LV Life

ULV class of ’43 still has school spirit

There are nine of the 35 members of La Verne class of 1943 residing at Hillcrest Homes. Miriam Hanawalt Long acts as herald to the group as she brings word of their alma mater by way of the Campus Times. Long holds a family picture containing mostly La Verne graduates who symbolize her family's love for the school. / photo by Jason Cooper
There are nine of the 35 members of La Verne class of 1943 residing at Hillcrest Homes. Miriam Hanawalt Long acts as herald to the group as she brings word of their alma mater by way of the Campus Times. Long holds a family picture containing mostly La Verne graduates who symbolize her family’s love for the school. / photo by Jason Cooper

by Kelly Serrano
Staff Writer

Within the four or five years that a student attends the University of La Verne, they will probably watch at least one sporting event. Some will become active in student politics, some will live on campus and some will join fraternities or sororities. Some will work hard to make ULV a better place.

Students read the Campus Times and sustain an interest in what is happening on campus. Although they all do not participate in all of these activities, and some do not participate in any, they still carry around a sense of pride and some school spirit for ULV.

Once students graduate and walk away from ULV with their degrees, will they come back to watch an occasional women’s volleyball game or a football game? Will they care about whom is elected Associated Student Federation President in 2025? Will the same school spirit that they have now, whether it is large or small, carry over for decades?

In 1943 the then La Verne College graduated a class of 34 students. Most of the campus that students see today was not here at that time. The Old Gym, Miller Hall and Founders Hall were the only buildings, and student enrollment was small. Only a limited number of men were enrolled because many were drafted to World War II. Nine of those graduates remain in La Verne living at Hillcrest Retirement Home. Most of them remain active in the ULV community and still cherish the memories of this small but illustrious campus.

Miriam Hanawalt Long graduated in 1943 with a degree in education. Although the campus today is much different than the campus of 1943, Long might know her way around better than most freshman. She comes to campus every Friday to pick up a stack of the Campus Times and takes them back to Hillcrest for all of her former classmates to read.

She can be seen at most volleyball, basketball, baseball and football games played at home.

As a student, Long was the Commissioner of Welfare. She planned all campus activities and parties, including beach day and snow day, two days all the students had the day off school and went to the beach or the mountains. Long planned trips to Fox Theater, at that time their was no television, was a member of GAT (Girls About Town), the name of those that did not live in the dorms, and was badminton champion

“The Church of the Brethren didn’t believe in dancing, so my brother Dwight and I organized Happy Fun Games, which was square dancing,” said Long. “But you didn’t dare call it dancing. We acted like we were playing cards.”

Gladys Olson also graduated in 1943 with a degree in education. Gladys tells stories of her college years with great enthusiasm, like they just occurred yesterday.

“I enjoyed dorm life in Miller Hall,” Olson said. “My room was in the front and had easy access to the front porch.”

Olson, along with her roommate, Ruthe Reber, would often sneak out of her room to run around the track in an effort to lose weight. A few times they were caught by their housemother coming into the back door. Another favorite was to sneak out and eat pickles from the Miller Hall Dining Hall.

In 1942, Olson helped to create Delta Phi Pi sorority, who was supposed to pick fresh flowers for chapel, which was mandatory. Olson was also the victim of a few panty raids performed by the male students.

“I did enjoy some of school,” Olson said. “I received a good education and I think it helped me as a teacher for 42 years. The quality of people at La Verne both students and faculty was a great experience and we’re all still close today.”

After attending ULV Homecoming game Saturday, Olson is worried some of the traditions of ULV have been forgotten.

“We’ve lost some spirit,” she said. “I’d like to see more music on campus and at the games.”

Olson and Long are just two of the thousands of ULV Alumni. The support and dedication of Alumni not only benefits the campus but also the students in attendance.

Lisa Jolly, director of alumni relations, says that there are many important aspects to the alumni program and that it is a very important branch of ULV.

Jolly said the reason for remaining in contact with alumni is, “Keeping people connected, keeping them connected to the university and the institution, but also keeping them connected among themselves.”

Kelly Serrano, Sports Editor
Kelly Serrano
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Jason Cooper, Staff Photographer
Jason Cooper
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