The Andersen Library Blog

Long before Whitewater Normal School (now UW-Whitewater) had fraternities and sororities, students joined literary societies. On May 1, 1868, just ten days after the school opened its doors, the Lincolnian Literary Society (LLS) convened for the first time.[1] Literary societies were early social organizations with strict rules for membership and conduct. The LLS, comprised solely of male students, hosted programs that included music performances, oration, and debate.

Not to be outdone by the gentlemen, the female students soon organized into the Young Ladies Literary Society (YLLS) and met to adopt a constitution in February 1872. [4] The Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules of Order for the group read as follows:

“We the undersigned do declare ourselves an Association for mutual improvement in Elocution, Composition, and Debate, and for enlarging our fund of general intelligence; in the pursuit of which objects we desire to exhibit a due consideration for the opinions and feelings of others, to maintain a perfect command of temper in all our in intercourse, to seek for truth on all our exercises..”[5]

Both organizations met regularly to debate amongst themselves and occasionally the held joint meetings, the first of which was in June 1872. The debate topic question: “Resolved: That the futures has more to do with the present than the past.” The YLLS argued for the affirmative while the L.L.S. argued the negative. At the end of the debate, the judges decided in favor of the L.L.S. [7]

By 1896, the YLLS had disbanded, but literary societies continued to grow and thrive on campus. The Normal School added two additional literary societies in 1898, Aureola and Philomathia. While the charter members of Aureola constituted both male and female students, by 1911 only female students were allowed entrance into the organization. The Preamble for both society’s constitutions was the same:

We, students of the Whitewater State Normal School, desirous of cultivating our moral, social, and intellectual faculties, and believing that such cultivation will be promoted by voluntary association, do hereby form ourselves into a society…”[8]

Debating amongst the groups became so popular that the school organized an Oratorical Association to host oratorical contests between the Literary Societies. In 1909, Aureola and LLS debated the question of whether or not the United States should retain the Phillippines. The LLS won with their argument for the negative.[9]

By 1915, groups began to divide into those that wished to continue to dedicate themselves to debate and those that wanted to be more socially oriented organizations. The LLS became the Whitewater Oratorical League. This group was part of the Inter-Normal Oratorical League, comprised of debating teams from the other Wisconsin Normal Schools. Aureola and Philomathia were among the first official social sororities on campus when they became affiliated with Alpha Sigma and Sigma, Sigma, Sigma in 1932.

In the 1920s, the term “Forensics” began to replace “Debate.” The Whitewater Forensic League formed in 1923 around the following charge:

We, the students of Whitewater Normal School, realizing the value of the ability to speak in public to a teacher, and being desirous of securing practical work in public speaking, do hereby form ourselves into this society…[11]

The UW-Whitewater Forensics Team continues the long tradition of debate by winning over “100 awards annually in all three areas: limited preparation, public address, and interpretation.”[12]

[1]Lincolnian Literary Society Treasurer’s Book, Student Affairs Records, UW-Whitewater Archives & Area Research Center, Andersen Library, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI.
[2]Whitewater Normal School. “Course Catalog 1868 and 1869.” p. 14
[3]University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 1909 Minneiska, p. 62 https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.29546542.
[4] Young Ladies Literary Society Minutes, 1872, Student Affairs Records, UW-Whitewater Archives & Area Research Center, Andersen Library, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI.
[5]Young Ladies Literary Society Constitution and Minutes, 1877, Student Affairs Records, UW-Whitewater Archives & Area Research Center, Andersen Library, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI.
[6]Ibid.
[7]Young Ladies Literary Society Minutes, 1872, Student Affairs Records, UW-Whitewater Archives & Area Research Center, Andersen Library, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI.
[8]“Constitution and By-Laws of the Philomathia Literary Society of the State Normal School, whitewater, Wisconsin,” Student Affairs Records, W-Whitewater Archives & Area Research Center, Andersen Library, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI.
[9]University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 1909 Minneiska, p. 62 https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.29546542.
[10]University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 1909 Minneiska, p. 50 https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.29546542.
[11]Whitewater Normal Forensic League Minutes, Student Affairs Records, UW-Whitewater Archives & Area Research Center, Andersen Library, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI.
[12]UW-Whitewater. “Forensics Team.” Camps and Conferences. https://www.uww.edu/ce/camps/additional/forensics/team-bio.

