Recollections Contributed to the NCSU Libraries in 2005

After learning about the NCSU Libraries' exhibit, a number of former GI Bill beneficiaries, family members and friends shared their own recollections of returning to civilian and college life after World War II or Korea. Because their accounts contribute to the historical record, the Libraries requested the correspondents' permission to add their letters to the NC State Alumni Collection in the University Archives of the Special Collections Research Center. Here are a few excerpts.

Marion R. Poole, (B.A. 1958, M.A. 1961, Ph.D. 1982) of Raleigh, N.C.

(No yearbook photo available.)

Excerpt from a letter dated June 24, 2005.

"I was not involved with the GI Bill as I arrived as a freshman in 1954 just out of High School. However, many of my classmates were veterans of the Korean War and Vetville was still in existence. One of my field exercises for a surveying class was in the Vetville area my sophomore year. One of my roommates was a Korean War veteran. Also, probably 40% of my civil engineering class at NC State were Korean War veterans. Several are now deceased. I spent four years in ROTC at State and eight years in the active reserve. At the time I attended NC State as an undergraduate, ROTC was mandatory for the first two years unless you were a veteran or had a disability. We lost two members of my Civil Engineering class in the Vietnam War."

Carl D. Price (B.S. 1953, M.S. 1957 and E.D. 1971) of Raleigh, N.C.


ENLARGE +

Credit:Agromeck, 1953.

Excerpt from a letter dated June 19, 2005.

"Thank you so much for sending me a copy of [the catalog]. I was a non-veteran student at NC State from 1949-1953 and witnessed first-hand the groundswell of veterans in college. I later returned in 1955 as a veteran and lived in Vetville. (This was a God-send for my new wife and I.) I later returned in 1964 and completed my doctorate in Adult Education. So I experienced the college experience with the GIs. But most importantly, I have experienced the tremendous boost to our technology and economy that resulted from the GI Bill experience all over the U.S.A. I'm afraid that this important fact is being lost in the world in which we now live."

Price retired as vice president of Wake Technical Community College.

Lewis J. Reep (Class of 1949) of Hartsville, S.C.


ENLARGE +

Credit:Agromeck, 1949.

Excerpt from a letter dated June 22, 2005.

"My major at NC State was Freshman English 101. After four times at bat, the GI Bill saved me."

 

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