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

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The Class of Nineteen Hundred Twenty-Six respectfully dedicates this Saxiqena to Coach N. Kerr Thompson With heartfelt expression for the faithful u?ork and seruice which he has rendered for many years to Slippery Rock State Normal School

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History of Slippery Rock State Normal School A S we unfold the curtains of past history, we have before us the founding of the Slippery Rock State Normal School. With James E. Morrow as principal. the lirst term began on March the twenty-sixth, eighteen hundred and eightv-nine. with seven teachers and a student body of one hundred and sixty-eight students. I he grounds were without grass, trees, or walks, being surrounded by a typical old rail fence. This presented a desolate appearance as compared with out beautiful scenic campus with its trees, shrubbery, line lawns, and sidewalks. A wooden building on the present site of the chapel contained the office of the principal, the chapel room, and seven recitation rooms. I he model school at this time was held in a building on New Castle Street. As the spring term of 189? wanes into view, we find the rooms of the present Main Building being used for classes; the lirst floor of the Chapel being used for the Model School. On the morning of May thirteenth, eighteen ninety-five, the boys' dormitory, a frame building which stood on the present site of South Hall, was entirely destroyed by lire. The people of the town opened their homes, and rooms were found for all the students. Another disaster, the following year, which resulted in the destruction of the Chapel, found the students without an assembly hall. During that year and the next, commencement exercises were held in the grove below the school. During the rebuilding of the Chapel, the morning exercises of the school were held in the room now used for the library. Later we find the erection of two beautiful buildings, our present Training School, and the new gymnasium building which i' used as a gymnasium and music hall. In spite of these troublesome times, a rebuilding of our school took place. We underwent a steady growth in numbers, as well as in influence, owing largely to the loyalty of the student body to the best interests of the school. The State was not so liberal in its encouragements of those attending the Normal School; only a small portion of the excuse being borne by the State, the students paying the majority. 11 owe ver. those completing the course received a gift of fifty dollars, but this was withdrawn about nineteen hundred. In nineteen hundred and three, a three year course was adopted: the State agreeing to pay the entire tuition to all those who expressed their intentions of becoming teachers, this later being followed by a three year course in Health Education. As the smoke of the years clears away, we find ourselves undergoing a complete metamorphosis. I he State is now contemplating the adoption of a four year curriculum. which will involve the offering of a degree in the respective courses.