1970

The decade started with the completion of the Howard C. Bennett Student center in 1973, the first new building on campus in twelve years. Students now had a large new cafeteria, book store, television room and recreation areas. McCann Hall, the former student center became Meadows Administration building. ETBC also built a new greenhouse for the biology department and purchased the Marshall Hotel to use as a men’s dormitory when enrollment grew and to house new faculty members and their families during their relocation to Marshall. In 1978 upper-classmen moved into their brand new single-story motel-style dorm, Charles Fry Hall. Married students moved into one of sixteen one-bedroom units, equipped with all the modern conveniences, including a dishwasher and garbage disposal.

Students continued to embrace Western Day, BSU activities, Homecoming, and basketball games. One of the important developments in sports during this decade was the Title IX and its mandate to equalize women’s activities with men’s sports. In 1976 a “Girl’s” basketball team began playing.