The History of Western Technical College

1953 Auditorium events included . . .
January 19 The La Crosse Vocational Civic Choir presented its 16 th annual concert. The “Six Love Song Waltzes”
of Brahms for chorus with fourhanded piano accompaniment and the “Three Fuguing Tunes” by
William Billings were presented. C. Bernard McGhee was the director. Following the performance,
a surprise farewell party was held for Director and Mrs. C. Bernard McGhee.
January 26 Famous singer James Melton appeared in concert with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra under the
direction of Leigh Elder, conductor.
March 30 Operatic star Roberta Peters was guest artist with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. Conductor
was Leigh Elder.
October 26 Famed opera singer Helen Taubel appeared in concert with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra under
the direction of conductor Leigh Elder and guest conductor Richard C. Church.
1954 Board members were: Raymond C. Bice president; Edward M. Beissel, vice president; Superintendent of Schools
Arthur F. Jordan, secretary; Theron I. Cartwright and Roy E. Kumm.
In 1954, three local Vocational School instructors were honored at the general session of the State Vocational and Adult
Education Association: Genevieve H. Cox – business education for 30 years; Harold Hawkins – 26 years and Alph
Sorenson – 34 years, both in the trade and industry department. They were presented with certificates and specially
designed pins. Director Coleman expressed his congratulations by stating “they have contributed immeasurably to the
growth and progress of the La Crosse School.”
On February 4, 1954, a workshop was held in the school’s gymnasium for office workers in cooperation with The Badger
Chapter National Secretaries Association, with the theme “Attaining Efficiency on the Job.” Guest speakers included the
Office Manager of Dairyland Power Cooperative; and representatives from legal and public accounting firms.
In 1954, a clinic was held for school custodians. Fifty area school administrators and custodians attended an Institute
which included topics covering the Importance of Building Service Work and Good Human Relations, General Cleaning
and Cleaning Materials, Safety and Fire Prevention, Floor Treatment, Fuel Economy, and Control System Service. A
similar program was conducted for employees of the La Crosse Board of Education and the Board of Vocational and Adult
Education.
A workshop of four sessions entitled, “Park and Recreation Institute” was held in April and covered talks by
representatives from the College of Agriculture in Madison, and Park and Recreation Superintendents at Sheboygan and
Rochester, Minnesota. Topics included park maintenance; transplanting shrubs, evergreens and trees; lawn care and
others.
1954 Auditorium events included . . .
March 1 The La Crosse Vocational Civic Choir of 65 voices, directed by Harmer Root, presented their 17 th annual
concert. “The motivating force which has made this organization successful over the past 17 years is
a genuine love of music . . .”
March 25 In concert with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra was Leon Fleisher.
Leigh Elder was the conductor.
November 15 Miss Lily Pons, famed star of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, was guest soloist with the La
Crosse Symphony Orchestra. Miss Pons, an American coloratura soprano, was known for her vocal
range and musical skill. Leigh Elder was the conductor.
1955 Board Members were: Raymond Bice, president; E. M. Beissel, vice president; Superintendent of Schools Arthur F.
Jordan, secretary; Roy Kumm, and Theron Cartwright.
On February 15, 1955, the Vocational Board approved “that all employees of the Board of Vocational and Adult
Education, with the exclusion of the administrative staff, be automatically retired at the end of the contract year in which
they become 65 years of age.”
Three new teachers were added to the day school staff: Gladys Bethurem – commercial; Kenneth Follman –
woodworking; and James Hessel – home craft instructor, serving severely handicapped people in La Crosse, Vernon and
Monroe Counties. In the fall of 1955, staff in addition to Director Coleman consisted of 14 full-time teachers, 4 circuit
teachers, 3 office personnel, and 5 custodians.