UK's World War Two Veterans

Anticipating a dramatic post-war World War Two enrollment increase, UK Dean of Women Sarah Bennett Holmes warned in 1946 that as the university worked to provide for the returning men veterans it must also assure that women students are not overlooked.  Dean Holmes had been very involved in numerous activities on the home front in support of the war effort and, like all UK administrators, wanted to do everything possible to support the education of returning veterans.  But she was also determined to make sure that women students, some of whom were veterans themselves, had equal access to UK during this disruptive moment in higher education.

Writing to President Herman Donovan she argued that, "I cannot help but wonder if the doors are closing for women students at our co-educational institutions.  It is a short-sighted policy to provide educational benefits for veterans at the expense of women.  More women than ever are applying for entrance to institutions of higher learning.  Some people are saying let women wait their turn.  There is no turn in higher education for women.  The veterans' pressure will be felt perhaps five or ten years.  Women cannot wait until this pressure is reduced."

An influx of returning veterans did begin to enroll at UK following the war.  During the first term of the 1947 summer quarter enrollment reached 3,897.  A total of 2,591 veterans (2,541 men and 50 women) enrolled that summer comprising 67% of the student body.  Forty-two percent of the veterans, (1,091) were married and 403 of them had a total of 500 children.

To begin to meet the married students' housing needs the university opened Cooperstown alongside Woodland Avenue.  The 334 prefabricated Cooperstown homes were funded by the federal government.

Cooperstown

UK also bought temporary military barracks and placed them on campus to house both women and men students and to provide space for an additional dining hall.  

Women's temporary housing on the present site of
Holmes Hall at the Avenue of Champions and Limestone.

UK supported the returning veterans from World War Two and continues to support veterans today to help them complete their educations and become successful in their chosen fields..