People | From Woody's Couch

Category: People (page 51 of 52)

It’s nearly the big 5-0 for Farm Science Review

September 20, 2011 / drobik.5@osu.edu / Comments Off

Farmer's Week, 1913

The Farm Science Review is nearly 50 years old this year, and it’s actually the resurrection of a prior OSU tradition—Farmer’s Week. They both share a common goal, though: to demonstrate farming technology and discuss developments in the world of agriculture. This year’s Farm Science Review will run from September 20-22.

Farmer's Week, 1910s

Farmer’s Week began in 1913 with the encouragement of none other than University President William Oxley Thompson. The concept had been tried as early as 1881 but proved unsuccessful, for reasons unknown. The event in 1913 was a success, however, and it became an annual event on the Columbus campus through the end of World War II. Farmer’s Week then disappeared for some time, until it was reestablished and renamed the Farm Science Review.

Farm Science Review near Don Scott Field, 1972

The Farm Science Review officially began in 1962, and it was originally held near Don Scott Field. In 1982 the University began looking for a new site: Though the exhibits were in the clear zone of the airport, a small plane crashed into part of an exhibit in 1979. It also was clear by then that commercial development in the area was encroaching and the event would not be able to expand. The University opted to sell some of its Columbus property and move the event elsewhere.

Molly Caren

In August 1982 the University bought the Molly Caren farm, consisting of nearly 1,000 acres in Madison County, to serve as the new home of the Farm Science Review. The land was valued at $2.2 million, but was sold for just $500,000 at the request of the farm’s owner. Caren was an alumnus who had re-enrolled in classes in the College of Agriculture in late 1970s through Program 60, which allows senior citizens to take courses for free. The farm had been in her family since 1812, but she had no heirs, so she sold it to OSU so it would remain intact and the university could use it for agricultural education. It was re-named the Molly Caren Agricultural Center, and the Farm Science Review has been held there since 1983.

Check out http://fsr.osu.edu/ for more information.

Farmer's Week, tractor display, 1930

Farm Science Review, Ford display, 1960s

Farm Science Review, 1960s

Farm Science Review, 1994

filed by C.N.

Welcome to the history of Welcome Week

September 19, 2011 / drobik.5@osu.edu / Comments Off

President Rightmire speaks to students from the balcony of the Library, Freshman Week, 1929

The current celebration of Welcome Week has emerged from several university traditions:

“Know Ohio Week” was the term coined for the first week of Autumn Quarter, 1925. Its purpose was to acclimate the freshmen to college life, and included such events as a welcome address from the President, William Oxley Thompson (it was not yet called Convocation), a bonfire, open football practice, and Cane Rush.

In 1927, the idea to welcome freshmen to campus became “Freshman Week”. Freshmen came four days prior to the start of classes and had the chance to become familiar with the university and its traditions, take placement exams , and get to know classmates before the official start of classes–and the return of the upperclassmen. The program was redeveloped in 1957 when freshmen began coming to the university over the summer to take the required tests. They then only arrived two days prior to the start of classes.

Freshman Week, 1953

Ohio Staters Inc. campus bus tour, 1953

By 1970, our modern interpretation of “Welcome Week” was becoming recognizable: Convocation (held on Monday) had become a tradition, as had the ice cream social. There were free movies and concerts on campus, and picnics on the Oval. By the ’80s, Welcome Week had become an institution. The first reference to the Student Involvement Fair was in 1984 and by 1992 there were 100 student organizations represented.

filed by C.N.

Convocation, 1960

Welcome Week student involvement fair, 1988

Stradley Hall: Move-in forward, looking back

September 12, 2011 / haire.14@osu.edu / Comments Off

Stradley Hall, 1950s

Students returning to campus will be squeezing into fewer dorms this week because several residence halls are being renovated this year. One of those dorms is Stradley Hall, which is undergoing major renovations, including the addition of air-conditioning. Before this Cinderella of a dorm transforms completely, we thought we would tell you a little bit about its history:

Originally designated for men only, Stradley, along with Park and Smith Halls, was dedicated on October 17^th, 1959 . Construction began in 1957 and was mostly completed by January 1959; the cost was listed at $1.8 million to build.

Bland L. Stradley, 1957

The dorm was named after Bland Lloyd Stradley, who arrived at Ohio State in 1920 as University Examiner, a position he held until 1944, when he was appointed Vice President. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, Stradley had been principal of several high schools, including Canal Winchester, and had served as the assistant educational director at Camp Sherman during the First World War.

As University Examiner, Stradley was responsible for student admissions. From 1937 until 1944, Stradley served as both University Examiner and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1944 he was appointed Vice President of Student Relations, making him responsible for all students outside of the classroom. Though he was responsible for discipline, he was well-liked by both students and faculty, receiving honorary memberships in Sphinx and Bucket & Dipper.

Stradley with student, 1937

Stradley at campus map, n.d.

He was also known as a public speaker, and frequently encountered alumni, who he often remembered by name. He was also a member of the Faculty Club, as well as Torch and the Columbus Club, the Central Ohio Boy Scout Executive Board, and was a 33^rd degree Mason.

In 1936, he gave the Summer Commencement Address, and was amongst the first to receive the University’s Distinguished Service Award in 1952. Bland Stradley died in 1957 at University Hospital.