Spartan Stories
Tales from the UNCG University Archives
Julius Foust
Thank you for NOT smoking: A history of smoking on the campus of UNCG
by Sean Mulligan The history of tobacco in the United States is synonymous with the history of North Carolina. North Carolina’s tobacco ventures date to the early 16th century, with the arrival of the first English settlers and the crop has long played a key role in the development of the state’s business and agriculture […]
The History of the College’s Yearbook Part II: 1930s to 1950s
by Kathelene McCarty Smith As the college moved into the 1930s, it underwent transformations that reflected the unsettled economic trials of the country. The stock market crash of 1929 threw the nation into a financial crisis, resulting in a drop in enrollment and faculty pay for the North Carolina women’s college. Faculty took an additional […]
“Beauty, Service, and Grace” – The History of the Alumnae House
by Kathelene McCarty Smith Not long after the State Normal and Industrial School (now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro) opened its doors in October 1892, graduates began to discuss the possibility of an alumnae building. As they often returned to the college to participate in official events and social occasions, they wanted a […]
The First Reunion of the Class of 1585
by Kathelene McCarty Smith In 1926, the alumnae of the North Carolina College for Women (now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro) were making plans for their class reunions. As these preparations were being made, it occurred to some of the alumnae that the celebration should include those students who had attended the woman’s […]
“A Noble Idea” The History of Peabody Park (Part Two)
Have you ever wondered how UNCG acquired such a beautiful green space on the northern edge of its campus? Well, the founding and development of Peabody Park is a fascinating story that reflects UNCG’s overall growth as a center of higher learning and a Greensboro neighbor. Given the complexity of the story, the Park’s history is being […]
German Instruction at State Normal during World War I, part two
by Erin Lawrimore In last week’s blog post, we looked at the history of German language instruction at State Normal (now UNCG) as well as the growing anti-German sentiment in Greensboro and across the United States after the U.S. officially entered World War I in April 1917. This week, we will look more closely at […]
“Ready for Teddy:” Theodore Roosevelt’s 1912 Campus Visit
by Kathelene McCarty Smith While campaigning for the 1912 presidential election, Theodore Roosevelt embarked on a 22-town whistle-stop tour of North Carolina, arriving in Greensboro on April 22nd. Roosevelt’s exuberant and charismatic personality made him a natural campaigner, and he toured the country widely. The Greensboro stop came only two months after he decided to […]
Dr. Albert Keister and the Debate over Evolution
by Erin Lawrimore Dr. Albert S. Keister arrived at the North Carolina College for Women (now UNCG) in 1924, halfway through completing his PhD in economics at the University of Chicago (a degree he completed in 1927). Upon his hiring, he taught courses in sociology and political science, as the school had no formal economics […]
Eduard Lindeman, Julius Foust, and the Ku Klux Klan
by Erin Lawrimore On February 16, 1922, President Julius Foust was sent a letter from unidentified members of “Gate City Klan #19” in which they “respectfully refer to your worthy attention on Professor E.C. Lindeman, who is a member of your faculty.” Specifically, the Ku Klux Klan members were reporting to Foust that “this party […]
Julius Foust and Harry Barton: Partners in Design
by Kathelene McCarty Smith 1930s Campus Map Showing the Barton Additions The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) has one of the most beautiful campuses in the state, in most part because of the efforts of past college president, Julius Foust and architect Harry Barton. Although Barton had many important commissions throughout North Carolina, […]
