Eastern Michigan University - Aurora Yearbook (Ypsilanti, MI)

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PRESIDENT L. I-l. JONES HE MICHIGAN STATE NORMAL COLLEGE ranks as a great institution, and its president, Mr. L. H. Jones, belongs in the list of great educators. He has done things, and achievement, which counts in the progress of education, is the test of distinction in the educational world. His career is full of signifi- cant hints for the successful teacher, because it has been characterized by so much that is full of human interest, Mr. Jones was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, and received his early education in the common ' schools of that state. After passing through an academy in Indiana he went east and graduated from the Oswego Normal School. Having tastes for natural science he next enrolled as a student in Harvard under the great Agassiz, who as a boy was reputed to know all about the fishes of western Switzer- land, and as a man all about those of the whole world. From Hair- vard he returned to his native state to take the chair of natural science in the State Normal School at Terre Haute, where he taught four years. From Terr-3 Haute he was called to Indianapolis. hrst to be a teacher in the high school. and then to be principal of the training school. After eight years of service in this positon he was made superintendent of the city. He remained in Indianapolis in this im- portant capacity a ful-l decade, and succeeded during this time in revolutionizing and improving the administration of the schools to such a degree that he and his work became prominent throughout the country. During the last year or so of Mr. Jones' stay in Indianapolis the city of Cleveland was making some very drastic changes in the methods of school government. The old plan of a board of 21 members was superseded by a council of seven, with a director as president who was vested with the power of appointing the superin- tendent. and also of removing him for cause. But the new arrange- ment gave almost equally absolute power to the superintendent, making him alone responsible for the engagement, promotion, and dismissal of teachers, with a tenure of office for life. Questions of grave concern at once presented themselves: Could a law as radical as this be administered to the best interests of education? Wfould the teachers give their conlidence to a super- X intendent with such autocratic authority, and would the politicians be willing to allow him and his power to exist independent of them? When, therefore, in 1894 the city needed a new superintendent, people all over the country agreed that I... H, Jones of Indianapolis was the man best qualified to make the test. and he was chosen. And he succeeded. The schools were lifted to a high plane of effi- ciency: the I,3OO teachers were rallied to a loyal and enthusiastic support of progressive and expert methods: and the politicians were dehed and discomhted. Take it altogether, Mr. Jones' work in Clevelandduring the eight years he was superintendent is one of the most important chapters in the whole history of city education in America, and it has done much to promote important school legis- lationlnot only in Ohio, but in other states also. L D Mr. ,Iones has always been prominent in the educational delibera- tions of the country. In 1896 he was president of the Department of Supermtendence at its meeting in Jacksonville, Florida. He was also a member of the famous Committee of Fifteen, along with such eminent educators as VV. T. Harris, VV. H. Maxwell, C. IZ. Gilbert, and I. M. Greenwood. and since ISQO he has been a member of the National Council of Education. But with all his public and profes- sional duties he has found time to indulge his tastes in various lines of study and research, being particularly well known for his attain- ments in psychology. He has always been a contributor to our leading educational journals, and within the last three years has brought out a series of school readers which is meeting with much favor. As a college president Mr. Jones is only adding to thc lirmr.-rs of his already distinguished career. Personally he is thc most genial of men. His courtesy and patience are unfailing, and his sympathies are broad and generous. He is just as approachable to students as to professors, meeting everybody with an unaffected frankncss that iinds ready response. He is inspiring to work with, and to work for. and such a leader commands good work. His training and experience have made him tolerant in his views, keen in his judgments. surf. in his procedure. He enjoys the confidence of stalf and student- as well as the esteem of people of the city and of the state, and enter- ing as he has so heartily into the educational life of the conznion- wealth he has been able to add new prominence and fame to the work of the Normal College. R. Crvmi Fowl.

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OUR PRESIDENT. L. H. JONES

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