73 Years Of Veishea Memories


Throughout Veishea's 73-year history, enthusiastic students 
masterminded all sorts of plans. Some were one-hit wonders 
and others became Iowa State traditions. Here are a few of 
the highlights:

--Veishea was launched in 1922 as a union of festivals among 
three of Iowa State's five colleges. Previously, Agriculture 
had a spring ag carnival, Home Economics had a May Day fete 
and Engineering celebrated St. Patrick's Day in March.

--There were cherry pies at that first Veishea, although they 
pre-date the event. They were first sold in 1921 during a 
college celebration held on George Washington's birthday. The 
pies have been sold at almost every Veishea, although a World 
War II sugar shortage temporarily interrupted the sweet 
tradition.

--Lancelot and Elaine came to campus during Veishea 1935. The 
swans were to be majestically launched from a swan-shaped 
barge on Lake LaVerne, but the feisty couple took umbrage at 
their handling and eventually were unceremoniously dumped, 
feathered bottoms up, into the water.

--Veishea faced extinction in 1940, when the core committee 
voted to end the spring gala due to "extreme student apathy" 
and the "tendency of students to go home during Veishea." 
Veishea was reinstated a week later after students wrote 
numerous letters to the editor of The Iowa State Daily, held 
protests and lobbied President Friley by camping out at The 
Knoll.

--Not even World War II could interrupt Veishea, though the 
war years saw some lean celebrations. From 1943 to 1945, 
there was no parade or Stars Over Veishea. 1944 was the 
starkest Veishea -- no open houses and only a half dozen 
events Saturday afternoon and evening. The theme that year 
was "Veishea Buys a Jeep," and students purchased $1,165 in 
war bonds to buy a Jeep to be used against German and 
Japanese forces.

--Veishea 1970 was a time of turmoil. Students at Kent State 
University were killed during a protest on the Monday before 
Veishea. More than 200 universities, fearing riots on their 
campuses, closed. Cancellation of Veishea was considered, but 
in the end, a modified Veishea was held. An open mike on 
campus allowed for 24-hour discussion and a March of Concern, 
which drew more than 2,000 people, ended the Veishea parade.

--In the mid-1980s, sporadic campustown disturbances, fueled 
by alcohol and large crowds, began to plague the Veishea 
celebration. Disturbances in 1985, 1988, and 1992 resulted in 
property damage and minor injuries. Cancellation of the 60-
year-old tradition was a possibility, but a task force 
recommended revitalizing the celebration. Today's 
restructured Veishea includes more events that appeal to a 
wider audience, provides party-goers with a variety of 
activities and encourages more students to become involved in 
organizing Veishea. 

--Perhaps no Veishea visitor has been more joyously received 
on campus than one in 1992: alumnus Thomas Sutherland, who 
was held hostage for six and a half years in Lebanon. The 
campus greeted him with open arms, and Sutherland later 
referred to the "sweet memories of that glorious day in May."

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contact:  Internal Communications< (515) 294-3129
updated:  4-21-95