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
Back to the 1940s
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