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• 1 2021-06-29T15:18:31+00:00 ASTP Arrives on Campus 39 An Army Specialized Training Program takes over Hope's Campus in 1943 plain 2021-08-16T17:44:46+00:00

  
  Because so many men left during the war movement, Hope College suffered from the decrease in students paying tuition. The student population diminished by approximately half and Hope struggled to remain open. An Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) solved this problem in 1943 by contracting with Hope College to train soldiers for specific careers in the military. 

  The Announcement of Specialized Training Programs for the Army and Navy Press Release stated, “the Army will contract with selected colleges and universities for the use of their facilities and faculties in effecting such training of selected soldiers in courses prescribed by the Army. This plan will enable the Army to make selections for this training of qualified young men on a broad democratic basis without regard to financial resources” [1]. 

  The ASTP selected Hope College for a non-Federal Education Institution to train students in basic engineering. Several members of the Hope College faculty, including Robert Cavannaugh, Milton Hinga, Clarence Kleis, Albert Lampen, and Albert Timmer, provided instruction in math, physics, meteorology, navigation, physical education, civil aeronautics regulation, and aircraft identification. These programs stemmed from the fear that the war would continue and the United States would lack the necessary men to fill specialized technical positions. President Wichers notes in his correspondence that Hope College was fortunate to be the last college to receive an ASTP program [2]. 

  Formerly, Hope College housed an Army Pilot School in 1942 to instruct any men who failed the physical and mental tests or were over the enlistment age of 26. Hope partnered with the Northern Air Service of Grand Rapids to train ten men in groundwork and flying. These trainees then transferred to an advanced Army school to continue their training. Thus, the college was prepared to work with military troops and this program solved most of the college’s financial problems.
  
  It also appealed to members of the Holland and Hope College community. One alumni wrote to Wichers stating, “I just finished reading the booklet which you sent me...All of us are shouldering additional responsibilities with the hope and prayer that this war may end soon, and it certainly gives me a real 'lift' to know that Hope College is taking such an active and important part in the war effort” [3].  

  President Wichers corresponded regularly with the ASTP headquarters to prepare for the arrival of the troops. Since most men who regularly attended Hope College had enlisted, the ASTP resided in the Emersonian fraternity house and the Western Seminary Zwemer Hall dormitory. However, the troops occupied space in almost all Hope buildings, except Voorhees Hall, which remained an all girls dormitory. 

  Before the economic situation at Hope College improved, additional costs were incurred by housing the troops. Stanley Roe of the Corps of Engineers wrote to Wichers describing the required improvements that Hope would need to make to the buildings after an inspection by the Army. Some of the improvements did not require financing by Hope, such as the replacement of fire extinguishers or additional pillows and beds for the troops. However, renovations to the fire alarm system, exit doors, bathrooms, drinking fountains, building codes, etc. amounted to $4,050.00 to be paid by the college [4]. Hope made the necessary arrangements, and in November of 1943, the ASTP arrived at Hope College. 

  The ASTP changed the atmosphere of the campus in addition to the physical buildings. The atmosphere for women at Hope already changed multiple times since the beginning of World War II until they became the majority on campus with the bulk of the men leaving. This raises questions regarding whether the need for the ASTP income and desire to support the war effort impacted the educational experience of the women on campus.  

  The male students came onto campus and occupied nearly all spaces but Voorhees Hall. The ASTP headquarters requested the dimensions of all Hope College buildings and Wichers replied with the dimensions. The ASTP wrote back asking why Voorhees and Van Vleck were not  included in the dimensions given. Wichers explained these were not recommended buildings for the ASTP to occupy since Voorhees was historically an all women’s hall and Van Vleck became an all women’s dorm in 1942. After the ASTP sent this letter, Wichers replied with the dimensions of the buildings to be used as the ASTP saw fit [5]. Based on accounts from students at the time, it seems that Voorhees remained a female dorm, while Van Vleck served as both a dorm and an infirmary for the ASTP. 

  Additionally, each day as the soldiers marched along the sidewalks the women moved out of the way. Trudy Vander Haar recalled, “We students obediently made way for them, stepping off the sidewalk if necessary. On one particular wintry day the two columns parted just enough for me to walk between them on the sidewalk. I slipped on the ice and fell down right in the middle. I was too embarrassed to notice what happened next” [6]. 

  Despite the indications that the ASTP impacted the educational experience of these women, Wichers remained adamant that the women’s education did not suffer. A pamphlet sent to the alumni entitled “We’re in the Army Now” quoted Wichers saying, “Nor has the civilian program been neglected. There are two hundred seventy six boys and girls on the campus following the usual studies. All extracurricular activities are carried on with the exception of intercollegiate athletics which is a casualty for the duration” [7]. The enrollment data compiled by Maria indicates that the two hundred seventy six boys referred to the ASTP men and there were 75 civilian men and 225 civilian women on campus.

  The ASTP men followed busy training schedules that often had them up early in the morning and training until late evening. All of the civilian and military courses were separate, so there was not much overlap between the female students at Hope and the ASTP. 

