On Nov. 5, 1952, the Andersonian published a homecoming-recap-themed issue. As the 2016 Ravens prepare for homecoming and the official kick-off of centennial celebrations, the Andersonian looks back to nearly 64 years ago, when Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected President, and Rowenna Dodge was crowned homecoming queen.
At the time, the Andersonian was published “semi-monthly,” and it cost $1.50 to purchase a subscription for the year. The editor-in-chief was Iona Bevins, and the student editorial staff included 18 people, most of whom were reporters.
Like this year, 1952 was an election year. The election ended in a landslide victory for Eisenhower. An article titled “Mock election held by local student-body” revealed that the student body supported the nation’s desire to elect President Eisenhower to office. In its entirety, it read:
“Local students elected Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower in a mock national election held in the lobby of Old Main last Wednesday.
“The voting was held by the International Relations Club in order to acquaint the students with the use of a voting machine.
“Students elected Republican candidates, Gen. Eisenhower and Sen. William Nixon, 202-153, over Democratic candidates, Gov. Adlai Stevenson and Sen. John Sparkman. Stewart Hamblin, candidate on the Prohibition Party’s ticket, received 39 votes for the top executive post in the United States.
“The state election of the students found the Democrats nominee for the Senate, Gov. Henry F. Schricker, ahead in the balloting over the Republican nominee, Sen. William Jenner, 202-161. The Prohibition Party’s candidate for the Senate, Thompson, gained 31 votes.
“GOP candidate George Craig was elected to the Governorship of Indiana over the Democrat nominee, Lt. Gov. Watkins, 191-162. Prohibitionist candidate, Abel, received 36 votes.
“The mock election had no bearing on how the local college students voted on Tuesday, as many of the eligible voters did not cast their ballot. A large number of the local student-body that voted were ineligible for the voting in the national elections.”
Closer to home, the Booster Club took the top prize for “most outstanding float” in the homecoming parade that occurred just before the game. Second prize went to the Triad Club, while the Pep Club took third. At half-time, the homecoming court was crowned.
In a piece titled “Meet our Queen,” students were given a short introduction to Dodge:
“Talent, personality, intelligence and beauty—these are a few of the qualities which gained for Miss Rowenna Dodge the titled of Anderson College’s 1952 Homecoming Queen.
“The center-of-interest spot is not an unfamiliar one for this petite sophomore. ‘Ro’ was elected to last year’s homecoming court and served as attendant to the May Queen.
“Much of her time is spent in furthering interest in the Fine Arts Club of which she is the president. She is a member of the Camarada and Chromatic Clubs and sings with the A.C. Choir.
“In answer to ‘What do you do with your time?’ she says: ‘I spent a lot of my time practicing with ‘The Trio’ for the Youth Advance Program. We travel with a gospel team over the weekends. But I manage to spend a little time writing to my ‘steady in Korea.’”
“Future plans?—‘Well, I hope to go into commercial art—something like designing wedding gowns, maybe.”
Other news from the 1952 Homecoming edition includes a piece titled “Library site is dedicated here.” A selection from the piece reads:
“The new library will replace the fourth-story library now in use. Plans are in action for the new library to have a minimum of 100,000 volumes of books.
“The new library site is located at the northeast edge of the campus, immediately east of Government Hall. This new project will be the second new building in the history of the local school. The first new building, Morrison Hall, was completed for use in the spring of 1950. The cost of the women’s dormitory was $500,000 and was named in honor of President John A. Morrison.
“College officials have plans for the construction of the library to be in accordance with requirements of North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The library will help the standing of the college both in scholastic standards and in practical use for the students and teachers.”
The sports section featured a recap of the homecoming football game against Defiance, which the Ravens won 14-0. An article titled “Girls turn out for basketball” featured a list of 19 girls who “responded to the first call for women’s basketball.” At the first women’s basketball meeting, the team colors were chosen to be red and white.
The Andersonian approaches its 70th year in February as the university approaches its 100th next fall. Throughout the 2016-2017 school year, the Andersonian will share summaries of some of its most important publications.