Bloomsburg University - Obiter Yearbook (Bloomsburg, PA)

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PINERY 14

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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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CARVER HALL Carver Hall, erected in 1867, and named for Henry Carver, the first Principal, stands at the head of Main Street. Its white belfry and pillared entrance form a picturesque approach to the College campus and buildings. The building contains an audi- torium seating 1,000 which has recently been completely equipped for motion pictures with sound equipment. A number of class- rooms are also located in this building. 15