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Flashback to '51: Flashes at Mid-century

The Chestnut Burr yearbook captures �� during the postwar college boom

Jen Lennon

by Jen Lennon

April 29, 2026

Gee whiz! Take a gander at 1951 as we flip through photos from The Chestnut Burr, ��'s student-produced yearbook, published from 1914 through 1985. These snapshots capture campus life during the postwar boom — a time of bobby socks, soda fountains and the birth of rock and roll.

Professor teaching in 1951 — "We hope that each time the cover is turned, this school year of 1950-51 will begin again with the same vividness that it now holds for you."

Teaching showing a map of Korea during Korean War conflict in 1951 — "Professor Hallock F. Raup, head of the geography department, points out the progress of the Korean war on a map in the student union."

Front campus 1951 — "With a serenity all its own, the University is here displayed as our photographers saw it in the year 1951."

Art Building 1951 — "Erected at a cost of $790,000, the completely modern and attractive building is called by many 'the embodiment of the latest in scientific and architectural design.'" (the Arts building)

Two students hanging out on campus in 1951 — "Memories of warm Spring days on the campus talking to a pretty co-ed will intermingle with shivered thoughts of 'the big snow.'"

Student painting in the new art building in 1951 — A student artist paints the view from the new Arts building.

Chestnut Burr staff 1951 — Photographers of the Chestnut Burr.

Stater editors in 1951 — "[Daily ��r] Editor John Koshar, Managing Editor George Way, Publications Advisor Dario Politella in conference."

Chestnut Burr staff 1951 — "On the business side of the Stater, Bill King checks with Vince Sauer while Ron Ineman checks the files. Kent Hottell writes bills while Guy Shelley checks a phone call with Parker Voll. J. Allen Slaby and Jim Andrews select new ad designs."

Football game in 1951 — "Resuming their traditional battle, Akron and Kent met at the Rubber Bowl and literally tore each other apart. The final score of 19 to 7 was indicative of only part of the action ... Kent retained the traditional Wheel and ran its victories to 6 straight over the Zips."

Students walking on campus in 1951 — "We walk to the Hub for coffee."

Stocking the vending machine in 1951 — "The candy man fills the machines daily..."

Getting candy out of the vending machine in 1951 — "...and we empty them just as fast."

Students in their dorm rooms 1951 — "A home away from home are the dormitories for more than 1,000 students who live on campus."

Students dancing at a dance with a band playing in 1951 — "Campus Night crowds dance in Will's gym to the music of Ray McKinley and his orchestra." Bill Samaras

Band singing at Campus Night in 1951 — "Ray McKinley and crew cut a few capers."

The crowd at the Spring fashion show in 1951 — "Part of the crowd at the Spring Fashion show."

Seal scrubbing during freshman week in 1951 — "A typical freshman week scene is the seal scrubbing."

Freshman dink for upperclassmen in 1951 — "Frosh Miriam Bowers and Marcia Hill dink for upperclassmen Gene Toot and Bob McMaken."

Women's League Style Show in 1951 — "What Christian Dior and Jacques Fath forgot, Women's League remembered, revamped and presented at their Style Show, February 15, in the Union Ballroom." "Pat Long was the general chairman of the affair, which attracted a full house of breathless females and their rather tolerant escorts."

Miss �� 1951 — Miss Gerry Carroll Miss ��

��r copy desk in 1951 — "Jean Hannum, John Burdock, Fred Blankenship, Phyllis Slack, Bud Williams, Don Friedman nad Priscilla Thompson around the copy desk."

Images and text from the Chestnut Burr, 1951