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Paradigm University - 1940

During the first decades of the century, students organized fraternity and sorority houses. By the 1940's, the popularity of Greek houses had grown in part because of a shortage of on-campus dormitory space. Also by the 1940's small enclave of businesses began operating on the edge of the campus. "College Town," as it was fondly designated by the students, provided services that catered to the special needs of the scholars. On the eve of the Second World War, the town proper of Paradigm became a bustling center of commerce. Paradigm National Bank built a 21-story building at the corner of Main Street and University Boulevard. The tower, which was capped by a pyramidal structure reminiscent of the tomb of Mausolus at Halicarnassus, was considered by many architects to be one of the finest examples of its style nationally. Street car service connected the business district with Paradigm Hospital and the campus proper. Paradigm Hospital's facilities were greatly expanded in 1940 and the Medical School was rapidly becoming recognized as one of the best in the nation. Paradigm University excelled in other areas of instruction in addition to medicine. During the depression the Paradigm Writers and Artists Forum attracted some of the nation's top literary, artistic, and musical talent to the campus. The School of Engineering was recognized as a leader in electronics research and would eventually become a significant contributor to the war effort. During the war an Army, Navy, and Army Air Corps officer training program was instituted. A collection of temporary barracks buildings were sited adjacent to the newly completed Field House. Once again the early morning shrill of trumpets and the chants of marching men could be heard on the campus. By the 1940's Paradigm athletic teams had become regular participants in national competition. One of the most famous fight songs in the nation, "Fight Fiercely Paradigm," composed by two brothers Andrew and Timothy O'Duane ('29) in 1928, regularly inspired record crowds at Paradigm Stadium on autumn weekends. Memorial Library opened the doors of its newly completed building in 1935. The old eclectic library building was razed in order to make way for expansion of the great east-west quadrangle later that year. University Chapel, with its memorial vestibule commemorating the sons and daughters who lived and died by the motto, "For God, Country and Paradigm," was built at the opposite end of the great quadrangle from Memorial Library. Probably one of the best summations of pre-war sentiments concerning the institution were expressed by legendary Coach "Stone" Fraterno at the 1940 athletic awards banquet, "When you're out there... And the chips are down... You think about that beautiful campus, her traditions, and her future. And, you know Paradigm will never change! It will always be a winner! And, you fight even harder because you know you're part of something great! Something that is forever Paradigm!"

1940 Facts:

Enrollment: 1500 (ugrad) / 200 (grad)
Faculty and Staff: 325
Tuition, Room and Board: $1100/year
Facilities: 1,064,480 GSF
Parking Spaces: 125