Happy Presidents Day!

Happy Presidents Day!

"Presidents Day originated in the 1880s when the birthday of George Washington was celebrated as a federal holiday. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill, which moved a number of federal holidays to Mondays. During the debate on the bill, it was proposed to have George Washington’s birthday be renamed Presidents Day to honor the birthdays of both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Washington’s birthday is February 22nd and Lincoln’s birthday is February 12th. Although Abraham Lincoln’s birthday was celebrated in many states, it was never an official federal holiday. Following much discussion, Congress rejected the name change. However, after the bill went into effect in 1971, Presidents Day became the commonly accepted name."(1)

1. National Day Calendar. (2017) Presidents Day - Third Monday in February. Accessed 2017.02.15. Retrieved from http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/presidents-day-third-monday-in-february/
Credit for both halves of this animated gif to Phoebe Migliano for her adaptations from WikimediaCommons

#TBT in the Archives 2/16/17: Circus at Heiges

Heiges Field House has hosted many events over the decades. But it's hard to think of an event more unique than a three-ring circus.

The Hanneford Circus, then nationally known for its animal acts and aerial stunts, arrived on campus Sept. 19, 1974 to perform two shows for students, faculty and staff, and local residents. According to the Sept. 17, 1974 edition of The Slate, the circus was "one of the largest in the country." The paper added that the circus started in 1821 in England as a showcase for one man's horsemanship and had continued operations for 150 years managed by the Hanneford family.

Thirty different acts were featured at the 4:30 p.m and 8 p.m. field house shows, which The Slate reported were well-attended. Among the feats performed were dogs playing basketball, a performance involving tigers, lions and elephants trained by Tajana Hanneford, lions and tigers jumping through flaming hoops, aerial stunts by Marian Radulesce, on her first U.S. tour, and "Ramona."

A highlight of the show was the Hanneford Family Bareback Riding Act, which involved family members riding horses without saddles. Hanneford family matriarch Mrs. George Hanneford, Sr., then 84, appeared with the riders.

The circus was hosted by the campus Activities Program Board. Admission was 50 cents for children and students, and $1.00 adults.

Want to find out about events Shippensburg students enjoyed in the past? Archives & Special Collections has photos and newspaper articles about a wide variety of APB and student-sponsored events. Contact Archives & Special Collections via email: specialcollections@ship.edu or phone: (717) 477-1123, x3357. 

Sources:
The Slate. Sept. 17, 1974.
The Slate. Sept. 24, 1974.

#TBT in the Archives 2/9/17: FM radio @ Ship



A 1978-79 bumper sticker advertising WSYC.

When you think of the ways you listen to music, you might first think of your smartphone and one of the many streaming radio apps. Or you might think of satellite radio, or buying digital versions of your favorite songs on the Web.

For SU students in the 1970s, radio was the most popular way to hear new hits and artists as well as music news and commentary. WSYC - the campus AM radio station - launched broadcasts in 1957. The station could be heard in dining halls and dorms on campus thanks to eight local transmitters.

We might think of AM radio as the scratchy part of the radio dial where it's hard to get a clear signal. Today, news, sports and talk radio are AM's main programs. In the 1970s, it was a common way to hear Top 40 music and pop hits. But FM format was gaining popularity. It offered better sound due to high frequency waves transmitted at high power. Typically, music stations now broadcast on FM.

In May 1974, President Gilmore Seavers authorized work on the new campus FM station. Seavers set three goals for the project: Install a new transmitter and equipment, appoint an FM station board to resolve programming disputes, and name a faculty rep from Communications-Journalism. Students hoped to begin FM broadcasts by September 1975.

Construction began on the transmitter by October 1974.

As soon as Seavers gave the OK, WSYC applied for an FCC license, which was granted in late October 1974. In the meantime, a transmitter building was constructed. After a few equipment delays, WSYC-FM went on the air on March 24, 1975 at 88.7 on the FM dial.

President Seavers signs the guest log at the WSYC-FM open house on March 24, 1975.

On AM, WSYC listeners were used to hearing popular music. The FM station was classified as "education" and had to expand programming. Communications-Journalism faculty used the station to train students studying broadcasting. Students offered news and commentary daily on a variety of topics. The station also played classical, jazz, R&B and progressive music. Top 40 was rarely heard.

Today, SU students continue to broadcast live at WSYC-FM. Programs include music, sports and interview and news programs. Many students use their experience to get ready for future broadcasting careers. WSYC-FM also offers streaming radio at wsyc-fm.squarespace.com.

Archives and Special Collections has a lot of information on student-run media at SU, including The Slate, yearbooks, Reflectors, and more. Contact Archives & Special Collections via email at specialcollections@ship.edu or phone, (717) 477-1123, ext 3357.

Sources:
All source materials can be found in Shippensburg University Archives & Special Collections, Ezra Lehman Memorial Library, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA.
The Slate. May 7, 1974.
The Slate. Oct. 15, 1974
The Slate. Oct. 29, 1974.
The Slate. Jan. 21, 1975.
The Slate. Feb. 4, 1975.
The Slate. April 1, 1975.

Library will open at 11:00 am on Thursday, Feb. 9th, 2017

Due to the severe weather, Lehman Library will open at 11:00 am today, Thursday, Feb. 9th, 2017.
Enjoy the snow, and be safe!

#TBT in the Archives 2/2/17: SU Presidents

Since the founding of the Cumberland Valley State Normal School in 1870, Shippensburg University presidents have always been leaders in guiding change for the campus community. Whether these changes meant new buildings, groundbreaking academic programs, or even new names, each president (or principal!) has had the honor of guiding the campus forward.

