Chapter 7: Pennsylvania Academy of Science in the 1960s

Written by RCoxe on January 2, 2025

Life for the Average Pennsylvanian

The 1960s were a time of change for the average Pennsylvanian.  Many societal events were taking place both in the state and country and outside the country.  This was the time of Civil Rights and protests were happening in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh even though Pennsylvania was considered a northern state. Activists challenged the status quo of segregation and discrimination in housing, education, and employment.  The counterculture movement happened where traditional values were questioned and social experimentation led to new ways of living.

In the second half of the decade, Vietnam War and draft led to anti-war demonstrations on campuses and in cities.  In a sign of hope, was the space race and culmination of landing on the moon in 1969, with Apollo 11.

The State of Science in Pennsylvania

Despite the societal changes happening in the world, there was some scientific progress in Pennsylvania.  In 1963, Dr. Thomas Starzl of the University of Pittsburgh, performed the first liver transplant and brought about a revolution in organ transplantation.  There were also advancements in the treatment of breast cancer at the University of Pittsburgh, led by Dr. Bernard Fisher.  Researchers at Penn State University made strides in the understanding of air pollution, which led to the enactment of cleaner air regulations.

Changes in the Pennsylvania Academy of Science

In 1963, the long-fought requirements for science teachers in Pennsylvania that were passed in 1959, came into effect.  Towards the end of the decade, in 1968, summer meetings ended and became Executive Committee meetings.

Annual Meetings in the 1960s

The locations of meetings are given below and any information is given.  Some meetings do not have much information.

36th Annual Meeting – April 14-16, 1960 (Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA): The address for this meeting was given by Dr. George R. Seidel of the E.I. Dupont de Nemours Company on “Preparing for the Space Age.”

1960 Summer Meeting – August 5-6, 1960 (Messiah College, Grantham, PA): On August 5th tours were given of the Quaker Oats Company, the State Correctional Insitution in Camp Hill, PA, and Gifford Pinchot State Forest.  The dinner was held at The Chalet and the program was given by Ralph C. Wible, the Pennsylvania State Forester, and Ralph Widner, the Director of Public Information and Education.  The subject of the talks is unknown.  On August 6th a tour of Boiling Springs and Huntsdale Fish Hatchery was given.

37th Annual Meeting – March 30- April 1, 1961 (Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA): The address at this meeting was given by Edward A. Hill on “Interpretations of Nature.”

1961 Summer Meeting – (Date Unknown) (Grove City College, Grove City, PA): During this meeting tours were given by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to nearby areas.  O.E. Jennings, the first president of the Academy, was present at this meeting.

38th Annual Meeting – April 20-21, 1962 (Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, PA): The address at this meeting was given by Dr. Arthur C. Twomey, Director of the Division of Education at the Carnegie Museum on “Expedition to Africa.”  A Geology symposium on “The Importance of Lateral Variation in the Study of and Classification of the Pennsylvanian” was also held.

1962 Summer Meeting – August 23-24, 1962 (California State College, California, PA):  This meeting was a Joint meeting with the Pennsylvania State Teachers Association. The theme was “Progress in Science Education.” The program was oriented towards new developments in science as well as in science education. The dinner was with PSTA and had various speakers. On August 24th tours were given at the Monessen Pittsburgh Steel Plant and the Harmon Creek Coal Conservation strip mining operation.

39th Annual Meeting – April 12-13, 1963 (East Stroudsburg State College, East Stroudsburg, PA): The address for this meeting was given by Fletcher G. Watson, Director of Science Teacher Education at Harvard University on “The Universe as Revealed by Radio.”  A symposium on “Factors Governing Morphogenesis of Parasitic Animals” was held during this meeting.

1963 Summer Meeting – Date Unknown (Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA): No information on this meeting is given.

40th Annual Meeting – March 26-28, 1964 (Penn State University, State College, PA): The address at this meeting was given by Clement L. Markert of The Johns Hopkins University and the Academy of Natural Sciences on “Population Growth: Our Most Serious Problem.”

1964 Summer Meeting – August 7-8, 1964 (Clarion State College, Clarion, PA): On August 7th a tour was given of the Clarion plant of Owens-Illinois Corporation.  On August 8th a tour of Cook State Forest was taken.  There is no information on the dinner at this meeting.

1964 Summer Meeting – August 7-8, 1964 (Clarion State College, Clarion, PA): On August 7th a tour was given of the Clarion plant of Owens-Illinois Corporation.  On August 8th a tour of Cook State Forest was taken.  There is no information on the dinner at this meeting.

41st Annual Meeting – April 1-3, 1965 (Villanova University, Villanova, PA): The address at this meeting was given by Dr. G.N. Quinn and Mr. Samuel Amato of Villanova University on “Safety Shielding in the Academy Laboratory.”

1965 Summer Meeting – July 23-24, 1965 (Dimeling Hotel, Clearfield, PA): Field trips were held to the North American Refractories in Curwensville, and the James E. Hoffman Coal Company in Karhaus.

42nd Annual Meeting – April 7-9, 1966 (Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA): The address was given by Dr. Peter van de Kamp, Professor of Astronomy at Swarthmore College, on “The Search for Extra-solar Planets.”

1966 Summer Meeting – There is no information on this meeting.

43rd Annual Meeting – April 7-8, 1967 (Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA): The Friday presentation of this meeting was given by Mr. William Voigt, Director of the Interstate Advisory Committee on the Susquehanna River Basin, on “The Susquehanna Basin Compact: Status and Outlook.” The Saturday field trip was given by Mr. Euell Gibbons on “Wild Food in Your Backyard.”

1967 Summer Meeting – July 21-22, 1967 (Gannon College, Erie, PA): On July 21st a tour was given of the Corporate Research Center and the Erie Division Manufacturing Facilities of the Hammermill Paper Company.  After dinner a presentation was given by Mr John Studeny, Vice-President of the Hammermill Paper Company, on “The Paper Revolution.”  A film called the “The Managerial Revolution” was also shown.  On July 22nd a boat trip of Lake Erie was given.

44th Annual Meeting – April 11-13, 1968 (Sponsored by Point Park College and held at the Holiday Inn, Harrisburg, PA): The Friday presentation was given by Mr. Joseph B.C. White, Educational Director for the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy on “The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy: A Key to Conservation Progress.”

1968 Summer Meeting – This meeting was moved to the Fall and the summer meetings became the Annual Executive Committee meeting in the fall at Penn State University.

45th Annual Meeting – April 17-18, 1969 (Sponsored by Franklin and Marshall College and held at the Stock Yard Inn, Lancaster, PA): The Friday lecture was given by Dr. Lawson Soulsby of the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, who spoke on “Peripatetic Parasitologists.”

 

Go to Chapter 8: Pennsylvania Academy of Science in the 1970s