Throughout the years dances have played an important role in the social life of NDAC/SU students, more so in the years gone by. In our continuing effort to bring tidbits of NDAC/SU’s past to the present, we give you a glimpse of some of the social dancing and events at the university over the years.

As far as we can determine, the first “organized” dance at NDAC took place on February 22, 1899: “The dance given Feb. 22, under the auspices of the Athletic Association, was one of the most enjoyable of the social events that have so far occurred. About thirty couples were in attendance, and greatly enjoyed dancing to the music of Schirrmann’s orchestra. (The Spectrum, March 15, 1899, p. 85)

The following dance listing gives you an idea of the diversity and extent of the dances that were held here:

Beaux Arts Ball - begun in the 1930s was a costume-theme ball sponsored by the junior class in architecture and later sponsored by Altier Chat Noir, the national professional architectural society.

Charity Ball – sponsored by Panhellenic Council, with proceeds donated to a charity – first one held on January 15, 1926. This was a semi-formal theme dance.

Co-Ed Prom – open to all coeds on campus. It was the one party of the year to which no men we admitted. Sponsored by the YWCA and probably begun in the teens.

Engineer's Ball - sponsored by the Engineer's Club, this semi-formal dance began in the 1920s.

Inter-Fraternity Ball – This formal dance was begun in the 1950s.  A model man was nominated by each fraternity. The winner was determined by the Panhellenic Council.

Junior Prom – The first junior prom were probably held at the turn of the century, although we only have programs from 1910 onward. This was a semi-formal dance sponsored by the junior class.

Military Ball - which began in the teens, was a formal dance with the men in uniform or a tuxedo. A queen of the Ball was crowned in the course of the evening. The queen candidates were chosen by the campus fraternities.

Senior Prom – The first know senior prom was held in 1908. This semi-formal dance was sponsored by the senior class.

Spinster Skip – begun in the 1930s - sponsored by Senior Staff (predecessor to Mortar Board), where the gals asked the guys out and they made ornate corsages for the guys. As tradition had it, the winning couple of the evening received a cooked turkey, named Gus.

Other dances, although not an exclusive list, included: the College Hop; Cadet Hops (every Friday, Festival Hall, 4-6, 1920s); Vets. Club Dance; Hoop Hop (after a basketball game); Flunkers Fling (April 1957 - $1.50 per couple, Ballroom, 9-12); Patio Dance (sponsored by the Greeks); Hobo Hop; Record Dance (union terrace); YMCA-YWCA Dance; Lettermen’s Ball; All College Dance; RahJah's Ball; Barn Dance, sponsored by Saddle & Sirloin; et cetera.