Marianne Caesar
Features Editor

During the era of 1966-1985, a culmination of political, social, community and global events was present which created an impact on the student community and was reflected through the newspaper.
In 1965, the Snapper was lengthened from 4 pages to 6-8 pages. Topics included the Vietnam War, the foreign study programs and student council elections. In 1966, national law required that all cigarette packages had to include a warning sign noting that smoking was hazardous. The relocation of over 90,000 volumes from the “old” library at Biemesderfer Executive Center was completed with staff and students to the new Ganser Library.

The 1960's was a time of civil rights and musical explosion. (Photo courtesy of blendspace.com)
The 1960’s was a time of civil rights and musical explosion. (Photo courtesy of blendspace.com)

In 1968. Martha and the Vandellas performed for students and there was an increase in department divisions including the humanities and social sciences. Activist Julian Bond visited campus, and the George Street Carnival was first issued. 10,500 more troops were sent to Vietnam. In 1969, Apollo 11 lands on the moon and Students peacefully protested in response to the deaths of 4 students at Kent State University protesting war.
1971 came with the presence of the newly finished Stayer Hall, Pucillo Gym, the new student center being built and a performance by Woodstock musician Richie Havens. 1972, the Watergate Scandal was first exposed through print media and 1973 brought the long awaited withdrawal of U.Ss troops from Vietnam.
1976 brought a safer approach to campus, adding ramps for handicap accessibility for students and the addition and relocation of musical practice rooms into the basement of Lyte Auditorium. Approval was given to add a Master of Education degree in Art Education, making Millersville only one of three state colleges doing so at the time.  In 1977, Jimmy Carter was elected as president of the United States and in 1980, students were upset by rent increases resulting in roughly $300 a month.
In 1980, Millersville State College celebrated its 125th anniversary, and 1981 brought with it the first IBM pc and Reagan’s start of his presidential term. In 1983, Millersville faced a historical snow storm of 24 inches overnight and the addition of the new Journalism concentration and a computer journalism program aligning text into columns and including headlines.

Ronald Reagan was an actor prior to his role of President of the United States. (Photo courtesy of doctormacro.com)
Ronald Reagan was an actor prior to his role of President of the United States. (Photo courtesy of doctormacro.com)

 

1984’s Reagan administration required in January that all males ages 18-21 must register for the draft to receive financial aid, and the first use of safety seals on medicine came forth as a result of deaths from cyanide-laced extra-strength Tylenol. The Snapper ceased using a letterpress and created several 18-20 page editions. The masthead was changed twice but returned ultimately to the Snapper.
The first “video disc” players were also available to campus and professor Paul Arthur Crafton was convicted of falsely posing as two other professors at six other academic constitutions. His charges led to 500 hours community service, 2 years of probation and $1000 fine.  In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev replaces Konstantin Chernenko as Soviet leader, and Route 66 is removed from the United States Highway System.