Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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NORMAL OFFERING Be me and After the Fire NORMAL SCHOOL TRAINING SCHOOL TILLINGI-IAST HALL

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12 NORMAL OFFERING and ignited either by the heat or by the possible gnawing of the rats, or ordinary spontaneous combustion may have occurred. Before the smouldering embers of the fire had died out, the work of re-establishing the heating plant was begun under the di- rection of Mr. George H. Varney, Business Agent of the Depart- ment of Education, and Chief Engineer Annis. An emergency ap- propriation of S'p5,000. was made available by the Governor and Council. Under the direction of Mr. John J. Kelly, dean of men, the large basement of Woodward Dormitory and the gymnasium were transferred into- classrooms. On December 17 the boilers were in working order and heat was being given to all of the build- ings. Under the direction of Miss Cora A. Newton, supervisor of training, arrangements were made to double the number of students practicing in their home towns, thus relieving the dormitory situ- ation. A new program was laid out, and on January 5, at the close of the Christmas vacation, the departments of the school reopened in their temporary quarters and all students were back to their studies with a loss of only ten school days, most of which will be made up by June. The loss of equipment in the Normal school building was com- plete, because the building filled with smoke too rapidly to permit the removal of any material. Over twelve thousand books were lost, also the very valuable collections of apparatus and working material which had taken years of effort to gather into shape. The school had to start practically afresh in all departments. The spirit of the faculty and students was so fine that things began at once to take on the old vigor and effectiveness. The year will be completed with very little real loss because of this loyal spirit of all concerned. The plans for the replacement of the buildings were started at once. The Department of Education early selected an architect, and the details for the new buildings were worked out, ready for action by the Legislature at the earliest possible moment. The wonderful responses of the graduates, both individually and as a group, brought material from every side, together with a fund of over 551700, to be used in supplying losses such as the State might not feel willing, or able, to meet. The School looks f'0l'XV2ll'd to new buildings of a modern type, equipped for the best possible professional work. y A. C. BOYDEN.

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IEDITORTAL BOARD!