Snowstorm Holiday.
Heavy snow caused Clarkson to close down for two days on March 4-5,
1971. The last two-day holiday had occurred in 1947, when heavy snow delayed for two days
both registration and school opening for the spring semester. At that time, one train to the North
Country left New York City Sunday evening, became stalled in Watertown, and did not reach
Potsdam until 5 a.m. on Wednesday.
Degrees Awarded.
Clarkson's 78th Commencement on May 23 awarded a new record of 702
degrees: 553 bachelor's, 132 master's, and 17 PhDs. Tuition was $2,400 a year.
Walker Renovation.
During the summer, the hockey arena was renovated. New refrigeration
installed under a new rink surface which had been enlarged to the standard size of 200- by 85-
feet provided the capability of having ice during summer months.
Additionally, the seating capacity was increased by 600 to a total of 2,300. New
walkways with improved exits were built so that the space occupied by the old walkways could
be used for standing room, and the lobby was expanded. Improved lighting allowed for closed-
circuit TV broadcasting on local cable service, and the installation of an infrared heating system
made the life of the audience more comfortable on bitter nights.
Clarkson at 75.
Clarkson began its year-long observance of the 75th year on September 25 with
a Charter Day program, which included the official opening of the $5.5 million Science Center
on the Hill Campus.
President Graham opened the ceremonies by addressing the audience of faculty,
students, and alumni on "The Seventy-Fifth Anniversary." Munday Peale, chairman of the
Board, followed with "The Clarkson Heritage." Jerrier Haddad, vice president of IBM and a
Trustee of the College, was the main speaker, delivering his address, "Technology and Man."
Music was provided by the Phi Mu Alpha ensemble from Potsdam State's Crane School.
In honor of that celebration, Dr. Donald G. Stillman, recently retired chairman of the
humanities department, wrote a history of Clarkson, entitled
Clarkson at 75.
Sigma Xi Installed.
Also as part of the Charter Day ceremonies, Frank Croxton, national
president for Sigma Xi, installed a chapter of this honorary science society at Clarkson on
Saturday, September 25. Prior to the granting of the Sigma Xi charter, faculty members at
Clarkson, St. Lawrence, and Potsdam State had functioned as a Sigma Xi club; with this
installation, they became charter members of the Clarkson chapter. Having this charter allowed
the members to elect new members from the undergraduate and graduate student bodies.
Science Center.
The new Science Center on the hill provided quarters for all work in
chemistry, mathematics, and physics, and classrooms to accommodate practically all of the
freshmen and sophomore courses. Enclosing nearly 111,000-square feet of space, the new
building housed 18 classrooms, 70 faculty offices, and four auditoria that seated a total of over
600.
ROTC on Campus.
The Faculty Senate created an
ad hoc
committee to study the continuation
of ROTC on the Clarkson campus. That committee was composed of: Robert Cotellessa,
professor and chairman of electrical engineering (chairman); Alvin M. Hall, Class of 1972;
Frank L. Moore, professor of physics; James E. Morehouse, Class of 1972; James P. Preusch,
