It was during the 1940-1941 school year that tragedy struck. On October 29th, 1940 President William Brandenburg passed away in St. Mary’s Hospital. To finish out the school year, the dean of the College and Graduate School, Dr. Oris Dellinger, served as acting president. Then on July 1st, 1941, Dr. Dellinger relinquished his duties to President Dr. Rees Hughes.
During this decade, the college also saw the affects of World War II. As enrollment and on campus morale declined, the Pep Club stepped up to raise everyone’s spirits. They organized dances, bonfire rallies, and many more activities. After World War II ended, greatly increased with President Hughes announcing that regular enrollment had reached 2,000 students in 1947.
