Judith Noonan
Staff Writer
For many years now, both incoming freshman and graduating seniors celebrate the beginning or the end of their collegiate experiences by attending Idaho State University’s March through the Arch celebration.
This year, the event for new Bengals will take place on Sunday Aug. 21 at 5 p.m., the weekend before classes begin.
“It started originally at commencement because there wasn’t anything to recognize students transitioning from being a student to becoming an alumnus,” said K.C. Felt, the executive director of alumni relations at ISU.
The event takes place at Swanson Hall located on the lower edge of campus between Frazier Hall and the Physical Science building. Swanson Hall was the first building constructed on the campus of The Academy of Idaho, which later grew to become Idaho State University.
Swanson Hall was named after Theodore Swanson, who was an influential member of the first board of trustees. “Old Ad,” as it was called, stood proud on a sturdy foundation and promised to stand the test of time with its walls of carved stone brick.
Sporting this gothic roof, it was revered as a work of art and one of the most beautiful college buildings.
“In the early ‘70s it was deteriorating very badly,” Felt said. “It didn’t have a basement, it was a lava rock foundation and had hardwood floors that creaked like crazy.”
Speaking with K.C. Felt, she recalled taking classes at the hall and the famed historical beauty of the building.
It was torn down in 1973. There was a sort of outrage in the community at the time.
Classic homes and buildings on and near the campus were being torn down, and Swanson Hall was the last straw. Restoration was the cry of many.
As Diane Olson, a former Alumni Director and ISU Historian had put it, “Swanson Hall stood over the University like a guardian angel.”
“Olson said she would chain herself to the arched front of the building, when they were tearing it down,” Felt said.
This kind of passion and dedication led to the preservation of the building’s arch.
Since the year of 2000, this Arch has been the entrance and departure at Idaho State for students. Felt and others of her department help give out tassels to graduating students.
Students that march through this symbolic arch can bring with them a special loved one, or their children. The significance of knowing the history of the Arch lends reverence and pride to the ceremony.
As students pass under the arch to mark the beginning and ending at school, it is hoped that the sacredness of this tradition is understood.
“Swanson Hall became the landmark to recognize and link the past to the future of Idaho State University,” Felt said.
