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Page 31 text:
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(iur PrFhtatnrir Age EVERY institution that is truly great had its real beginning in some- body ' s visions, lived first in somebody ' s heart ; and no matter how massive the dark stone walls and red tiled roofs of the Harrisonburg Normal now, it was just a little while ago only a castle in the air. When, last October, the Board of Trustees met at the school and for the first time looked upon their work and found it good, the eyes of strong men were dim as they grasped hands and rejoiced together over dreams come true. But mere dreaming could never have wrought this achievement. While enjoying the results, we are apt to forget the struggle previous to the foundation of such a school, and the strong, persistent effort required to build up an institution. Let us, therefore, go back and, with the aid of the facts and figures so carefully filed away in the office, review that part of the brief but intensive history of the Harrisonburg Normal School that dates before its beginning. The need of such a school was fundamental. The general public awoke to the necessity of bringing the school into touch with the life of the people. The child must be taught how to live in order to contribute and give back to society at large what society has given to him. For this, professionally trained teachers are absolutely necessary. Virginia came to realize that she must have more and better teachers every year. By actual calculation it was found that fifteen hundred new teachers are now required annually. It was clear that one normal school, however strong, could not supply this demand. Then too, little by little, the State came to believe that she had not bsea quite fair to her daughters in the matter of higher education. Realizing these things, the people of Virginia, through their represen- tatives in the General Assembly, by an Act approved March 4, 1908. provided for the establishment of this State Normal and Industrial School at Harrisonburg. Two years earlier that body had appointed a committee to travel over the State inspecting locations. This committee had been very favorably impressed with Harrisonburg, and had recommended it, together with other possible sites. We must not think, however, that appropriations for this school were obtained without struggle. Some men were hard to convince ; the State was torn with many pressing claims for money ; and for a while the result —23-
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