College History

The Inter-Society Oratorical Contest is held.  Debate and controversy of the acceptance of women to the College, and their roles in student organizations, is reflected in an article concerning the Belles Lettres and Union Philosophical Societies.  The history of the buildings on campus is presented.  The Belles Lettres and Union Philosophical Societies hold officer elections.  The Student’s Republican Club adjourn

The American Educator reference book misinterprets Dickinson's history regarding its attachment - or lack thereof - to the Presbyterian Church and later the Methodist Church.  The concert company goes on a trip, performing throughout the region.

Elections for the officers of the Dickinsonian for the coming year take place. Phi Kappa Psi holds their 16th Annual Symposium. Phi Kappa Sigma holds their annual session in Philadelphia. The class of 1872 holds a reunion. The history of Dickinson College is outlined “in brief,” and the editors apologize to non-alum readers for the length of the piece, defending its importance.

The need for secular books in the college’s reading room is discussed. Alumni in Philadelphia move for the creation of a national alumni association, the American Alumni Association. The Union Philosophical Society abolishes customary invitations to their annual banquet. The story of President Jesse T. Peck’s brief stay in an insane asylum is recounted.

The history, present condition, and staff of the college are all outlined in an extensive piece.  The college's Philharmonic Club is reorganized.

According to research of Vassar professor, Benjamin Rush was forerunner to French in system of autosuggestion. Basketball team defeats Penn, breaking their six game winning streak. Extension Board to run annual campaign for funds to support continuing work in China. Thieves rob Theta Chi fraternity over winter holiday. Dramatic Club performs first of a series of programs planned for the remainder of the year. Spotlight on Raymond R. Brewer, representative of the College in China. Major changes to occur in the provisions governing the Dickinsonian.

College committees planning many events for the Christmas season. Basketball team starts successfully with a string of wins, including one over the City College of New York, the previous year's champions. College receives several historical documents pertaining to 1843 graduate Robert Alexander Lamberton as well as a number of college catalogs dating back to the same era. Upcoming football season to feature four new opponents.

Muhlenberg defeats football team 36-0 in the College's worst defeat of the season. Debate Team to have try-outs after six weeks of extensive training. Basketball try-outs see large turn out for upcoming season. Former Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court John Bannister Gibson, class of 1800, to be the subject of one of a series of articles on prominent Pennsylvanians.

Football team defeats Albright. College librarian Lydia Gooding prepares exhibit, showcasing a number of books and pamphlets illustrating the customs of the College over the years. Calvin Coolidge wins College "Straw Vote" with 285 votes. Prof. Vuilleumier develops his alchometer further as news of it reaches India. Randall Leopold '25 writes and composes "Dickinson Fight Song".

Dickinson alumnus and professor Charles W. Super writes a book on college history, giving special attention to college traditions and student life during different periods. The Doll Show and Bazaar takes place in Metzger Hall. Plans for Christmas entertainment are announced, to include caroling and a collection of donations for underprivileged children in Tennessee. An informal debate with Gettysburg is planned for after the holiday break. Belles Lettres holds a spelling bee and a debate on coeducation at Dickinson in a joint meeting with the Harmon and McIntyre women's literary societies.

March 3, 1773 is adopted as the official date of the founding of the college by the Board of Trustees, making it the eleventh oldest college in the nation and the oldest west of the Susquehanna River. President Fred Pierce Corson presents a creed for national defense in chapel, asserting that although the United States have not yet declared war, they are a part of the war. Corson appoints a committee of four faculty members and two students to review the extra-curricular activity point system that is being challenged.

Tribunal punishes two freshmen. Miami Triad dance planned. Classes are cancelled in honor of George Washington's 200th birthday. Joseph F. Lipinski receives Class of 1902 Award. James H. Morgan completes history of college.

Freshman Miss "Ricky" McCoid is selected to represent Dickinson College in the Esquire Calendar Contest. Mrs. Helen Woods speaks at chapel about traditions in the United States. The Social Committee presents plans for a snack bar to President Edel. Dr. Whitfield J. Bell, Jr. gives a speech at chapel about Dr. Benjamin Rush. Dickinson Football defeats Ursinus.

The cornerstone of Morgan Hall is laid with items inside of it: "History of Dickinson College" by Dr. James Henry Morgan, a Dickinsonian, a college catalogue, a Microcosm, a copy of the alumni journal, a "D" book, student roster, Viewbook, Carlisle Sentinel and a folder from the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce. Seventeen ROTC cadets have been assigned to their specialized branches of the service. Dickinson receives an electron microscope from Mr. George Shuman and RCA which is now in Tome.

Three more speakers, including the Attorney General of the United States Thomas C. Clark, are announced for the college's 175th anniversary celebration. Dr. John H. Powell delivers a lecture on John Dickinson and the American Revolution as part of the Spahr lecture series. Plans for a small parade of floats depicting the history of the college and Carlisle are also laid out for the celebration. The Campus Chest Drive reports $2193 raised, 73% of their goal for the year.

Dickinson holds its twentieth Homecoming weekend, including a football game against Swarthmore. Senior Russell D. Fettrow receives the British Distinguished Flying Cross for his wartime service in the air force. Norman Thomas gives a lecture highlighting the need for disarmament and the basis of his socialist views. A guest editorial by Henry Wallace examining attacks on civil liberties in the right against communism appears. A small exhibit of college history is held in Bosler Hall. The administration declares a legal holiday for all students registered to vote.

The Dickinsonian celebrates its 75th year of publication by briefly examining its evolution over time. The Student Social Committee discussed plans for the upcoming year, including the Homecoming Ball (to be informal this year), dates for the five all-college dances, and fall appearances by artist George W. Rickey and pianist Ozan Marsh. The Pan-Hellenic Council conducts rushing for both men's and w omen's fraternities. A summary of college scandals over the past 75 years is given, with particular focus on the aftermath of admission of women to the college.

Articles for April Fools Day:  Articles from historical Dickinsonians. Denny Hall destroyed in fire. Senate passes strict rules for freshmen. Red Devils football defeats Penn State. Old West Mermaid replaced by replica. Dickinson during the Civil War. Barry Goldwater speaks on the Greek system, political doctrine.

The College threatens to not renew the leases of Phi Kappa Sigma and Kappa Sigma fraternities if their conduct does not change. The All-College Student Affairs and Services Committee will begin an extensive examination of the role that alcohol plays on campus over the next few weeks. A biography of William S. Masland, President of the Board of Trustees, is given on his time as a student at the college as well as Board president. The Mermaid Players thrill audiences with their production of Cat.

In this issue, former Dickinson College President, Dr. Howard L. Rubendall, reminisces about his time at Dickinson College. The Nisbet Scholars Program has proved beneficial and fulfilling to its participants. An article discusses the first ever televised Vice-Presidential debates between Robert "Bob" Dole and Walter F. Mondale. The Trustees discuss the idea of building a new gym, since the one the students currently use is outdated and small.

Pres. Banks responds to Food Service Task Force plans. Career-Oriented Liberal Education (COLE) is a proposed concept to "supplement" the College's "current liberal arts orientation." Theta Chi hosts Vietnamese refugees. Ira Brown will lecture on James Miller McKim.