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Start Over Creator Etter, Mary Spitzer, 1912-2002 Names Malinowski, Monica

Mary Spitzer Etter interviewed by Monica Malinowski, 1996 Network storage SA0007-SET-001

This interview records the reflections of Mrs. Mary Spitzer Etter, (commuter student, music major, class of 1934) about college days at the Harrisonburg State Teachers College, referred to by the students during her time as Bluestone Hill (now known as James Madison University). Reminisces about Dr. P. Duke, the president; freshman class initiation (New Girl/Old Girl Wedding); various class days, May Day festivities and other social events, complete with costumes. Also, participation in academic/social groups such as the Glee club, Latin Club and other music and literary groups, Greek societies; required assemblies (story of her being mistakenly missed at assembly and the consequences), the Lyceum Programs, and special trips such as the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester. Mentions the dedication of Wilson Hall (1931), a weekend at the college camp, and a story about Dr. Duke's and students' climb up Massanutten Peak. Talks about favorite teachers such as Miss Edna Shaeffer, her voice teacher, also mentions Dr. Wayland, the history teacher. Speaks about the college paper, the "Breeze," study habits, the library, honor code, smoking among students, and town-gown relationships. In general, creates a picture of what it was like to be a young lady at a decorous Southern women's teacher's college during Depression days. Recorded at the home of Mary S. Etter, Harrisonburg, Va. on March 1, 1996.

  1. James Madison University
  2. JMU: A social history of student life oral histories, 1996

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