Lawrence University

TIME AND TRADITIONS: 1950s


1951 Korean War reverberations

Lawrence is one of 61 institutions selected from 450 applicants for an Air Force ROTC unit in a period of high international tension. The first drill is held in Main Hall in September; the uniform of the day is civilian clothes topped with freshman beanies. ROTC membership is compulsory for all freshman and sophomore men.

1950s Panty raids

Panty raids and water fights are Lawrence traditions before coed residence halls became the norm in the early 1970s. As crowds of chanting young men approach the dorms, stern housemothers lock the doors, keeping the women inside. The men use water hoses to soak women if they open the doors.

1953 Pusey vs. McCarthy

Departing Lawrence president Nathan Pusey takes a firm stand against McCarthyism by sponsoring the publication of a booklet stating McCarthy's public record that is disseminated at election time. McCarthy calls Pusey a "rabid anti-anti-communist" and says "Harvard's loss is Wisconsin's gain." While at Harvard, Pusey again clashes with McCarthy when he retains several professors who refuse to answer questions for congressional committees.

1954 Scholarly strides

Lawrence has a banner year for Rhodes scholars -- Elmer Pfefferkorn and Michael Hammond head for Oxford University.

1956 Radioactivity

WLFM, the Fox Valley's first FM radio station, begins broadcasting on the Lawrence campus.



Moving The Rock is an eduring Lawrence tradition. In 1957, a false rock is placed on the Stephenson Hall roof ledge.

On to the 1960s

Milwaukee-Downer in the 1950s

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