Boston State College - Bostonian / Lampas Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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WALLACE CLARKE BOYDEN The Class of 1938 mourns the loss of Wallace Clarke Boyden, the dear and honored President Emeritus of the Teachers College. With his passing the world of education has been deprived of a zealous, progessive leader, while we, the students of the Teachers College, have lost a loyal, loving friend. His was a life rich and varied, noble and inspiring, ever devoted to the service of God and of his fellow men. Mr. Boyden was born eighty years ago in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. His mother, Isabella Clarke Boyden, had been a teacher at Wheaton Seminary, and his father, Albert G. Boyden, gave sixty-one years of service to the Bridgewater Normal School, of which he was principal for forty-six years. Thus the teaching profession was very dear to Wallace Boyden. After completing his course at the Bridgewater High School, Mr. Boyden entered the State Normal School at Bridgewater. His educational preparation was furthered by an additional four-year course at Amherst College, where he was honored academically as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa, and socially as a member of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity. Mr. Boyden ' s outstanding career had its beginning in 1883, with his appoint- ment to the principalship of the Stoughton High School. This was the initial stage of his teaching life, a life which was to be devoted to the ideal of Education for Service. In 1 884 he left the Stoughton High School to become Head of the Depart- ment of Mathematics in Williston Seminary, Easthampton. In December, 1889, Mr. Boyden entered the educational system of the City of Boston. For eleven years he served as assistant master in the Boston Normal School, and in 1900 was appointed head-master. When in 1922 the Normal School was converted into The Teachers College of the City of Boston, Mr. Boyden was made head of the new college, — a position which he held until his retirement in 1929. For forty years he gave loyal, untiring devotion to Boston ' s Teacher Training Institu- tion. His zeal and idealism kept high the standards of service,- his kindness and sympathy were guides along the way. Mr. Boyden ' s interest did not lie only in the field of education, but extended into many realms. He held important positions in the Central Congregational Church of Newtonville, served as president of the Every Saturday Literary Club and of the Boston Congregational Club, and was a member of the Dalhousie Lodge of Masons of Newtonville, of the Friday Evening Club of Boston, and of the Twentieth Century Club. Fifty-two years of his full and active life were spent in happy companionship with his wife, Mabel Wetherbee Boyden, who shared his every interest. Early in the school year of 1935 we met for the first time this kindly man who had been the ' guide, philosopher, and friend of our predecessors, and who was to become a most vital and welcome part of our college life. It was our privilege and pleasure during our first three college years to greet many times our President Emeritus, who, led by his loyalty and affection for this institution, would return to address us at our college assembly or to enjoy and commend our social activities. The news of his death on the opening day of this school year filled us with great sadness, for we regarded Mr. Boyden not only as an inspiring leader but as a kind and loving friend. We shall never feel that he has gone from us, for even death cannot quench a spirit such as his. His spirit will continue to live — ever guarding and guiding the students of his beloved Teachers College. In the words of the poet, we feel that he — Serenely to his final rest has pass ' d; While the soft memory of his virtues yet Lingers, like twilight hues swhen the bright sun has set. Dorothy A. Martin. {22 }

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IN MEMORIAM WALLACE CLARKE BOYDEN President Emeritus September 8, 1937 2i }