Students at the Graduation Dance (June 1943)

Item Information

Title:
Students at the Graduation Dance (June 1943)
Description:
This black-and-white photograph shows the Graduation Dance that was held for Springfield College students and the 323rd College Training Detachment (Air Crew).
Date:
June 16, 1943
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Series:
Armed Forces Collection > c
Subjects:
Springfield College
World War, 1939-1945
Springfield College--Students
International Young Men's Christian Association College
Springfield College--Buildings
Judd Gymnasia
Army Air Force Aviation Cadet Program (U.S.)
Springfield (Mass.)
Dancers
Dance parties
Soldiers
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/8063
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Notes:
The dance was held during June 1943 in what is most likely West Gymnasium in Judd Gymnasia). There is a large group of men clustered together in the right corner, and a group of women in men sitting in folded chairs against the wall. At the start of World War II, Springfield College served as training grounds for the Army Air Corps, which allotted the college $90,000 for upgrading facilities. In the spring of 1944, the training program was canceled; in order to conserve its assets for expanded postwar operations in the face of decreasing student enrollment, Springfield College negotiated a contract with the U.S. Navy to serve as a Naval Special Hospital. The Navy allotted $75,000 to bring the college up to the mark of a naval hospital, and the first contingent of one hundred and fifty patients arrived on September 22, 1944. It was estimated that five hundred patients could be served. Alumni Hall was used as the hospital, and the old dormitory (now called the Administration Building) became administrative offices and housing for nurses and WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).
Identifier:
rg104-02-c-03-17-002
world-war-II-dance-in-judd-01