The 1950s
 

Feb 1950         The synchronized swimming club chose the name “Dwan” as the women felt they were a cross between a duck and a swan.

Mar 22, 1950  James R. Garfield, president of the Lake Erie board of trustees on which he served for 42 years, died. He was the son of U.S. President James A. Garfield.

Apr 19, 1950   Dr. Helen D. Bragdon resigned as president of Lake Erie to become general director of the American Association of University Women.

Apr 28, 1950   Dwan, the synchronized swimming club, presented their first public performance.

Jun 8, 1950     Groundbreaking for the Garfield Center occurred.

Aug 31, 1950   Senator Robert A. Taft spoke on campus.

Sep 1950         The College offered a part-time student option.

Sep 11, 1950   Mathews House was purchased by Clinger Chevrolet Co.

Sep 15, 1950   Vice President Alfred T. Hill became interim president.

Nov 1950        A Dads’ Club was formed at Lake Erie and  Lake Erie College planned the first Dads’ Weekend.

Mar 20, 1951  An appeal went out to move the Mathews House to the College’s campus from its original North State Street lot with anestimated cost of the project was $20,000.

Apr 6, 1951     Dr. Paul Weaver was named first male president of Lake Erie College.

Jun 13, 1951   Alfred T. Hill resigned his presidency.

Aug 16, 1951  Lake Erie College became a member of the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges.

Sep 1951         Lake Erie started a cooperative nursing program with St. Luke’s School of Nursing.

Oct 27, 1951   Dr. Paul S. Weaver was inaugurated as sixth president of the College.

Nov 12, 1951  Franklin H. Kendall, well-known Painesville educator, donated the Thomas W. Harvey Library to the College upon his death. The collection consisted of approximately 2,500 volumes.

Jan 1952         Lake Erie was the first American college to send its entire junior class abroad.

Feb 11, 1952   The Division of Extension Education launched its program of evening classes.

May 25, 1952  James F. Lincoln, president of Lincoln Electric Co, was elected president of the college board of trustees.

Jun 10, 1952   Lake Erie College adopted a three-term-year.

Oct 26, 1952   The Garfield Center was dedicated.

Mar 5, 1953    The first production of Lake Erie College Community Theater Group occurred.

Apr 11, 1953   Riding classes were offered to community members for the first time.

Jun 15, 1953   Star of the television show “Mama,” Peggy Wood, received an honorary degree from the College.

Feb 17, 1954   Five European study centers were established by President Weaver.

Apr 16, 1954   Former Lake Erie student won $20,000 for coming up with the name for Swan Soap.

May 10, 1954 Groundbreaking occurred for Avery Hall.

Jun 21, 1954   The first summer session began.

Apr 16, 1956  Groundbreaking occurred for Ritter Hall.

Dec 12, 1956   Ford Foundation awarded a grant for faculty salaries.

Apr 13, 1957   At 2 a.m., fire destroyed Memorial Hall and damaged the west wing of College Hall.

Apr 29, 1957   A benefit was held to help students who lost their personal belongings in the Memorial Hall fire.

Aug 1, 1957    The steel framework for Avery Hall was completed.

Oct 6, 1957     Tara III, the campus yacht, made its maiden voyage.

Feb 12, 1958   An announcement was made about the construction of a new common building.

May 17, 1958 A small fire on the second floor of College Hall was put out by sprinklers.

Jul 9, 1958      The College acquired Morley Farm for $231,275.

Aug 1958        President Weaver moved his family to the Manor House at Morley Farm.

Sep 1958         Fowler Hall opened as South Hall.

Oct 1, 1958     Students were housed in the old president’s house (now Steele Mansion) due to increased enrollment.

Apr 7, 1959     A fire in Bentley Hall of Science caused damage.

Apr 25, 1959   Centennial convocation and dedication of Lincoln Commons occurred in 1959.

May 14, 1959 President Weaver kicked off $2 million building campaign.

Jun 2, 1959     Badge of Office is presented by Mrs. James S. Weaver.

Jun 6, 1959     A gift of a station wagon was donated to students from Mr. and Mrs. Allan S. Austin.

Jun 16, 1959   Robert B. Lapp was the first male to graduate from Lake Erie College and attended the School of Community Education.

Sep 24, 1959   Lake Erie Extension College opened at Harvey High School and was the first effort at establishing a branch for a small private college.

Oct 17, 1959   Five hundred people gathered in Morley Music Hall for the 100th anniversary of the College.