by Diane Kricheldorf, ’54
When the Fredonia Normal School became a part of the State University of New York in 1948, it brought many changes to Fredonia. Elementary teachers possessing two-year teaching certifications had to continue their education to acquire a bachelor’s degree. Additional faculty members were hired who taught at “Old Main” as well as other locations around Chautauqua County.
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| Dr. Agnes Michaels |
Two of the new associate professors who began their work at Fredonia State in 1948 were Barbara Polacek and Dr. Agnes Michaels. Because of their interests and studies, they became active with the College Camp (now, College Lodge) which was being expanded and improved under Dr. Herbert Mackie. Both women promoted the use of the camp in Outdoor Education, Winter Carnivals, Freshman Camp, Halloween Dance, and Science and Nature Studies — all of which were part of my freshman introduction in 1950.
Miss Polacek was a biologist who shared her knowledge in classrooms and community groups. Dr. Michaels was involved in physical, outdoor and health education. Both advised and wrote curriculum guides in their respective fields for public schools and college levels.
During this same time period, construction began on buildings that would join Mason Hall at the “new campus.” Ten years later, the move to the new campus began and, regrettably, materials with informal information about campus history and faculty like Polacek and Michaels were not recognized for their importance and discarded, as Dr. Mackie, the voluntary guardian of the papers, had died unexpectedly before the move.
While attending the dedication of Fredonia’s New Science Building during Homecoming 2014, I thought of the two women who had given so much of themselves to Fredonia in earlier days. I believe they deserve to be publicly remembered for their devotion to the university as members of the science department with a named study alcove in the new Science Center.
Fredonia College Foundation guidelines require an amount of $5,000 for such naming rights, with the donated resources used to support today’s science programs. Won’t you join me and send a contribution to honor Miss Polacek and Dr. Michaels? To learn more, contact Senior Development Director Karen West at 716-673-3321 or Karen.West@fredonia.edu.
