Slippery Rock University - Saxigena Yearbook (Slippery Rock, PA)

Page 21 text:

History of Slippery Rock State Normal School The organization of Slippery Rock State Normal School grew out of the desire of the people of the town and surrounding community to have a school in their midst in which their children could secure an education without leaving their homes. In the fall of 1887 a plan was formed f« r the erection of a building suitable for an academy, and for providing funds for the support of the school. During this stage of the effort, it was discovered that no Normal School had been established in this, the Kleventh District. At once the scope of their efforts was widened to include the larger enterprise and stock was sold to the amount of almost S20.000. During the summer of 1888 and the following winter, land was procured and three frame buildings were erected—a chapel and two dormitories. Application was made to the Department of Public Instruction for the recognition of the school as the State Normal School of the Kleventh District. The first day of February was set as the date for the inspection of the buildings by the State, and the following persons were appointed members of the Inspection Committee: Superintendent of Public Instruction E. K. Iligbee, Hon. S. H. Miller, of Mercer: Col. Silas Marlin, of Brookville; Hon. William McNair, of il City, together with the City and County Superintendents of the district. The day dawned bright and fair as if in prophecy of the successful culmination of the enterprise to which the energies of the community had been directed lor many months. The forenoon was spent in showing the visitors and the Inspection Committee through the buildings. hen noon came, the doors of the dining room were thrown open and the tables were occupied, reset, and refilled until all who wished to do so had eaten, without money and without price. At one thirty the crowd assembled to hear the decision of the Inspection Committee. When the announcement was made of the acceptance of the school as the State Normal School of the Eleventh District. Governor Heaver said that he favored this largely because of the supreme faith of the people in what they had accomplished. 'I'lie next step in its organization was the formulation of a board of trusties. 'Pile following persons were elected to represent the stockholders: George Maxwell. J. K. Bard, T. S. Coulter. John C. Kerr. H. P. Griffith, Dr. A. M. Patterson. T. F. Patton. Dr. C. W. Bard. Lewis Patterson. Ncyman Christley, William Kauffman, and Benjamin Pearson. The members appointed to represent the State were John F. Dravo and J. Sharp Wilson, of Beaver: R. B. Scandrett and R. 1). McGonigle. of Allegheny, and John M. Greer and Thomas Robinson, of Butler. The Board of Trustees met and organized by electing George Maxwell President, C. W. Bard Secretary, and W. Henry Wilson Treasurer. The fol- 17

Page 20 text:

7

Page 22 text:

in lowing persons were elected members of the faculty : James E. Morrow, Principal, 1. M. McClymonds, I. X. Moore, J. C. Ricketts. . A. Peer, and Maude Bingham. During the tirst term of the school, beginning March 20, 1889, the enrollment reached one hundred sixty-eight. The charges f«»r boarding, room and tuition were $150 for the year of forty-two weeks, of which sum the State paid $21 as State Aid. However, each student, upon graduation, received S50 from the State. The Course of Study included only two years of work with no subjects elective. 'Pile ancient languages required were preparatory Latin and the first twenty-nine chapters of Caesar. The only Natural Sciences contained in the course were Physiology. Botany and Physics. About 1900, the course of study was revised and extended to include another year of work. Additional work was introduced in Latin and Mathematics, and the natural sciences. German and French were added as electives. The first class was graduated in this course in 1903. In 1910. the course was extended to include four years of work. The additions made consisted largely in the extension of the time devoted to some of the subjects and in the introduction of a greater amount of work in general and special methods. These changes brought about a better correlation between the Normal Schools and High Schools and also between Normal Schools and Colleges. At a recent conference of the Colleges and Normal Schools held under the auspices of the State Teachers’ Association it was recommended that graduates of the Normal Schools be admitted to Sophomore standing in colleges. The class which graduated in 1913 consisted of two divisions, the one constituting the last class in the three years' course and the other the first class in the four years’ course. I'ntil 1916 the management of the school was by a Board of Trustees, a part of whom were elected by the stockholders and the others appointed by the State. At that time the State purchased the interest of the stockholders and assumed entire control, through a Board of Trustees consisting of nine members appointed by the State Board of Education. At present the Board of Trustees consists of Clyde C. Green, of Beaver Falls: James A. Galbreath, of Butler: ). K. Bingham, of Slippery Rock; John A. Gibson, of Butler; Joseph II. Grandey. of Rochester; Charles H. Kline, of Pittsburgh: Samuel C. McGarvey. of Bridgeville; T. Plummer Mifflin, of North Washington; Ray P. Wilson, of Slippery Rock. 'Phe first Principal. Doctor James E. Morrow, served until July 1. 1890. At this time Doctor Albert K. Maltby was elected Principal and served twnety-six years, ending his term of service July 1. 1°16. During the present school year, the school has been under the direction of Prof. I. X. Moore, as Acting Principal. The faculty which at first consisted of six has grown with the development of the school until it now numbers twenty-five members. 18