Arkansas State University - Indian Yearbook (Jonesboro, AR)

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1 9 3 8 f ' D INDIAN ment of Home Economics was the first to be organized in the entire State of Arkansas. The University did not establish its Home Economics department until several years later. Through the concerted efforts of County Judge May wood and H. M. Cooley, the federal: government was in- duced to build a one mile gravel highway from the city limits of Jonesboro to the College. This was the first federal highway work done in the state. From time to time the personnel of the Board has been changed. The following persons have served (the last named are serving now) : H. M. Cooley, I. C. Leggitt, Clay Sloan, W. S. Danner, J. L. Conner, J. A. Blackford, J. A. Home, R. E. Lee Wilson, and Miss Pearle Davis, M. F. Block, R. E. Lee Wilson, Jr., R. Whitaker, and W.L.Banks. In 1916 a Board committee went to Washington to secure a student army training corps, and this necessitated many changes in the curriculum. The changes made at that time provided for two years of college work in addi- tion to the four years of high school. By 1925 further changes were made and the institution was recognized by the North Central Association as a standard Junior College. At this time the name was changed to Arkansas State Agricultural and Mechanical College, First District. 1929 BUILDING PROGRAM In 1929 a new building program was inaugurated at the College. An act of the legislature authorized construction of buildings on a self-liquidating basis. The College Club building was the first in this series of pro- jects. In 1931 the original administration building was destroyed by fire, and the Legislature appropriated money for a new one. However the money was never received, but through the efforts of the Board of Trustees a build- ing was constructed at a cost of $350,000 for the building and its contents. Two more years of college work were added in 1930. In 1933 this work was recognized by the North Central Association and the institution became a standard arts college. It received its membership as a senior college under the name of Arkansas State College, with the authority to giant degrees. In this same year, another act of the Legislature authorized the Board of Trustees to borrow money from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation for the purpose of con tructing additional buildings on the campus. Two resi- dence halls were constructed that year and are now known as Danner Hall for men and the Women ' s Residence Hall. They were made possible by a loan of 1200,000 by the R. F. C. MANY NEW BUILDINGS At the present time the Board has just completed construction of a Commons Building (six stories, containing four floors of dormitory rooms, a lounge, fraternity rooms, an office, the College cafeteria, a beauty shop, a barber shop, and cafe on the ground level floor), and a Teacher ' s Training Building at the cost of approximately 1400,000 with funds from the Public Works Administration. These are both self-]i([uidating. During the past three years the College has constructed with its own force a new Engineering Building and heating plant valued at fl25,000, new steam and light tunnels, a fire-proof general purpose barn, and a swimming pool with adjoining fire-proof dressing rooms for phyical training and athletics. Plans have been made and some of the equipment has been purchased for the erection of a new military science building which will house a Reserve Officers ' Training Corps and a National Guard Unit at the College. OFFERS FOUR DEGREES At the present time the College is authorized to offer the degrees of Bachelor of Arts. Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Education, and Bachelor of Music. Work is offered in thirteen departments — Agriculture; Business Administration and Economics; Education and Psychology; Engineering; English (includes Journalism, Speech and Dramatics) ; Music; Modern Languages (French and Spanish) ; Government, History, Sociology; Home Economics; Mathematics; Military Science; Physical Training; Science (Chemistry, Biology, and Physics). With the steadily increasing student enrollment has come these new and adequate buildings and a wide curri- culum of studies. Today the physical plant of the College is valued at $1,700,00 0. The College library meets the standards set by the North Central Association of Colleges. Since the books are all new, this library is probably one of the most complete with respect to recent ])uhlications of any college library in the South. Page Nineteen

