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Archie T. Keene Appointed President The first great blow to the college came in 1936 with the death of President John A. Kalbfleisch. However, in July of the same year the college was fortunate to obtain the services of Mr. Archie T. Keene as president of the college. He brought to the institution a rich background of many years of teaching and administrative experience in the educational field. Mr. Keene resigned from his position at the University of Detroit where he had served seven years as an instructor, and professor and Head of the Department of Speech, to assume the leadership of Indiana Technical College at a time when the financial problems of the institution called for sacrifice and self-denial, as a test of his faith and courage. The courage of the new president was further tried in 1937 when disaster struck in the form of a fire in the college building. However, students, faculty, friends, and Board members rallied behind his leadership, and the college was rebuilt. Classes continued wi thout interruption, and the enrollment increased. Rapid developments in engineering science and the consequent additional requirements of industry then encouraged the administra tion to increase the period of study from 24 to 27 months, or three school years, in each of the six fields of engineering Aeronautical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Radio. Academic standards were raised and a drive for full accreditment was begun. Laboratories were improved, and new facilities were added. Periodic reviews of the curriculum brought additional courses to help keep abreast of the modern trends in engineering education. When war was declared in 1941, nearly 500 students were enrolled. The student body consisted of high school graduates from every state in the union and many foreign countries. Hundreds of graduates had been placed throughout the country to assume professional positions among engineering firms of national reputation. •
Service To World War" During World II the facilities of Indiana Technical College were directed toward war services, including faculty, student and alumni participation in the armed forces, and administrative war work; pilot training CPT and CAAWTS; pre-pilot training; refresher courses in pre-radar and pre-meteorology; certified ground school CAA and Civil Air Patrol. However, before the war ended enlistments and the selective service had reduced the enrollment at Indiana Technical College to approximately 75 students. •
As soon as this war ended, Indiana Technical College was flooded with ex-servicemen who were applicants for admission. The school was accredited and approved for the training of veterans under both Public Law 16 and Public Law 346. First priority was given to former students returning to complete their education. Ex-servicemen who had not formerly attended Indiana Technical College were given second priority. During the winter term, 1945, an extra six-weeks session was started to help serve the needs of men waiting to be admitted. Like other colleges and universities throughout the United Sta tes, shortages of physical facilities, teaching staff, housing, and other problems created heavy administrative responsibilities. With the college filled to capacity and the waiting lists growing longer each month, the school facilities were improved and expanded. Among
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