150 Years of Geography at SSC

The Era of Growth and Change: 1950-1971

Institutions of higher education across the country witnessed a rapid increase in student enrollments and changes in their academic programs after World War II and into the 1960’s, and Salem with its newly organized academic departments was no exception.

1953 - Formal academic departments were established and James P. Jones was the first Chair of the Earth Science and Geography Department.

1954 - Paul V. Salley joined the faculty and served as Department Chair from 1956 to 1970.

1950-1960's - Seven new geography faculty positions were acquired by the Department as the institution experienced a period of rapid growth in construction and student enrollments during the late 1950’s and the 1960’s. Much of the increase in geography students was a result of men taking advantage of the government sponsored GI bill program. The Junior High School Social Studies education degree program saw the largest growth in geography student numbers. New courses were introduced in urban geography, population geography, meteorology, oceanography and conservation of natural resources.

1960 - After the change in status from a “Teachers College” to a “State College” in 1960, students were able to pursue a variety of degree programs including a B.A. in Geography offered in the late 1960’s.

1964 - The Department moved to the new Arts and Science building (later named Meier Hall) with a specialized weather and climate lab and prep rooms, an earth science lab, classrooms, a map library and office space.

1966 - Several new geology courses were offered and geology faculty were hired in order to augment the earth science segment of the Department between 1966 and 1970.

1970 - A new wing of the Arts and Science building was opened with a specialized cartography lab, geology storage areas and workrooms, and additional classrooms and office space.

1970 - John L. George was elected as Chair of the Department. He was elected for two additional consecutive terms in the years that followed, and served between 1970 and 1979.

	150 Years of Geography at Salem State College
	1854 -1907 \| 1907 - 1920 \| 1920's - 1950 \| 1950 - 1971 \| 1971 - Present Home \| Readings \| Faculty
The Era of Growth and Change: 1950-1971 Institutions of higher education across the country witnessed a rapid increase in student enrollments and changes in their academic programs after World War II and into the 1960’s, and Salem with its newly organized academic departments was no exception. 1953 - Formal academic departments were established and James P. Jones was the first Chair of the Earth Science and Geography Department. 1954 - Paul V. Salley joined the faculty and served as Department Chair from 1956 to 1970. 1950-1960's - Seven new geography faculty positions were acquired by the Department as the institution experienced a period of rapid growth in construction and student enrollments during the late 1950’s and the 1960’s. Much of the increase in geography students was a result of men taking advantage of the government sponsored GI bill program. The Junior High School Social Studies education degree program saw the largest growth in geography student numbers. New courses were introduced in urban geography, population geography, meteorology, oceanography and conservation of natural resources. 1960 - After the change in status from a “Teachers College” to a “State College” in 1960, students were able to pursue a variety of degree programs including a B.A. in Geography offered in the late 1960’s. 1964 - The Department moved to the new Arts and Science building (later named Meier Hall) with a specialized weather and climate lab and prep rooms, an earth science lab, classrooms, a map library and office space. 1966 - Several new geology courses were offered and geology faculty were hired in order to augment the earth science segment of the Department between 1966 and 1970. 1970 - A new wing of the Arts and Science building was opened with a specialized cartography lab, geology storage areas and workrooms, and additional classrooms and office space. 1970 - John L. George was elected as Chair of the Department. He was elected for two additional consecutive terms in the years that followed, and served between 1970 and 1979.
Department of Geography \| Salem State College \| 150 Years...