Collage of photographs in the Linkletter Natatorium (1969)
Description:
A Contact sheet of photographs depicting Art Linkletter visiting the Linkletter Natatorium of Springfield College in October 1st, 1969. President Locklin and Coach Silvia appear along Mr. Linkletter on the photograph on the top left corner of the collage. Students, part of the college’s swimming and diving team, appear in the photographs as well. Art Linkletter was accepted to Springfield College in 1929, however due to financial reasons, he was unable to attend; yet he kept the dream of Springfield College alive. He was awarded the college's highest honorary degree, the Doctor of Humanics, in 1960. It was Arthur Gordon Linkletter, also known as Art Linkletter, who suggested that the college build a new swimming and diving facility. Art Linkletter was afamed entertainer best known for his TV series "House Party" that ran on CBS from 1952 to 1969. Art Linkletter believed so much in the project that he sold his house for $250,000 and donated the money to the project. Another $250,000 was raised by the student “Work Week” in 1967,where students worked jobs such as trimming hedges or moving telephone poles for donations. Other money was supplied by a federal grant, alumni gifts, and friends of the college. The Art Linkletter Natatorium is still in use today as the main swimming and diving facility on campus, having been incorporated into the new Wellness andRecreation Complex that opened in 2008. Dr. Wilbert E. Locklin (April 2,1920 – March 4, 2006) was raised in Washington, D.C. He graduated from John Hopkins University in 1942. In1965, Locklin was named president of Springfield College, where he served for twenty years. He was responsible for raising funds and developing strategic plans for Babson Library, Cheney Dining Hall, Fuller Arts Center, Gulick Hall, the Physical Education Complex, Linkletter Natatorium, and the Towne Health Center.
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