A Narrative By Gary Lowell - Pledged Spring 1964

an article “Board Studies Labor Problem” for all to see the benefit of his program.

In a separate article in the same edition of the school paper entitled “Proposed Plans Call For Early Expansion of Engineering School”, Dean Lawrence announces that a new research building needs to be added to the existing engineering building in anticipation of 4400 engineering students (currently 1300 engineering students) within the next 5 years, a large portion being the free “foreman’s classes” – now referred to “Minor Executive” classes. He also says that this new research facility will be made available to industrial firms that participate in the co-op program giving these small firms the same research capabilities as large firms. He states that the evening Minor Executive program “welds the university and industry in a hand-clasp of steel.” He further states that it is “my intension to have the enrollment of the free evening school (Minor Executive classes) limited to firms which employ (co-op) students.”

And in a third article in the same issue, “Senior Engineers act as Teachers”, he outlines how regular 5-year co-op engineering students are teaching (unpaid) at night in the Minor Executive classes and calls it a huge success. The arrangement increases the number of classes being taught without “adding to the burden” of the existing (highly paid) faculty. 13

In April 1931 Dean Lawrence enters the hospital for surgery with the exact nature of the operation undisclosed.14 What is undisclosed is that he has cancer.

SIDE NOTE: It is announced in an article that appears in the fall of 193115, that before the close of last year’s course [during the 1930-1931 school year] “the foremen organized the U of D Dynamic Club which promises to be one of the really live organizations on campus”, the nature of the advisory board transforms into the Dynamic Club by the inclusion of the foremen. This announcement, appearing at least six months after the event it is reporting, is the first mention of the Dynamic Club organization in The Varsity News. It is during this formation period (Winter 1930 to Spring 1931) that a Club logo is developed and jewelry designed and made to be ready for the next fall’s (1931-1932 school year) classes.16

The “interesting and informal” advisory board meetings continue, monthly through the rest school year. The success of the endeavor is celebrated on June 6, 1931 at the First a Dynamic Club Dinner-Dance held at the Book-Cadillac Hotel. At this time “the club is described as being made up of students in the night classes of the university’s engineering school, where 800 foremen and minor executives in the city’s industrial plants are trained for more responsible positions.”17

April 3, 2016

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•Government and companies implement up to 30% wage cuts on those lucky enough to still be employed.

•Edsel Ford commissions Diego Rivera to paint murals in the Detroit Art Institute. The only rule was the work must relate to the history of Detroit and the development of industry.

•On March 15, George Eastman, founder of Kodak, commits suicide – citing despondency with the economy.

•Five million die of starvation in the USSR as massive famine in takes hold.

•US Unemployment rate is 8.9%

•Doctor Graeffe marries Dean Lawrence’s sister - see (30_05_07-TVN- GraefeMarrage)

1931:

•“The Star spangled Banner” becomes the official national anthem.

•Gangster Al Capone sentenced to 11 years in prison for tax evasion.

•Nevada legalizes all forms of gambling, providing the impetus for the growth of Las Vegas.

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