Alpha of Clovia

Enrollment in 1960 was 6706, and an era of building hit KSU. New buildings were Justin Hall, a men's dormitory, Jardine Terrace and additions to Kedzie Hall and Eisenhower Hall. East Waters Hall was rehabilitated after a fire in 1957 and included a new Flour and Feed Milling laboratory. The early 60's saw the Clovia organization taking a good honest look at its worth, and some major decisions had to be made. With campus growth came the growth in housing, also. Several new sororities had started building, and more dormitories were being built. The Kansas Home Economics Demonstration Council and the university created the Smurthwaite scholarship house, which had the backing of HDU's across the state. Clovia had never had such stiff competition before, and its house was getting older and less glamorous and needed major repairs.

In 1960 the alumnae association decided to vote to see if it was worth continuing. Clovia was doing some strict budgeting as it was, and hopes of building were more important than ever. It was decided to drop the Panhallenic association before spring semester 1961, thus Clovia would be known as a cooperative scholarship house, not a Greek affiliate. It was now more important than ever to make a drive for funds and public relations, as the members had decided Clovia was definitely worth the efforts.

In the days of big cars driven at fast speeds and spaceflight, a few of the campus rules were being relaxed. Slacks could be worn to class when the temperature was under 10° in the morning. Summer of 1962, Goodnow Hall was used for the first experimental coeducational dormitory, which became more common in later years. Of course the residents weren't allowed complete freedom. The rooms of the girls' wing that faced the boys' wing were left empty to deter peekers.

Mrs. Sybil Lawlis was housemother fall 1963 through the '65-66 school year. 1964 is when it was definitely decided that Clovia would build a new house. Two years of planning and fund raising followed. David Prickett, husband of Mary Peddicord Prickett, an alum, was the architect who began the plans. At this time the Kansas 4-H Foundation came into Clovia's picture, when a committee of alumnae went to the Foundation's Board of Trustees to ask if they would help Clovia build a house. J. Harold Johnson, executive director and W. Dale Critser, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the 4-H Foundation were the main contacts who helped begin the planning.

CLOVIA BUILDS

Bids opened June 23, 1966 for the building of Clovia 4-H 10 house in the Campus View addition northeast of campus, at 1200 Pioneer Lane! Low bid for building plus equipment and furnishings left Clovia and the Kansas 4-H Foundation with an estimated amount of $205,354.00 to meet. Figuring the selling of the old house, the $11,000 already in the building fund, and the Garvey Foundation loan secured by the 4-H Foundation, Clovia still needed to raise around $19,000.00 that fall and summer before the contract could be made. An all out campaign for money was staged, and contacts were made state wide.

The money was raised and there is quite a list of contributors. By 1968, 144 of Clovia's 379 alums had made significant contributions and two memorials had been set up with funds to go to Clovia. Over fifty individuals, EHU's, 4-H clubs and families contributed to the furnishings for the house. The Joseph S. and Donald J. Atha familes donated more than thirteen thousand dollars. Mrs. Olive Garvey also made a quite large contribution in addition to the amount borrowed from the Garvey Foundation.

Construction of the house began September 1966 and it was completed and readied for occupancy by the fall semester 1967.

In '66 another successful project was under way. The well-known Clovia cookbooks were being sold with such success that alums were considering ordering more. Proceeds were for the new house.

Another event that marked that year was the death of the much loved Mother Farmer. The silver punch bowl that has found its way to so many Clovia weddings and house functions was purchased after her death as a memorial to her. Mother Lawlis resigned that spring to work in a mission in Arizona, and Mrs. Margaret Smercheck of Garnett was hired.

At this time the building boom was still enlarging the campus. In 1966 the nine floor Ford Hall for girls opened and Haymaker Hall for boys opened the following year. These high-rise dorms dwarfed the nearby VanZile complex. Freshmen were required to live in dorms, and couldn't live at Clovia. There were a lot of dorm new members, and the new dorms in the northeast four dorm complex were a convenience, with many of the new members living only a block from the house.

Turning the first spade of soil for the new Clovia house is Mrs. Frank (Gwen) Jordan, Abilene, an alum of Clovia. From left to right are Mrs. Jordan, J. Harold Johnson, Executive Director of the 4-H Foundation, K-State President James McCain, Arlene Dahm, Clovia president, and Mrs. Norman Schlesener, chairman of the ceremony committee.