This Day in History is a recurring feature looking back at the history and highlights of The Tangerine throughout the years.

Throughout its history, The Tangerine has gone through a few name changes, starting off as The Utica College News, changing to The Utica College Oracle and finally re-branding itself as The Tangerine. 

In 1947 the newspaper changed to its current name The Tangerine. One of its earliest issues with its new name continued to showcase Utica College’s campus developments.

Continuing the expansion of the original Utica College campus, The Tangerine wrote that the college cafeteria on Tracy Street opened its doors on Nov. 19, 1947.

“This cafeteria meets a very important need of the college,” said Dean of Utica College Ralph F. Strebel, who was also one of the first cafeteria customers. “We feel that it’s our responsibility to see to it that students get a well-balanced meal at low cost.” 

The cafeteria occupied the entire ground floor of what was called the Moose Building and had seating for up to 120 students. 

Another article from the same issue in 1947 discussed the confusion surrounding the status of Puerto Rico. 

“I don’t know, now, what is Puerto Rico,” said Puerto Rican native Nira Forestier. 

Puerto Rico became a United States territory in 1917 and has been a self governing territory of the United States with Commonwealth status since 1952. Giving Puerto Rico statehood to become the 51st state in the United States has been an issue that is still ongoing, with progressive democrats recently advocating for statehood. 

An issue from 1955 once again mentions Utica College’s expansion, this time focusing on its relocation. With the college administration setting a date for a move to what is the current Utica College campus, Strebel confirmed to The Tangerine when this would be taking place.

“All our plans are in the direction of starting the academic year 1960-61 on our new campus,” Strebel said. 

Negotiations for the land began In 1952 when Utica College and St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital expressed interest where the college campus is located today. In 1953, the college and the hospital met and agreed on portions of land they would request for building. That same year, the Governor of New York gave permission for the purchase of land. 

St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital, which can be seen right across the campus, separated by Champlin Ave, is still in operation today. The hospital is now called the St. Luke’s Campus, under the affiliation of Mohawk Valley Health System.

The article ended with “the new campus picture is a bright one, it will bear watching.” With the continuing expansion of Utica College’s campus to this very day, these words remain true 65 years later.