PLU Timeline -- University Archives

1970

The University Center Commons in the 1970s

After 6 years of planning and 15 months of construction, the University Center is completed on the site of the razed Student Union Building.

It offers student lounges, a new Commons, recreation room, bowling alley, and offices for ASPLU. Ingram Hall is remodeled the following year to house the school of nursing since it no longer needs the cafeteria or bookstore.

Richard Jungkuntz

The office of Provost is created.

Richard Jungkuntz becomes the first person to fill the role.

Restrictions on student life loosen dramatically:
Two dormitories become coed, girls' dormitories' restrictive hours are replaced with a card-key system, and opposite-sex visitation is allowed 3 times a week instead of 2 times a year. Still, restrictions apply: visitation hours are limited, the host must escort the visitor to the room, the door must remain open, and a flag is put up indicating that a visitor is on the floor.

The 1969-70 College Bowl team, left to right: Richard Ostenson '71, Jim Hushagen '70, Thomas Gumprecht '71, Bob Jones '70

PLU students participate in the nationally televised program College Bowl, a knowledge-testing game show for college teams.

During the National Crisis Forum, President Wiegman's telephone conversation with Senator George McGovern is amplified so students can listen

In May, finals week is canceled and replaced by the week-long National Crisis Forum in response to student protests.

Students have become more concerned with national crises, such as the Vietnam War, and feel that national problems are much more important and pressing than academic issues.

Neil Diamond plays for PLU

Tina Turner in concert at PLU

It is an exciting year in entertainment as the Artists' Series and ASPLU bring B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner, the Steve Miller Band, the Righteous Brothers, and Neil Diamond to campus.

1972

Bruce Bjerke '72

Bruce Bjerke, a history major and Walla Walla resident, becomes PLU's first (and, so far, only) Rhodes Scholar. Bjerke is involved in theatre, student government, and the Choir of the West.

Coach Forrest 'Frosty' Westering

Forrest "Frosty" Westering, "the winningest football coach ever," comes to PLU. His coaching style is reflected in a later quote: "I don’t really think you play to beat the other guy. . . . You play to play at the highest level you can. . . ."

Bill Cosby at PLU

Bill Cosby entertains students as a guest performer at Homecoming.

The second wing added to Ingram Hall

Another wing is added to Ingram Hall to accomodate a new large lecture classroom.

1974

Richard Jungkuntz is the acting president for a year.

Bob Hope on stage in Olson Auditorium

Bob Hope performs at PLU on 10 March, and the Beach Boys give a concert on 16 March.

The Beach Boys at PLU

David Knutson teaches a class at McNeil Island Prison

Through PLU's outreach program to the McNeil Island prison, inmate Sam Bowers, formerly a grand imperial wizard of the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in Mississippi, receives a BA in religion.

Professor Ken Christopherson, Bowers' advisor and teacher, later says Bowers is "far and away the best writer I ever had as a student." Christopherson is one of several professors who travel out to McNeil Island to give classes at the prison. Professor David Knutson, pictured here, is another.

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