Susquehanna University - 1895 to 1939

Alpha Sigma Omega fraternity was formed before 1900, but disappeared by 1910 because President Aikens and the faculty had opposed fraternities. It was reconstituted with the motto "SU: First and Last" shortly before America entered World War I. In 1921 the fraternity bought a house on Walnut street, and two years later they bought the lots beside it. In 1924 Alpha Sigma Omega joined the national fraternity Phi Mu Delta. In 1927, they built a Tudor-style fraternity house.

Homecoming started in 1922. At that time it was named Alumni Day. This photo collage appeared in the 1929 Lanthorn.

The Alumni Gymnasium was built in 1903. The main floor held a large open space for exercise and practice. The 2nd floor had a track on which twenty-six laps equalled one mile. The basement had lockers and showers. In 1934 the building burned down.

The Alumni Gymnasium was built in 1903. The basement held lockers and showers. Having showers that would not freeze you with ice cold water was a very pleasant and luxurious experience compared to the old ways of bathing as discussed in the 1905 Lanthorn short article "The Bath Room".

The Art Department was created in 1902. Pencil drawing, water colors, china and oil painting were some of the classes taught in the Art Department.

The first recorded baseball game at the Missionary Institute was in 1881. The first interscholastic game was in 1887. The first baseball field on campus was constructed in the mid-1890s.The first University baseball team was formed in 1901.

The first recorded baseball game at the Missionary Institute was in 1881. The first interscholastic game was in 1887. The baseball field on campus was set up in the mid-1890s. The first official baseball team was formed in 1898.

Scenes of the campus from the 1918 Summer School catalog. Selinsgrove Hall is in the bottom left hand corner, Gustavus Adolphus Hall is in the upper left hand corner, the Alumni Gymnasium is in the middle, Seibert Hall is in the lower right hand corner, and the campus entrance is in the upper right hand corner.

Cheerleading started with only male cheerleaders. In the early 1920s, women became active in cheerleading at some schools. Susquehanna University did not have females involved in cheerleading until the late 1940s. However, by the late 1950s, all of the cheerleaders were women.

Every graduating class would hold a class banquet at an off-campus location ranging from Middleburg to Milton. The graduating class and their chaperones would make many toasts as they enjoyed a full course meal. The banquets provided lasting memories for the students before going out into the world. This is a picture of the class of 1917.

The Conservatory of Music building was the former home of 5th President Jonathan Dimm. After Dimm's death in 1920, Susquehanna University purchased the building which remained the Conservatory Building until 1958. It was demolished in 1959.

This dance card lists the titles of songs played by the Blue Moon Orchestra at the 1939 Inter-Sorority Commencement Dance held in the Alumni Gymnasium.