My name is Carmen Matheny Gaines ’64 and this is my Southwestern story. During my tenure at Southwestern, 1960-1964, a number of significant changes occurred. When we arrived at good old SU, there were several traditions and rules that seemed somewhat out of step with “modern” times. Of course, the girls’ dress code was a classic: no wearing pants of any kind on campus or in the lobby of LK Hall, except for a few special exceptions. Trench coats became standard fashion attire for girls and were often seen in the lobby of LK, effectively obscuring the shorts or pajamas lurking beneath.

During the early ’60’s, University Sing, a judged event, was a very serious affair. Greek organizations, as well as the Independents, prepared choral numbers, which were performed standing on risers on the stage in matching suits or dresses. Any grousing about SU policies occurred in the snack bar at the SUB, as students and profs, surrounded by a cloud of cigarette smoke, shared coffee and opinions. Public criticism of the school, whether harsh or humorous, was unthinkable.

Until the spring of 1964. Shelia Campbell, Student Union director and wife of English professor Jeff Campbell, convinced school authorities that it might be fun to do a little musical satire of the school, sponsored by the SUB, utilizing the talents of several of the students. The title of the musical was “That Was the School that Was,” based on a popular satirical TV program of the time. Lanny Naeglin wrote the script, as well as several parodies of show tunes to fit the narrative. Dane Evans ’66 wrote some original songs for the show, and Lynn Robinson Brink ’65 choreographed the dance segments. Drama Professor Ed Mangum assisted in staging the show, subtitled the “Southwestern Scandals.”

Casting, which included students from all disciplines and social groups on campus as well as faculty members, was cross-type and inspired. Independents portrayed frat boys, students portrayed professors and vice versa; jocks portrayed….well, you get the idea. Professor Wendell Osborn portrayed Driftwood Flaming, the President of Fount Olive University; when he raised his arms the “sun” rose. Romantic leads were Laura Perkins Kurth and Sneed Mood. The production, which had involved students and faculty from the entire campus, packed the house the Friday night before Spring Break.

University Sing had been discontinued, then resurrected as Sing! by 1988, when our daughter entered SU. Sing! is now the platform for gently (and sometimes not so gently) ribbing the school. Everyone, including hired staff, is invited to participate. I like to believe that our little show in 1964 was a harbinger of the future. President Durwood Fleming was a truly forward-thinking man with a good sense of humor; many positive changes were made at SU during his tenure. It was a fine school during my tenure and it continues to improve. Go Pirates!