Lucy Baker arrived at Whitewater Normal School (now UW-Whitewater) in 1894 and taught for 43 years. She was initially hired as the school’s music teacher, but quickly accomplished much more. Some of her first achievements were organizing the school’s first glee club in 1903, and a girl’s chorus group called “Treble Clef” in 1909.[1] Since, “soon after the turn of the century the term ‘music department’ came into use to refer to the combined efforts of all group that performed for the benefit of the institution” Miss Baker organized a full band and orchestra in 1912. [2] Throughout the 1920s and 1930s Miss Baker continued to expand the music department. The Glee Club ranged from 30 to 90 students at any given point and began meeting at after school rehearsals. An A Capella Choir was formed as well as another Choral Club that became known as the “little sister” to the Treble Clef group. [3] The music department received a promotion in 1931 as all extracurricular music activities were put on a credit basis.”[4] Shortly before Miss Baker retired in 1937, a Piano Club was founded in 1934. This club eventually became Zeta Eta Theta in 1941.[5] Miss Baker was also influential for all women on campus. When the first two female basketball teams were formed in 1899, Miss Baker was one of the first supporters.[6]

            Lucy Baker returned to campus February 18, 1952 to celebrate the building of a new dormitory that would be named in her honor. The ceremonies were arranged by the Women’s Self-Governing Association and included a parade of the Independent Women and each sorority represented by 15 girls, and were preceded by six trumpeters. The parade went from the Graham Street Entrance to the site of the dorm.[7] 

            The Student Involvement Award has recently been renamed to reflect the legacy Lucy Baker left on UW-Whitewater. The Lucy Baker award is “presented to less than 1% of UW-Whitewater undergraduate students who have served campus and surrounding community in an exemplary fashion.”[8] The students who are awarded this honor are noted for their active leadership and “providing service and programming for their peers, much how Lucy did for her students.”[9]

[1] M. Jannette Bohi, A History of Wisconsin State University Whitewater 1868-1986 (Whitewater: Whitewater State University Foundation Inc., 1967), 86.

[2] M. Jannette Bohi, A History of Wisconsin State University Whitewater 1868-1986 (Whitewater: Whitewater State University Foundation Inc., 1967), 87.

[3] M. Jannette Bohi, A History of Wisconsin State University Whitewater 1868-1986 (Whitewater: Whitewater State University Foundation Inc., 1967), 168.

[4] M. Jannette Bohi, A History of Wisconsin State University Whitewater 1868-1986 (Whitewater: Whitewater State University Foundation Inc., 1967), 168.

[5] M. Jannette Bohi, A History of Wisconsin State University Whitewater 1868-1986 (Whitewater: Whitewater State University Foundation Inc., 1967), 168.

[6] M. Jannette Bohi, A History of Wisconsin State University Whitewater 1868-1986 (Whitewater: Whitewater State University Foundation Inc., 1967), 111.

[7] M. Jannette Bohi, A History of Wisconsin State University Whitewater 1868-1986 (Whitewater: Whitewater State University Foundation Inc., 1967), 196.

[8] “Campus Awards,” University of Wisconsin Whitewater james R. Connor University Center, Univeristy of Wisconsin Whitewater, effective 2022, https://www.uww.edu/uc/get-involved/campus-awards#lucy-baker-involvement-award.

[9] “Campus Awards,” University of Wisconsin Whitewater james R. Connor University Center, Univeristy of Wisconsin Whitewater, effective 2022, https://www.uww.edu/uc/get-involved/campus-awards#lucy-baker-involvement-award.

In 1899, Whitewater Normal School (now UW-Whitewater) opened for its first summer session. Running from July 5th to August 5th teachers from all parts of the state were expected to show up and take advantage of “the Normal School equipment.” [1] During the summer session the school also offered a Model Class for teachers to work with like they did during the normal school year. [2] This first session only had five instructors and was attended by 90 students. This continued for two years and then lapsed for two years after that. [3]

In 1907, when the seventh annual summer session was held the session ran for six weeks beginning July 8th. This session included a “special set of primary courses for primary teachers who may obtain a new certificate, without examination by attending a two weeks’ course in Primary methods.” [4] By 1925, the summer session was streamlined for Commercial Teachers and added special courses in Vocation and Part-Time schooling. [5] For the 2023 summer session Whitewater is offering three-, six-, nine-, or twelve-week courses running May 22-August 12. Students can use the summer session as a way to improve their GPA by retaking a course or as a way to stay on track (or get ahead) in graduation requirements. In fact, “Students who take summer courses are 21% more likely to graduate in four years. [6]

[1] “The Summer School,” The Whitewater Register (Whitewater), May 25th, 1899.
[2] “The Summer School,” The Whitewater Register (Whitewater), May 25th, 1899.
[3] “Summer School,” The Royal Purple (Whitewater), April 1st, 1907.
[4] “Summer School,” The Royal Purple (Whitewater), April 1st, 1907.
[5] “Special Courses Planned for Summer School Session,” The Royal Purple (Whitewater), February 4th, 1925.
[6] “Summer Session,” Summer Session 2023, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, effective December 8, 2022, https://www.uww.edu/ce/summer.

