Yearbooks at Webster University

Webster published a yearbook from 1924 through 1969 (except for 1934 when none was published). Links to the digitized versions are provided below. Note that some of these archived materials include content which may be highly offensive by today's standards. The university administration's statement on this content may be found at the bottom of this page.

 

1920s: 1924 | 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929

 

1930s: 1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939

 

1940s: 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949

 

1950s: 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959

 

1960s: 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969

 

About the yearbooks

Webster published a yearbook from 1924 through 1969 (except for 1934 when none was published). For most of these years the publication was called the Lauretanum and included the traditional types of features: photographs and information on social activities, athletics, personnel and students, etc.  

 

 

In 1967, the students issued a very different publication, the Webster College Non-Yearbook, which coincided with the institution's groundbreaking transfer of ownership to a lay board. Besides reprinting article excerpts from the student newspaper, this volume included photographs, cartoons, graphic art, and quotations. The book was accompanied by sound recordings of various students, faculty and staff.

   

 

The following year's "yearbook" was the Yearbook in a Box, an actual box with various components, including posters, a board game, a spinning wheel of photographs, brochures, and a jigsaw puzzle.The class of 1968 also issued a paperback yearbook with group photos of the seniors.

 

   

For 1968-1969, another non-traditional yearbook appeared which measured 16" by 6" (40.5cm x 15cm). It featured photographs interspersed with quotations.

 

Archive collections may contain offensive materials

For archival purposes, Webster University preserves historical photos, documents, yearbooks and student newspapers. Scholars can access these materials to research past events at the institution and explore the context surrounding those events. Some of these materials include content which may be highly offensive by today's standards. The photos and language in the materials published decades ago are reflective of the values and standards deemed acceptable at that time. Today many of us will find this content offensive and unacceptable.

 

Some of the content in historical photos, documents, yearbooks, and student newspapers is abhorrent and appalling, and we openly reject biased and racist views. We also acknowledge that it is part of our history, which is why we are preserving these offensive photos, documents and publications and letting them remain in their original forms. As an academic institution committed to critical analysis, we must honestly recognize these troubling views. To deny this history would be dishonest. We must shed light on past injustices and errors, analyze all the evidence, acknowledge how far we have evolved, and identify how much more needs to be accomplished in order to attain true equity and inclusion for our community.