Bradley University - Anaga Yearbook (Peoria, IL)

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NNNNNAA 1' BDGUILVJFDDIDIE NANANNN CHARLES T. WYCKCFF Dean of the College 'Glfiirty And Gwo 'Years X URING the past thirtyftwo years great changes have taken place in the educational world. These are very apparent at Bradley, especially since 1920. At first, there was a lower and higher academy of two years each, corresponding to the regular high school course but including training in wood and metal working and drawing for the boys, and sewing, cooking and drawing for the girls. ln 1897 the manual arts movement was in its infancy. There was only one high school in Peoria, not well equipped for training in these lines. Bradley, therefore, with its academy and two years of college, was a pioneer in the junior college movement, and in combining training in the liberal arts with similar training in the mechanic arts. As Peoria grew, her educational facilities improved. The Maiiual Training High School was opened in 1910, and the new Central High in 1916, both finely equipped for work in home economics and the manual arts. The Bradley faculty had already sensed the changes which were taking place and in December, 1915, discussed plans for dropping mmm.a,fg,a55mm y- ilaaso -I ANNAAANAN lljrigc ZUH

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1, 1 NMANNAAX 1- lD'DlLYJf'C4DlI3lE AAAANMN THE Polyscope is not merely Han annual. It is an excellent example of cooperation. We don't realize What's going on throughout the year. We see only the results. It's like the bandg most of us forget the regular practice, and see that organization only in uniform as it marches on the field. It's like the basketball teamg we overlook the careful training and see only the achievement as the ball slips through the basket to defeat our natural rivals. lt's like the girls' exhibition in physical educationg we see the fancy costumes, unusual dances or acrobatic feats, and forget the Weeks of preparation. And novv as we approach another convocation, We see again the results of cooperation, devotion, and endless laborean attractive, highly creditable volume portraying college life at Bradley. Thatas the Polyscope. Aeiifcg' President. NNAAKAAAA I- IIQIDEIQU 'H Afixfixfwixkkfixk fLPage 19B

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the academy and enlarging the college work, as there was no desire to compete with the public schools. Four year courses leading to the B. S. degree were already in operation for students in the manual arts and home economics departments, and it was proposed to offer the same opportunity to students desiring the A. B. degree. Many difficulties confronted the faculty and trustees in considering plans for reorganization, but on January 20, 1919, the heads of departments voted to recommend to the trustees the dropping of the academy a year at a time, beginning with the fall of 1919. Plans for four years of college work were also formulated and approved, and with the opening of school in 1920, Bradley College became a reality. New departments were added, such as, economics and business administration, political science, sociology, library methods, and college of music. Later additions are education, speech and dramatic art, and philosophy. This enlargement on the side of liberal arts was accompanied by a similar develope ment in manual arts and home economics. In the early years the work in manual arts was under one head and included a limited number of courses. Now there are seven lines of work each under a departmental head, giving instruction in art, automobile, electricity, industrial education, drawing, metal working, woodworking. New courses in aviation engines and concrete mixing have been added this year, and a course in acetylene welding is being arranged. Originally Mrs. Bradley planned for a few small shops in which such trades as carpenf try and blacksmithing would be taught. Following a conference with Dr. Harper, late president of the University of Chicago, she decided to include the academic work of the high school and two years of college. She lived ten years to see and approve the working out of the plan. She was a woman of broad vision and teachable spirit. When asked her wish regarding changes, she used to say to those in authority, I leave it all to you. You know better than 1 what is best. She desired to serve in every way the youth of her day and of the future. The following facts show that this enlargement of opportunity was justified. In the first year the combined higher academy and college had only 30 students. The entire enrollment was 260. The faculty numbered 20. At present the faculty in all departments numbers about 70. The total enrollment for the current year is 1934, from 40 states and 4 foreign countries. Cf these 757 are studying for the bachelor's degree. The work at Bradley satisfied a need, since in the short space of thirtyftwo years she has risen to first place among the colleges of Illinois, as the above figures show. During these years some 10,000 persons have enrolled at Bradley hall for varying periods of study. Cf these 729 graduated from the academy and 1370 from the two year college course. The bachelor's degree has been conferred on 520. A large number 11012 included in the above figures, have received diplomas or certificates from the College of Music, the School of Horology, and various lines of vocational work. From an unf known quantity in the educational world, Bradley now has the highest rating given by the North Central Association and other standardizing agencies. Her graduates are widespread and occupy important positions in the educational world and in business and professional life. They are excellent recruiting agencies for their Alma Mater and, more and more, the sons and daughters of Bradley alumni are coming to take the places once occupied by their fathers and mothers. CH.-xauis TRUMAN W'YckoFF I NNANNNMNAX '- 1IQ1l35'D NNMNAMNNN lPage Ill NNNANNN. '- IDD lLV1lS 'UU IDEE 'f MMAXNNMA