  Libby Hillegonds states, “An ASTP group joined us on campus during our second year and held their ceremonies around the flag pole each day. Our lives were quite separate, but some interaction must have taken place as five Hope students married ASTP men” [8] Most of the interactions between Hope students and the ASTP men occurred either on Sunday when both the men and the women had time off or at the all college mixers sponsored by either Hope or the Army. The Army hosted a ball when they were there, which promoted mingling between the groups. 

  Overall it seems the women appreciated the ASTP presence on campus because it filled the absense of the Hope College men who enlisted in the military. However, The Anchor dedicated a page to the ASTP troops and one publication aired the feelings of both the ASTP men and the Hope college women from their interactions and perceptions of each other. The articles appear lighthearted, but bring practical feelings to light. 

  Furthermore, there was a sense the ASTP men were not “Hope Men.” Jennifer Hill argued in her paper, “‘A Miss Amiss?’ Dorm, Dress, and Dating of 1940s Hope College Women” that women in the 1940s came to Hope College to find a Christian husband with similar values [9]. When the ASTP men arrived, Barbara Bilkert Mulder recalled Coach Hinga, the football coach at Hope, saying, “Now, girls, don’t get involved. Just wait until ‘our boys’ come home!” [11]. The ASTP men impressed Wichers with their excellent character, fine scholastic ability, and religious attitudes, even if some of them were methodist or baptists [10]. These men often were from other parts of the country and were not members of the Reformed Church of America, which may have supported the notion the ASTP were not "Hope Men." 

  An Anchor article from November 1943 addresses the ASTP and the conceptions about dating as it reprimands the Hope community for judging the military men differently than the civilian men:

  “We would like to ask why the sudden arrival of 250 well-filled uniforms should suddenly change the "system?" Why didn't the 250 civilian fellows who were at Hope last year rate the same "chance" or "opportunity" as the 250 army fellows who are at Hope this year? Since when has a uniform changed a person? Does a khaki pants either add to or detract from anyone's personality or character? Certainly if it does, it shouldn't!” [12].

  This article further supports the idea that the ASTP men and previous Hope College men were percived differently, but it asserts Hope women treat the ASTP men favorably because of their uniforms. 
  
  Overall, many women remembered the ASTP troops boosting morale on campus. Myra Berry reflected, “One would not suspect that with the above negative comments, there actually was good rapport between the G.I.s and the civilian student body. Spirits sagged when it was announced that the ASTP program would end before the expected time” [13]. 

  The ASTP troops left in March of 1944. There were multiple accounts regarding why they left after only five months. Roy Berry, a member of the ASTP program, recalled families were unhappy with the training program causing it to be discontinued [14]. The Holland Sentinel noted a draft shortfall, which caused cancellations and the Anchor explained the ASTP men were needed elsewhere. My research into the Military Records did not confirm or negate any of these accounts. It is possible that portions of all of these explanations are correct. 

  There was a ceremony in the chapel to conclude the ASTP program before the men departed for their next assignments and the female students at Hope College were once again the large majority on campus [15].
  
  References:
  [1] United States Army Headquarters Sixth Service Command, “Announcement of Specialized Training Programs for the Army and Navy-News Release,” Military Training Programs, records, 1917-1951, (H88-0266), Joint Archives of Holland, Hope College, Holland, MI, 2-3. 
  [2] Wynand Wichers, December 24, 1943, Military Training Programs, records, 1917-1951, (H88-0266), Joint Archives of Holland, Hope College, Holland, MI. 
  [3] R.G. Huizinga, January 11, 1944, Military Training Programs, records, 1917-1951, (H88-0266), Joint Archives of Holland, Hope College, Holland, MI. 
  [4] Stanley Roe, September 18, 1943, Military Training Programs, records, 1917-1951, (H88-0266), Joint Archives of Holland, Hope College, Holland, MI. 
  [5] Correspondence between Hope College and Army, July 1943-September 1943,  Military Training Programs, records, 1917-1951, (H88-0266), Joint Archives of Holland, Hope College, Holland, MI. 
  [6] Eileen Nordstrom and George Zuidema, Hope at the Crossroads: The War Years (Holland, Michigan: Hope College, 2008), 99.  
  [7] Wynand Wichers, December 6, 1943, Military Training Programs, records, 1917-1951, (H88-0266), Joint Archives of Holland, Hope College, Holland, MI. 
  [8] Nordstrom and Zuidema, Hope at the Crossroads, 59. 
  [9] Jennifer Hill, “A Miss Amiss?’ Dorm, Dress, and Dating of 1940s Hope College Women,” papers, January 2003, (H03-1479.60), Joint Archives of Holland, Hope College, Holland, Michigan. 
  [10] Wynand Wichers, December 24, 1943, Military Training Programs, records, 1917-1951, (H88-0266), Joint Archives of Holland, Hope College, Holland, MI. 
  [11] Nordstrom and Zuidema, Hope at the Crossroads, 116. 
  [12] "Why Priority Ratings?" Hope College Anchor, November 10, 1943. 
  [13] Nordstrom and Zuidema, Hope at the Crossroads, 40. 
  [14] Nordstrom and Zuidema, Hope at the Crossroads, 48. 
  [15] “Chapel Assembly Closes Hope’s Successful ASTP Program,” Hope College Anchor, March 22, 1944.