1930-1940

Northern State Normal School seniors, class of 1935

John M. Munson
Webster H. Pearce

Of the 1934 freshman class, one-fifth had parents born outside of the U.S.
In 1939, male students outnumbered females for the first time (334 to 307).

A North Gate is constructed at the corner of Waldo and Presque Isle, lined with cedars and shrubs, with paths leading through the training school playground to the Peter White Hall of Science and beyond.

The Great Depression hit the world hard in the 1930s. The Nazis took advantage of this situation and came to power in Germany, established their first concentration camp, and began a systematic persecution of Jews in Europe. In 1939, they invaded Poland and sparked the beginning of World War II. Other news in the 1930s included the disappearance of aviator Amelia Earhart over the Pacific, a wild and murderous crime spree by Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, and the imprisonment of Chicago mobster Al Capone for income tax evasion.

A North Gate is constructed at the corner of Waldo and Presque Isle, lined with cedars and shrubs, with paths leading through the training school playground to the Peter White Hall of Science and beyond. College Stadium is constructed in 1931 in anatural hollow area on Kaye Avenue. Bleachers are built into a natural slope and seat 1,500 spectators. A road encircles three sides of the the stadium, so spectators can watch from the comfort of their cars. The stadium is removed in the 1950s prior to constructing Gries and West Halls.

In 1932-33 of the Great Depression, faculty salaries are cut 15% and then an additional 33-1/3% by the Michigan Legislature, bringing Northern professor salaries to $2,644 and critic teachers to $1,740. For students, federal programs pay 30 cents/hour for cleaning, painting, repairing and research. Northern’s first Homecoming is held in October 1935. Northern defeats Michigan Tech at football! In 1936, the state begins to require four years of college for teaching certificates. A master’s degree is first offered in 1938 in conjunction with the University of Michigan. In 1960 Northern begins to offer it independently

Northern’s longest-serving secretary, Jeannette (Skinnard) Bowden ’36 BA, is hired after graduation by President Pearce. She goes on to serve under presidents Tape, Harden, Johnson and Jamrich.