Illinois State Normal University - Index Yearbook (Normal, IL)

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The lndex. I5 Lack of space compels us to speak briefly and only in a general way about the various changes that have been made during the past years. The tirst noteworthy change in the Normal was the removing of the old desks and replacing them with new ones. In 1989 the steam boilers were 'removed from the basement and placed in the Engine House which had been constructed for that purpose. For a number of years a need of more room was greatly felt. The attendance had been so large that the old building was more than crowded. Model school classes were taught in gloomy rooms of the basement. in corners. under stairways-anywhere. Through the energetic eiforts of President Cook and others, the legislature of IHHI ap- propriated iiiltitilitl for a training school building. This was begun in the tall of IHEPI. and completed for occupancy at the beginning of the spring term following. During the summer of ,lH5l2 the old building underwent a siege of much needed re- pair. and during the fall term the kerosene lamps were replaced by electric lights. The library tirst occupied the narrow hall west of the assembly room: each society had a library in its own hall: later all the books were shelved in a single room on the first floor, but now two large. commodious. well lighted rooms are set apart for library purposes. By reference to another article in this book Qpage ei it will be seen that there is in process of erection a beautiful building which shall contain the library. the museum. and the gymnasium. During the summer and fall of lfiiifi the heating system of the main building was changed at an expense of i?T.UliU. The creaking steam pipes were removed and the build- ing is now heated by the Studyyant Fan system. The popularity of the school is evidenced by the steady increase in attendance, the last annual enrollment being 1,372 different students. The high school department,which afforded an excellent opportunity to prepare tor college was discontinued in June, 1894.

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John W. Cook, President

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io The Index. This was done in order to malie tl1e Normal a more thoroughly professional school. On the discontinuance of the high school, the work heretofore done in that department be- came a part of the regular four years course in the normal department. ln recent years many definite changes have been made in tl1e Work of the school. The two most important are the increase of professional Work and jthe introduction of science work into the model department. The Normal University is now recognized as the leading professional school for teachers in the United States. Additions have been made to the faculty as necessity demanded until now the corps of instructors numbers twenty. iff 'Wi lllll Z2