This week in UWO history

March 31, 1988 — The first edition of the short-lived alternative school newspaper Zeitgeist circulated. The editor said the paper was in reaction to the Advance-Titan’s editorial policy and for people “who weren’t into the A-T.” He thought the Advance-Titan’s advertising staff was having too much of an influence over the editorial content of the paper.

April 1, 1971 — Former Heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali spoke at a jam-packed Albee Hall. After driving to Oshkosh in his custom Dodge mobile home, his speech was part of a tour of 65 schools. Ali had just lost to Joe Frazier on March 8 and was facing possible federal prison time for refusing to enlist in the Army. This led to a disruption of his boxing career until June, when the U.S. Supreme Court cleared Ali of his draft refusal conviction.

April 2, 1917 — As part of the war effort, over 50 male students formed an independent military company that was organized on military plans, with self-appointed officers in charge. Student cadets were supplied with uniforms and other military kits. Military rules and regulations dictated in the purpose of training students in case their services were needed.

April 3, 2003 — Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton was the keynote speaker at the third annual Celebration of Women held at the River Center. She praised the soon-to-be-opened Comprehensive Women’s Center located in the Newman Center and its mission to promote and encourage women students’ academic, personal and professional development. Lawton was the first woman elected as a lieutenant governor. The celebration recognized the contributions of the more than 750 women – through 2001 – who worked at the 10,777-student campus.

April 4, 1991 — Rapper Chuck D of the rapper group “Public Enemy” was the highlighted speaker of the Human Rights Festival. Harry Allen, a freelance writer for the “Village Voice,” also spoke with Chuck D at Albee Hall. Racism, inner-city life and rap were the main topics of discussion.

April 5, 1956 — The UW Oshkosh and Harvard University debate teams squared off in a debate in the Little Theater. At issue was whether non-agricultural industries should guarantee their employees an annual wage. Two members of each school were represented in this match. Oshkosh defended the negative while Harvard upheld the affirmative. The Harvard debate club was on a tour, and went up against Marquette University two days later.

April 6, 1999 — Oshkosh Student Association Vice President Matt O’Malley won a seat on the Oshkosh Common Council, becoming the first student to do so in 25 years. O’Malley defeated the incumbent by 585 votes. Afterward, he relinquished his vice presidential duties because OSA rules didn’t allow members to hold public office while serving on the executive board.

April 7, 1857 — Dr. Charles W. Oviatt, for whom the school-owned property bears his name, was born. Oviatt, a recognized instructor, writer and lecturer in his field, began practicing in Oshkosh in 1885. With surgery his primary interest, Oviatt established in Oshkosh a hospital in 1890 dedicated for surgical practice. After his death in 1912, Oviatt’s heirs sold the property to the State Normal School Regents in 1913. The house’s first function under state control was as a women’s dormitory, the first dormitory at Oshkosh.

Source: UWO Archives