Joint Convocation Program (December 10, 1943)

Springfield College produced this program for the joint convocation of Springfield College and the 323rd College Training Detachment (Aircrew), which was held in West Gymnasium on Friday, December 10, 1943. President Ernest M. Best presided over the events. As well as listing the order of events, the program names the degree recipients and has the lyrics to the National Anthem, the Army Air Corps Song, and A Song for Springfield. Sixteen students were presented with baccalaureate degrees and two with graduate degrees. Captain Lester B. Badger gave the greeting and Dean Emeritus Charles R. Brown of Yale University Divinity School gave the address.At the start of World War II, Springfield College served as training grounds for the Army Air Corps, which allotted the college $90,000 for upgrading facilities. In the spring of 1944, the training program was canceled; in order to conserve its assets for expanded postwar operations in the face of decreasing student enrollment, Springfield College negotiated a contract with the U.S. Navy to serve as a Naval Special Hospital. The Navy allotted $75,000 to bring the college up to the mark of a naval hospital, and the first contingent of one hundred and fifty patients arrived on September 22, 1944. It was estimated that five hundred patients could be served. Alumni Hall was used as the hospital, and the old dormitory (now called the Administration Building) became administrative offices and housing for nurses and WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service)