ALUMNI ASSOCIATION’S 1981 More than $1 million allocated to make East/ West Gym repairs; Nursing alumni chapter established; Bob DiSpirito, “Coach D,” steps down as head football coach after compiling 75-53-3 record. Elizabeth Berkely, ’70, elected president of association; SRSC takes on Wayne State University in Ann Arbor, Mich. Fred Goldsmith named head football coach, resigns after one season; First nationwide phone-a-thon at SRSC raises more than $16,000
Homecoming 1970
1977 Dr. Lawrence Park appointed president; Carl Laughner, ’49, retires as director of alumni affairs. Seven-day alumni excursion to Copenhagen, Denmark, costs $499; Alumni office moves to former Headland House
1982
Homecoming theme: “Circus Days;” Howard Headland, ’06, becomes a lifetime member of association at age 94
Don Ault named head football coach. Dr. Robert Watson, ’70, published “Slippery Rock State College – The Legend Behind the Name;” Actor Ted Knight, appears on nationally television sitcom wearing a Slippery Rock State College sweatshirt; Varsity Club formed to support SRSC athletics
1979
1983
1978
Dr. Herb Reinhard named president; Mary Margaret “Maggie” Meise, ’44, who organized the alumni association, dies; SRSC takes on Shippensburg at the “Big House” in Ann Arbor, Mich., before 61,000 fans; Thomas Gazda, ’69, president of alumni association, appointed director of development and alumni affairs; Robert Watson, ’70, elected association president; U.S. Navy honors Michael Estocin, ‘54, posthumously by naming missile frigate in his memory; Association kicks off first-ever Annual Giving Fund; Announcing Slippery Rock State College football scores during halftimes of many large universities becomes tradition; Old Thompson Stadium razed to make way for new stadium
1980s 1980 Association charters four chapters in Allegheny and Erie counties, Washington, D.C. and Florida Sun Coast; NKT Scholarship Fund grows to $62,000; Dr. Fred Williams appointed director of alumni relations and development; Dr. Howard Stewart named “Distinguished Alumni.” “The Rock” changes format from newspaper to newsletter; Association eliminates annual alumni giving programs, reinstates dues-structured program. Annual memberships $15, life memberships $250; Homecoming theme: “Be International” 22 22
Slippery Rock State College becomes Slippery Rock University. Fred McFeely Rogers, “Mr. Rogers,” receives University’s first honorary degree; Bill Lennox, ’59, named athletic director; Ricky Porter, ’83, signs NFL contract with the Baltimore Colts; SRU Athletic Hall of Fame created to honor former athletes; Varsity Club changes to the SRU Athletic Association
1984 Homecoming theme: “There’s No Place Like Home.” Dr. Marcia Carlson, ’48, selected Outstanding Alumna; Sally Jackson Lennox, ’59, named alumni affairs director
1985 Dr. Robert Aebersold named SRU’s 13th president. After 29 years and more than 400 victories Wally Rose retires as head baseball coach; Dr. Russell Wright, ’23, funds new fitness center; NKT Scholarship Fund reaches goal of $100,000; Office of University Relations created to coordinate institutional fund raising.
1986 Association reaches $20,000 goal to renovate North Hall; 100th Maree McKay scholarship awarded; Paul Onuska, ’69, honored as Outstanding Alumnus; Homecoming theme: “Music Through the Years.” More than 1,500 Bob’s Subs consumed during homecoming weekend; McKeever Environmental Center opens in Sandy Lake under the control of SRU. “The Rock” grows
Don’t Don’tForget ForgetHomecoming Homecoming--Oct. Oct.23 23--“Rock “Rockthe the80s” 80s”
from eight-page publication to 24 pages of news and feature articles; More than 2,000 alumni return for homecoming
1987 Association creates Past Presidents Award to honor graduates who served the Association; Carl Laughner, ’49, and Norma Watson Laughner, ’48, first recipients of the award; Audit of association budget shows just over $40,000 in revenue and $27,000 in expenditures; Homecoming theme: “Hurrah for Hollywood;” Association awards 120th academic scholarship
1988 School of Physical Therapy established; Basketball team travels to Hawaii; Robert Hannan, ’61, and Josie Metal-Corbin, ’67, named Outstanding Alumni; C. Bruce Rossiter appointed vice president for university advancement; Official seal of SRU Centennial chosen; Theme “A Century of Excellence;” “The Rock” newsletter expands class notes section; Dr. George Mihalik, ’74, named head football coach; Homecoming theme is “Celebrate!” NKT Fund reaches $153,694
1989 Slippery Rock University celebrates centennial; One-room schoolhouse moved on campus to commemorate teachers and University’s 100th anniversary; Basketball guard Myron Brown surpasses 1,000 points; Elmer “Tuggles” Gross, ’41, receives Past Presidents’ Service Award and Dr. Joanne McKeag, ’55, named Outstanding Alumna; SRU Foundation, Inc., offers SRU credit card; Homecoming theme: “Slippery Rock Through the Years;” Baseball team plays in NCAA Div. II World Series; Wally Rose, Jim Egli have athletic fields named in their honor
1990s 1990 Basketball team makes NCCA playoffs; Association annual memberships $20; $60,000 association budget; Master of science degree in sustainable systems created; Alumni magazine changes to glossy magazine cover; College campaign records $127,681 in pledges; Football team plays road games in Oregon, Florida; Scarnati Endowment Fund reaches $15,000 THE THE ROCK ROCKINSIDER INSIDER -- Fall Fall2004 2004