Bloomsburg University - Obiter Yearbook (Bloomsburg, PA)

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students to their classes. The first faculty comprised Professor Carver, teacher of mathe- matics and the higher EngHsh branches; Rev. J. R. Dimm, teacher of Latin and Cireek; and Miss Sarah Carver, teacher of the lower English branches. In the autumn of 1867, James P. Wickersham, State Superintendent of Public In- struction, was traveling through Bloomsburg on the train. He saw the new school on the hill ablaze with lights and thought the Literary Institute ' s location would be ideal for a State Normal School. So at a meeting in 1868, at which he addressed the citizens of Bloomsburg, it was decided to establish a Normal School under the Act of 18 57. A dormitory was completed at a cost of $36,000 The school was recognized as a State Normal School on Friday, February 19, 18 69. In September of that year, there were no In the Normal Department and 80 In the Model School. The school was called the Bloomsburg Literary Institute and State Normal School until it was purchased by the State May 22, 1916. After that it was known as the State Normal School at Bloomsburg until the name was changed to State Teachers College on May 13, 1927, by the State Council of Education. Up to 1920, when the Department of Public Instruction revised the programs of all the Normal Schools, the school offered college preparatory courses as well as teacher training courses. Those early years were trying ones; subscriptions would fall off and trustees would often meet obligations on their own personal responsibility. In 1875, the dormitory was completely destroyed by fire. In 1876, a larger and handsomer building, the original part of Waller Hall was built. In spite of discouraging circumstances, the school began paying expenses during Doctor Griswold ' s administration. Major campus improvements include the following: the addition of eighteen acres of land; the construction of a new Laundry Building; Elementary Training School; Gymnasium; Junior High School; Shop and Maintenance Building; addition to the Boiler Plant; Fire towers for several buildings; a complete remodeling of Science Hall; and the remodeling of the auditorium. Smaller projects include the provision of complete and comfortable rooms for day students; the construction of a new recreation field; the adoption of a tree-planting program; the building of new tennis courts; the installation of sound picture equipment in the auditorium; the laying of 2,000 lineal feet of new sidewalk and street curbs, and the addition of new underground steam and electric service. Before the passage of the first Selective Service Act in 1940 it was apparent that the upsurge of industrial activity would decrease enrollments in technical and professional institutions. Thus a transition made over a three year period required only gradual adjustment in plant, personnel, and student-body. War programs involving contracts with the Department of Commerce, Navy De- partment, National Office of Education, and the Bloomsburg Hospital, enabled the college to inaugurate educational service in addition to teacher preparation. 13

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HISTORY OF THE STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE AT BLOOMSBURG PRINCIPALS AND PRESIDENTS Henry Graver 1869-1871 Charles G. Barkley December 20, 1871-March 27, 1872 John Hewitt March 27, 1872-June, 1873 T. L. Griswold 1873-1877 D. J. Waller, Jr 1877-1890 Judson P. Welsh 1890-1906 D. J. Waller, Jr. 1906-1920 Charles H. Fisher 1920-1923 G. G. L. Reimer 1923-1927 Francis B. Haas 1927-1939 Harvey A. Andruss 1939- Academy, Literary Institute, Literary Institute and State Normal School, State Teachers Gollei;e — such has been the metamorphosis of the present State Teachers College at Bloonisburg. Away back in 18 39, a private academy was opened at Bloomsburg. C. P. Waller, a graduate of Williams College, successfully conducted the school for two years. Later public school teachers taught in the academy during their summer vacations. Among the outstanding teachers during this period were Joe Bradley and D. A. Beckley. In 18 56, D. J. Waller drew up a charter, which was subscribed to by worthy citizens of Bloomsburg and which provided that the school be known as the Bloomsburg Literary Institute for the promotion of education in the ordinary and higher branches of English literature and science and in the ancient and modern languages. In 1866, Henry Graver, of Binghamton, N. Y., taught the school. His unusual influence and personality had much to do with molding its early policies. He insisted that a new building was essential for the future development of the Bloomsburg Literary Institute. Under his inspiration, the charter of 18 56 was received. Mr. Carver assured the trustees that $1 5,000 would build a suitable building. The energy and enthusiasm of the man was such that when some doubted that the type of building which he planned could be built for that amount, he assumed, in addition to his duties as teacher, the othces of architect and contractor. On April 4, 1867, that building, the present Carver Hall was dedicated with gala observance by the townspeople. Members of the first class at the new school by popular subscription raised $1,200 in a single week for the fine bell which formerly called the 12

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PINERY 14