Morris, a 1945 SIUC zoology graduate, is working with the Alumni Association in the search for students who belong to class of 45 for its 50-year class reunion.

I am sure that anyone who comes back that has not been here since they graduated will be very shocked at the progress of the community, Morris, who taught zoology, botany and English at SIUC for 22 years, said.

SIUC’s class of 1945 had 374 in its class, including graduates and those students who would have graduated in 1945 but either transferred, dropped out, or were involved in World War II.

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1944 and 45 were the most severe war years, said Morris. Many of the students here became involved with the war effort.

Many of my dear friends from then are gone, Morris said. But I was very close to many of the students who were here, and I am looking forward to seeing some of those people who I have not seen since then.

Of the 374 students, 68 can not be found and 117 are deceased. But the Alumni Association has current addresses for 189 graduates, Nadine Lucas, administration aid to the Alumni Association, said.

So far we have had little respondance, but it is still early, Lucas said. We have got respondance from people in the area who know where other 1945 graduates are, which will make it easier.

Returning students have a busy schedule of events during the reunion weekend, Lucas said. First, a brunch, followed by a bus tour of the campus and the city conducted by Bob ODaniel, who was executive director of the Alumni Association for 33 years.

After the bus tour, alumni will attend a banquet called the Half Century Club, where members of the 50-year class reunion are inducted every year.

Lucas said though it is the 50-year class reunion, all alumni are invited.

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Mary Pankey, chairman of the 1940 class reunion and graduate of that class, said at her class reunion five years ago, many were suprised at how the University had changed.

One of the biggest surprises people saw were the landmarks that were no longer around, she said. They all knew about Old Main, but were surprised when they saw where it used to be.

The Old Main building was destroyed by fire in1969.

Lucas said most expected all the same stores and restaurants to be here, but they were not.

Many of those who returned came from New York and Boston and were use to high-rise buildings, she said. But they just couldn’t believe there were high-rises at SIUC.

Anyone who knows members of the Class of 1945 can contact the Alumni Association at 453-2408.