Susquehanna University - 1895 to 1939

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About This Collection

This collection contains the archive of documents, photographs, and brief publications and correspondence revolving around the evolution of Susquehanna University from 1895 through 1939.
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Alpha Sigma Omega Fraternity
Alpha Sigma Omega Fraternity
Fraternities & sororities, Alpha Sigma Omega, Phi Mu Delta, Students, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
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.
Alumni Day
Alumni Day
Homecomings, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
Homecoming started in 1922. At that time it was named Alumni Day. This photo collage appeared in the 1929 Lanthorn.
Alumni Gymnasium
Alumni Gymnasium
Buildings, Gymnasiums, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
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.
Amos Alonzo Stagg Jr.
Amos Alonzo Stagg Jr.
Stagg, Amos Alonzo Jr., Coaches (Athletics), Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
Amos Alonzo Stagg Jr. became the new athletic coach in 1935. This photo shows Stagg Jr. in 1938.
Amos Alonzo Stagg Jr.
Amos Alonzo Stagg Jr.
Stagg, Amos Alonzo Jr., Coaches (Athletics), Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University, Tennis, Tennis players, Sports
In 1935, Susquehanna University hired Amos Alonzo Stagg Jr. to be the new athletic coach. He was the son of the "Grand Old Man" of football, Amos Alonzo Stagg Sr. Although tennis was Stagg Jr.'s sport, there was a lot of excitement because he was also going to coach the football team. This picture shows Stagg Jr. and the 1936 Men's Tennis Team.
Arbor Day
Arbor Day
Tree planting ceremonies, Manners & customs, Students, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
Faculty and students would plant trees on campus in celebration of Arbor Day. Later it became the responsibility of the senior graduating class to plant a tree on Arbor Day, so they would have a place marked on the campus to gather for their alumni reunions. This photo was taken in front of Seibert Hall.
Art Students
Art Students
Art education, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
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.
Baseball Team
Baseball Team
Baseball players, Sports, Student organizations, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
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.
Baseball team
Baseball team
Baseball, Baseball players, Sports, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
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.
Charles Steele Science Hall
Charles Steele Science Hall
Buildings, Universities & Colleges, Susquehanna University, Steele Science Hall, Steele Hall
Charles Steele Science Hall.
Charles Steele Science Hall
Charles Steele Science Hall
Buildings, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University, Charles Steele Science Hall, Steele, Charles, Steele Hall
With the expansion of the science curriculum, the Charles Steele Science Hall was built, replacing the old science building, Sell Memorial Laboratory.
Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders
Cheerleading, Students, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
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.
Class Banquet
Class Banquet
Banquets, Banquet camera photographs, Students, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
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.
Conservatory of Music
Conservatory of Music
Buildings, Universities & colleges, Music education, Susquehanna University
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.
Delmonico Boarding Club, Student Clubs
Delmonico Boarding Club, Student Clubs
Delmonico Boarding Club, Student organizations, Fraternities & sororities, Susquehanna University, Universities & colleges
In 1859, students formed Boarding/Eating Clubs. These clubs were an early form of fraternity. The clubs would rent a house or a room in a house, hire a cook, plan meals and conduct conversations among their members. The Delmonico Boarding Club, pictured here, lasted until 1925.
Football
Football
Football players, Football, Sports, Students, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University, Ullery, Bill, Snell, Herb
Susquehanna University's first football team was formed in 1892. In 1932, the University had its first undefeated football team under the direction of Coach Bill Ullery and his assistant Herb Snell. Pictured is the 1932 football team.
Founders Day
Founders Day
Founders' Day commemorations, Dedications, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
Founders Day was celebrated in the Fall. On November 24, 1908, the sundial was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Benjamin Kurtz, the Institute's founding father, in celebration of the school's 50th anniversary. The buildings in the background are Selinsgrove Hall and the Alumni Gymnasium. In 1943, Founders Day was combined into a one day event with Parents Day and Homecoming.
G. Morris Smith, Susquehanna University President
G. Morris Smith, Susquehanna University President
Smith, G. Morris, College presidents, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
G. Morris Smith was the University President from 1928 to 1959.
Girls' Ghost Parade
Girls' Ghost Parade
Parades & processions, Practical jokes, Students, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
As a daring prank related to Halloween, the female students gathered at night in front of Seibert Hall on November 6, 1912. They wore homemade ghost costumes constructed from bed sheets and pillow cases. The group paraded towards Selinsgrove Hall, where the male students lived, making "ghostly yells and songs" to wake them, before returning to Seibert Hall by guidance of their burning broom stick. The female students staged similar ghost parades around Halloween during several years in this era.
Glee Club
Glee Club
Weis, Harry, Weis, Sigmund, Sheldon, E. Edwin, Singers, Student organizations, Universities & colleges, Susquehanna University
The Glee Club was composed of faculty, students and alumni. In the lower right hand corner of the photo is Harry Weis, and in the lower left hand corner is Sigmund Weis. After graduating from Susquehanna University, the Weis brothers went on to found the Weis Grocery Store company. SU's Sigmund Weis School of Business and the Blough-Weis Library reflect the family's continuing dedication to the University. Also in the photo, second row, second from the right is Professor E. Edwin Sheldon. He wrote the Susquehanna University "Alma Mater".