Shirk Hall will be torn down this summer. The building was constructed and has been on Pitt State University's campus since 1958. It was initially developed as a men's dormitory. For four men, it was the place where they met and became lifelong friends. Ron Cattelino, Larry McAulay, Arthur (Art) Green, and David Norgard lived in Shirk at different times from 1966 to 1973.
Pittsburg State University was known as Kansas State College of Pittsburg when the four men attended the university.
The men are now in their sixties and seventies and have remained friends.
Art Green said it's remarkable that he can still remember the names of the people he went to school with almost sixty years ago.
"I was thinking that the way we started, former residents, all assistance we kept, a friendship, a brotherhood going on for many years," he explained.
The 1960 and 1970s were difficult to be in America – especially as a young male college student. While they were residents at Shirk, two prominent political and social figures in American History were shot within the same year.
After winning the California Primary, Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles, and Martin Luther King Jr was shot while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.
Pittsburg, Kansas, held a peaceful march after MLK's assassination.
The U.S. was also in the Vietnam War, which was in the back of everybody's minds at Shirk, as they were in the drafting age. Art explained how their experience reflected what every college-age student was going through at the time.
"Because there was a constant buzz of something going on, and during that period, 1966 through 1970, I think we were just a microcosm of what was going on in the nation," he said.
According to Larry McAulay, one of the more joyful experiences they witnessed at Shirk was watching the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.
It was a turbulent time for Civil Rights and minority populations. But as Larry said – that didn't stop them from having spirited but respectful conversations.
"I can remember having speakers on campus where it didn't matter if that person was someone you agreed with. We were there to learn and to listen and engage in dialog. And we need more of that in today's world."
David Norgard agreed – saying living in Shirk helped broaden his worldview.
"I didn't come from a background with a lot of college. So, for me, it was a major eye-opening event to go there and see and relate to people who were approaching life in the way they did," said Norgard.
David and Larry were roommates and often stayed up late drinking – bad coffee. Both reminisced on their time living together.
"There was always a coffee pot on. And it was an old percolator kind of coffee. I don't think it was probably delicious coffee, Dave, but it kept us awake when we'd study and have some all-nighters," said Larry.
The four men lived on different floors throughout their time living there.
Last year, PSU made plans to demolish Shirk as part of the direction to reduce buildings that were not optimizing space or had infrastructure needs that surpassed the Kansas Board of Regents' maintenance capacity.
The Vice President of Advancement at PSU, Kathleen Flannery, gave the former residents a final tour of Shirk before its demolition. Ron, Larry, Art, and another college friend were impressed with the treatment they received from her department and the students.
Art reminisced about how everything was basically the same in their dorms. He remembered the mundane days of getting his mail after class and returning to his dorm.
They were greeted in Russ Hall with free t-shirts and had a chance to eat in the dining hall. Ron Cattlelino said there was a buzz going on campus about how helpful the students were.
"There are these four old guys, you know. There must be something lost or something. It was the students and staff. Many in the buildings would say, "Can I help you?" he adds.
As the four men explained their college experience, their love for their friendship and Shirk was palpable. They relied on each other and Shirk during a time of political tensions. Art said their time at Shirk was 'something special.'
"We value the limited experiences that we share by living in Shirk Hall and having the relationships and camaraderie we did. And the fact that we're still alive," Art added.
Copyright 2025 KRPS. To see more, visit Four States Public Radio.
