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What’s
INSIDE
14 A day that didn’t last
2 CWU through the years
20 A chat with Dean Nicholson
6 Past Presidents
26 Then & now
10 Way back when
28 Future watch
CWU Celebrates 125 YEARS
1
CWU through the years Looking back on the university’s 125 year history by MONICA MERSINGER For the Daily Record
Central Washington University’s 125-year history has had many milestones and has changed the lives of its students, the Kittitas County community, and beyond.
2 almanac 2017
1890
Ellensburg gets a college. Washington state’s first Legislature enacts a law establishing a school for educating and training teachers in Ellensburg.
1891
College opens. The first Normal school is established with the cooperation of the Ellensburg public schools, in the upper stories of the existing Washington High School. Maintenance of the rooms is paid by the second Washington Legislature. There were no school books, so Principal Benjamin F. Barge gave the students his personal book collection for study. Rooms included an assembly room and four classrooms in a building. The first class had a total of 86 students of which 13 were senior students, 10 of whom graduated at the end of the first year. It was the first graduating class of the Washington State Normal School.
1894
College gets a permanent home. Construction of what is now known as Barge Hall is completed, and students are able to use the building in September.
1911
Kamola Hall is constructed. Kamola was the first residence on campus for students, and still in use today. Previously, students were housed with local residents or in boarding houses around Ellensburg. When it opened, Kamola housed 44 women students, and included a dining hall, kitchen, laundry and servants’ quarters.
1929
Coach Leo Nicholson joins Central Washington College as assistant football coach, joining a legacy football team which had been winning championships since 1926 when they named themselves the Wildcats. Coach Leo Nicholson and his son, Dean, together were the most winning father-son coaching team in collegiate basketball. Leo Nicholson served as chairman of the division of health and physical education and director of athletics. In 1964, he was elected to the National Association of InterCollegiate Hall of Fame. During his time on campus, Leo Nicholson coached every major sports team at Central, except baseball.
see CWU THROUGH THE YEARS, page 4 The original Barge hall cupola was removed in 1955 after being condemned due to structural damage from an earthquake. The building went without a cupola until it was replaced in 1992. Appears Courtesy of Dr. James E. Brooks Library, Archives and Special Collections, Central Washington University Duplication and Imaging Services
CWU Celebrates 125 YEARS
3
CWU through the years 1943
Army Air Corps and World War II. A pilot training detachment of 600 military men comes to Central to train pilots and ground crews for Army Air Corps. Kamola Hall houses these troops. The pilots received training at the Ellensburg airfield. Co-eds were thrilled with the sudden invasion of men on campus. After World War II another invasion of G.I.s came to campus through the G.I. Bill. Central moved buildings from the airfield onto campus to house "vetville" students who arrived married, with families.
1951-53
Tuffy the Wildcat. A live lynx named Tuffy was the official mascot of Central, loaned by a Cle Elum business for sporting events. When Tuffy was at a game, Central won. When a fire burned down the Cle Elum business, the Student Government Association took over Tuffy's care. In fall 1952, Tuffy escaped, hid in shrubbery and was found just in time for the game. After that, Tuffy found a home at the Seattle Woodland Park Zoo to live out the rest of his days.
l Center 4
1955
Barge Hall loses its cupola. An earthquake harmed the stability of Barge Hall's famous cupola. It was condemned in 1955 and removed. A replacement cupola was restored to Barge Hall in 1992.
112 Years Ago... Yakima Federal Savings and Loan opened to provide home loans for local Central Washington residents. In July of 1905, Yakima Federal Savings and Loan helped their first home loan customer purchase a home. Today, after providing thousands of home loans, Yakima Federal is still Central Washington’s preferred financial center for safe savings and local home mortgage loans.
Since 1905, we have been Central Washington’s Preferred Financial Center.
ELLENSBURG 201 E. 5th Avenue - 925-5338 1-800-331-3225 | www.yakimafed.com almanac 2017
Central's many names and what they mean
1964
Leo Nicholson retires. In 1964, the much respected Leo Nicholson retires from service to Central. Leo Nicholson worked at Central from 1929 to 1964. Nicholson Pavilion was built in 1959 and was named to honor Leo Nicholson. He was replaced by his son, Dean, as head basketball coach. Later, Dean Nicholson Boulevard honored Dean Nicholson for his Central service. Dean was the Central Washington University's head basketball coach for 26 seasons before retiring following the 198990 season. Dean guided his team to the national tournament a record 22 times and to the NAIA Final Four six times. In his final year at Central, Nicholson became only the 17th coach in the history of intercollegiate basketball to win 600 games.
1971
Ethnic studies added to Central curriculum. Innovative ways to address both relevant social issues and rapidly changing professional landscapes, ethnic studies program that permitted specializations in black, ethnic, Chicano, Native American or Asian American studies were added to Central programs. This was largely due to needs expressed by students such as Ron Sims, 1968-70 President of the Black Student Union, who spoke against racial and gender discrimination while attending Central from 1966-71. Sims brought prominent African American speakers to campus and increased recruitment of African American students to Central. Sims went on to have a distinguished public service career. He served as deputy secretary of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development from 2009-11.
1977
Washington State Conference for Women. More than 300 women and men attended this statewide conference at CWU to identify issues of concern for women and to elect Washington State delegates to the National Conference held in Houston, Texas. Debate focused on the national effort for the Equal Rights Amendment. It was a contentious event, with a conservative group taking control of the conference. In 1972 Central had established a Women's Center and an women's studies academic program.
1891 // WSNS Washington State Normal School
1980-89
Building slows, mascot gets a name. Two new facilities are built on the Central campus — a greenhouse in 1980 and the Dorothy Purser Hall in 1989. In 1981, Central students officially name their wildcat mascot Wellington.
