Photo by Deb Gau Paul Sorenson, a member of the SMSU graduating class of 1972, shared a photo of himself in his Mustang baseball uniform.

MARSHALL — Homecoming is traditionally a time when alumni of Southwest Minnesota State University meet up. One gathering held this weekend stood out because it brought together members of one of the university’s earliest graduating classes.

On Saturday, the SMSU class of 1972 held its 50th reunion. Class members attended a reception at SMSU’s Alumni Heritage Gallery, and shared some memories of their time at college.

The class of ’72 was only the second class to graduate after SMSU was founded. A lot has changed since then, alumni said.

“This is my first time back in 50 years,” said alumnus Ron Stock. “The campus has changed a little bit.”

The university campus was still taking shape when the class of 1972 alumni were there. Alumni said classes were held in the central academic building. Some of the residence halls were still under construction when students arrived.

While looking around the Heritage Gallery, Mike Kraemer recognized his old residence hall in a construction photo. He said there were sheets of plastic on the outside of the building for the first two months he lived there. Kraemer and other alumni also remembered how some of the dorm room furniture hadn’t yet arrived when students moved in.

“We had two bunk beds and nothing else,” Kraemer said of his room. He and his roommate ended up building an improvised desk. Kraemer said the situation didn’t bother him, though. “It was all part of the adventure.”

The late 1960s and early 70s were a turbulent time, and some alumni also shared memories of being involved in protests and student political action. Jim DeSchepper said he participated in a Vietnam War protest in Marshall that led to many students getting arrested. There were more people arrested than could fit in the jail, he said.

“I believe I got a $5 fine,” DeSchepper said.

University students were politically active in other ways, too. Stock recalled speaking out against proposed college tuition increases, as part of the Student Liberal Action Movement.

“We were able to stop tuition being raised at that time with a proactive approach,” Stock said. Students organized a phone bank, and urged parents of SMSU students to contact their legislators about not increasing tuition, he said. “We were talking to parents all through the state.”

Alumni also remembered taking part in school activities and athletics. Kraemer played on the first Mustang football team. Paul Sorenson shared memories of playing baseball.

Sorenson pitched the first winning baseball game in the university’s history, in 1971. The Mustangs had a 23-22 victory over Willmar Community College. He said he also pitched the Mustangs’ first conference win that year.

Sorenson said he planned to donate memorabilia, including his college letter jacket, to the university for the Alumni Heritage Gallery.

Paul and his wife Janet (Holmberg) Sorenson, a 1973 SMSU alumna, said the sense of community was one of the good things about the university.

“Because it was so small, people really did get to know each other,” Janet Sorenson said.

“You knew everyone, or you recognized them if you didn’t know them,” Paul Sorenson said. Sorenson said the friendships he made with his Mustang teammates have lasted the past 50 years. “We still stay in contact.”