The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

Class of 1954 reunion took place Friday

Entering the decorated white arch of Ballroom D feels strangely familiar for Maryann Klingenberg Bender. Observing the maroon flowers draped around the arch, she figures out what it is she's reminded of.

"Oh, I feel like I'm at my prom again," Klingenberg Bender said.

For the SIUC graduate, the decorated ballroom was reminiscent of her high school prom, an event that took place more than five decades ago. There, the SIUC alumna came to meet with other members of the class of 1954 to celebrate their time at the University and be officially inducted into the 50-year club.

The 1954 graduates wore a ribbon with a photograph or illustration of their SIUC yearbook photo. They spent time reminiscing about college life in 1954, but just as often graduates found them themselves engaged in conversation about the University as it is now.

As the parent of two SIUC graduates, Richard Cerny has watched the University evolve over time. But Cerny is still amazed that enrollment numbers are now around 20,000. When Cerny was here, enrollment numbers were never more than 5,000.

J. Eugene Wells also remembers the days when enrollment was nearly 75 percent less than it is now.

"It's grown so much," said Wells, who majored in literature, history and agriculture during his time at the University. "I get lost coming down here anymore."

Although the University was smaller, and Wells has gone on to see 107 countries since graduating in 1954, he said he is thankful for the experiences he had while at SIUC.

Before entering the military, selling cattle and spending time as county chairman, Wells was in charge of obtaining weather observations and delivering them to Old Main, a building that no longer exists on campus. Wells completed this task three times a day on a bicycle that cost him $9.

Although Wells led the parade as a member of the Southern Knights, he said he would not be able to attend Homecoming events because of a cattle auction he had to attend the next day.

Klingenberg Bender said that, as the president of Pi Kappa Sigma, which no longer has a chapter on campus, she and her sisters would have been working on their float at homecoming 50 years ago.

"I loved Carbondale," said Klingenberg Bender, who majored in physical education and now lives in Centralia. "I cried when left. I will never forget that because I met so many nice people when I was here.

"I got lost on the way here this morning, things have changed so much."

Only 16 graduates attended the reunion, but Klingenberg Bender was still excited to see those her were in attendance.

"It's who's here that counts," she said

 

 

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