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Class of 1961

This page is dedicated to the class of 1961 in honor of their 50th anniversary. Enjoy taking a walk down memory lane.

Associated Student Officers

Listed left to right: President Bill Tilney, Vice President Neil Malmberg, Treasurer Dennis Hasty.

Bill Tilney, Associated Student President

Neil Malmberg, Associated Student Vice President

Dennis Hasty, Associated Student Treasurer

Frosh Attend First Camp

170 Freshman attended the two-day conference at teh Presbyterian Conference Grounds in Pacific Palisades for the first LBSC Frosh Camp. Attendees learned about the various traditions of LBSC, such as State's songs and yells, and became well acquainted with the student government officers.

Freshman arrive to camp with suitcases in hand and greeted by upperclassmen.

Dorm Life

In the Los Alamitos Hall and Los Cerritos Hall, residents are busy enjoying the Recreation rooms. One can find fellow students playing cards, ping pong, and of course the inevitable television set.

Fellas having fun in the dorm recreation room watching television instead of studying.
Dorms were equipped with several study halls for students to study and concentrate.

Sixth Annual Barbershop Quartet Contest

sponsored by Sigma Pi fraternity, Thirteen groups competed in the contest's five divisions.

"The Uncalled Four", Clyde Grabs, Miles Boardmen, Larry Lyons, and William Allen Spencer, serenade after winning top honors in the Men's Division.
Delta Gamma's, Petra Steuer, Marty Duncan, Lynn Myers, and Mary Lynn Brassell, successfully combine their efforts to retain the sweepstakes trophy for their sorority.
Alpha Phi's, Lynette Berdnick, Sharon Shattuck, Marcia VeDell, and Debbie Andrews, take top honors for the Women's Division.

Homecoming

LBSC defeated the Pepperdine Waves 15-8. An estimated 4000 spectators watched the game. The Homecoming Queen, Becky Perry, and her court were presented and the marching band put on a spectacular half-time show.

The Queen and her court are presented at half-time and wearing beautiful dresses for the occasion.
"Our Goal" float by Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
"College Horse Power" float by Sigma Pi Fraternity.
"49er College Day" float by the Industrial Arts Club.  A replication of the daily construction on campus.

49er Day

The town contained a firehouse, taco shop, a school house, bird-cage theater, and of course, a saloon and funeral parlor. A variety of contests filled the day as well as olio acts that portrayed life in the 19th century by individual groups.

Members of Sigma Pi give their rendition of a Mexican tune as they stand for costume judging.
A mixture of expressions is seen on the 49er faces as the pie throwing contest in the corral gets under way.
Two members of Sigma Kappa are the village blacksmiths and use their hammers and anvils to pound out their horseshoes.
Marty Jones wins Black Bart for 49er Day.
Sani Jenkins Named Lotta Crabtree for 49er Day.

CIPA Recognition

The Forty-Niner Staff tied with Chico State for 3rd place at the annual California Intercollegiate Press Association convention.

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Long Beach State College?

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Back in Time to 1961:

  • John F. Kennedy was in office.
  • Virgil Grissom becomes second American astronaut, making 118-mile high, 303-mile long rocket flight over Atlantic.
  • "West Side Story" is adapted for the big screen, and will go on to win Oscars for Best Picture and more.
  • Moscow announces putting first man in orbit around earth, Major Yuri A Gagarin.
  • Mattel debuts the Ken doll, part of the Barbie series.
  • Legendary Hollywood star Gary Cooper dies.
  • U.S. breaks diplomatic relations with Cuba.
  • IBM Introduces the Selectric Electric typewriter, which includes a "character sphere" instead of a type bar, keys, and carriage.
  • East Germany builds the Berlin Wall to separate East and West Berlin to halt flood of refugees.
  • Roger Maris of the Yankees breaks Babe Ruth's number of Homeruns in a single season record.
  • Frito Chips appear
  • President Kennedy establishes Peace Corps.

Popular Songs of the Year:

  • "Blue Moon" by the Marcels
  • "Crazy" by Patsy Cline
  • "Hit the Road, Jack" by Ray Charles
  • "Moon River" by Henry Mancini
  • "Runaround Sue" by Dion & the Belmonts

Popular Movies of the Year:

  • West Side Story
  • The Hustler
  • Judgement at Nuremberg
  • La Dolce Vita

Popular TV Shows:

  • Bullwinkle
  • Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color
  • Hazel
  • Dick Van Dyke Show
  • The Top Cat