As Elizabethtown College entered the 1940s, the effects of World War II were evident across the country. Although the Church of the Brethren’s pacifist theology was generally accepted across campus, 25 students participated in the first selective service registration on Oct. 16, 1940. Students serving overseas frequently wrote letters to President A.C. Baugher and were met with a response every time. On campus, students strongly supported their peers overseas and printed letters from servicemen in the College’s student-run newspaper, The Etownian.

When the war ended, Etown experienced a boom of veterans pursuing higher education, a shift that marked the first time that attending college became commonplace in mainstream culture. The veterans were well-received by the campus community, and in 1946-47, of the 300 students enrolled, 145 were veterans. Etown continued to grow with faculty increasing from 21 to 30 members and several new dormitory and academic buildings constructed, including Zug Memorial Library (present-day Zug Memorial Hall) which broke ground in 1949.

A Look Through the Decade 

1941 – A.C. Baugher becomes president of the College, a position he would hold for 20 years.

1943 – The College amends its charter to increase the number of Trustees on the Board.

1944 – Vera R. Hackman ’25 begins her long and successful tenure at the College. She served as a professor of history until 1973 and the dean of women until 1968. The Hackman Apartments are named in her honor.

1945-46 – Students select the Blue Jay as the College’s new mascot, replacing the old mascots, Gray Ghosts or Phantoms, which were used in tandem.

1947 – The College hosts its first May Day, crowning Arlene Kettering as the May Queen.

1948 – The College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in May, giving it full academic standing among the leading colleges of the U.S.

1948 – Elizabethtown College is admitted to full membership in the American Council of Education.

1949 – The Etown Men’s Tennis team goes undefeated, led by team captain Frank Zink.

1949 – A groundbreaking ceremony is held on the site of the Zug Memorial Library on April 9.

Snapshots of the Decade

 

Throughout Elizabethtown College’s 125th anniversary year, follow along as we share 125 compelling stories about the College’s defining moments, alumni stories, and fun facts since our founding in 1899 at etown.edu.