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PRKHNSfl IBOAIRID or TIRLJSTIEIES In I lie very ca|)able liands of the Board of Trustees rests llic (ilaniiin; aiul directing of Arkansas State College. This JToup of people has the very pertinent task of making decisions whirh will liuild the College. They are ever alert and up to the minute — always planning and laying the foundation for a better institution for the students of Arkansas State College. Present members of the Board of Trustees are R. Whitaker, Knobel; Miss Pearle Davis. Forrest City; Maurice Block, Para- R. WHITAKER gould: L. Banks, Newport; and R. E. Lee Wilson, Wilson. From a small agri ultural school with an enrollment of less than 200 to a fully accredited senior college jegi terinfi close to 2.000 students every year — such is the story of the growth and development of Arkansas State Collr.-e. On April 1. 1909, Governor George W. Donaghey signed Act 100 of the Acts of 1909 establishing four schools of a;;iicullure to be located near the geographical centers of the four quarters of the state of Arkansas. These schools were intended to be secondary schools of agriculture, home economics, forestry, and such other branches as might be necessary for the proper teaching of these subjects. The act provided that the srovernor appoint five successful farmers as an honorary Board of Trustees for each of the schools; this Board was given the authority to locate the new schools, to provide for the building of the physical plants, to select the faculties, to arrange the schedule of studies, and to perform the other duties incident to tile aiimini -traliiin of the schools. NEW BOARD MEETS The Board of Trustees of the first district consisted of J. J. Bellamy, president; J. B. Lewis, vice-president; and W. L. Banks and C. E. Bush. In June, 1910. they decided to locate the new school in Jonesboro; and in July they made arrangements to purchase the present site. Contracts were let to Monk Richie for the construction of the original administration building and to McDaniel Bros, for the construction of the two dormitories. V. C. Kays was elected president of the new institution on July 5. 1910. C. V. Warr was appointed farm superintendent, and Mrs. Warr superintendent of halls. Other members of the faculty were W. H. Black, animal husbandry; F. T. Parks, mathematics and engineering; Henry Ness, biology; Miss Elizabeth Nowell, house- hold economics; Miss Nira Beck, literature and vocal music; Miss Lillian Cooley, instrumental music; and Miss Dora Kilioll. clerk. FIRST ENROLLMENT 189 Actual Wiivk at llie school began in October when catalogues were printed and a canvass for students was started. I iilil llie liuildiiii; inuld bo erected, school opened in quarters over T. J. Ellis Company and adjacent buildings. One IiiuhIkmI and i-iglity-nine students vere enrolled during the first year. TIk Board of Ti ust ' t s leased I lie llujjhes home on South Main Street as a residence hall and dormitory for wonu n and llic lailin Iicmtic ( n ( Iheriy Avenue as a dormilniy for men. President Kays was in charge of the men ' s dormiloiN and lis. Wan in cliaige of the women. The agri( idliiial (lei)arlnienl at Jonesboro opened its session earlier in 1910 than other schools, and its depart- I ' ligr Ei gill cell

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PRKflNSflS STPTE IDIEAP OIF TIHIE IFACUILTY Althdujih he lia lu-ld the post as Dean of the College for only one year. Dr. D. F. Showalter ' s thorough under- standing iif liLiman nature and problems of administration have made possible the capable execution of his office. Possessing a keen intellect and amiable disposition, he is an ever ready advisor for both the faculty and students. He helps untangle stubborn schedides. financial difficulties, and extra-cui ricular problems with a practical hand. By keeping in constant contact with progressive educa- tion all over the United States as well as with Arkansas educational organizations, Dean Showalter is well prepared to offer excellent advice to students who expect to enter the teaching profession. By teaching several classes every week, he gets a first hand knowledge of the everyday prob- lems of students, thus enabling him to advise them more efficiently. DEAN D. F. SHOWALTER . • IRIEGIISTIRAIR The tasks of Registrar H. E. Eldridge are varied and manifold. His official jiosition is an intricate one — that of keeping individual permsnent records for every student enrolled in Arkansas State College. Other time-consuming activities include supervision of the National Youth Administration for the entire College and serving as consulting engineer for tiie constructing, maintaining, and repairing of all College buildings and properly. Known as a good sport by students and faculty mem- bers alike. (Jap fre(|uently seeks respite from his numer- ous responsibilii ics by indidging in his favorite hobby, at llicll he is an export — hunting and fishing. REGISTRAR H. E. ELDRIDGE Pane Tivvnly