Bloomsburg University - Obiter Yearbook (Bloomsburg, PA)

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i1ll«3i355 CI B II T IE school grew under his guidance. The Model School (Needing Hall) and the east wing of the dormitory were built during his time as principal. When Dr. Waller resigned in 1890 to become State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the school was in a prosper- ous condition. Dr. Judson P. Welsh served as principal of the Bloomsburg Literary In- stitute and State Normal School from 1890 to 1906. During his administration the gymnasium and an addition to the four-story dormitory were built. Science Hall, built from plans made by Dr. D. S. Hartline, was completed in 1906, just after Dr. Welsh ' s resignation. Dr. D. [. Waller, Jr., responded a second time to the summons of the trustees, and returned as principal until 1920, when he retired from active duty. He was succeeded by Dr. Charles H. Fisher, who came to the school from the State Department of Public In- struction. His principalship extended from 1920 to 1923. It was in 1920 that the State purchased the school and changed the name to the Bloomsburg State Normal School, dropping the Bloomsburg Literary Institute. During Dr. Fisher ' s administration ex- tension courses were instituted and the Bloomsburg public schools were opened to the teacher training service of the Normal School. Dr. G. C. L. Riemer, also from the State Department of Public Instruction, followed Dr. Fisher and served until 1927. The State Council of Education of June 4, 1926, authorized the State Normal School to confer the degree B. S. in Education to graduates of four-year courses in Elementary Education and in Junior High School Education. May 13, 1927, the Council changed the name to State Teachers College at Bloomsburg. Dr. Francis B. Haas, also a former State Superintendent of Public Instruction, suc- ceeded Dr. Riemer in |uly, 1927, and is now serving as president of the institution. During the administration of Dr. Haas the curricula offered by the college were en- riched by the establishment of a Commercial Department under the direction of Pro- fessor H. A. Andruss. Today we can point with pride at the College on the Hill, ' knowing that for nearly a hundred years it has played an active part in the most wonderful work of the world, education. Eighteen

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119)35: bell for the tower was purchased with $1200 secured through popular subscription raised by three members of the first class at the new school — D. J. Waller, Jr., George E. Elwell, and Charles Unangst. The first faculty comprised Professor Carver, teacher of mathematics and the higher English branches; Reverend J. R. Dimm, teacher of Latin and Greek; and Miss Sarah Carver, teacher of the lower English branches. In the autumn of 1867, James P. Wickersham, then State Superintendent of Public Instruction, was traveling through Bloomsburg on the train. He saw the new school on the hill ablaze with lights, and thought the location of the Literary Institute would be ideal for a State Normal School. Negotiations were begun, and in 1868 at a meeting in which Mr. Wickersham addressed the citizens of Bloomsburg, it was decided that under the act of 1857 a normal school could be established. Consequently, a dormitory was built at a cost of $36,000. On February 19, 1S69, the school was recognized as a State Normal School, combined with the Literary Institute. In September of that year, there were 150 students enrolled in the Normal Department and 80 in the Model School. Principal Carver left in 1871. Charles G. Barkley, Esq., a former county superin- tendent of schools, acted as principal from December, 1871, to March, 1S72. His suc- cessor was the Reverend Hewitt, rector of the Bloomsburg Episcopal Church. He served as principal until June, 1873. Dr. T. L. Griswold was then principal until 1877. Those early years were trying ones, full of disappointments and hardships. Subscriptions were hard to collect, and often the trustees met obligations on their personal responsibility. Another blow came in 1875, when the dormitory was completely destroyed by fire. However, the trustees and people who had faith and confidence in the school again furnished money, and in 1876 a larger and handsomer building, the original part of the present Waller Hall, was built. In spite of the adverse circumstances the school began paying expenses during Dr. Griswold ' s administration. In the fall of 1877, Dr. D. J. Waller, Jr., became principal. For thirteen years the CO) m II IE Rare view of Waller Hail after the disastrous fire of 1875. Sci ciiuen

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11 1 35 5i ]|[ T IE Greedngs and Congratulations to the Class of 1935 It has been a great pleasure and a satisfaction to have observed the steady progress and the fine character of the Chiss of 1935. The Col- lege appreciates your many contributions to the development of our Community Activities Association. I congratulate you upon your suc- cess and hope that you will remember that at Bloomsburg the latch- string will always hang outside the door. Sincerely, J t Hf-4)UA- President. Kincltt