The History of Western Technical College

Employment Service, La Crosse Chamber of Commerce and Junior Chamber of Commerce and the U. S. Department of
Labor gathered to honor the graduates. The apprentices who spent from four to five years learning their crafts under
highly skilled specialists were in the bricklayers, carpenters, painters, electricians, plumbers, steamfitters, plasterers and
glaziers trades. A La Crosse Tribune editorial commented, “La Crosse labor unions are making a distinct contribution to
craftsmanship in various trades . . . the ceremonies in effect become graduation exercises for men in the various
crafts–recognition that they have completed established training and thus are equipped with basic knowledge of the
principles of the trade.”
Polio victims Dorance Gibbs of La Crosse and Gerald Williams of La Crescent . . . their teachers were unanimous in their
agreement that the two are good students. Statements by their teachers Marie Peterson, Genevieve Cox and Wesley
Ballsrud concluded “they are normal people in their work . . . their only handicap is in getting about as easily as some of
the other students.”
Yttrie Brothers. Three brothers enrolled in auto mechanics at the same school – and, at the same time. Formerly of
Viroqua, the trio is Merlin, Harlan and Gerald.
In 1949, the Auditorium was used 110 times by civic organizations requiring janitorial, maintenance and other services.
Some of the 1949 Auditorium events included . . .
January 16 The Vocational Civic Choir of 80+ voices presented the oratorio “Elijah” by
Felix-Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, under the direction of C. Bernard McGhee
March 13
The Vocational Civic Band gave its annual concert under the direction of Frank Italiano. Concluding
selection was the spectacular Tschaikowsky “1812 Overture”. “The climax of a full 75-piece band,
augmented by organ, fairly rocked the rafters and brought round after round of applause.” First of
a kind in this area was the Coulee Region musicianship audition. The judges had their backs to the
participants so that they would be influenced by no qualities except those of musicianship
April 25 The Vocational Civic Choir, under the direction of C. Bernard McGhee, presented a varied program
with two local artists as guest soloists (Ruth Kienholz and Mary Simones) with selections from Bach,
Haydn, and others. Among the folk songs that were performed was “Ezekiel Saw De Wheel.”
November 29 The La Crosse Symphony Orchestra presented a concert with Leigh Elder as the director. The
Singing Kappels, a husband and wife vocal team of Shorewood, Wisconsin augmented the program.
Music ranged from the classics to the tunes of Sigmund Romberg.
December 10-11 The Old Style quartet was one of the four local barbershop quartets featured at the Christmas
Festival of Song sponsored by the La Crosse SPEBSQSA chapter. Three other local quartets also
appeared. They were the Four Hoarsemen, the Nameless Four, and Casey’s Four-Wheelers.
Guest quartets on the program also included the Milwaukee Hi-Los; and the Minneapolis-Moline
Atomic Bums.
The 1950’s
The 1950’s were years of progress in program development, program standards, and a strict program approval process.
While vocational education struggled to survive at the federal level, it grew and took shape in Wisconsin. It was a time
when educators and supporters had to join forces and work hard to save vocational education. The 1950’s saw great
technological and social changes. It was the era of Sputnik, first generation computers, TV dinners, the Salk vaccine for
polio, and rock and roll. The changes were also reflected in the vocational and adult system. Thousands of veterans
enrolled either to finish high school or for vocational training. The 50’s also saw the introduction of the technical
program, which would lead to an associate degree. The two-year associate degree was a response to the increasingly
sophisticated labor market, which needed workers with training that was more rigorous than the traditional vocational
program, and yet, more practically oriented than a four-year degree. The first technical programs were approved in
1956 in electronics, auto technology and mechanical technology.
1950 Board members were: George Hall, president; Raymond Bice, vice president; Superintendent of School Marshall
Batho, secretary; Roy Kumm, and R. H. Anderegg.
Open House – February 13-14, 1950 – while Old Man Winter blew inches of snow into the Coulee Region, the doors of
the Vocational School were swung open for the public to view exhibits and partially finished projects,