Whitman College Class of 1961

Whitman College
Class of 1961
Memories of Whitman


Terrence Farrell, wedding guitarist
1961 Home Whitman Memories Survey Contacts
Whitman Home 60th Reunion Giving to Whitman Alumni Directory
 

Whitman News 1957 to 1961

  
 

Here are some of the memorable events from our years at Whitman. If you have other news items or photos to contribute, please contact us at contact us


1957-1958 (reference: https://www.whitman.edu/rhetoric/history/1957.htm)

  • Whitman’s old library, also known as Reynolds Hall, became home to the English department
  • Dr. Chester C. Maxey was the college president.
  • On March 13, 1958 a fire of undetermined origin gutted the Whitman Theater, causing $40, 000 to $50, 000 in damage and delaying the opening of “Guys and Dolls” until late May. (See the Whitman Theatre page and photo gallery for more about this fire and "Guys and Dolls".)

1958-1959 (reference: https://www.whitman.edu/rhetoric/history/1958.htm)

  • Chester C. Maxey was college president, before retiring after ten years of the presidency in June 1958.
  • Several construction activities were underway. The theater was being expanded after fire destroyed much of the original structure. Lyman House was repainted and decorated inside, and maintenance touchups were given to nearly every building.
  • Whitman College celebrated the centennial anniversary of the original charter of Whitman seminary as an institution of higher learning.

1959-1960 (reference: https://www.whitman.edu/rhetoric/history/1958.htm)

  • Louis B. Perry was the college president.
Louis B. Perry, Whitman College President in 1959

1960-1961 (reference: https://www.whitman.edu/rhetoric/history/1960.htm)

Billings Hall
  • Louis B. Perry was the college president.
  • Kirk Prindle was student body president.
  • A new language lab was opened, with state-of-the-art reproducing and play-back equipment.
  • Whitman's past president, Chester Maxey, was elected mayor of Walla Walla.
  • Plans for a new science building were in the works. This was a particularly pressing need, as the current science building, Billings Hall, was a refurbished dormitory. Photo at left was taken by Maury Weir circa 1960. For an earlier view, see a postcard with an illustration of Billings Hall, circa 1910. (Didn't change much between 1910 and 1960, did it?)