Recently, President Jody Harpster retired. He may have served as University President for just two years, but the institution made great strides under his watch. Since January 2015, Shippensburg has launched the first electrical engineering degree in PASSHE, and its first two doctoral programs in educational leadership and counselor education and supervision. Plus, the Fashion Archives & Museum moved into a new home at the Davis House in March 2016, while the John L. Grove College of Business and the computer engineering and software engineering programs earned national recognition.

Let’s take a look back at other major changes that took place during the tenure of past presidents: 

Ezra Lehman served as the principal of the Cumberland Valley State Normal School from 1913 until his death in June 1931. One of the most momentous changes during his tenure was the change of the school’s name to Shippensburg State Teachers’ College. The title became official in August 1927 when the first seven students graduated from the college’s new four-year Bachelor of Science in Education program.

In addition, Lehman oversaw the construction of the campus’ first library building, which was finished in 1931. Prior to this, the library was located in Old Main. To get there, students had to walk through the chapel, which prevented library visits when religious services, rehearsals, and lectures were scheduled.

The new library building was dedicated in President Lehman's honor during the 1931-1932 academic year. The 1932 edition of the Cumberland yearbook included this page about the dedication. Today, this building is home to Huber Arts Center.

President Ralph E. Heiges (1956-1970) also oversaw momentous changes at Shippensburg. In 1960, the General Assembly removed the name “Teachers’” from the school name, and Shippensburg State College entered the decade with a new name but a familiar mission – training teachers. Another big change in the early 1960s was in 1961-1962 when Ship restructured the academic calendar into two 18-week semesters, instead of three 12-week terms.

President Ralph E. Heiges

By the time Heiges was president, the college also offered a master’s program in education. By 1969-1970, master’s degree programs included Master of Arts in history, English or political science, and Master of Science in communication or counseling. 

Heiges and his successor, Gilmore B. Seavers, served while the campus dramatically changed in appearance to accommodate ballooning student enrollment. Heiges witnessed the completion of Kriner Hall and Reisner Dining Hall, Huber Arts Center, the current Ezra Lehman Memorial Library, as well as seven dorms (Wright, McCune, Harley, Kieffer, Lackhove, Naugle, and McLean). Seavers greeted the completion of Franklin Science Center, Heiges Field House, the CUB, Dauphin Humanities Center, and Mowery Hall. President William N. Ruud (2007-2013) oversaw similar updates to campus with the construction of six new dormitories that replaced the old dorms, but took their names.

McCune Hall was completed in 1959. After it was demolished in 2012-2013, a new dorm took its name.

 

Librarian Alma Winton (1935-1970) surveys the construction of Ezra Lehman Memorial Library in the mid-1960s.

President Seavers also led the campus through the centennial celebration in 1970-1971, and the founding of the campus ROTC program. 

President Anthony F. Ceddia guided the college from 1980 until his retirement in 2005. On July 1, 1983, the school was officially renamed Shippensburg University when the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) was established. 

The Slate announces the college's impending name change in late 1982.

Under Ceddia’s leadership, the university saw updates to campus police and security, renovations at Old Main, the growth of the Shippensburg University Foundation, the establishment of the John L. Grove College of Business, and the construction of Grove Spiritual Center, Luhrs Elementary School, and the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center. 

President Anthony F. Ceddia

Still other presidents and principals have overseen physical changes on campus, expansion of programs and enrollment, and have guided students and faculty throughout Shippensburg University's nearly 150 years. Congratulations to our new Interim President, Dr. Barbara Lyman, who will guide our school during this transition period.  


Want to learn more about Shippensburg University presidents? The Archives and Special Collections houses business and professional papers of many presidents, as well as yearbooks and newspapers from years past that bring their work to life. Contact Archives & Special Collections via e-mail: specialcollections@ship.edu or phone: 717-477-1123 x3357. 


Sources:
All source materials can be found in Shippensburg University Archives & Special Collections, Ezra Lehman Memorial Library, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

Cumberland, 1932, volume 15.  

Cumberland, 1968, volume 51. 

Cumberland, 1980, volume 63.
Cumberland, 1981, volume 64.

Normal School Herald, vol. 31, no. 3. Shippensburg: Cumberland Valley State Normal School, April 1927.

The Slate. April 16, 2005.

Shippensburg State College Bulletin, 1960-1961, vol. 64, no. 3. Shippensburg: Shippensburg State College, June 1960.

Shippensburg State College Bulletin, 1961-1962, vol. 65, no. 3. Shippensburg: Shippensburg State College, June 1961.

State Teachers’ College Herald, vol. 31, no. 4. Shippensburg: Shippensburg State Teachers’ College, July 1927.

Library Closed at 6:30 PM, January 23, 2017

Library closed at 6:30 PM on Jan 23, 2017 due to severe weather.

Happy Spring Semester!

We hope your winter break went well - Welcome back for Spring Semester!

Library Regular Hours resume Monday, January 23rd:
Sundays: Noon to Midnight
Mon-Thu: 7:30 am to Midnight
Fridays: 7:30am to 6:00pm
Saturdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Remember the library provides research help and guidance for maximizing your research time and effort:

Research Consultations
Librarians are available to meet with you individually for one-on-one research consultation appointments. If you want help broadening or narrowing a topic, finding appropriate sources, or citing sources correctly, please set up an appointment with a librarian. This service has been heavily used by your fellow students in upper level courses in previous semesters.

Course Reserves
Your professor(s) may make supplemental reading materials available to you through the course reserves system, Ares. If you have questions about library reserves, or have issues with Ares, use the Ask Us Anything service to get research help.

We hope you have a great semester, and we look forward to working with you!

We highlighted several other services in our welcome note to new students, if we missed one of your faves, please tweet us @shiplibrary or tweet it yourself and tag #shiplibrary so we can connect!