Arkansas State University - Indian Yearbook (Jonesboro, AR)

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THE INDIAN Page 8 First Section 1941 WE MUST KEEP AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE CLEAR Young People Today Find That They Are The Preservers Of Democracy As you and I go about our tasks each day, we realize that rapid changes are tak- ing place in our American way of life. Few of us fully appre- ciate, however, the blessings PRESIDENT V. C. KAYS which we in this free country enjoy. It is difficult for us to interpret and evaluate the constantly changing relation- ships in the worl today. During the few years of our association together in college, we have tried to inculcate the ideals of democracy which will prepare us to appraise the passing movements of hu- manity and to protect our American institutions against the abuses of forces and mis- directed authority. Faith in the integrity and the strength of the individual will through unity of high jurpose furnish the necessary defenses for our democratic way of life. May we all do our part in the protection of democracy and the defense of our coun- try in this time of trial through level-headed think- ing and constructive action to the end that the worthwhile values of our democratic pro- cesses may be perpetuated. May you be happy and suc- cessful as you proceed with life ' s tasks and responsibil- ities. ll.C.1

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THE INDIAN 1941 ARKANSAS STATE STARTED IN 1909 BY LEGISLATURE Intensive Building Program Begun As College Attains Se- nior Ranking Little Rock, Ark., April, 1909 — After a stormy session in both houses, Act 100, in- troduced by the Hon. J. J. Bellamy, was passed by the Arkansas State Legislature and was signed by Gover- nor John W. Donaghey. The passage of this bill clears the way for the creation of four district agricultural schools to be established in the state. With this short news story, the newspapers of Arkansas brought to the people of the state the account of the pas- sage of the bill that was to build for them an educational system. To the people of Northeastern Arkansas it meant the founding of the State Agricultural School of Jonesboro which developed later into the State Agricul- tural and Mechanical College, and still latter it became known, as it is today, as Ark- ansas State College. However, the passage of this now famous bill did not mean that the fight for education in Arkansas was ended. In- stead it had just ' begun, and the foundation upon which Arkansas State College has been built was wrought through only the hardest kind of fight, on the part of the founders and developers, a- First S ection gainst enemies that cropped up all through the school ' s growth. Anxious to get the institu- tion started, Mr. V. C. Kays, the first and only president the College has had, came to Jonesboro early in 1910; and with the aid of the Board of Trustees, appointed by the governor, opened the school for business in rooms above the old T. J. Ellis Jewelry Company. In the fall of 1911 the first administration build- ing and two dormitories, Lew- is and Barnhart Halls, both of which are still standing on the campus, were completed; and the school moved in £° its own buildings. In 1923 the State Legislature changed the name of the in- stitution from the State Ag- ricultural School of Jonesboro to Arkansas State Agricultural and Mechanical College. How- ever it was not until 1927 that a Doctor of Philosophy joined the faculty in the person of Dr. Newton H. Brown. Finally recognition came to the school from the North Cen- tral Association as a two year college in 1929. One year lat- er, the College offered its first four year courses, and in the spring of 1931 the first grad- uates completed their work. On January 17, 1931, trag- edy struck at the growing College when the Administra- tion Building, which had been in use since 1911, burned. However, this great fire re- sulted in the building cam- paign that brought R. E. Lee Wilson Hall, the present Administration Building, to the campus in 1932. This was followed with the building of two new dormitories, the Wo- men ' s Residence Hall and W. S. Danner Hall, in 1934, the Commons Building in 1936, the Military and Science Buildings in 1938, and the Engineering Building in 1938- 39. At the present time a new $300,000 Hangar and Physical Education Building is being Page 7 erected on the campus. Arkansas State A. and M. College was recognized as a legree granting institution by the North Central Association in 1933; and in the spring of this same year, the name of the College was changed to Arkansas State College which it still bears. The members of the Board of Trustees at the time of recognition as a four year college, and who were very instrumental in bringing it about were R. Whitaker, pres., Maurice B. Block, R. E. Lee Wilson, W. L. Banks, and Pearle Davis. Arkansas State College ad- ded an R. O. T. C. unit to its curriculum in 1936, and all male students were required to take two years of military draining. After completing his Irst two years in the course, he student is given a chance to continue the work in order to be commissioned in the Re- serve Officer ' s Corps at the ?nd of his four years of study. Governor Bailey appointed Judge J. C. Johnston, West VIemphis civic leader, and Will Mack, Jonesboro theatre nan, to serve on the Board of Trustees in the places of Mr. Wilson and Mr. Whitaker, ooth deceased. With the mem- bers that were serving when Arkansas State became a four year College, these two men are still directing the affairs of the School. It is upon the shoulders of this board, pres- ident V. C. Kays, and the rest of the Administration that the responsibilities for the care and well being of the faculty, students, and the physcal plant of the College rests. To the indomitable spirit of the small group of people, who have led Arkansas State through many hard years, that the people of Northeast- ern Arkansas owe their thanks for the many advantages giv- en them through the educa- tion received at this Institu- tion.

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THE INDIAN 1941 First Section Page 9 DEAN SHOWALTER Dr. D. F. Showalter has ably filled the position of Dean of the Faculty for the last four years. During that time he has been of decided worth to the College in attending to the details of adminis- tration. Besides his duties as Dean, he makes frequent trips to neighboring towns in Arkansas and Missouri to speak on cur- rent ' educational trends. In this way he keeps abreast of the practical high school problems. He is well acquainted with progressive methods of education all over the United States. He is well qualified to offer ex- cellent advice to those who are plan- ning to enter the teaching profession or any other field of activity. REGISTRAR ELDRIDGE Registrar H. E. Eldridge has been granted a year ' s leave of absence as he was called to serve in the National Guard in which he holds the rank of Major. His position has been capably filled by Miss Leton Adams. Many and varied were the tasks Cap was called on to handle. Besides keep- ing and individual permanent ' record of each student in the College, he served as head of the NYA, and he was consult- ing engineer of the College Next year he expects to be back at his old job. He will be sincerely welcom- ed by every student and faculty mem- ber.