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Aggies At Arms Graphic 1

Aggies at Arms: Impact of World War I and World War II Graphic for The Built Environment Exhibit at USU's Merrill-Cazier Library

2018-02

05-Aggies at Arms.pdf

Aggies at Arms Impact of World War I and World War II

President E.G. Peterson and his young family had hardly moved into the President’s House when the United States became embroiled in WWI. As part of its land grant mission, USU maintains a long tradition of military training, beginning in 1892 with the arrival of Lt. Hendry D. Styer. At President E.G. Peterson’s request in 1916, the War Department commissioned the college’s Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). The military tradition became more significant as the college provided essential military education during WWI. Over 600 American “dough boys” received mechanical training and more than 1,000 students served during the Great War.

The Smart Gymnasium Men’s Gym in service as barracks for
the Student Army Training Corps (SATC) during WWI, 1918.
USU Special Collections and Archives, A-Board Collection, Image 523

With the influx of soldiers and trainees, the campus struggled to provide adequate housing. Congress authorized construction of temporary, wooden barracks, but Peterson convinced the governor and legislature to allocate additional funds to build them from brick. Peterson’s foresight resulted in a near doubling of the physical campus by 1920.

Ray B. West (Engineering) (1918-)
Originally intended to house WWI military trainees and named posthumously for the first Dean of Engineering, Ray B. West, Sr., this building has been home to Engineering, Education, and presently, the English Department.

Geology
(Plant Science) (1918-)
As with Ray B. West, the Plant Science Building never actually served its intended purpose as a barracks. After the war ended in November 1918, construction continued and the building opened for classes in 1920.

USU Special Collections and Archives, A-Board Collection, Image 108b
USU Special Collections and Archives, A-Board Collection, Image 108b