1993
Chimpanzees institute opens. The Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute (CHCI) complex opened on May 7, 1993. World recognition of Central's efforts on inter-species communication is advanced by chimpanzees who are trained to use sign language to communicate with humans and other chimps. In September 1980, chimpanzees were housed on the third floor of the university's psychology complex. Roger and Deborah Fouts with their students advocated the campus and the state legislature for a specialized facility for the chimpanzees. More than twenty years later, on August 28, 2013, the last two remaining chimpanzees moved out of the CHCI due to funding restrictions and the need for a larger primate group to benefit the remaining chimps.
2000-16
Building boom. Six new buildings expand the Central campus including the McIntyre Music Building, a new Student Union and Recreation Center, and two new Science buildings among others.
2017
James Mattis named Secretary of Defense. A history graduate of Central's class of 1971, James Mattis was appointed as U.S. Secretary of Defense on Jan. 20. Monica Mersinger is a historic preservationist documenting Washington and Oregon history and photography and a local history columnist for the Daily Record.
Students completed a 3-year program. Tuition could be waived if a student promised to teach in Washington state.
1937 // CWCE Central Washington College of Education Central can now confer four-year degrees with a special emphasis on education.
1961 // CWSC Central Washington State College Allowed to expand its offerings to confer other degrees than those that were just education based.
1977 // CWU Central Washington University Central continues to expand its curriculum and can confer masters degrees.
PHOTO CREDITS Opposite page, left: Ron Sims, activist for racial and social movements at Central, 1968-71. Sims brought in prominent African American speakers to campus and increased recruitment of African American students to Central. Oppposite page, right: Airmen quarters at Kamola Hall housed 600 military men from the Army Air Corps, 1943. Pilot and ground crew trainees trained at Ellensburg’s airfield and Central. This page: Tuffy the lynx was the mascot of Central Washington University in the 1950s. He was good luck. If Tuffy came to the game, Central won. All photos appear Courtesy of Dr. James E. Brooks Library, Archives and Special Collections, Central Washington University Duplication and Imaging Services
CWU Celebrates 125 YEARS
5
Past Presidents 125 years of fearless leaders
Benjamin F. Barge was the
first principal of the Normal School in 1891. Barge presided over the school’s opening on September 6, 1891 and served as principal until 1894. CWU’s first building, Barge Hall, which opened in 1894, is named for him.
Benjamin F. Barge 1891 - 1894
Phares A. Getz was the second
principal of the Normal School. Getz was hired in 1894 to replace Benjamin F. Barge and served until 1898.
William E. Wilson was named
the third principal in July 1898. During his tenure, the school grew from 220 students and 11 faculty members to more than 700 students and 30 faculty members. Wilson served until 1916.
George H. Black became the
fourth principal in 1916. He is credited with modernizing the school, including overseeing the construction of ShawSmyser Hall and raising admission standards. He served as principal (and, later, as president when the title changed) until 1929.
Selden F. Smyser was acting
president from 1930-31 and a respected professor of social science from 1916-1942.
Robert E. McConnell served
Phares A. Getz 1894 - 1898 6 almanac 2017
William E. Wilson 1898 - 1916
as the fifth president from 1931-1959. McConnell helped CWU weather economic challenges during the Great Depression as well as the enormous growth of the university after World War II. (See sidebar for more details about his tenure).
George H. Black 1916 - 1929
Selden F. Smyser 1930 - 1931
Perry H. Mitchell was president from 1958-1961.
Mitchell was the school’s registrar for many years.
James E. Brooks served as the sixth president
from 1961-1978. Brooks is the only CWU graduate to serve as president. During his tenure, the campus expanded from 100 to 360 acres, enrollment grew by nearly 6,000 students, and he transitioned Central from a college that offered only undergraduate degrees to a master's degree-granting university.
Robert E. McConnell 1931 - 1959
Donald L. Garrity became the seventh president
in 1978. Garrity, who served until 1991, focused on international programs, which grew and thrived under his administration. He expanded off-campus programs throughout the state by creating partnerships with Pierce Community College (1979), Yakima Valley Community College (1980), Highline Community College (1981), and Wenatchee Valley College (1984).
Ivory V. Nelson became the university’s first
African-American president in 1992. During his tenure, CWU increased access to technology with university wide upgrades, distance education, placing a computer on every professor’s see CWU PRESIDENTS, page 8
Principals and Presidents James L. Gaudino 2009 - Present President
Benjamin F. Barge 1891 - 1894 Principal
George H. Black 1916 - 1930 President
Perry H. Mitchell 1959 - 1961 Acting President
Ivory V. Nelson 1992 - 1999 President
Pharis A. Getz 1894 - 1898 Principal
Seldon F. Smyser 1930 - 1931 Acting President
Donald L. Garrity 1978 - 1991 President
James A. Norton 1999 - 2000 Acting President
Robert E. McConnell 1931 - 1959 President
James G. Pappas 1992 Acting President
Jerilyn S. McIntyre 2000 - 2008 President
William E. Wilson 1916 All photos1898 courtesy of-Central Washington University Principal
CWU Celebrates 125 YEARS
7
CWU presidents
desk, computerizing the library’s catalog, and making email the standard mode of communication. Nelson worked to address salary inequities for employees, and secured the designation of University Centers as part of the state Master Plan for Higher Education. Additionally, under his leadership the campus enjoyed $160 million in capital improvements. After retiring in 1999, he served as president of Lincoln University in Pennsylvania until 2011.
James E. Brooks 1961 - 1978
Donald L. Garrity 1978 - 1991
James L. Gaudino has been CWU’s president
Jerilyn S. McIntyre became CWU's first
woman president in 2000. Despite state budget cuts, McIntyre managed to expand the university and institute management tools to help the university better plan for the future. She retired in 2008.
since 2009. Under his leadership, the university overcame economic challenges of the Great Recession to become one of the fastest growing universities in the West. Gaudino has led the modernization of the university, including key areas such as budgeting, computing, data management, marketing, alumni relations, athletics, international studies, online education, and capital planning.
