The 1950s

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

Mar 22, 1950   James R. Garfield, president of the LEC 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 LEC 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         LEC 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 interum president.

Nov, 1950       Dads’ Club was formed at LEC.

Nov 20, 1950  LEC planned first Dads’ Weekend.

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

Apr 6, 1951     Dr. Paul Weaver was named first male president of LEC.

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         LEC 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 LEC.

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         LEC 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    LEC adopted a three-term year.

Oct 26, 1952   The Garfield Center was dedicated.

Mar 5, 1953     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 LEC.

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

Apr 16, 1954   Former LEC 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 2:00 am, 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    Announcement was made about the construction of a new common building.

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

Jul 9, 1958       LEC 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 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 LEC. He attended the School of Community Education.

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

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

Dec 19, 1959   Vandals stole $100 worth of Christmas lights from four trees on campus.