Ice Carnival: Ice Sculpture

I'm not sure when Ice Sculpture became an Ice Carnival event.  I was in Potsdam for the 1988-1991 Ice Carnivals and never saw this event as we never had enough snow!  When looking at Ice Carnival from 1930-1960 I didn't see any mention of Ice Sculpture until 1961.  In the 60s and maybe the early 70s they allowed paint on the sculptures, but by 1977 "no paint" was part of the official rules.

These photos are amazing....and I'm not even done looking through the yearbooks!  Each year had a specific theme.  Another great spot for old photos is this album on the Clarkson Flickr account.

1960s

1962 - Phi Delta first place

Zeta 1962

1967

1961 or 62, Phi K

OPiO 1969

1970

1971

1973

AEPi: "From "the gang that couldn't shoot straight".
It is a six shooter with a bent barrel and a face for a grip!"

1976

Alpha Chi Rho 1975 Fire

At 7am on December 20th, 1975, a heat sensor system sounded the fire alarm at the Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity house at 77 Elm Street. The fire became too much for the fire department and it spread to a nearby house. 

The house was leveled from the fire which was later found to be caused by a faulty furnace.  

"The great Crow fire.  As I recall it was about 33 or so below zero that AM.  It was darned cold, didn't take long for the water to refreeze on the (still burning) house, or what was left of it." - Bill Barott

"Took about 20 minutes to go from a house to a charred pile" - Carl Partridge

Sorority Rush Though the Years

Years ago there was one sorority rush in Potsdam, for one school.  Then in 1972 Clarkson girls were allowed to rush State sororities, so there was still one rush but for two schools.  Even after the first Clarkson sorority (Phi Sigma Sigma) was founded in 1977 there was still one rush, and Phi Sig even took a State pledge in 1978 "in recognition of the tradition which has always integrated the women of both schools."

In 1984 Clarkson had 2 sororities and started their own rush, separate from the SUNY Potsdam sororities.  Here are some highlights of how sorority rush has changed over the years.

Spring '88 rush party at Omega
(that's me at the bottom middle of the photo, staring straight into the camera)