All photos courtesy of Central Washington University
Ivory V. Nelson 1992 - 1999 8 almanac 2017
Jerilyn S. McIntyre 2000 - 2008
James L. Gaudino 2009 - Current
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www.linderchiropractic.com CWU Celebrates 125 YEARS
9
This unique, wide angle view of Main Street on the left and Third Avenue on the right shows two of the busiest streets in Ellensburg. The Lyons Building, center, was constructed in 1889 and served the public for many years with retail businesses and a hotel. This building was destroyed by fire June 28, 1963. Signs for The Palace and the Ohio Café and Senate Saloon can be seen on the buildings. Courtesy of Washington Rural Heritage
Way back when Businesses of Ellensburg 125 years ago By MICHAEL GALLAGHER assistant editor
When thinking about Central Washington University’s beginnings 125 years ago it’s tempting to think about putting a quarter in a hypothetical “Way Back When” machine to experience what life was like in Ellensburg the late 1800s. While that isn’t possible it is simple enough to eat at a restaurant the first college (Normal School) staff and students may have frequented or shop for furniture in a store that dates back to near the opening of the college. 10 almanac 2017
The Palace Cafe at 125 years and Fitterer’s Furniture at 121 years both have roots stretching back to the early days of college’s founding. The Palace Cafe has moved a couple times over the past 125 years, but it has never strayed from its neighborhood. P.J. Bugni, co-owner of the Palace, said it originally opened across the street from today’s Palace (corner of Fourth Avenue and Main Street) in what is now the vacant lot adjacent to Fitterer’s Furniture. “Then it moved to the corner of Third and Main where Farmers Insurance is now,” Bugni said. In that era the Palace was trying to catch the attention of people getting off at the Ellensburg Train Depot at the base of Third Avenue. Bugni
The Pearson Building, on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Main Street, was built in 1908, and became the home for the Palace Cafe after World War II. Courtesy of Washington Rural Heritage
said that is why there is a Palace mural painted on the side of a Third Avenue building, which was visible from the depot.
Tom Massouras was born in Greece and moved to Ellensburg in 1928. He owned and operated the Palace Cafe for many years. He died in 1949. Courtesy of Washington Rural Heritage
The Palace was at the corner Third Street location until World War II. The café closed for two years during the war and reopened in its current location in the Pearson Building.
Blumaure & Webb Building built in 1889 by Leopold Blumauer and William Webb was located on the east side of Main Street between Third and Fourth avenues. The ground floor served as the Palace Restaurant for many years while the second floor contained offices and apartments. Courtesy of Washington Rural Heritage/Otto Pautzke
The college crowd There are a number of ways that being in the same town as Central has impacted the Palace over the past century and a quarter. “We get a lot of repeat traffic because of Central,” Bugni said. “Alumni stop in here when they’re in town.” The Palace looks to cater to all ages and the Central connections add to that mix. “It’s definitely a diverse crowd,” Bugni said. The biggest impact may be on the staff side. “About 75 percent of our employees are college students,” Bugni said. “That’s pretty typical in this industry.”
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Historical connections With 125 years of history, the Palace packs memories for many people. Bugni, who is the third generation of his family to own the Palace, said one of the neat things is hearing see WAY BACK WHEN, page 12
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Ellensburg McDonald’s, 1304 Canyon Road CWU Celebrates 125 YEARS 11
Way back when from people who have old Palace memorabilia or who are pleasantly surprised the Palace remains in Ellensburg. He said he recently heard from descendants of one of the families that owned the Palace back in the first half of the 20th century. “One of the family members had found all the old menus,” Bugni said. While the restaurant industry has changed in 125 years, Palace customers can still experience of taste from the past. “The one item we still have off the original menu is the reuben sandwich,” Bugni said.
Furnishing past and future
Phillip and Frank Fitterer, founders and original owners, started their furniture business in 1896. They offered quality furniture and home decoration items to the public. This early truck was used to deliver furniture in all parts of the county. In 1908, they built a large, two-story brick building on the southeast corner of Main Street and Fourth Avenue. The store continues to be owned and operated by members of the Fitterer family. Courtesy of Washington Rural Heritage
“We’ve had good, long-standing relationships with a lot of professors.”
The establishment of the Normal School and all the iterations that followed set Ellensburg on a course the shaped the town and its businesses, said Brad Fitterer, owner of Fitterer’s Furniture. “I’ve always said the three things that shape Ellensburg is we have a hospital, we have a daily newspaper and we have a university,” Fitterer said. “I think the business would be quite different if, say, we’d gotten the state capital.”
12 almanac 2017
— Brad Fitterer, owner Fitterer’s Furniture In the 1800s, Ellensburg is one of the cities that competed to be the state capital. After that distinction went to Olympia, the town was granted the college. Fitterer said the store has done business with college staff and students from the early days. He said looking at ledgers from throughout the 1900s you will find names that now adorn buildings on campus — McConnell, Hertz, Boullion, etc.
“We’ve had good, longstanding relationships with a lot of professors,” Fitterer said.
The impact that is far from limited to current staff and students. Fitterer’s benefits from alumni returning to town, parents visiting their kids and people coming to Ellensburg to attend an event. “A couple of weekends ago we had people come through because their kids were at an event at Central,” Fitterer said. “We did business off that event.” Fitterer said being home to a university gives Ellensburg a more “cosmopolitan” feel a typical small town would lack as evidenced by the art galleries and museums in the downtown.
2017 in Downtown Other remnants In general, the early era economy was dominated by farming, cattle ranches and logging along with mining in the Upper County. According to historical accounts, wheat was a dominant crop. The county’s connection to exports (represented now with the timothy hay market) could be seen in the early 1900s with flour produced from county wheat exported to the Asian market.
