OCR Text |
Show 2 MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2011 THE SIGNPOST Preserving a legacy 12 chimes to truth Another batch of "true Wildcats"anticipated after Friday's dance By Stephanie Simonson managing editor I The Signpost Among those honored that day was former First Lieutenant E. LaMar Buckner, who has also proved to be an exemplary graduate of WSU not only by flying 23 combat missions, but also in his subsequent life's work. An entrepreneur at the age of 24, he started an insurance business with his father. "It has grown, and we've been pleased at the success," Buckner said. ". . .I did that all my life, until later I was called to many positions in the LDS church. Homecoming Week at Weber State University has traditionally featured the homecoming dance on Friday as a precursor to the climactic football game. For students, this often includes not just the dance, but dinner, a group activity and the 'true Wildcat' tradition at midnight. The theme of this year's dance is "You are my new dream." "It's just the tradition to have the dance on Friday night, and then afterwards, it's becoming a 'true Wildcat,' the kiss for the 12 chimes," said Cynthia Phelps, WSU programming vice president and a senior in elementary education, who is in charge of the dance. "This year, we just have a lot of fun decorations, (and) we're trying to sell tickets." To become `trueWildcats, couples gather around WSU's bell tower at midnight after the dance and kiss for the duration of the 12 chimes. Phelps said she doesn't know how or when the 'true Wildcat' tradition began, but that it is different from other Utah schools. "What I think is cool . . . at other schools you just have to, like, peck on the 'A, or, you know, 'kiss by the badger' or something, but we get to kiss through 12 chimes," she said. "Talk about, you know, a good little tradition." Though royalty is no longer elected for the dance, Phelps said the Crystal Crest winners from the previous year make up the "Homecoming Court." Many college students continue the high-school tradition of making the dance a group date. The groups often go to dinner together before the dance and follow it with an activity, such as a movie or trip to a haunted house. Abelardo Saucedo, a junior in accounting who is going to the dance for the first time this year, said his group does not have a set activity in mind, but will probably still do something together after the dance. See Legacy page 4 See Dance page 4 PHOTO BY BRYAN BUTTERFIELD I THE SIGNPOST LaMar Buckner, a graduate of Weber State College, looks through a book documenting his time as a pilot in the military. Buckner is one of several WSU WWII veterans who have been honored through the "Greatest Generations Project," an effort spearheaded by the Hurst family. Weber graduates part of the "Greatest Generation" ill think my overall experience at Weber gave me a real foundation for life." If there is any evidence ofWSU being a launch pad for success, it is in the stoMore than half a century after at- ries of its alumni. One of James and Joan tending what was once known as Weber College, James and Joan Hurst will Hurst's most memorable be crowned as Weber State University's contributions was when homecoming king and queen on Oct. 13 they served as members of the WSU Emeriti Alumni by WSU Salutes. - LaMar Bucker According to Lynell Gardner, executive Council in 2003 and spearWSU alumnus director of the WSU Alumni Association, headed what they called the 43rd annual event will honor "out- the "Greatest Generations standing alumni and friends of the uni- Project," and subsequently brought toversity" through a composition of inspir- gether more than 500 people for a tribute to WSU's World War II veterans. ing short films. By Jessica Klemm b&s reporter I The Signpost Union building hub of activity, change in 100-yr. history Building's history rich with tradition Structure ever changing for new age By Amy Fiscus correspondent I The Signpost By Amy Fiscus correspondent I The Signpost Weber State University's Shepherd Union Building has held many events and activities during its 50 years. Some have come and gone, while others have become tradition. Soon after its construction in 1961, the union building began hosting the Miss Weber State College Pageant, in which contestants were judged on their face and figure beauty, intelligence, grace and charm, and talent. During the 1963-64 school year, the union building was the venue for a sophomore class party called the "Grease Hop." Other classes had separate formals and even class "suppers." Students regularly put on talent shows, competing in areas like singing, piano, pantomime and hula. The building also held student and faculty art exhibits. However, the events haven't all been lighthearted. The union building has also served as a meeting place for discussions on serious issues. It held "Get Out of Vietnam" discussions in the 1960s. In the 1970s, others debated for and against the proposed Equal Rights Amendment, which intended to guarantee equal rights for both sexes by law. One speaker warned women of the "evils" of the business world and told them to stay focused on their families. Chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer visited the union What started out as an army barrack called the College Inn is now the meeting place of students: the Shepherd Union Building. "The purpose of a union building is to bring the college community together," said Bill Fruth, the union building director. "It's where you can learn things outside of the classroom that will help you grow as a person." In the beginning, the union building was built in two phases. On Sept. 1, 1961, the east side of the building was completed. This housed the bookstore and the testing center, and became the `living room' of the campus. As the college grew and trends changed, the college was looking to make an addition to the building, and, in 1968, the west side of the union building was completed. The two buildings were connected by a hallway bridge on the second floor. What is now the atrium used to be exposed to all of the elements of the outside. Now that the union building was larger and had more facilities, it could accommodate larger activities, not only for the college, but for the Ogden community as well. The building now had ballrooms where dances, lectures and dinners could all be held. "The main force of the building becoming what it is today is all because of Farrell Shepherd," Fruth said. "He was the original director of the building, and was See Changes page 4 SOURCE: ROBERT CASEY building in 1964, when he played a chess game simultaneously against 40 to 50 players. Weber State College's first four-year college graduation also took place in that year. During the 1970s, the union building had a hobby cellar, where students built tables, polished rocks and made vases, among other things. Students also could get their hair cut at the barber shop or have a treat at the ice cream parlor. Dining in the union building has also shifted over the years, with food options changing from the Junction City Snack Bar and the Skyroom Restaurant, to Pretzelmaker, Burger King and ChikFil-A, to today's Grill 155, Lotza Pizza and Pasta, and Starbucks. In 1982, the union building was renamed the J. Farrell Shepherd Student Union Building after "Shep," the union building's first director. "The union building also served as a home away from home for students, so there was actually a nook off of each of the restrooms that went into the back that was called a quiet room," said Fred Meaders, Wildcat Lanes coordinator. "In those rooms, they used to have bunk beds, and students would go crash in there to take a nap." For the union building's fourth birthday party, students took a trip all around the world right inside the building. They gambled in Monte Carlo, relaxed at PariSee Tradition page 4 SOURCE: ROBERT CASEY The Shepherd Union Building undergoes renovations in 1960. The building was first constructed in 1911 for what was then Weber Academy. |