History of Hendrix

1961-1970

1960

For the third and final time, Hendrix dropped intercollegiate football and began concentrating on basketball as the major sport.

1961

Grove Physical Education Building, with an indoor swimming pool, replaced the wooden Axley Gymnasium built in 1926. Swimming became an important recreational and intercollegiate activity for Hendrix students.

1962

Trieschmann Fine Arts Building was opened.

1963

Boxcars loaded with beer derail in front of Millar Hall.

1964

Hardin Hall was completed as a male residence hall.

The Board of Trustees authorized the admission committee to admit any qualified student "regardless of race, color or national origin."

1965

In April, Hendrix students received state-wide praise for their assistance to Arkansas Children's Colony youngsters after a tornado hit the Colony campus.

In September, the first black students enrolled at Hendrix.

Hendrix awards seven honorary degrees at one time.

1966

College authorities ended "hazing" of Hendrix freshmen by upper class students.

Compulsory chapel attendance was discontinued.

1967

With generous financial assistance from the Ford Foundation, O.C. Bailey Library, a two-story underground facility, opened; the former library was renovated and expanded as the Buhler Biology Building; the Reynolds Science Building was renovated for the chemistry, physics and mathematics departments; and Veasey Hall became the third residence hall for female students.

1968

Hendrix inaugurated a new calendar with three terms (fall, winter, and spring) during the academic year. Students enrolled in three courses per term, focusing on fewer courses at one time and getting a fresh start three times a year.

1969

Dr. Roy B. Shilling, Jr., succeeded Marshall T. Steel as the seventh president of the college.

Students were added to committees overseeing the hiring of new faculty members.

Student enrollment exceeded 900 with a faculty of 51.

1970

Millar Hall is razed.

Students put President Shilling in the fountain on his birthday.