First Friday Art Walk*
Hosted the First Friday of every month from 5-7pm – enjoy art and community in venues throughout the downtown.
April 13 Girls Night Out
Downtown shops, taverns, restaurants
One prominent landmark from the early agriculture era survives in Thorp. The Thorp Grist Mill was built between 1880 and 1883 and is now a historic landmark and tourist attraction.
A fun evening for the ladies filled with deals, giveaways, and pampering.
On the mining side, the coal industry fell to the wayside, but the Swauk Mining District, formed in 1873, remains today.
4th Ave from Pearl to Ruby
May 6 Kittitas County Farmers Market Begins* Shop every Saturday 9am-1pm through October to buy local, fresh produce, unique artisan crafts, and fresh baked bread.
May 13 Children’s Day at the Market Rotary Pavilion
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During the first Farmers Market, enjoy local youth music performances, sign kids up for summer programs, and check out activities and treats provided by the merchants.
May 30 Pint Night with the EDA
Join the EDA at Iron Horse Brewery for beer, food, games, a silent auction, and more.
June 2-3 CWA Art Confab*
Gallery One’s 2-day event focuses on financial sustainability, networking and inspiration for artists and communities.
June 17 Dachshunds on Parade* 4th Ave from Main to Pearl
Dachshund costume contest, parade, tricks, and races make a day of fun for the entire family.
June 29 EDA Annual Meeting and Fundraiser
Enjoy drinks, light appetizers, an awards ceremony, and learn more about how you can get involved in the organization.
July 28-30 Jazz in the Valley*
Three day music festival with over 23 ensembles in intimate venues, all within walking distance.
August 20 Rodeo Kick-off Breakfast* Rotary Pavilion
Kick-off the Ellensburg Rodeo and Kittitas County Fair Season with a pancake breakfast downtown.
*Not an EDA event, but worth mentioning!
August 30 Ellensburg Rodeo Hoedown in the Downtown Rotary Pavilion
Kick your heels up with great music and some of the best beers and wines Kittitas Valley has to offer. Concert is free and familyfriendly. Alternative venue if it rains is inside Gallery One.
September 29-30 Buskers in the Burg
Various locations, 4th Ave, Rotary Pavilion
A weekend of family fun, music, arts, street performers (buskers), and an art parade
October 31 Downtown Trick-or-Treat Downtown merchant shops
Bring your kids out in their spookiest, cutest, and most creative costumes for a trick-or-treating extravaganza!
November 24 Moments to Remember Downtown Ellensburg
Shop local for Plaid Friday. Take the kids on a cookie scavenger hunt. Enjoy kids dancing and activities, and end the evening with the Streets of Bethlehem and lighting ceremonies.
December 2 Teddy Bear Tea Kelleher Motor Co.
Kids! Come dressed in your Sunday best for tea and stories with Mrs. Claus, performances, and lots of teddy bears! Teddy bears are later donated to the Court Advocates for Children.
December 7 Holiday Girls Night Out Downtown shops, taverns, restaurants Just in time for the holidays! A fun evening for the ladies filled with deals, giveaways, and pampering.
December 14 Community Gift Exchange
Shop local and meet new members of your community while enjoying drinks, light appetizers, music, and more. This is just a snapshot of some of the great happenings downtown! Visit
ellensburgdowntown.org for a more extensive list.
The EDA works to strengthen our downtown through events such as these, our entrepreneur course, beautification projects like the street furniture, and general promotion of our downtown. Join us as a volunteer or contributor. Contact (509) 962-6246 and get involved today. 1583463
CWU Celebrates 125 YEARS 13
A day that didn’t last Sweecy Day tradition is no more at CWU by MATT CARSTENS staff writer
Even though it started as a proud tradition of beautifying the campus of Central Washington University, Sweecy Day Weekend devolved over its 22-year lifespan to an alcoholfueled free-for-all with a host of liability issues, according to university officials at the time. The event began in 1948, and activities over the years included a swing band, a men’s and women’s track meet, a ping pong tournament, dances and picnics. As the years went on, the activities got more creative … and greasier.
“It was certainly an event that brought a lot of attention to the university.”
“Everybody would get together and clean up campus, clean up around “We had a grease the dorms, clean up pole climb in the middle around the Ganges, then of a mud pit,” said John — John Drinkwater, former CWU student and administrator have a party at night,” said Drinkwater, who was a Ellensburg resident Larry student at Central from Sharpe, who attended Central in the mid-1960s. “They had a 1967-1970. He returned to CWU in 1975 as an administrator. theater going on, music concerts, all kinds of stuff.” “People had to get up, there were teams and the teams would obviously get pretty physical with each other in the mud.” Sweecy Day also added a greased pig chase, and saw other rodeo-themed events at the Ellensburg Rodeo Arena. Some years had themes, including a Roman theme which featured chariot races.
14 almanac 2017
As the years went on, a universal theme became known to Central students, along with students all over the state — partying. “It was certainly an event that brought a lot of attention to the university,” Drinkwater said, “It brought a lot of potential
students to see the university. In someway maybe for the wrong reasons, but it was certainly the times.” Drinkwater was the chair of the Sweecy Day committee in 1969, the last year of the spring celebration. In April 1970, the university president at the time, James Brooks, approached the student government, asking them to cancel the event. Brooks eluded to the event’s sharp decline throughout the 1960s which was affecting the university’s reputation, and was concerned about the university being liable for something bad happening to an out-of-town student. "Say an 18-year-old freshman from another college comes over for the weekend,” Brooks said in the April 3 edition of the Campus Crier, CWU’s student newspaper at the time. “He drinks a lot and floats down the Yakima on a tube. If he went down and didn't come up, we could be sued for negligence by his parents because we knew that it could happen." The Dean of Students Y.T. Witherspoon also had concerns at the time, noting that the event was a far cry from what it was in its inception. “Rather than an activity with drinking along with it, it has turned into be mainly drinking with the activities along with that,” Witherspoon said in the same Campus Crier story. At a student government meeting on April 6, 1970, the legislators voted 10-9 to keep funding the event, despite Brooks Opposite page: Students try their hardest during a tug-o-war competition on campus during Sweecy Day activities in the 1960s.
see SWEECY, page 18
Above: The program cover of the first Sweecy Day celebration in 1948. Photos courtesy of CWU Archives
CWU Celebrates 125 YEARS 15
Welcome . . . to a university where you learn by doing. Welcome to Central.
