World War II On a College Campus

By: Chase Booth '16

What happens when the war department designates a liberal arts campus to train its top personnel during a major world war? Grinnell College became one of only eight universities contracted to train the war departments' STAR units (specialized training assignment and reclassification). Furthermore, the college, still under contract with the war department, also oversaw another of the army's specialized training program (AST) along with many colleges and universities during World War II.

Students, both army personnel and females, mingle outside Blair Hall. Enrollment during this time was predominately military.

According to a 1942 S&B article, only 36 male civilians were still left on campus after the draft was implemented. What were the women to do, then, to help with the war time effort? Why, get war majors/minors of course! A brochure handed out at this time, titled Women in War and Peace by Grinnell College, detailed the importance of women in the war and offered a list of possible war minors women could receive during this time.

List of War Minors offered to female students with a description of how each field is needed.

If you have a keen interest of learning more about Grinnell's efforts during World War II, stop by the Iowa Room in the basement of Burling to peruse to your heart's content!