Alumni Memories

Gerald E. “Jerry” Parsons

Agricultural Education, B.S., 1952; Rural Sociology, M.S., 1959; Education, PhD., 1970

Men of Alumni Hall (Well, really, kids and men of Alumni Hall)

The Iowa State University YMCA operated a dormitory for a selected group of male students. A housing shortage, in the late ’40s, caused the dorm to be expanded to enable more students to live in Alumni Hall. The two dorm areas, one in the basement next to the pool hall and the other on the second floor, each had 15-20 guys who slept and studied in one large room. Rooms for two, three or four students were on the second and third floors. In many ways the group was organized like a fraternity. One major difference was we did not have a pledge class.

We called ourselves “The Men of Alumni Hall.” It was really a misnomer. When I moved into Alumni Hall in the fall of 1948, more than half of the students were returning GI’s in their mid 20s to early 30s. The rest of us (the kids) were recent high school graduates and were 17-19 year olds. Some of the men had seen combat, although they never talked about it. What could have been an impossible situation really became a wonderful learning experience for all of us.

The “men” took charge and operated a dorm dedicated to learning and growing. They gradually worked the younger guys into leadership experiences. They let the “kids” still be teenage boys — up to a certain point and then they took charge. They taught us by example and firm direction when needed. We were truly a close-knit group of college students.

Three examples demonstrate our experiences:

1. During one of Iowa’s early spring wet snow storms many of the “kids” got involved in a snow ball fight that moved from outside to the third floor balconies and then inside to the second and third floors

The “fight” continued for some time and then simultaneously on the first, second and third floors the “men” gave firm stern orders to stop and clean up the mess. Brooms, mops and cloths appeared and we did what we were ordered to do!

2. John O’Connell and I had enlisted in the Navy and requested to be assigned to the Naval Air Corps. A couple of the “men” had been giving us subtle and some times, not so subtle, advice on our up and coming military experience.

One night they sat us down and said we should NEVER, NEVER, NEVER play poker or any other card games where betting was involved. They proceeded to demonstrate how we didn’t have the skill to play poker. I had never seen them play poker but they obviously knew how. They emphasized we were too naive to be involved in betting. They were correct! I don’t know about John but I never played cards in the service.

3. At the end of each spring quarter, during the four years I was in the dorm, we had a midnight outing, which included a campfire, food and lots of good conversation. Alcohol was not allowed. There was lots of laughter and many stories were told which resulted in the bonding of men. It was neat way to end the school year.

Living in Alumni Hall was one of the best experiences of my life. My life has a different perspective because I lived with a group of men and kids.