THE THIRD OF FIVE ARTICLES HIGHLIGHTING THE MOST NOTABLE MOMENTS IN THE COLLEGE’S HISTORY—

In light of Wofford’s recent release of its new strategic plan, I want to highlight the college’s plans in the past. As always, there are sufficient fun facts to inspire an interesting conversation over lunch.

1. Wofford’s first strategic plan, called “The Wofford of Tomorrow,” was announced within days of World War II ending. It called for additions to the campus, as well as renovations to existing buildings.

2. A swimming pool was intended to be a part of the renovations to Andrew’s Field House, but never became a reality. The plans called for the pool to be 50 by 75 feet, to meet competition standards.

3. A place for fraternities to meet on campus was also a part of this plan that never came to pass. At the time they were renting space in downtown Spartanburg to use as their headquarters.

4. Many aspects of the strategic plan were never realized because for a while after President Snyder’s time at Wofford, the Methodist Church was pushing for the college to combine with Methodist College. They wanted to build a new campus and move both colleges in, so the improvements to Wofford’s existing campus were seen as pointless.

5. Although the two schools were obviously never merged, they did share the same administration, under president Walter Greene, from Nov. 1948 – Feb. 1951.

6. In 1987 Wofford released its second strategic plan. This plan focused more on the improvement of the school’s programs, such as admissions, faculty recruitment, athletics and academics.

7. Wofford became the first private institution in the state of South Carolina to desegregate in 1964 when it admitted Albert Gray, class of 1971. He later served on the board of trustees.

8. The first African-American graduate was Douglas Jones, who earned his degree in 1969.

9. Wofford dedicated the Olin building on May 5, 1992. It was the first academic building to be added since the library in 1969.

10. In 1999, a Yahoo survey named Wofford 93 among America’s top 100 most “wired” colleges. The criteria included number of computers per 100 students, access to on-line transcripts and course schedules, the option to apply electronically and a few others.

11. In 1955 Roger Miliken, a graduate of Yale, was first elected onto the board of trustees. He continued to serve on the board for most of his life until his death in 2010. He had considerable influence over the college and its grounds.

12. Milliken vowed to donate five million dollars towards a new science center as long as the college raised the remaining nine million. The Roger Milliken Science Center opened in 2001.

13. During a religious emphasis week in 1973, Wofford hosted a witch. Karla LaVey, daughter of the founder of the Church of Satan. She generated much controversy with her speech on campus.

14. Former President George H. W. Bush spoke at Wofford while he was campaigning for the vice presidency in 1981.

15. On Jan. 14, 1941, Wofford became the first private college in South Carolina to receive a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

16. In Feb. 1921 the first German club was formed under professor James A. Child. The club, called Deutscher Verein, later became the German Honor Society Delta Phi Alpha.

17. Wofford’s first theater performance was Harold Pinter’s “The Birthday Party” in 1970.

18. Wofford’s campus officially became an arboretum on Nov. 15, 2002. The college started planting a variety of trees in the early 90s, and by 2002 had 97 different types.

19. Moyer’s Men, the men’s glee club of the 1950s under director Samuel R. Moyer, held a recording session in 1954 and produced a record.

20. In 1965 a food fight broke out in the campus cafeteria. Food and toilet paper were thrown, until the student body president found a megaphone and yelled for everyone to stop.