Western Illinois University - Sequel Yearbook (Macomb, IL)

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VVALTER P. MORGAN PRESIDENT WTSQ? N the year 1899 was founded the Western Illinois State Normal School, the 'U youngest normal school in the State. During that year the state legislature 51 , Q V55 M' ' made an appropriation to start the erection of the fifth normal school of Illinois, to be located somewhere near the center of the Military Tract. However, it was not until late in the year of 1900, that Macomb was finally selected as the favored city. b The work of securing additional appropriations was difiicult, and as a result the school was not to be opened until September 23, 1902. At that time only the first Hoor was avail- able for class work. The finishing touches were not added to the building until 1906, when the general assembly granted an appropriation of sufficient size to complete the beautiful edifice we have to-day. V To John W. Henninger fell the dignity of acting as first president and launching the school on its career. The faculty consisted of only fifteen members, the enrollment for the first year in all departments was considerably less than five hundred. FIFTEEN

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e Board of Trustees FRANUCIS G. BLAIR, En:-Officio SPRINGFIELD C. W. FLACK, President Q MACOBIB JOAB GREEN CARTHAGE S. W. TALIAFERRO RosEviLLE L. J. MCCREERY RUSHVILLE ALBERT EADS Treasurer Board of Trustees LTACOMB SAMUEL O. PEARCE QUINCY Fortunate indeed is our institution in being administered to by such an efficient and capable Board of Trustees. The interest of every member of the Board is shown in the cooperation that exists between the administrative body and the faculty and students of the school. To the above members do we gladly devote this page. FOURTEEN

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The steady growth of the school since 1902 is highly indicative of its accomplishments and progress. The faculty now numbers thirty-seven, while the total enrollment for the past year is over thirteen hundred. , President Henninger resigned in 1906 and the du- ties of the president were assumed by the Hon. Alfred Bayliss, who had just completed a successful term as y State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Under l his charge many changes took place: the course of study was altered for the better, two new departments, Domestic Science and Manual Training, were added, , and Correspondence Work was begun. This last de- partment has developed into Extension Work which is now one of the strongest phases of the curriculum and is a fitting monument to Mr. Bayliss, to whose un- tiring efforts the instigation of the work is due. This year the number of extensioneand correspondence stu- dents has exceeded the number in attendance. President Bayliss' sudden death as the result of in- juries sustained from being thrown from a horse lin the summer of 1911, cast a gloom over the entire state, for his noble work, long recognized by all edu- cational circles, was just beginning to bear fruit. As time passes we are almost daily brought into contact and appreciation with some of the great and good things of life which is largely due to the inspiration of Mr. Bayliss. Mr. John E. McGilvrey, then acting as supervisor of the- Training School, was elected president. The keen, sagacious foresight and broad, genial personality of this man have given him a permanent place in our memory. In 1912, owing to a previous engagement as president of the Kent, Ohio, Normal, Mr. McGilvrey resigned his position here and fol- lowed by our admiration and fidelity, left to assume his new duties at Kent, Ohio. Since the summer of 1912 Mr. Walter P. Morgan has acted in the capacity of presi- dent. As to the results of his endeavors there is no question. His executive ability, his hearty cooperation, and his high standards are characteristics for which he and the institu- tion will ever be cherished. Here every phase of life necessary for the full development of the student is given ample scope. Athletics has been worked up to a high degree of efficiency. Each student is able to participate and develop himself physically. The work of the literary societies has grown stronger within the last few years, also the work in dramatics. A large open air theater has been constructed in the ravine and here in the summer the students are given the opportunity of seeing the best in dramatics as por- trayed by the best artists. That the orator may hew to his line, the school has become a member of the Normal Interstate Oratorical League. Not to be overlooked is the social life SIXTEEN P