Program Board Turns The Big Five-Oh!
Do you know all those cool and fun events that are held on campus, like the monthly movie nights? Or what about the craft-making events, lawn games, game nights, painting sessions, pick-me-up food gatherings, trips off-campus to Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, or sports games? And last but not least, what about Whittfest, a carnival-like event thrown on campus every year full of games, food, live music, and photo ops? Did you know that the curators of these events come from the College’s Program Board? Well, the Program Board is the reason why students can attend so many different events throughout the year when they find themselves stressed, overwhelmed, or in desperate need of a stress-free time with friends. There is no better time than now to express gratitude for the Program Board’s work as they are getting ready to celebrate their 50th anniversary!
The Program Board was brought together in the early 1970s. They are a student-run organization that plans, executes, and markets fun programs for students, and is consistent with acknowledging the values, needs, and interests of the entire Whittier College community. Back then, when looking through the Acropolis–the College’s yearbook –that was discontinued in 2013– there were multiple events that were held by Program Board members since 1973. Some of these events included Homecoming of course, Spring Sing, Luminarias, festivals, concerts, movies to be enjoyed on campus, sports events, and special guest lecturers on campus.
For instance, Spring Sing — now referred to as Whittfest, which may date back to 1975 — was a tradition at Whittier where everyone could get on stage and compete with each other with their singing talents. Many societies and organizations came out to show off their skills and possibly win awards. In 1978, according to the Acropolis, the Palmer Society won the Large Group Choral Award for performing a medley from the musical, Oliver!.
In 1980, Luminarias, Whittier’s traditional semi-formal/formal dance, was held on the infamously haunted ocean liner the Queen Mary. While on board, guests enjoyed dinner and cocktails, danced in the “Flamingo Room,” and the promenade deck on the ship was open for romantic strolls under the stars. In 1990, Luminarias was held at the Biltmore Hotel located in Downtown L.A. Each ticket was sold for $50 per couple and the theme was “Monte Carlo.” The night was filled with dancing and gambling with many couples being given $200 worth of chips to use with dinner included, of course.
Another fun event (that may or may not have been held by Program Board members), introduced in 1983, was Casino Night! You would not believe the transformation that happened in Ball Hall’s basement from being a boring, dark place, to a night of gambling on a December night. Ball Hall’s basement had multiple tables set up, such as craps tables, roulette wheels, blackjack dealers, and a game labeled “Slots of Fun.” What a time to be able to deal and gamble as students while under high stress!
Lastly, to bring history back a bit closer to our current time, in 2003, the Program Board introduced its first ever Spring Fest, which was a spring festival for students to relieve stress as finals grew near. The festival included food, activities, and competitions like inflatable maze games, three-legged races, pie-eating contests, medley relay, and pyramid building, and special performances for entertainment purposes. The Program Board had its second annual Spring Festival, this time, named “Inflatable Fun and Food.” Their second annual Spring Festival brought inflatable activities like sumo wrestling, a mountain, and obstacle courses. Not only this, but they had wax hand molds, more entertainment, and In-N-Out burgers to eat.
The Program Board has definitely changed from the early 1980s, but not at all in a bad way. From what the Board had to say on their Instagram, which stated, “GROOVY NEWS: It’s the Program Board’s 50th Anniversary! This year, we are taking you back in time to 1973. Stay updated to hear more about upcoming events! See you on the flipside!” It is exciting to wait and see if we might get to engage in some of these past events that have been discontinued or are not known by current students. I would love to see a Casino Night event on campus but, maybe we are just too broke for that now. Still, how fun! We may just see a flashback to what life was like in the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. I can only imagine how we will feel all the groovy vibes!
To contact the Program Board, you can reach them via email at aswc_prog@poets.whittier.edu, or by calling 562.457.7285. To RSVP and join all events, you can save your spot via Engage.
Photo Courtesy of Program Board.