1891
Groundbreaking for the first permanent Normal School building, Barge Hall, named for the school’s first principal, Benjamin Franklin Barge.
1906
The first Normal School orchestra forms.
1917
Enrollment falls 40 percent as women leave school to take factory jobs, replacing men serving in World War I.
1925
The Normalites football team rolls out a new moniker— Wild Cats—at the first homecoming. It was quickly revised to Wildcats.
1934
The lighted Ellensburg Rodeo field hosts the Wildcats’ first night football game.
1940
The Civil Aeronautics Administration grants Central authority to begin a Civilian Pilot Training unit, with ground courses taught by college faculty and flight training by a private company.
1909
1892
The first 11 Normal School graduates earn teaching certificates.
Ellensburg Normal holds a six-week summer session on Vashon Island to make the school better known in Western Washington. The goal is to increase Ellensburg enrollment during the regular school year.
1951
Central organizes its first statewide alumni association.
1961
With state authorizat liberal art in several Central be Central W State Colle
1954
The Central Singers receive an invitation to perform at the Music Educators National Congress in Chicago.
1919
Ellensburg Normal unveils the first student life plan: athletic activities, sports, and physical exercises, along with literary and social activities, and study clubs.
1928
A dining room, dubbed the Food Shop, opens for faculty and students not living in dormitories.
1937
The school adopts a new name to reflect its status as a fouryear, degree-granting institution: Central Washington College of Education.
1946
With the end of World War II, and the advent of the G.I. Bill, Central experiences a veteran enrollment increase of nearly 90 percent between fall and winter quarters.
1969
Students e Sims the s African Am student bo president.
e tion to offer ts education fields, ecomes Washington ege.
elect Ron school’s first merican ody .
America’s Top Educators are at Central Washington University.
Nick Zentner
NICK ZENTNER (Geology), James H. Shea Award, National Association of Geoscience Teachers
BOBBY CUMMINGS (English), University of California-
Bobby Cummings
Berkeley/U.S. Department of Education grant winner for 2017-18 National Writing Project CRWP-SEED Professional Development in a High Need Middle/High School
JAMES AVEY (Business), Richard A. Swanson Research Excellence Award, Academy of Human Resource Development
SATHYANARAYANAN “SATHY” RAJENDRAN
(Engineering Technologies, Safety & Construction), Safety and Health Investment Projects grant winner, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
James Avey
RICHARD DESHIELDS (Student Success), Judy Spain Award for contributions to LGBT community, Association of College and University Housing Officers-International CWU specializes in teaching. Our professors seek to ignite curiosity in our students. Faculty and students partner on research that makes learning exciting and relevant. One-toone attention from faculty who specialize in teaching makes every field of study accessible and welcoming to students from all walks of life.
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cwu.edu CWU is an AA/EEO/Title IX/Veteran/Disability employer. For accommodation e-mail: DS@cwu.edu.
1971
The Wildcats win the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics wrestling team title. They repeat as national champs in 1974.
1980
Roger and Deborah Fouts arrive in Ellensburg with Washoe the chimpanzee, the first non-human to communicate using American Sign Language.
The Wildcats face Findlay (Ohio) in the NAIA national football championship game in the Tacoma Dome. The contest ends in a 21-21 tie.
1984-87
CWU dominates NAIA swimming. Men’s and women’s teams take the national title in 1986; the men also win the championship in 1984 and ‘87.
2004
Grand opening is held for the $29 million music building. The state-of-the-art facility boasts a 600seat concert hall.
1996
Jeff Charbonneau enrolls. He earns bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Central and goes on to be named the 2013 National Teacher of the Year.
1977
With continued curriculum expansion and offering master’s degree programs, Central becomes Central Washington University.
1995
2006
The $58 million Student Union and Recreation Center opens. The 220,000 square-foot facility, the largest building on campus, combines residential dining, a bookstore, recreational facilities, and student life programs and services.
2008
Softball teammates Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace help an opposing player score a homerun after the player’s injury prevented her from running the bases on her own. Their sportsmanship receives an ESPN ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) for Best Moment in Sports.
2011
Kamola Hall celebrates its centennial. It opened in 1911 and was named in 1916 for the favorite daughter of the Kittitas Native American Chief Owhi.
2012
Trevor Greene, a 1989 CWU alumnus, is named the National Principal of the Year.
Richard DeShields
2016
The new state-ofthe-art Science II building opens in the fall.
Crews begin work on transforming the old Samuelson Union Building into a computer science, math, and information technology center. Renovation starts on Bouillon and Lind halls as well as the Old Heat building. The latter will serve as Central’s new community welcome center.
Sweecy presenting his concerns. Brooks addressed the legislature, citing a gas bomb and property damage as to reasons why “things have gone to hell.” After the vote was taken, social vice president Jim Delfel immediately stood up and announced his resignation. The Campus Crier story described his action as “a strange combination of the dramatic and the absurd.”
