The History of Western Technical College

in accordance with the needs of the individual to be trained along with related training. The commercial department
provided the veteran with well-rounded business training. Space was provided in the Vocational School for the case
supervisor of the State Board of Vocational and Adult Education Rehabilitation Division. A caseload of 450 persons was
handled, with the supervisor providing services throughout La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon, Richland, Crawford and Grant
counties. In addition, the school had a strong commitment to community enrichment, by encouraging appearances of
famous performers, orchestras, and actors, as well as providing a home for the La Crosse Symphony, a Civic Choir, and
other similar groups.
In 1945, the overall enrollment in individual classes as of the end of October was 1,860. Evening school registration for
individual classes as of October 31 was 1,421.
In May 1945, girls in the Vocational School Sewing class made garments for the Russian War Relief project. Pieces for
the garments were sent to the school precut. The Russian War Relief furnished the cloth, thread, buttons, etc. The
sewing class completed 50 children’s flannel nightgowns, 25 little girls’ woolen dresses, 25 women’s wool skirts, and 10
little boys’ overalls. For the past year, the class devoted approximately 2½ hours weekly to the project.
June, 1945 – a new organization, the War Veterans’ Allied Council, was formed. It was composed of veteran’s
organizations throughout the County and City of La Crosse.
The Vocational Nursery School continued its operations for children 2 to 5 years of age. School facilities provided a
variety of socialized training and entertainment for the youngsters while their mothers worked.
May 7, 1945 – VE Day, Germany surrendered; August 6, 1945 – Atomic Bomb Exploded;
September 2, 1945 – Surrender of Japan
The war is over!
“Now that the war is over we again are beginning to have demand for some of the courses we formerly taught.”
In 1945, there were 4,508 persons enrolled – 3,764 in evening school and 744 in day school classes.
In October 1945, the Board voted to employ an auto mechanics instructor at $2,800 per year and that new equipment
would be purchased for the garage. The garage had been closed for three years and much modern equipment was
necessary.
In October 1945, the Vocational Board approved the budget for the 1946 school year in the amount of $117,630.
Enthusiasm for the La Crosse Vocational and Adult Schools brought the Superintendent of Schools in Tuscon, Arizona, the
Assistant Superintendent, and the senior high school principal to visit Director Coleman.
“Your school is exceptionally well planned for the people of this community.”
1945 Auditorium functions included . . .
December 10 The 50-voice La Crosse Civic Choir, directed by Harold Youngberg, presented a concert of Christmas
music.
There were no other concerts by the La Crosse Vocational Civic Choir in 1945 because the number of male participants
had dwindled during the war.
In 1946, the Vocational School Board Members were: J. G. Becker, president; R. H. Anderegg, vice president; Raymond
C. Bice, secretary; Frank Papenfuss, and Dr. R. W. Bardwell, superintendent of schools.
(Two employers, two employees, and one educational consultant.)
As many changes had taken place in all aspects of living during the war years, one of the most extensive jobs of the
school had just begun – that of counseling and giving advice to the returning GI’s and others. Servicemen returning
home found many changes took place since 1941 and 1942 and also soon learned that the jobs they left had changed or
were no longer there. Everyday, dozens of discharged servicemen sought guidance and advice from two veteran La
Crosse Vocational School educators, Erwin L. Schreiber, superintendent of the trades and industry department, and
George Howe, business manager and administrator of the Vocational School since 1941 and for 25 years before the
business manager for the La Crosse Board of Education.