Memories From a 1960 Graduate
Recollections of 1961's Homecoming Queen
Chundranae` L. Nicholson
Class of '50 Launches a Legacy to Raise $50,000 for Scholarships
In
1959, I lived with my husband in married housing at Hudson Hall Men's
Dormitory. That year I represented Hudson Hall for Homecoming Queen. I
considered it quite an honor to be selected by the Hudson Hall men, since
I was married. It was my junior year at Eastern, but most of the married
women living in that hall and in the "rabbit hutches" (trailer
housing) were not students. They were getting PHT degrees– "Putting
Hubby Through." I still have my "official" PHT degree,
but I also got a BA from Eastern.
When we met for a picture taking session in our formals, one of the Homecoming Queen contestants was Mary Jane Haney (later married to Kent Matheson). I said to Mary Jane, "Gee, you have something on your shoulders," and I started to help her brush it off. "I did not realize that the sparkly stuff was part of her makeup for the photo shoot. After all, I came from a small town– Zillah– and didn't have a clue about that sort of thing."
During my four years at Eastern, I was Red Reese's secretary. It was very invigorating walking from main campus up to the field house to take shorthand dictation from Red every morning at 10:00 a.m. Then it was another hike up there to work from 2 to 4 while he was coaching track or basketball. He was a great coach, and Ed Chissus was the football coach during those years.
–
Charmie Wieland
(Charmie Anderson– 1960 Graduate)
Recollections of 1961's Homecoming Queen
I
remember it was a beautiful fall. The colors were wonderful and the campus
was dynamic that year - lots of people involved in all activities, including
Homecoming. It was a great year for me too. It was my senior year, I was
president of Louise Anderson Hall, and I was nominated for queen by Sutton
Hall. It was quite an election, and I was surprised when they lined us
up for the picture, because I ended up as the person at the end, which
I knew meant I'd been selected queen. The festivities that day included
a parade through Cheney, a football game, a bonfire and a great dance
held at the Davenport Hotel. It was just a wonderful occasion. I taught
for nearly 20 years then have spent nearly 20 years in administration,
and I can't say enough good things about my education at Eastern. It was
a wonderful experience. A highlight from some years back was when I returned
along with a lot of other homecoming queens for Eastern's 100 year celebration.
I remember a parade in which all of us rode in cars of the same year we
served as queens.
–
Lyn Ledbetter
(Lyn Sisich - 1961 Graduate)
My favorite Homecoming story would have to be the Fall of 1995, my senior year. Myself and my closest friends had realized this was our fourth and final Homecoming appearance as students... this was a big deal. In addition, one of my best friends was crowned Homecoming Queen-this was her 3rd attempt and by God the third time was definitely the charm! She was making history and we all felt a part of it. The 1995 Homecoming Queen was to be only the 2nd African American Queen EWU had heard of. The Black Education Department sponsored Ms. Christian White. As the Executive Public Relations Officer for the Black Student Union I was taking pictures every which way and I can say we, as African American students at EWU were standing a bit taller. Our views, our concerns and faces would be represented. The Homecoming Queen represents ALL students at EWU but that year we could truly see a reflection that was familiar. The entire week long celebration had already been great but at halftime it became magnificent. And this is my favorite Homecoming Memory.
–
Chundranae` L. Nicholson
MHA, BASW
Class of '50 Launches a Legacy to Raise $50,000 For Scholarships
Quentin Clark
was daydreaming in class. It was a beautiful spring morning as his tall,
lanky frame tried to adjust to that small desk in Senior Hall. The topic
was interesting, but the warm classroom and memories of all the great
times with all of his classmates who surrounded him took his mind on a
wild adventure. What if he and these classmates could make a college degree
possible for a deserving student from now until eternity?
What a legacy!
Quentin and his wife, Molly, were attending the Class of '50 Reunion on the EWU campus last April. On Saturday morning, they and their fellow classmates enjoyed a "Then and Now," discussion in Senior Hall. It was moderated by Don Williams, the Class of '50 student body president, and Danny Caldwell, the 2000 ASEWU president. After an hour of comical comparisons, it was clear to everyone that there were more similarities than differences between the two classes. The most obvious similarity was the need for tuition help - then and now. Don recalled his scholarship for free trombone lessons. Danny was grateful for his scholarships and financial aid loans. He said he was one of the more fortunate in his class, leaving with less tban $20,000 in loans to repay.
Today, nearly two-thirds of EWU students are in need of financial assistance. The Class of '50 had similar needs. Quentin Clark and many of his classmates depended on the G.I. bill to pay for their education. In exchange for serving in the military, the federal government paid their tuition and a small living stipend. Quentin and Molly were able to live in "Trailerville," which was located behind Showalter Hall, while they completed their degrees in Education. As newlyweds, they didn't mind the small quarters!
Although Trailerville is no longer a part of campus life in Cheney, financial need is. Many EWU students today are working and caring for young children while completing their education. With tuition at nearly $3000 a year, they depend on scholarships and loans.
Quentin and Molly Clark believe the Class of '50 owes its success in life to EWU. They want to ensure that future generations can enjoy this same success. That is why they came up with the idea of a Class of '50, $50,000 Scholarship. Once funded, this scholarship will pay full tuition for one student every year forever. It is also a way to keep alive the legacy of the Class of '50. Don Williams summarized that legacy well, when he said "One of the first classes to begin its studies after World War II, our 1950 group had some unusual characteristics. On the one hand, we had the people who had fought and won the war - mature and eager to pursue the new careers that the G.I. bill made available to them. On the other hand, we had the usual college freshmen– young, less mature, just graduated from high school and now moving toward the future, wherever it might lead. Most wonderfully, these two groups merged quite successfully by the time of graduation. College friendships developed that have lasted ever since - friendships between young and old which might have looked rather unpromising four years earlier."
Quentin and Molly have made an initial gift of $500 to establish the Class of '50, $50,000 Endowed Scholarship. Don Williams is working with EWU Director of Planned Giving, Gayle Ogden, to prepare the Memorandum of Understanding, which outlines the intended use for the endowment proceeds. Now Quentin, Molly and Don need the help of their classmates– the Class of '50!
Contributions are tax deductible and can be made by check or credit card to:
EWU Foundation
Class of '50 Scholarship
127 Hargreaves
526 5th Street
Cheney, WA 99004-2413
call (509) 359- 6252.
Also, members of the Class of '50 may want to request that their friends and family make a contribution to this fund on their behalf rather than sending a holiday or special occasion gift. Who needs all those flowers, chocolates and ties anyway!
Quenton's daydream is on its way to beconing a reality. The Class of '50 will make a college degree possible for a deserving student from now until eternity. What a legacy!