The inside pages of the 1948 Sweecy Day program included a schedule, map of campus and a list of chairmen. Photos courtesy of CWU Archives
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The next week, the student government passed a motion that the $800 allotted to Sweecy Day should be given back to the treasury. The motion passed, and without any funding, Sweecy Day drew its last breath. When Drinkwater returned to CWU in 1975 to work as an administrator in student activities, there were whispers of a resurrection. “There were some calls to bring Sweecy Day Weekend back as an event and it never really panned out,” Drinkwater said. “It was an event of the ‘60s and the times, a lot of fun for a lot of people.”
Behind the name
The term “Sweecy” from Sweecy Day came from the name Central Washington College of Education — or CWCE.
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CWU Celebrates 125 YEARS 19
Lots of coaches have come through the doors of Central Washington University, but none have been more successful than Dean Nicholson. Nicholson grew up in Ellensburg, and after coaching 15 years at Puyallup High School, he returned home and took over the Wildcat basketball program in 1964. Over the next 26 years, he finished with 609 wins and a .736 winning percentage. He took his teams to 22 NAIA national tournaments, including six NAIA Final Fours. His best season came in 1970, when his team won 32 games that encompassed a 25-game winning streak. Nicholson has been awarded the NAIA National Coach of the Year, and was selected to the Washington State Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the NAIA Hall of Fame and Central Washington University’s Hall of Fame.
A chat with Dean Nicholson
At 90 years old, Nicholson now resides in Concord, Calif. He spoke about his career during a phone interview with Daily Record Sports Editor Ryan Kuhn in early March. 20 almanac 2017
Leo and Dean Nicholson are the most winning father/son coaches in intercollegiate basketball. Dean Nicholson is holding the basketball. Appears Courtesy of Dr. James E. Brooks Library, Archives and Special Collections, Central Washington University Duplication and Imaging Services
Growing up you were a three-sport high school athlete playing baseball, basketball and tennis. Why, specifically, do you hold basketball so close to your heart? Basketball was my first love and probably the game I enjoyed the most. It was a much different
game than it is now, but I love basketball because it is a team game. You have to really enjoy being a part of a team and having friendships on the team. We ended up going unbeaten in my junior year and we had a team with some great athletes, but we weren’t able to go to the state tournament that year because of the war. After graduating high school, you played at Central Washington from 1947-50 under your father, Leo Nicholson. How was that experience?
we reached the Final Four and finished third. We were fortunate to get to the Final Four six times over the next 26 years. Did you feel any pressure coaching at Central Washington taking over for your dad? No. It was a positive feeling and I loved Ellensburg and I loved Central. Coaching has your pressure, your ups and down and your problems you have to deal with, but I loved it.
That gave me a lot of satisfaction. My dad passed away from a brain tumor in 1967 after he retired and it was a mixed blessing playing for him. You took a lot of heat from opposing players, but we had a lot of success. We won a district championship my senior year and went on to the final eight of the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City.
What type of coach were you and what type of team did you like to coach?
As we are currently in the middle of March Madness and the NCAA Tournament happening, how special was your tournament run? A lot of basketball players do not get that kind of opportunity.
You had a lot of success with 609 wins and six trips to the NAIA final four. How hard was it to keep those expectations up and to continue having a winning tradition?
It was the culmination of the college basketball season. We actually beat Gonzaga in the playoffs that year, but they were not at the level we know now. We got bounced out the year before, so to come back like that was special. It was a great experience.
That first year helped me out a lot and I tip my hat to that team. I was fortunate to have my dad recruit Mel Clark before I got there. He played his freshman year for my dad, but was an AllAmerican center for us. I was fortunate to have him the next three
You coached 14 years at Puyallup High School, but then took over the reins from your father at Central Washington in 1964. Talk about that process. It was a great experience at Puyallup. We had some great teams playing in the old Puget Sound League. We won three championships there and were really happy, but when my dad retired, I wanted to take a shot at the Central job. I was hired by Jim Brooks, president at the time, and I enjoyed coming home. The first team I look over in 1965 finished 20-6, and I was fortunate to have two players that I coached in Puyallup when I was there. Jim Clifton is in the Washington State Coaching Hall of Fame. We ended up winning the district that year but my third year
We liked to play good defense. That was No. 1. We liked to share the ball and ran some fast breaks. It was a different game than it is now, but I was fortunate enough to be able to coach good young men and talented basketball players.
see NICHOLSON, page 23
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Nicholson You coached Central Washington men’s basketball coach Greg Sparling during your last season in 1990. What kind of player was he?
years and he was the anchor to our offense. We ran our motion around him in the post and he, as much as anybody, started our winning tradition. How have you seen Central Washington University change over the years since you played and then coached? The changes on campus have been tremendous. Unfortunately, I am a long way away and I don’t get up there much. I haven’t seen a game there recently, but I have toured the facilities and they have done a great job. It’s hard to picture the old campus when I went to school there.
I had a graduate assistant named Gil Coleman who was the instigator in getting Greg Dean Nicholson to play here. Greg was at Courtesy of CWU Archives Juanita High School and was a hard-nosed player, a good worker, a great teammate and tough rebounder. He was a pleasure to coach.
Basketball has changed immensely over decades. Many rule changes were put in place and the recruiting process has evolved. How hard was it to adapt your coaching style over the 40 years you were at Central Washington?
You spent a lot of time playing and coaching at Central Washington. What does the university mean to you? Do you feel like you would be the person you are today without Central Washington?
The 3-pointer was the biggest difference, but that happened after I retired. Recruiting was tough at Central. There were no scholarships, so our best recruiting tool was the Pell Grant. It is based on need, so if a player was from a needy family situation it was a lot of help to get kids through school and get their education. I am very proud of all my players who graduated and went into coaching. There are way too many to name.
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I treasured my time at Central and look back with some great memories. I loved my high school and I loved Puyallup, but Central gave me the opportunity.
