The Post-War Era
During the War
The student body was directly affected by World War 2. A direct result of the war was the enlistment of many, many students and alumni from Randolph-Macon to serve in the military. Other effects included war rationing. One can see that during the war, the national rationing of various supplies such as paper had an impact on the students. This is clearly seen in the lack of a yearbook throughout the war period and the decrease in size of the Yellow Jacket Weekly, a newspaper for students.
A page from the Yellow Jacket Weekly showing lots of text and large pictures.
Advertisements for local business in Ashland in the 1947 yearbook.
Advertisements for local businesses in Ashland featured in the 1947 yearbook
"This is Our Record" Yearbook page from 1947
The Post War Era
The post-war era showed new advancements for Randolph-Macon students, as the school tried to return to normalcy. As a result of the war, the student body lost many students and memorials became regular in the newspaper, as well as the yearbook. The school began honoring those who served including both current students as well as alumni. This included having a column detailing those who had passed away, as well as full lists of military promotions.
An attempt to return to normalcy was clearly seen in the post-war era, as the student body began to re-institute various things that disappeared during the war. The most obvious was the return of the yearbook and the Yellow Jacket Weekly being much larger than previously. In both the yearbook and the newspaper, there were more and more full page and colored ads for around Ashland.
In addition, the school saw a new wave of expansions after the war/ These new additions included more buildings, more academic programs, the admission of more students and a greater focus on alumni appreciation.