

The wisest investment in 1989? Stock in a hair spray company. The hair trends of the day required lots and lots of hair spray!

Students shop for textbooks in 1986.

The University's bookstore provided students living on campus with quite a lot of what they might need. Not only did the bookstore sell books but also SU clothing and greeting cards a student could use to keep in touch with friends and family.

While Greek life and the party scene were active during the 1980s, many students enjoyed a quiet social life, spending time socializing with friends in the residence halls and participating in campus clubs.

Improving the sciences became a priority agenda item for Susquehanna University in the 1980s. The need for new courses and labs as well as the importance of recruiting high abilty students into the sciences were stressed. The Geology Department was transformed into the Department of Environmental Science. This 1980 photo shows collaborative research in the sciences in action.

From home sickness to cafeteria food, freshmen give their first impressions of Susquehanna University to Crusader reporters Sue Leach and Lisa Metzger, in 1983. Doug Alderdice was the photographer for this assignment.

Gertrude James '89, a philosophy major, helped to form the organization Minority Concerns. The club's goal was to "take out cultural monotony and replace it with cultural diversity". The idea to form the club took root in 1988. There was a noted lack of minority students at Susquehanna University. Ms. James' role in the group was to help minority students with any problems they might have and to coordinate efforts within the University to address these problems. The group presented radio shows during Black History month on WQSU, about black figures who contributed to history, guest speakers such as Robert Kalamho, who spoke of his native country, Namibia, and Griot music programs involving traditional music and story telling.

The International House of Susquehanna University opened its doors in September 1984 with the aim of promoting cross-cultural understanding among students, faculty, staff and the community.

A program detailing all of the events of Orientation Week is given to incoming freshmen and transfer students. The cover of the 1981 orientation program, celebrating Susquehanna University's 125th year, was designed by Bill Weiser, class of 1982. The cartoon figure was also used on t-shirts, the Freshmen Shield, and the Parent Handbook.

Orientation week is designed to help students feel more at ease in their new surroundings. This 1983 photo shows students getting to know each other and the "lay of the land" as they participate in a group discussion.