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CWU Celebrates 125 YEARS 25
&
Then Now
Photo courtesy of Kittitas County Historical Museum
1900-1905
Photo courtesy of Kittitas County Historical Museum
1915-1925
Barge Hall 1905
1940
Photo courtesy of Kittitas County Historical Museum
26 almanac 2017
Photos courtesy of Kittitas County Historical Museum
CWU LOGOS
A progressive view
through the years
A view of Barge Hall showing 7th & 8th Avenues. The photo is taken in the middle of Anderson Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues, east side.
A collection of Wildcat head logos were taken from multiple Central Washington University (or Central Washington State College or Washington State Normal School) items featuring an ever-changing wildcat since the school adopted the mascot in 1926. It is not known exactly when each head is from. Not all cat heads are official logos, but they reveal the many different faces of the Wildcat over the years.
The 1930 Washington State Normal School yearbook, “The Hyakem,” features the first image of a wildcat in CWU’s digital yearbook collection. CWU adopted the Wildcat as its mascot in 1926. (CWU Brooks Library)
An undated seal for the Central Washington State College Alumni Association features one variation of the many Wildcat heads used by the Ellensburg institution through the years. (Contributed)
This patch (date unknown) was affixed to the uniforms for Central Washington State College cheerleaders during the mid-20th Century. (Contributed)
An undated image shows the Central Washington University Wildcat wearing a WWII-era sailor’s cap. The logo however, must have appeared much later than that era, as the school was not known as CWU until 1977. (Contributed) Brian Myrick/Daily Record
Current day
An undated picture shows the Central Washington University Wildcat logo in use during the 1980s. (Contributed)
From “above” 1965-1970
2011
This was the official CWU logo from 2000 until 2012. (Contributed)
The new Central Washington University wildcat logo was designed by 2011 CWU graduate Jeremy Higuchi. (Contributed)
Aerial view of the Central campus, circa 1965-1970. Note to the right in the trees Barge Hall without its cupola which was damaged and removed in 1955. Photo courtesy of Kittitas County Historical Museum
The completed expansion of the Hogue Technology Center sits in front of the Nicholson Pavalion as construction continues on the new Barto Hall on the campus of Central Washington University during the summer of 2011. Brian Myrick/Daily Record
The CWU Athletics logo was revealed in May 2016 and began appearing on athletic gear and uniforms the fall of 2016.
CWU Celebrates 125 YEARS 27
Future Watch
What does the future hold for Central Washington University hold? Faculty, administrators and students share their prognostications. 28 almanac 2017
Central Washington University president James Gaudino speaks to those on hand for the grand opening ceremony of CWU's new Science II building in Ocotber 2016. (Brian Myrick / Daily Record)
by TONY BUHR staff writer
What does the future hold for Central Washington University? Transportation, social trends, diversity and technology are likely to shape change on campus over the next century, according to faculty, administrators and students.
Technology and social trends The next 125 years at Central Washington University will probably change dramatically due to the speed at which technology and society is developing, CWU President Jim Gaudino said. Education has been stuck in a familiar pattern almost back to the 14th century, but many people within the education dramatic shift in the imminent future.
"I keep my eye on virtual reality," Gaudino said. "For the last 50 years if you wanted to show someone what a molecule looked like, you got styrofoam ball with sticks and you made a three-dimensional thing and you passed it around the class. In virtual reality now you can look inside that atom." Augmented reality may be a tool teachers can use to change the classroom experience, he said. In virtual reality a person goes into a virtual space and cannot see their physical surroundings. Augmented reality allows people to put on a pair of glasses and see projections in the room they occupy. "So in their med school where they would normally go in and work on cadaver they're
“It would be a fascinating experience and a different way of learning, because it would be immersive.” — Jim Gaudino, CWU President
now doing it virtually," Gaudino said. Augmented or virtual reality could change the way people receive education at a revolutionary scale, he said, similar to Gutenberg's creation of the printing press. "What if you were put in King James Court in England and have to sit in on one of the historic councils?” he asked. "Or you sat in a World War II meeting between Churchill and Stalin. It would be a fascinating experience and a different way of learning, because it would be immersive." Online classes will continue to grow, he said. Most entry level jobs within the STEM field require some form of education, but attending college is not affordable for see FUTURE WATCH, page 30
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Future watch everyone. Housing and relocation costs are a big part of education, and online classes can reduce that expense. “If you want to educate more people and want to keep the cost down and the state cannot subsidize it at the level that is needed, then you're going to have to find a way to bring education to where people are," Gaudino said. The race to keep up with emerging technologies also can drive tuition prices higher for students. As schools The morning sun glints off the observatory dome atop Central Washington University’s recently completed Science II building in June 2016. It is home to the physics, geology, and the move online and students potentially Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education. (Brian Myrick / Daily Record) stop relocating to college towns, it also raises the question of universities as a social bridge, he said. New high tech companies moving to "A day like today where (Snoqualmie the region could inspire an even greater Pass) is closed you realize how connected "Right now college is a time of focus on STEM (science, technology, we are with the transportation, especially transition," Gaudino said. "You have four engineering and math) jobs at Central over the mountains," Munsell said. "So one years or so where you leave your family Washington University. of the possibilities is reopening passenger home and go off and live increasingly on service from here to the West Side." your own. What if that college isn't there?" "That's pretty normal for the university The other potential is that little change occurs at college campuses, he said. Perhaps the social need to move away from home and grow personally will outweigh the technological possibilities. "That's the big question — is there always going to be a social need and a personal preference to go someplace to learn?" Gaudino asked. "It won't be technologically required in the future. The question is do we still do it?"
“A university serves the industry around it.”
Transportation and historical trends CWU History Professor Kenneth Munsell said transportation is a key factor for change in communities. 30 almanac 2017
With rising housing prices in the Seattle and Bellevue regions, areas like Cle Elum and Ellensburg may become commuter cities, he said. The population growth could attract companies to relocate here, and affect daily life.
