Historical development of student activities and student centers at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse from 1909-1973

Abstract

This study presented the historical development of the student affairs units of student centers and student activities. This development covered the period of the inception of the La Crosse Normal School in 1909 to the present title University of Wisconsin -La Crosse in 1973. The primary purpose of this study was to record the contributions of past faculty, students, administrators, and supportive staff members and their effect on the development of student activities and student centers. Further, the intent of this study was to relate the influences of the following factors in the University's past; faculty size, student enrollment, student interests and social change, and the effects they had on the growth and development of these two units from 1909-1973. This study is depicted chronologically in three developmental periods. The first spans the early years of La Crosse Normal School from 1909-1939. The second period covers 1940-1958 which includes the war years up to the development of Cartwright Center. The final period covers 1959-1973 beginning with the opening of Cartwright Center to the development of student activities and student centers in 1973. In each period a summary is presented which gives the reader an historical overview of the development of the units of student activities and student centers within the Division of Student Affairs.