Mansfield University - Carontawan Yearbook (Mansfield, PA)

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CARONTAWAN W. R. STRAUGHN, Ph. D. 22

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ADMINISTRATION

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A Message From President Straughn The classical seminaries from which the old normal schools in Pennsylvania developed, and later teachers colleges, were originally intended to furnish educational opportunities to young people who were remotely removed from colleges. Railroad travel was not easy, highways were almost useless for distant transportation, so that the seminaries served a most useful purpose in the life of the people. The district now served by Mansfield State Teachers College, rather roughly located as being within the Commonwealth north of the mountains near Williamsport, was settled almost wholly by New England stock, back in the days when the State of Connecticut made a claim to all land due west of its boundaries. This stock is still prevalent in the north tier of Pennsylvania, and it was the desire of these people for educational opportunities that led to the establishment of the old classical seminary. In a few years this was organ- ized as a State Normal School, receiving appropriations for the purpose of training- much needed teachers. However, the old normal school continued to function as a place for the education of all young men and women who wished to enter same. Largely for that reason, and because of the distant settlements in the north tier, Mans- field came to have a distinct life in the Commonwealth having almost no competition from other colleges. Then came in recent years the trend of using the state teachers colleges wholly for the purpose of training teachers for the Commonwealth. Now again there is a strong agitation that the teachers colleges shall, particularly in a period of emergency such as now exists, make available their resources to all worthy young men and women who are qualified to enter. The main basis of this argument is that such young men and young women will greatly benefit by this instruction to the advantage of the Commonwealth even though they may never teach. Then, too, we must remember that preparation for teaching is one of the finest preparations for life, re- gardless of profession or avocation. Everywhere throughout Pennsylvania and the nation are hundreds of thousands of successful men and women who received then- entire education in normal schools and teachers colleges. The institution? have rendered a service to the states and nations comparable to any educational program ever fostered, and for that reason are regarded as the colleges of the people, and have a strength which lies in the affections of those who have been helped through their facilities and encouragement. WILLIAM R. STRAUGHN. 23