Civil Rights Act passed.
Polly Middleton and Hugette van Achere gave a piano recital at Vassar College.
The Bennington College Dance Group performed at Vassar College.
Vassar College, along with IBM Poughkeepsie and the New York State Education Department, conducted an institute in computer mathematics for high school Mathematics teachers.
On display at the Vassar College Art Gallery was an exhibit of "Prints by Mary Cassatt (1845-1926)."
"Facade," a work by William Walton, was performed by the Philharmonic Chamber Music Concerts. Reciting the poem was the Frank Baker, a teacher at Bennington College.
A petition with 986 signatures from Vassar College was delivered to Assistant Attorney General Burke Marshall. The petition requested a federal investigation into the "harassment, intimidation and arrest" of voter registration workers in Canton, Mississippi.
Albert Van Ackere directed the production of Alessandro Scarlatti's two-act opera "The Triumph of Honor" which was performed by a joint production of the Vassar College Music and Drama Departments.
Students all over campus watched the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show on TV. The Miscellany News stated "At first the girls in the campus audience protested that their interest in the Beatles was historical- they wanted to compare the studio audience reaction to that of the Elvis enthusiasts of a few years ago." Eventually the students gave way to "unreasoned frenzy." Many of them broke the "anti-scream rule" and fights started as to who was the cutest Beatle.
The Hudson Valley Philharmonic String Quartet honored President Sarah Gibson Blanding in a concert in Skinner Hall. Professor Boris Koutzens's new work, "Poem for Violin Solo and String Quartet" was dedicated to Ms. Blanding.
The Clarion Concerts Orchestra performed the annual Barbara Woods Memorial Concert.
Vassar held an Eighteenth Century Weekend that included exhibitions, lectures, concerts, panel discussion, and an 18th century dinner with costumed waitresses and music from the period.
Peter Gay, history professor at Columbia University, lectured at Vassar on "The Recovery of Nerve: The social Matrix of the Enlightenment."
Marjorie Hope Nicolson, a member of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton and professor Emeritus of English at Columbia University, lectured on "Changing Aesthetic Ideals in 18th Century England" as part of Vassar's 18th century symposium.
Dr. Jan LaRue, professor of Music at New York University spoke at Vassar on the "Emergence of Classicism in Music."
As part of the Eighteenth Century Symposium a panel discussion on "Comparative Literature" was held. The panelists were Professor Marjorie Hope Nicholson, Professor Emeritus of Columbia University; Professor Matthijs Jolles, Cornell University; Georges May, Dean of Yale College.
The Vassar College Madrigal Group, directed by Albert van Ackere, along with the Yale Madrigal Group, under the direction of Richard McKee, gave a concert in Skinner Hall.
Walter Allen, British novelist, critic and broadcaster, and visiting professor of English for the 1963-1964 academic year, gave the annual Phi Beta Kappa Lecture on "English and American Literature."
In honor of William Shakespeare's' 400th birthday the Vassar College Experimental Theater presented the Shakespearean comedy "Pericles, Prince of Tyre," directed by Seabury Quinn Jr., assistant professor of Drama at Vassar College.
Professor Paul Tillich gave the 1964 Helen Kenyon Lecture on "Grounds for Moral Choice in a Pluralistic Society."
Daniel D. McCracken, president of the McCracken Associates, lectured on "The Alliances Between Theory and Practice: A Sketch of Numerical Methods."
Dr. John Rock, professor emeritus of Gynecology at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Rock Reproduction Clinic, gave the Martin H. Crego Lecture at Vassar College.
A "5 Day Clinic to Stop Smoking" was held to aid smokers in quitting. The clinic was held in Chicago Hall by Dr. Jean Stevenson, college physician, who stated "Since the publication of the Surgeon General's report on cigarette smoking, there is no reasonable doubt on the toxicity of cigarette smoke not only on the lungs, but as general systemic poison."
Representative John V. Lindsay, a Republican from the 17th district of New York, lectured on "The Country and the Congress - Mid- stream."
Literary Critic Madeline Doran, spoke on "Shakespeare's Art."
