Stevens during the World Wars

Through a collaboration between the Samuel C. Williams Library, Stevens Veteran and Military and Connected Services, and the Division of Alumni Engagement, a virtual online seminar “Stevens During the World Wars” was held this past Veterans Day. The lecture featured items from the Library’s Archives and Special Collections and described the contributions that Stevens made to the war effort during World War I and World War II. 

The seminar began with opening remarks by Linda Beninghove, Director of the Samuel C. Williams Library. Beninghove then introduced President Nariman Favardin, who made introductory comments and spoke to the history of Stevens during the World Wars as well as the current state of Stevens research and innovations related to the military. 

Dr. Donald Lombardi, University Teaching Professor, presented on resources currently offered by the Stevens Veterans and Military Office. Lombardi, a former United States Marine, discussed initiatives and programs made available by the office such as G.I. Bill benefits and the Yellow Ribbon scholarship program available to veterans and their families, the Army and Air Force ROTC programs available to Stevens students, and officer programs with the United States Army and Marine Corps. Lombardi also highlighted the numerous achievements of current and graduated veteran students. 

Kristopher Trautz, an undergraduate student and veteran, discussed the history of Stevens’ involvement in World War I. Trautz discussed the significance of the Student Army Training Corps, Student Navy Training Corps, and Naval Steam Engineering School. Trautz also described the contribution Stevens research made to engineering and industrial efforts in World War I. 

The history of Stevens during World War II was recounted by Ted Houghtaling, Archivist and Digital Projects Librarian of the Library. Houghtaling conveyed the perspectives of Stevens students and faculty throughout the war era through archived speeches and print artifacts. Houghtaling also discussed the V-12 Navy College Training Program at Stevens, which began in July 1943. According to Hougtaling, Stevens was one of 131 schools to “provide technical training to students before becoming commissioned officers.” Houghtaling also described the research efforts undertaken at Stevens during the war, including the Davidson Laboratory, which still produces marine and naval engineering research today. 

Head of Archives and Special Collections, Lead Loscutoff described the role that women played in the war effort at Stevens during World War II. According to Loscutoff, women were enrolled as Stevens students in the War Industries Training Program in the Spring of 1942. Loscutoff also discussed the culture at Stevens during World War II and presented photographs from The Link yearbook and articles from The Stute that demonstrated the strong military presence on campus during the war. Furthermore, Loscutoff presented a recorded interview with Joe Schneider, a World War II veteran from the class of 1946. In the oral history, Schneider recounted his experience in the V-12 program at Stevens and his time serving in the Navy.

As the program concluded with a Q&A session, the seminar presenters emphasized the resources offered by both the Veteran and Military Connected Services office and the Library’s Archives and Special Collections.