The History of Western Technical College

as the most outstanding here. In addition, her award also brought the homemaking department an electric mixer, and
her instructor, Mrs. Kathryn Schomberg, received a transistor radio.
Effective with school year 1960-61, a $2.00 registration fee was affixed for day school students who are not compelled by
law to attend the day classes.
In November 1960, an apprenticeship conference was held that stressed the importance of apprenticeship. The
conference drew 125 persons from seven counties.
1960 Auditorium events included . . .
February 8 The La Crosse Symphony Orchestra presented a concert that featured Christian Ferras, a violinist.
The concert was under the direction of Peter J. Michelsen.
April 4 Lee Luvisi was guest artist with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. Peter J. Michelsen was the
conductor.
November 7 David Abel, a renowned violinist, was guest artist with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra.
Peter J. Michelsen was the conductor.
December 4 La Crosse’s traditional Christmas holiday musical event, “The Messiah,” was presented. The
oratorio of G. F. Handel was under the direction of Elvin Saterbak, and had more than 100 singers,
piano and organ accompaniment. Since 1958, the Vocational Choir and the State College group
together sang “The Messiah.” The college choir had 70 voices in its group.
In September 1961, at an apprenticeship meeting of 35 master barbers, including shop owners and one apprentice from
the nine-county La Crosse area, it was announced by a Wisconsin State Board of Health Official that after October 1,
barber school graduates from Illinois “will not be recognized for employment in Wisconsin.” The reason for the action
was the “decreased quality of practice and theory of Illinois barber training.” There were 27 barber schools in Illinois,
compared with 10 a few years ago, which have been “flooding” Wisconsin with apprentices while Wisconsin men found it
hard to get jobs.
“Fallout” . . . “radioactive fallout” – These were words much in the news in 1961. A model fallout shelter, built by the
Vocational shop class, was on display for six months in the basement of the Vocational School for the public to view. It
was the first model shelter completed in Wisconsin and one of the first in the nation. The shelter had everything needed:
food, cooking utensils, sanitation supplies, bedding and first aid supplies in case one needed to live in the shelter for
several weeks.
Unemployment in the community was becoming evident. Enrollment at the Vocational School began to increase. In
normal times, when most people are employed, vocational and adult school enrollment remains quite stable – but during
periods of unemployment and depression in industry, increased enrollments soon result in all departments of the school.
In January 1961, the layoffs in neighboring cities resulted in La Crosse residents returning to the city from employment in
out-of-town industries. “Evening school enrollment has been gratifying,” said Coleman, “the trades classes have all been
filled and there are large waiting lists . . . most homemaking classes have openings and there are a few in business
education.”
1961 saw an addition to the Coleman facilities at the corner of Seventh and Vine Streets. Several new programs were offered
that year, including Auto Body and Electronics. Hackner, Schroeder and Associates were the architects for $470,000
construction project.
1961 Auditorium events included . . .
February 6 The La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, directed by Peter J. Michelsen, and the La Crosse Vocational
Civic Choir, directed by David Mewaldt, presented a joint concert. Guest artist was Lorin
Hollander, a pianist. Hollander was a guest with the Detroit Symphony in New York, as well and as
a guest on the Perry Como, Ed Sullivan and other television shows.
March 21 The La Crosse Vocational School Civic Choir presented its annual concert. The opening section of
the program was Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem.” Faure is noted for his beautiful melodies and “it was
clearly evident in this great and solemn work . . . It is a credit to the group and the conductor that
the choir was able to perform the music with the ability that it displayed.” Elvin Saterbak was the
director.
April 10 The La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Peter J. Michelsen, presented its spring
concert. Lucille Kailer, who studied at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music after graduation from
Marquette University, was guest soloist.