If you graduated from the State University Agricultural and Technical College at Cobleskill in 1958 and came back in 1968 for a reunion, perhaps you would've hardly recognized the place.

Cobleskill, like the rest of the New York's State University campuses, had undergone a massive expansion during the 1960s. It was part of former Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller's plan to update New York's educational system. In October 1968, the Cobleskill college community paused to reflect on the growth with a dedication ceremony.

There hadn't been enormous growth after World War II, but it was gradual, considering there were 239 students enrolled during the 1951-52 academic year, and 654 by 1961-62. Ryder Hall had been built in 1950 near the old quad. Two other dorms, then called East and West halls, were completed about 1961. The growth began after Cobleskill became part of the State University of New York system when it was organized in 1948.

In addition to being an agricultural college, Cobleskill was also seeing growth in enrollment in its business, food services administration and education curriculums.

The boom began in 1961 as Wieting and Vroman halls were opened to provide housing for 300 students. These were the aforementioned East and West halls, renamed for two of the original members of the board of trustees of what was called the Schoharie State School of Agriculture when it opened in 1911. They were Charles A. Wieting and Charles W. Vroman.

Bouck Hall opened in 1964, a student activities building named for Schoharie County's first and only governor of New York, William C. Bouck, who served from 1843-45.

By 1966, three new dorms had opened. Dix Hall was named for Gov. John A. Dix, who in 1911 authorized the creation of the Schoharie School, Pearson Hall was named after trustee Raymond A. Pearson and Draper Hall was named after Andrew S, Draper, a native of nearby Westford, as well as the state's first commissioner of education.

In addition to new dormitories, farm machinery, hay storage, machinery shop and dairy herd buildings were newly erected and named after an original board member as the Dewitt C. Dow Agricultural Complex.

More of the educational facilities constructed between 1962 and 1966 were named after four men who served on the college administration, faculty and staff for many years.

Lee W. Crittenden, director of the college from 1923-36, had his name placed on new athletic fields. The new Horticulture Complex was named after Earl H. Hodder, a member of the agricultural faculty and alumni coordinator from 1921-55. The Animal Husbandry Laboratory was named after Edward B. Hewes, part of the faculty from 1921-54. The Service Building Complex was named after Jared C. Mackey, former farm superintendent of the college. The college ski area was new in October 1968, and a lodge was under construction at the time. It was simply called the Memorial Recreation Area, dedicated to faculty and students who had given their lives in service of our country.

All these buildings were dedicated at a ceremony held on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Bouck Hall. After the ceremony, the dignitaries and invited guests toured the new buildings. Cobleskill was well on its way to becoming a campus of 1,400 enrolled students by 1970.

This weekend: After a 19th century of isolation and numerous fires, Gilbertsville thrived in the early 20th century.

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City Historian Mark Simonson's column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area during the Depression and before. His Monday columns address local history after the Depression. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or e-mail him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is www.oneontahistorian.com.

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