Delhi Tech's growth spurt

April 28, 2008 10:29 am

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Delhi residents had to put up with a lot of flying dust and noise on one of their hillsides during 1963 and for a few years after that.

For the local economy, it was good dust and noise, as it meant construction jobs and more students enrolled at the State University College of Technology at Delhi, or known then as Delhi Tech.

"The Delhi Tech campus," said President William K. Kunsela, "is like a booming frontier town, crowded with eager students, rough-tough construction crews and a young dedicated faculty. The result is a challenging and exciting learning environment."

In January 1963, then-Gov. Nelson Rockefeller said that $795,000 had been appropriated in the state budget for the expansion of Delhi Tech. That may not sound like much by today's standards, but it was plenty of fuel to get Delhi moving forward on a plan to enroll 1,500 students by 1970.

That meant some major growth was ahead, and it was already under way, considering that in 1959 there were 519 students enrolled, and in that 1962-63 academic year, there were 620. For the next academic year, 750 were expected.

Eventual costs of the construction for the 1970 goal were projected at about $15 million.

By January 1963, two 200-bed dormitories had recently been completed. A new dining center was in the final stage of construction, and would be ready by fall.

In the near future, a classroom/library building, science laboratory/classroom building, a student activities center and a new 200-bed dormitory were set for ground-breaking. Bids were ready to be opened in late March.

A bit of nostalgia had to be removed to make way for some of the new buildings. The Feb. 7 edition of The Delaware Republican-Express showed a picture of the demolition of a former home of the Delaware Academy.

On May 4 and 5, record crowds showed up on campus for the college's annual Open House. About 2,000 registered as they inspected the new buildings. Several hundred more did not register. Applications to the college had markedly increased.

Activities during Open House weren't limited to the campus. The Delhi Firemen's Band provided music for a float parade, which went through the village at noon on Saturday.

Graduation weekend took place June 8 and 9. While the commencement was held on Sunday, Saturday was a day to dedicate those two new dormitories.

One was dedicated as "Gerry Hall," after the late Angelica Livingston Gerry of nearby Lake Delaware. Gerry was helpful to many young men and women in attending the agricultural and home economics studies in the early years of Delhi.

The second dormitory was dedicated "DuBois Hall," named after Dr. Charles O. DuBois, Delhi Tech's second president, from 1917 until 1929. DuBois guided the young institution through some of the most trying years of its existence, including attempts by the state to close the school.

Not only was the Delhi campus expanding physically, program offerings also were changing.

"To meet the demands of a rapidly expanding and automating economy," Kunsela said, "Delhi will seek to enrich and shape its technical educational offerings to better meet the needs of industry, government and business.

"Delhi Tech will also broaden its objects and purposes to include college transfer studies permitting area young men and women to obtain the first two years of a professional program at relatively low cost," Kunsela added.

While expecting 1,500 students by 1970, growth has since continued at today's SUNY Delhi, as enrollment is approximately 2,200.

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City Historian Mark Simonson's column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area during the Depression and before. His Monday columns address local history after the Depression. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or e-mail him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is www.oneontahistorian.com.