The Dedication of the new Poughkeepsie Day School building, located on the Vassar Campus, was held. President Sarah Gibson Blanding received a scroll for supporting the school's program.
Three one-act plays were performed by the students in Drama 105. The plays were Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Aria Da Capo," William Butler Yeats' "The Land of Heart's Desire," and Tennessee Williams' "Suddenly Last Summer."
A five day clinic for the Vassar community was conducted by the Vassar College Department of Health in an effort to stop smoking.
Dr. William Jacobson, a British scientist, spoke on "Folinic Acid and Cell Division."
Willibald Saverlaender, a professor at the University of Freiburg, lectured on "The Sculpture of Reims Cathedral."
American Composer Walter Piston lectured at Vassar on "Musical Meaning." The lecture was followed by a performance of two of his chamber works.
The Reverend Alexander Schwemmann, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary, lectured on "The Faith and Life of the Eastern Orthodox Churches."
Arthur Burrows, baritone; Helen Boatwright, mezzo-soprano; and David Dodds, tenor, gave a concert along with the Vassar College Choir and the Yale University Glee Club, under the direction of Donald M. Pearson.
Betty Churgin, assistant professor of music at Vassar College, gave the third 1963-64 Vassar Scholars' Lecture on "The Music of G. B. Sammartini, a forgotten 18th Century Master."
The Vassar College Glee Club and Madrigal Group performed a joint concert with the Haverford Glee Club and Madrigal Group.
Poet Galway Kinnell gave a reading of his poetry
Democratic designated candidate for congress, Joseph Resnick lectured on the topic of "My Qualifications for Congressman and Why a Citizen Enters Politics," to the Vassar College Young Democrats.
Dr. Ashley Montagu, anthropologist and social biologist, lectured on "The Responsibilities of Adolescents in a Changing World."
Constance Motley, associate counsel for the NAACP, Defense and Education fund, lectured on "Present Civil Rights Struggle in the United States," under the auspices of the Student Lecture Series.
Carole Merritt '62, Civil Rights worker, spoke at Vassar under the auspices of the Students for a Democratic Society.
Vassar College faculty presented retiring President Blanding with a tractor, including plow and snow plow, as a farewell present at the Faculty farewell banquet.
Five Mayors of Polish cities visited Vassar College. The college has had a long-standing affiliation with Polish scholars since the administration of Henry Noble MacCracken.
At Vassar's 100th Commencement, the students, faculty, and president elect, Dr. Alan Simpson, paid tribute to Sarah Gibson Blanding and her 13 years of service to Vassar College. Dr. Simpson told the graduating class "If I have one last wish for you as you graduate it is that you may have as much gallantry and gaiety, as much pride and as little pomposity, as much capacity for work and enjoyment, as Sarah Blanding. In plain, in heroic magnitude of spirit, she has few equals."
At the Commencement, John Wilkie, chairman of the Board of Trustees announced the Board's approval of a new faculty housing development to be built between Raymond and Hooker Avenues.
The third Advanced Summer Chemistry Program for High School Students was offered at Vassar.
Dr. Alan Simpson became seventh president of Vassar College.
A summer institute for New York State high school teachers of English was offered. Two seminars entitled "Grammar, Composition, and Insight" and "Studies in Literature," were taught by professors from the Vassar English Department.
A Russian Language summer course was offered for elementary and secondary school teachers.
Twenty Social Studies teachers from New York State high schools attended a 6 week summer program of Latin American Studies.
"Horizons Unlimited" a tutorial program for Poughkeepsie's elementary students, continued, with thirty Vassar students tutoring. The program preceded Head Start. The OEO requested a film of the Vassar College Program be made, to be used for orienting and instructing teachers in the Head Start national program. "Ahead of Head Start" the film on the Vassar project for underprivileged children of the community, was shown to alumnae at the Alumnae Council October 13. As a result of Vassar's work in the community through Horizons Unlimited, Associate Professor of Child Study Dorothy Levens, and Joseph Stone, Professor of Child Study, were asked to be the educational consultants for Head Start. Horizons Unlimited was featured in Time, and Newsweek.
