Eastern Michigan University - Aurora Yearbook (Ypsilanti, MI)

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ganized leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Edn- cation. The phenomenal progress of the institution in promi- nence and induence must be attributed in part to the wise supervision of its principals and presidents. Each has con- tributed his best edorts to the building up of the institu- tion. The hrst principal, Adonijah S. XVelch. was followed by David P. Mayhew, 1865-715 Joseph Estabrook, 1871-811. and Dr. Malcolm MacYicar, 1880-81. During the interreg- num which followed the resignation of Dr. MacVicar, Pro- fessor Daniel Putnam served as acting principal for two years. In 18823 Edwin XYillits became principal. At his resignation in 1885, Professor Putnam again resumed the duties of acting-principal until the appointment of John M. B. Sill in 1886. Principal Sill was succeeded in 1893 by Richard G. Boone, who, at the adoption of the new Normal System in 1898, became the first president of the Michigan State Normal Schools. Professor E. A. Lyman has the honor of being the nrst principal under the new regime t1899j. President Boone was followed by Albert Leonard in 1900. After two years of service President Leonard re- signed. and Lewis H. .Tones assumed the duties of presi- dent of the Michigan State Normal College. Qt all these leaders none has rendered it greater service, or has added more to its fame, by sheer force of his own Worth, than he who was last named, President Jones. Thus the pioneer normal school of the West has become the Michigan State Normal College of national reputation. Is not the prophecy uttered by Father', Pierce in his ded- icatory address,- The fruits of this institution must ap- pear in after times, -being realized? Is not the petition of Reverend Reed on that same occasion, that- streams of knowledge may How out from this institution. till they reach all parts of our state and bless every school, every family, and every childi'-being answered? May its fu- ture be crowned with still greater power and fame!

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stroyed by fire in the summer of 1873, and for twenty years only such rooms as were available could be appropri- ated to instruction in physical training. Finally, however. the legislature voted 820,000 for the erection of a building for physical culture. A site was purchased by voluntary subscription and the handsome Gymnasium erected. On May 18, 1891, it was dedicated-a blessing to the schools and teachers of Michigan. It was not until nine years later that the Science Build- ing, a large and substantial structure with splendid equip- ments. was completed at a cost of ?f315,000. A history of the Normal which did not include Stark- weather Hall, would be incomplete. Its location on the campus and its intimate connection with the life of the col- iege, make this a beautiful home of the Students' Christian Association essentially a college building. It was built in 1897-the gift of Mrs. Mary Starlcweather to the Students' Christian Association. ' The grounds upon which these buildings and the athletic helds are located have been increased, largely through the generosity of the citizens of Ypsilanti, until they extend over forty acres. But buildings with their libraries, laboratories, and appa- ratus, and grounds with their athletic fields are not the only things that indicate the progress and efficiency of an insti- tution of learning. The steady growth of its teaching force. the continued increase in its attendance, and the constant development of its courses of study are of still greater sig- nificance. - Xiihen the school opened in 1852, the number of teachers was Eve. In 1880, the number had reached twelve, and in 1902, fifty-three. At present the faculty consists of more than eighty noble men and women who are the life, the immanent spirit of the college. The strengthening of theiteaching staff presupposes a proportional increase in the attendance. During the first term only twenty-seven students attended the school. The average enrollment for the first decade of the existence of the college was two hundred ninety-seven, for the next two decades it averaged three hundred forty-six, from 1880, Eve hundred thirty-seven. The average growth of the following ten years was almost double that of the pre- ceding decade, and up to April 1, 1909, the attendance for the year had reached the high mark of two thousand tive hundred thirty-two. The constant change and development of the courses of study in the Normal College curriculum are the results of experiments. XVhen the school opened in 1853, but two two-year courses, English and Latin, had been adopted. Space does not permit an extended account of this interest- ing phase of the history of the college. Let it suffice to say that radical changes were made in these courses at different times, and that, in 1889 an advanced course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Pedagogy, was provided. Provisions were also made for the degree of Master of Pedagogy. Later. in 189'7, in recognition of the fact that work of col- legiate grade was being done, the legislature Hauthorized the State Board of Education to designate the school, in the courses leading to life certificate and degree, by the name of Michigan State Normal College. In 1903 courses were or-

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PRESIDENT JONES