Over its 154 years of operation, the University of Wisconsin Whitewater has undergone three name changes. The first of those name changes came in 1924 as Whitewater had undergone a curriculum development that resulted in Whitewater Normal School becoming Whitewater State Teacher’s College. On April 21, 1868, Whitewater Normal School opened and began educating future teachers in writing, reading, math, and the art of teaching. [1] A training school, a school for local children ranging in age from elementary to what we would consider high school students today, was located on campus. The training school allowed for the teachers in training to be observed under experienced critics and learn by doing. [2] This idea of supervised practice teaching was solidified under President Salisbury within the first twenty-five years of the school’s history and has been a key factor in the education department ever since. [3]

As the decades progressed, Whitewater kept up its high academic standards by competing with the offerings of newer universities. By 1913, the Whitewater Normal School had established a new department in commercial education, offering students “maximum training in commercial subjects and a minimum of theoretical work.” [4] The commercial education program provided teachers with specialized training in areas of business, law, and typewriting in order to better educate students entering business professions. Eight years later, in 1923, Whitewater had expanded its commercial courses to a three-year program in order to better prepare their teachers. In 1925, the curriculum expanded to a four-year course, and so the Whitewater Normal School now had the ability to grant the degree of Bachelor of Education, becoming the first normal school in Wisconsin to do so. This prompted the name change to Whitewater State Teacher’s College in 1927. [5]

[1] Brian Dahlstom, “Normal School Opened in 1868,” The Royal Purple (Whitewater), December 6, 1989.
[2] M. Janette Bohi, A History of Wisconsin State University Whitewater 1868-1968 (Whitewater: Whitewater State University Foundation, Inc., 1967), 41.
[3] M. Janette Bohi, A History of Wisconsin State University Whitewater 1868-1968 (Whitewater: Whitewater State University Foundation, Inc., 1967), 93.
[4] M. Janette Bohi, A History of Wisconsin State University Whitewater 1868-1968 (Whitewater: Whitewater State University Foundation, Inc., 1967), 134.
[5] M. Janette Bohi, A History of Wisconsin State University Whitewater 1868-1968 (Whitewater: Whitewater State University Foundation, Inc., 1967), 130.

In 1969, UW-Whitewater organized its first May Week. It would take place May 4th – May 11th as a way “to get the campus out to have fun together with the town and parents.” [1] It was a huge success! There were dances, stag and drag races, films to be watched, a Whitewater Forum presentation, a carnival, sports games, concerts, and Phi Sigma Epsilon even held a pancake brunch. [2] By 1976, the celebrations were still going strong, but now it was being used as a way “to strip Whitewater of its reputation as a suitcase college” by giving students a reason to stay. [3]

UW-Whitewater hosted its final May Week celebration April 28th-May 4th, 1980. Many of the events from the first May Week took place. Students enjoyed the warm weather and relaxed while listening to bands preform at the Spring Outdoor Happening Concert. However, some students interrupted comedian Tom Parks’ act and booed him off the stage. Other students also unplugged Tom Clyde’s amplifier during his performance. [4] By the 1980s, May Week turned from a campus and community event to a campus celebration. The traditions that took place at the first celebration continued, but also included many events were put on as fundraising opportunities for buildings and organizations around campus. A few events were even hosted by the Miller Brewing Company. This all changed in 1985 when Assistant Chancellor of Student Affairs, William Riley. and Director of the University Center, Steven Summers, decided that there would be no sponsorship of alcohol anywhere on the campus. [5]

May Week was successful in giving the students of UW-Whitewater the opportunity to relax and enjoy the spring weather as a campus and community, and more students were staying on campus to enjoy the festivities.

[1] “WSU-W Students Prepare for First May Week,” The Whitewater Register, May 1, 1969.
[2] “WSU-W Students Prepare for First May Week,” The Whitewater Register, May 1, 1969.
[3] “Dorms Show Super Spirit,” The Royal Purple, February 11, 1976.
[4] “Inconsiderate students mar May Week events,” The Royal Purple, May 7, 1980.
[5] “Sponsors,” The Royal Purple, September 18, 1985.