President Alan Simpson announced that the James Foundation at New York Inc., gave a $500,000 grant to Vassar College, to be used towards general corporate purposes.
Alan Simpson, the new president of Vassar College, gave the address at the convocation opening Vassar's 100th academic year.
Novelist Alain Robbe-Grillet lectured on "New Novels and New Films."
Edward Albee's play "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" was performed by a professional company in the Students' Building at Vassar College.
The New York String Trio, including Gerald Tarack, violin; Harry Zaratzian, viola; and Alexander Koguell, cello performed at Vassar College.
Vassar College's new fire truck was put into action. The fire truck was purchased from the Wappingers Falls Fire Department to replace the 15 year old Vassar College fire truck. The truck will be able to handle all but the serious fires.
Alan Simpson, Oxford educated historian and former dean of the college at the University of Chicago, was inaugurated. There was an academic procession with delegates from over 300 American and European colleges and universities and 90 representatives from Alumnae clubs.
Nancy Jervis, former member of the class of 1965, was arrested in McComb, Mississippi with thirteen other civil rights workers. Ms. Jervis was charged with operating a food handling business without a permit. Ms. Jervis was living in the Freedom House, which had been inspected and deemed a boarding house.
Dick Gregory, comedian, author, and civil rights activist, was featured at a Christmas House Party. "Mr. Gregory was well received by the students and their dates."
Judy Collins performed for Freshman-Sophomore weekend. Ms. Collins sang folk songs as well as drinking songs. "The rapt attention of the audience and the large turnout added to the success of the concert."
Vassar College faculty and students, including the Simpson family, joined 3,000 other marchers which included representatives of the NAACP, Human Relations Council, local ministries, and Congressman Joseph Resnick. The march was part of a "nationwide response...to protest recent events in Selma, Alabama." The march was to object to the "the denial of suffrage and civil liberties to the Negro citizens and the brutal attacks upon civil rights demonstrators by the Alabama State Troopers."
The Miscellany News announced that Vassar College's singing group "The G-Stringers" will perform at Carnegie Hall as part of the "Collegiate Sound, which consists of singing groups from colleges all around the country."
Fourteen Vassar College students marched in a protest against Vietnam in Washington DC. The protest was sponsored by SDS, Students for a Democratic Party. Women Strike for Peace also participated.
Vassar seniors decided, for the first time, to have informal portraits in the yearbook. Members of the class of 1966 decided by ballot to choose a spot on campus where the students were to be photographed, and the students were to choose what to wear.
A 6 week summer institute on the "Principles of Geology" was held. Directing the program was John H. Johnsen.
The Board of Trustees approved the construction of a new building in the present Science Quad, and the consolidation of the departments of Biology, Physiology, Zoology, and Plant Science. Plans were also announced to build a wing on the southeast side of Avery, that would house two theaters, and to install an IBM 360 in the renovated laundry building located behind Main.
The Vassar Committee on Civil Rights, officially adopted a Mississippi Democratic Party worker, Ira Grupper, who they have nicknamed "The Grupper." The VCCR financially supported the worker, whose responsibilities were to canvass local neighborhoods to determine the problems of the people and to organize the Freedom Democratic Party.
Students receive letters from Operation Match, a computer project started by two Harvard undergraduates who believe there is "an ideal date for each and every college student." The Harvard students had female students from Wellesley, Connecticut College for Women, Smith, and Sarah Lawrence fill out a questionnaire. Apparently, some students checked their sex as "male" instead of "female." Vassar students opened their letters to find that their ideal dates on the list were not only "boys" but many "girls" as well.
The Kendrick Jug Band, made up of members of the class of 1968, performed at several dorm parties. The band consisted of a "metal sheeter, spoons, washboard, jug, and a comb with wax paper, as well as banjo, gut bucket, auto harp, mouth harp and kazoo."
"The New Scene" or Pop Art came to Vassar. Five young art celebrities will
discuss "the newest directions" in art. The artists will be Castro-Cid,
Lichtenstein, Oldenberg, Rosenquist and Warhol.
Last updated: 10 November, 1999, by Jeremy R. Linden, '00.