Missouri State University - Ozarko Yearbook (Springfield, MO)

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A MESSAGE EIQDM THE DIQESIDENT EDUCATION AS AN AMERICAN IDEAL HE FOUNDERS of our National Government were men of great parts, a race of intellectual giants reared in the favor of Providence to meet the unparalleled needs of their day. The eloquent declarations of Washington, of Jefferson, of Madison and their colleagues were no idle phrases culled from the pages of rhetoric. They were burning sentiments forged in fervid heat upon the anvils of their own souls. The framers of our constitu- tion recognized the ideal of free and universal public education as the very corner stone of our political and social order. Our free public schools are the power houses of American civilization. Probably the most fundamental principle of democracy is the ideal of equal opportunity to all. In this respect our public schools fall far short of the great American ideal. The child does not choose his place of birth yet his destiny, in so far as his chance of securing an education is concerned, may, in large measure, be determined by the locality in which he is born. It may be but a river. a highway, or even the surveyor's imaginary line which marks the division between vastly differing levels of educational opportunity. The educational interests of the state are broader than the boundaries of distinct lines or even county lines. Let not the wealthy and complacent community draw the cloak of self-righteousness about it and protest any responsibility for educa- tional opportunity in less fortunate localities. Mere possession of a superiority complex did not protect proud Rome from the onslaught of her less cultured neighbors. In the seats of justice and in the halls of legislation this state will be at the mercy of the democracy of tomorrow. It rests with us to determine whether our posterity shall be governed in wisdom and justice or whether the destiny of the state shall be that of ignorance and violence. l20l

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sr, CANDLER RATHBONE SEWALL COVERT SKINKER LINNEY THE IBDAIQD UF IQEGENTS HE BOARD OF REGENTS is composed of six members appointed by the Governor of Missouri, with the State Superintendent of Schools an ex- oflicio member. Two members are appointed every two years, with ratification by the State Senate, each serving a term of six years. ' The following constitute the Board for this year and due to their sympathetic cooperation with President Ellis and the Faculty, the College is making great progress. W. G. RATHBONE, Springfield - President of Board W. S. CANDLER, Mountain Grove - - Vice-President W. I. BAKER, Springfield - - - Secretary and Auditor DORTHY RADLE, Springfield - ---- Treasurer ROY ELLIS, Springfield - - - - - President of College C. E. CovERT, Houston W. J. SEWALL, Carthage MRS. W. B. LINNEY, Springfield C. H. SKINKER, Bolivar CHARLES A. LEE, Jefferson City. ex-officio .l19l

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ROY ELLIS, AB., A.M Our President 'I'2lI