Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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Administration Building, 1924 Library, 1926 Woodworking shop, 1926 1'1- . ...fa In 1920, after thirty-Eve years as presi- dent of the Indiana State Normal School, Dr. Parsons submitted his resignation only to have the board request him to withdraw it. He did but the next year resubmitted it, at which time it was ac- cepted by the board. On October 1, 1921, Linnaeus N. Hines became the president of both schools. Other administrative changes on the Muncie campus were made and names now familiar to students like DeH0rity, Klipple and Pittenger appeared. For live years, the Eastern Division had only two buildings in which to operate. In 1929 the Indiana General Assembly appropriated money for the construction of Science Hall. VVhen it was completed in 1923, it was used for Departments of Business Administration, English, Mathematics, and Science. As the hall was being constructed, the Balls gave a quarter of a million dollars for a new building. Work was begun on the gymnasium in 1922. Benfamin I. Burris, president, 1924-1927

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vu S731 of ati ia.. 9 vgex 1918-1968 When the school seemed to be failing, they tried to get Taylor University to combine their campus with the Muncie one. The suggestion was turned down and the school folded in 1907. The year 1912 saw ambitious and young Michael Kelly revive the school to Muncie Normal Institute. His attempt was another failure by 1914. The school lay unused and in 1917, the land was to be sold at a public auction. A representative from the Ball brothers made the most satisfactory bid and the land was turned over to them. Later in the year, the Indiana legisla- ture allowed state educational institu- tions to accept private gifts and the brothers contributed 64.6 acres and two buildings to the state. Thus the school became the Eastern division of the Indiana State Normal School in Terre Haute, after six months of negotiations. Despite his opposition to the plan, President Parsons of Indiana State, along Typing class, 1914 with the school board, agreed to accept the Muncie institution as a branch of Indiana State on April 4, 1918. 380 students were present to hear the presidents greeting on registration day that june. However, few students en- rolled for the fall term, when the dean visited nearby towns to recruit boys for the Student Army Training Corps, the total enrollment was boosted to 225. Ten graduates were awarded diplomas from the new school on Iune 13, 1919. After the exercises, the governor pre- sented to the Ball brothers a bronze plaque which mernorialized their gifts of buildings and land to the state. The second year was hardly less dif- ficult than the Hrst due to national situa- tions. However, several departmental and special interest groups began to fonn, keeping the students' concern concen- trated on the university. Home Economics cooking class, 1914 I1

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,. -.,, -4. .ff -- X 1 -.x 'F www Ball Gymnasium, 1926 May, 1922 saw the legislature recog- nize the generosity of the Ball brothers by adding their names to the already long school title. Student activity increased and the school newspaper first appeared on the growing campus in 1922. Hines was succeeded by Benjamin Burris in 1924. The enrollment had jumped to 1,016 and the Jazz Age was thriving. His hopes for the school were to gain the highest accreditation and build a laboratory school for teacher training. He was well on his way to achieve his goals when a fatal attack abruptly end- ed his two-year term. Presidents Linnaeus N. Hines, 1921-1924, and William W. Parsons, 1918-1921 Y - Girls' physical education class, 1926 Bowling alleys in the Ball Gymnasium, 1926 .- .ff