The History of Western Technical College

A Telegrapher Operator training program, similar to that run in 1943, was implemented to relieve the shortage of
workers in that field.
Governor Walter J. Kohler, Jr. proclaimed May 6-12, 1951 as Vocational and Adult Education Week. “It is gratifying to
note that the governor recognizes the contribution that vocational schools throughout the state have made in offering
training opportunities to enable citizens to become self-sustaining.” Director Coleman listed the objectives of the
school as to help people “get a job . . . hold a job . . . and, advance on the job.”
May 23, 1951, the La Crosse Vocational and Adult Schools showed appreciation to local merchants cooperating in the
school’s retail training program. A combination appreciation banquet and graduation exercise for the first class to
complete the course was held in the Vocational Cafeteria. Toastmaster of the program was Everett Woehrmann,
secretary of the La Crosse County Chamber or Commerce. The Distributive Education Retail cooperative program was
started in September 1950 and it was the only such program in operation on a post-high school level in Wisconsin.
Director Coleman stated, “recognizing that approximately 80 percent of our high school graduates do not go on to college
. . . it is essential that the Vocational School offer a program that will provide high school graduates with an opportunity
to learn while they earn.”
Vocational testing and guidance was meeting the increased demand for this service in our community. Director
Coleman stated that the La Crosse Vocational and Adult Schools offer this aid to students on all levels of its student body .
. . each student is given the opportunity to receive counseling and guidance from the department heads . . . the student’s
previous training and experience is considered as well as their purpose for enrolling in the Vocational School.”
At the June 1951 Vocational Board Meeting, Director Coleman read a letter from Terminix Chicago Company in which it
was reported “that they found no visible evidence of termite infestation in the La Crosse Vocational and Adult Schools
building.”
Cost of Living bonuses approved by the Vocational Board for the calendar year 1951 were: Director - $300; Teachers,
Assistant Director and Coordinators - $200; Janitors - $240; and Clerks - $100.
September 1951 – The Vocational Board voted the salary of evening school teachers: 1 st year teachers - $5.50 per
evening; 2 nd year teachers - $5.75 per evening; and 3 rd year and thereafter - $6.00 per evening.
September 25 – An apprenticeship completion banquet was held at the AFL Labor Temple Hall (then located at 423 King
Street). Fifty-six apprentices received their journeyman certificate. Wisconsin Attorney General Vernon W. Thompson
delivered the main address at the banquet, “Labor-Management Cooperation.” Nine building trades were represented:
Bricklayers, electricians, carpenters, painters and decorators, plasterers and cement masons, plumbers, sheet metal
workers, steamfitters, and glaziers.
1951 Auditorium events included . . .
March 11 “The Beatitudes,” an oratorio, a musical setting of the Sermon on the Mount, by Cesar Franck was
presented by the La Crosse Vocational Civic Choir, directed by C. Bernard McGhee.
March 18 The 70-piece La Crosse Vocational Civic Concert Band presented a spring concert that featured Easter,
modern, classical and operatic selections. The director of the band was
Frank Italiano.
April 2-3 Starring in concert with the La Crosse Symphony was Gladys Swarthout, mezzo-soprano.
The audience enthusiastically recalled Ms. Swarthout for several encores. Conductor of the
La Crosse Symphony Orchestra was Leigh Elder.
At the February 12, 1952 Vocational Board Meeting, Director Coleman reported that all of the faculty members had made
excellent improvement toward their certification. It was reported that with the exception of three of the newer
teachers, all faculty members were holders of Senior A Life Certificates, the highest type obtainable.
In February 1952, a workshop entitled, “Mechanical Institute for Publishers and Printers” was conducted at the
Vocational School. It was described by Director Coleman as “high successful.” The institute was sponsored by the La
Crosse Vocational School, the State Board of Vocational and Adult Education in cooperation with the Wisconsin Press
Association. It was the first such program to be offered in La Crosse and the second in Wisconsin.