The 1960s - Student Activities, Beauty Queens

The early to mid 1960s was a great decade to be a student, and it shows in the yearbooks published during this time. The fronts of the yearbooks were dedicated to scenes of student life from both resident and commuter views, including major student events like homecoming. Queens and beauties are given much space in each book in the 1960s, and it seemed as if there was a queen for everything. UC started a major building project in 1965, the biggest in the history of the University. The end of the decade saw the lines between student life and politics begin to fuzz and fade. With the 150th anniversary of UC in 1969, we find these words, “In this current period of rapid flux, students are no longer willing to remain passive. Involvement is the key phrase for today’s generation. It means awareness of political, social, economic events and an interest in revitalizing and restructuring the world.”

Featured Text

These are the people…
We made this year what it was… 1968 became unique because of our actions. Laughing, studying, being, enjoying; each in his own way we became involved. We were what’s happening; you might say we grooved… Grooving came in many forms; Pass-Fail or the Charter Amendment were a basis for grooving for some. Then there were the people running around with Operation Resurrection buttons—H.H. Richardson did look lie a guru. Should we Bar War or napalm or the draft or Homecoming Dances in the Convention Center… We searched for answers and learned in the process. Student leaders discussed the inevitability of 1984 and their role as leaders—but will it be so different? Those of us who commuted made an effort to be heard above the crowd…parking and food were our concerns; even though we acted it seemed as though we were too big to be heard. We enjoyed concerts by name…Hirt, Warwick, Josh White, The Supremes; Mummers entertained with South Pacific and experimental theatre. The Bengals bid for Nippert Stadium and the ‘Cats bid for the NIT…well, at least one was successful. Winter brought Claude Allen—spring brought the Fugs. McLaughlin lectured on sex and the dorms held a “Bitch-in”. It was all part of the learning experience, we did it and we grooved.

Found on pages 23-27 of the 1968 book