The 70s began with the completion of the Garfield Weede Physical Education Building in 1971. Also, during this time, the Campus Child Care Center opened its doors in 1973, in 1975, the School of Business and Economics was created, the McPherson Nursing Building was completed in 1977, and ended the decade with the opening of the new Axe Library.
Campus activism rose during this decade due to the Civil Rights Movement, the Women’s Rights Movement, and the United States involvement in the Vietnam War. Student’s were involved in a political campaign to save the tallgrass prairie in Kansas and collected over 6,000 signatures on a petition demanding a safer U.S. Highway 69.
In 1977, one year before its 75th anniversary, the Kansas State College of Pittsburg became known as Pittsburg State University. Another change on campus that happened in 1977 was that President Budd stepped down and President James Appleberry took the title of President of Pittsburg State University.