— Kenneth Munsell, CWU History Professor "What that may mean is that businesses like small, high-tech companies might be very amenable to moving to places like Cle Elum and Ellensburg," Munsell said. "Because they are places close to the center, but there is a potential for new housing."
to provide workers for any industry," Munsell said. "A university serves the industry surrounding it. I would suspect those kinds of programs to grow." The future is difficult to predict, he said. Funding is another possible variable, as the state’s universities compete for limited funds. The city of Ellensburg has a bright future in the next 125 years, he said. Tourism is booming in the area and the city has done a lot of things to make the downtown more attractive. The one area the community could improve is creating more businesses to bring in blue collar jobs, he said. "But on the whole I think it's pretty positive," he said.
What students say Quayvon Spencer, a sophomore psychology major at CWU, said he hopes the city of Ellensburg will grow and there will be a more diverse student body at the university. "It will probably will no longer be brick buildings," he said. "125 years is a whole a lot of time for technology to grow, so hopefully that will get incorporated."
Lathan Wedin adjusts the hue of the ceiling inside the planetarium at Central Washington University's recently completed Science II building in June 2016. (Brian Myrick / Daily Record)
One of the challenges he sees for students is financial aid, he said. Students are struggling to pay for college and getting into serious debt. He also hopes the university works on expanding equality for gender and sexual orientation.
He also hopes the food court gets some healthier options. Spencer said he sees more classes moving online in the future, but he recommends some classes, like psychology or philosophy, remain offline. "I feel like our teachers are losing their jobs because slowly we're learning that technology can teach us things," he said. "We probably wouldn't need classroom settings. But I feel like the classroom can help you learn a lot more than watching a TV screen." Kimberly Smith, a professional and creative writing junior, said she came to CWU because the university provided innovative opportunities in her field. see FUTURE WATCH, page 32
Welcome! We’re glad you’re here Stop by and visit us at 501 N. Anderson Street or online at https://ci.ellensburg.wa.us Take Fido to one of our 2 Off-leash Dog Parks! Lost Pet? Looking for a pet? Contact the Animal Shelter
Reserve a park shelter. Swim at the Memorial Pool. Run, walk or bike the trails at Irene Rinehart Park.
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Future watch "I'm a writing major and the program they have take into account the changing environment of media," she said. "It provides opportunities for jobs and the outlook that a lot of English programs don't have, because the work environment for that is very different now than it has been."
Students study in the Academic & Research Commons at Central Washington University’s Dr. James E. Brooks Library in 2013. (Brian Myrick / Daily Record)
Smith said she thinks there will be opportunities for humanity majors within STEM fields in positions such as technical writing. There is a need for people who can communicate within those industries.
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Smith said she hasn't had a lot of great experiences with online classes. She would like to see more interaction between professors and students in an online environment. "Maybe even being able to have physical interactions with a classroom using Skype,” she said.
The Ellensburg Rodeo is steeped in traditions. The men and women who founded the Ellensburg Rodeo in 1923 were ranchers, farmers, Indians, and community-minded citizens working in a group effort of huge proportions. They were motivated not only by a desire to celebrate a vanishing frontier way of life, but also by a desire to promote their community and generate commerce. From their efforts, Washington State’s world famous Ellensburg Rodeo was born. At the urging of newspaper editor Clifford Kaynor, businessman Clarence Fitterer, and several others, the Kittitas County Commissioners started the ball rolling on April 1, 1923, budgeting $10,000 for the purchase of 18 acres adjacent to the Kittitas County Fair Grounds in northeast Ellensburg. State Representative Phil Adams garnered some state government support. Since the land cost $6,450, the balance would be used to construct the arenaandbleachers.Still,thiswasnotnearlyenoughmoney to pay for the lumber, tools, horse teams and huge labor force necessary to construct the grounds. In a bold move, the Kittitas County Fair Board called upon valley residents to donate materials and labor for the construction of the rodeo grounds, and they set Thursday, June 14, as the date of a “field day” to build the new arena.
Five hundred men with over two hundred horses assembled on Thursday and set to work. They graded a road, a racetrack and the grounds, and rerouted Wilson Creek around the site. They finished building corrals, fences, three bridges and a grandstand; they plumbed new water mains, dug ditches and pruned trees. Local women cooked up huge meals to feed the field day work crews. Their accomplishments were remarkable, and the Record’s headlines shouted, “COMMUNITY EFFORT IS SUCCESSFUL. Business Men, Farmers Work on Fair Grounds. Sight of Toilers Working in Common Cause Inspiring.” After several hundred men stayed over to work on Friday, the Record’s headlines concluded, “Cooperative Work Has Astonishing Results.” The rodeo arena was ready to go. In a very important way, the people of the Kittitas Valley relied upon their frontier heritage to create their rodeo. Volunteerism––the community spirit of the pioneer days––provided the base upon which the Ellensburg Rodeo was built. Without volunteer community workers, the first bucking bronc may have never exploded out of the chutes into Ellensburg’s splendid new rodeo arena on the day the Ellensburg Rodeo was born. - by Mike Allen, Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame Association Photos courtesy of www.erhof.com Photo: Greyson Miller
32 almanac 2017
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#Kittitas PUD No. 1
Monday-Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm
General Manager
Customer Service Representative
Julie Ridgway
KaRen galBRaith
eMily wilson
CaRRie danielle
genine PRatt
BeCCa sandnes
Kelly CaRlson
Customer Service Supervisor
Finance Manager
Accounting Clerk
Office Assistant
Senior Accountant
Administrative Assistant
1580355
Matt Boast
Telephone Payments, Automatic, Online, Level Monthly Billing
The more things change… …the more they stay the same.
2017
CWU
Since 1892
KELLEHER MOTOR COMPANY ANY 602 N. Pearl Street | Ellensburg, WA | 509-925-1911 150271
www.kellehermotors.com