Ohio University - Athena Yearbook (Athens, OH)

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I The College of Liberal Arts Recently a conference of twenty leading educators was held to discuss the existing educational system. There was unanimous agreement that the present system failed abso- lutely in training youth to meet the real problems of life and that therefore it was fun- damentally wrong in principle. But unfortunately there was little agreement as to what are the real problems of life , and no agreement as to what substitute should take the place of the present system How much simpler life would be if water and bread were the only substances man . could use as a diet, and the exact quantity prescribed by divine revelation, and if in the intellectual life a similar rev- elation had outlined the course of study inevitably leading to culture and the solution of the real problems of life . Life would be simpler, but not so interesting. The aim of the College of Liberal Arts is to give the stu- dent an acquaintance with the civilization of the past and the present, with the sciences that have made man the master of the earth and sky. with the things of nature and the nature of things, with the arts that feed the soul with beauty. A liberal education should free one from herd opinion, super- stition ond fear, and should give one self-mastery, the power of self-analysis, suspended judgment, and urbanity. Even if the student has decided upon his life work, he will do well to lay broad foundations before specializing. It may be advisable to defer the selection of one ' s major interest until the junior year, for college life may well be a voyage of self-discovery. To have a harmonious development of all one ' s powers is more important than the excessive development of any one power. DEAN EDWIN WATTS CHUBB [16]

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D OCTOR ELMER BURRITT BRYAN is completing his eleventh year as president of Ohio University These eleven years mark a period of growth and development which easily place the institution among the leading uni- versities of the country. An increased enrollment this year, in the face of financial strain, can only be interpreted as a vote of confidence in the integrity of the institution Through these months of crisis. President Bryan has shown himself an educational statesman Not once has he allowed his vision to be blurred by material pressures When the educational history of these times IS written, the practical idealism of our president will place his name high among the outstanding educators of our country. [15]

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The College of Education The College of Education is completing the thirtieth year of its existence, having been established by legislative action in 1902 Although more than one hundred years younger than other parts of Ohio Uni- versity, its vigorous growth has enabled it to take its place as one of the substantial parts of the institution. This rela- tively new activity of the Uni- versity has developed rapidly in a field where definite prep- aration for one of the great professions was recognized as a distinct need The establishment of higher standards in the profession of teaching, society ' s recognition of the necessity for larger edu- C3tion3l facilities for youth, the growing demand for pro- fessionally prepared teachers, and other factors gave a strong impetus to the rapid develop- ment of the new college with- in the University The steady growth in standards, the in- crease in the number of stu- dents, the careful selection of a superior faculty, and recognition by state and national accrediting agencies have allowed the College of Education to take its place as a strong factor in the work of the University The College of Education expects its graduates to become familiar with various fields of basic academic knowledge as well as to make thorough preparation in professional studies Accurate and careful mastery is stressed by all departments of the College. Without this accuracy in knowledge, thoroughness in teaching cannot be secured The College of Education of Ohio University exists primarily for the purpose of preparing young men and women to become teachers. Its grad- uates with their backgrounds of preparation and student-teaching experience leave the University ready to enter the profession under very favorable cir- cumstances. DEAN THOMAS COOKE McCRACKEN [17]