Clarion University of Pennsylvania - Sequelle Yearbook (Clarion, PA)

Page 10 text:

Editorial Kind readers, for the first time tlie Senior Class of tlie Clarion State Normal brings for the consideration of the Alumni and friends of the School, the Sequelle. Within these pages you will find little that is classical and nothing that is origin- al. Our aim has been to give you a volume written in very expressive, but by no means elegant, language of the average student, which would give you a record of our class, and perhaps some insight into the life of the school, of which we form a part. In the preparation of this work there are many to whom thanks are due. The Alumni and Faculty have rendered no little assistance. Without the aid of liberal advertisers the financial part of the work would have failed. United class ef- fort was stronger here than in any other undertaking. If the book proves a success the credit is due to a class as a whole and not to a few individuals, even though there was a distinct editorial staff. Trusting the Sequelle will be received in the proper spirit, we send it forth. Editor-in-Ohief.

Page 9 text:

Dr. J. George Becht, Principal of the Clarion State Nor- mal School, was born in Montoursville, Pa. He received his early education in the borough schools of that place and at the Lycoming County Normal School. He graduated from Lafay- ette College in 1890, and he has taken graduate work in Har- vard and Columbia universities. For more than twenty-five years, Dr. Becht has been close- ly identified with educational work. At the age of fifteen he began his teaching career in the rural schools of Lycoming County. After leaving college he was made assistant principal of the Lycoming County Normal School and the following year he was made its principal. Under his leadership the school increased in attendance, influence and effectiveness. In 1893 he was unanimously elected County Superinten- dent of the Lycoming County Schools. He was reelected for three succeeding terms, being the only one in the educational history of that eounf v to be honored with a fourth term. As a superintendent, his work was of the highest character, consci- entious, inspiring and most able, and under his regime the schools of the county made commendable advancement- Dr. Becht did not sacrifice scholarly tastes and studious habits to the routine work of the superintendency. He was alert and progressive and kept in touch with the best educa- tional thought of the day. He was recognized as one of the foremost superintendents in the State. In 190.3 he resigned the superintendency to become the head of the Department of Psychology and Pedagogy at the West Chester Normal School. He is a good teacher in the best acceptation of the word. He is tactful, forceful and resource- ful, and his work in the school room early demonstrated that he belonged to the noble few born to teach. His strong per- sonality and scholarly tastes splendidly fit him for the class room. After teaching in the West Chester Normal School for one year. Dr. Becht was unanimously elected to the principalship of the Clarion State Normal School. This position he now ably and acceptably fills. Dr. Becht ' s services are constantly in demand for insti- tute work. He is a helpful, enthusiastic, and practical speak- er, and his admirable personal qualities especially fit him for this line of work. Teachers recognize in him a friend — a teach- er talking to teachers — and they are never disappointed in the message of hope and inspiration which he brings them. As a citizen he takes a keen interest along all lines of civic progress. He is a student of men as well as of books and his Innate courtesy and fine sympathy win for him friends wherever he goes. He takes an active interest in the Christian Association work of the school, and he is closely identified with the church work of the town- The host of students — those who come to finish the course and those who come for a single spring term only — all yield to his superior leadership, and give due honor to his worth. The qualities, the characteristics of a man, those emana- tions which proclaim the true, generous soul, free from all nar- rowness and pedantry, are recognized at once in Dr. Becht, proclaiming him a most pleasing and inspiring personality. In the words of Hamlet, Take him for all and all, he is a man.

Page 11 text:

Athletic Editor, William Dotteeeer, John Baxter. Frances Davis, Bessie M. Dbiscoll, Perry A. Beck. Francis Heim, Assistant Business Manager, Lawrence W. Zuendel. Associate Editor, Pansy P. Griffin. Literary Committee, Pearl L. Jaycox, AVALYN M. KiSER, Marian K. Leeger, Ina Nason, Tone Nelson, Literary Chairman, Charles A. Anderson. J. Blaine Ogden, R. Wayne Richards, Elizabeth S. Sloan, Madge E. Timlin, Vesta B- Warner.