Moment in History THE McNEESE FACULTY
Wives Club
of the people I met a long time ago through the Faculty Wives Club.”
Women on the faculty were invited to join the club as the McNeese faculty diversified. As the years progressed, more and more women were joining the work force and interest in club activities waned. The club officially disbanded in 1990.
While it now takes many households two incomes to make ends meet, there was a time not so long ago that only one spouse had outside employment. The spouse charged with running the household and rearing the children was certainly working, just not for pay. For spouses of McNeese State University employees, the Faculty Wives Club provided a welcome relief from the day-to-day responsibilities of being a full-time homemaker. The McNeese Faculty Wives Club was established in 1952 for the purpose of promoting fellowship among the wives of the faculty through social, cultural and educational activities. Membership was open to the wives of current, retired or deceased faculty and administrators. Lillie Frazar, wife of McNeese President Lether E. Frazar (1950-55), hosted an organizational meeting to initiate the Faculty Wives Club at the Pioneer Club in downtown Lake Charles. Mrs. Frazar served as the club’s sponsor and as its first honorary president. In March 1953, the constitution and by-laws were adopted and signed by 25 charter members. The Club hosted social events such as newcomer teas, style shows, bridge groups and dinner 16
dances. It also offered educational programming including book reviews and nutritional counseling. Meetings were held in the evenings in the girl’s dormitory lobby or the Ranch. According to Betty, wife of former forestry instructor Paul Kitt, the Faculty Wives Club served as a wonderful outlet for non-working spouses to spend time together and to leave their cares at home. The Club also served as the “Welcome Wagon” in introducing new incoming faculty to McNeese and the area. Meeting hostesses rotated, taking turns to prepare food and beverages for the guests. By 1963, the Faculty Wives Club was 80 members strong. Monthly meeting dues, which started out at $3 per year, were raised to $5. McNeese Faculty Wives Club activities were common features in the Lake Charles American Press, the Beaumont Enterprise, the Beacon and the Contraband newspapers. The Club even had its own newsletter. Billie Faye, wife of the former Dean of the School of Sciences and Technology, Stephen M. Spencer, said, “The Club was a great way for faculty wives to feel that they were part of McNeese. Our children got to know each other by swimming together at the Chennault Air Base pool and by attending park outings. I still have a connection with many
The McNeese Archives and Special Collections, under the direction of Pati Threatt, maintains scrapbooks, yearbooks, photos, minutes and other memorabilia from the McNeese Faculty Wives Club (1952-89).
Examples of club programming: Pirates of Penzance (1953) Vacation Togs for the Younger Generation (1964-65) The Wives Wonderful World of Wigs and Wiglets (1964-65) Stocks, Bonds and Women (1968-69) Hawaiian Luau (1968-69) Christmas Crafts (1970-71) Sculpture (1971-72) The Cat’s Meow, Dancing and Band (1971-72) Taste and Tell (1976-77) Family Investing (1983-84)