College Heights Herald article regarding Christine Sowders' reminisces.
Christine Sowders can recall Western when it had a different feel and a different spirit.
Bonfires, twirling majorettes, dances and dressing up were all a part of Homecoming in 1964. She donned her fur-collared jacket and black leather gloves to receive a shiny crown that night. She was voted Miss Homecoming.
"That was the biggest event on campus," she said. "It really meant a lot to me."
Sowders, formerly Christine DeVries, said she didn't have a date, but at the last minute found someone to escort her. Females didn't ask males back then, she said. After the game, couples usually went to the dance at the ballroom at Garrett Student Center.
Students backed the school and participated in every campus event, including packing the bleachers at football games.
"Boyfriends and girlfriends came in from out of town and family and friends would attend also," Sowders said. "I can recall my parents being excited.
"Western was special. I was the first on my dad's side (of the family) to graduate from college."
Sowders now operates her own business as a licensed clinical social worker. her private practice, Corporate Care Consultant, Inc., helps businesses with health and wellness programs, drug testing and human resource training. She lives in Bowling Green with her husband David.
While at Western, she majored in economics and sociology and English. She also was Talisman editor and co-captain of the cheerleaders for the 1964-65 school year.
Sowders said the university she left in May of 1965 has changed and grown along the way. Increasing the student population has also moved Western away from the small, close-knit school it used to be 30 years ago.
"Football wasn't paid much attention to until recently," she said. "With the better team in the past few years and the threat to close down that department, I'm glad to see a little more support for football."
Sowders said she still likes to attend Western's Homecoming, but also sees a difference in the way people dress. Students and faculty do not wear their best to the games anymore, she said.
"Friends my age still go and dress up," she said. "Things change, but you can't help but get nostalgic."