Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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THE NORMAL OFFERING II successes, failures and possibilities of every individual pupil. If he ever seems not to recognize a fond desire of ours, it is doubtless because he wishes to hold us to our best and truest ideals. His sympathy has a tonic quality, and he always shows us the inspiration of a great trust. Nelson said to his soldiers, England expects every man to do his duty. Mr. Boyden says to his graduates, Bridgewater expects every man to live up to his privileges, remembering, 'I am, I can, I ought, I will. As we struggle upward toward the intellectual and moral heights, this friend does not leave us lonely or unaided, but As a bird each fond endearment tries To tempt its new-fledged offspring to the skies, He tries each art, reproves each dull delay Allures to brighter worlds and leads the way. 'E ,Ld

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IO THE NORMAL OFFERING superficial. We cannot hope to equal the keen intellectuality, ripe scholarship and controlled originality of this wonderful man, seventy-five years young. But we can hope to emulate his in- tellectual fair-mindedness, industry and perseverance. It is, however, as teacher and friend that our hearts, pay 'most grateful tribute to Mr. Boyden. The record of his work as teacher might well fill a volume. It would be the history of this school, and the biographies of hundreds of men and women up and down the country. Years from now such a record may be written to inspire our children's children. We count our- selves happy, however, to be living in these days when the his- tory is making. W Three characteristics of Mr. Boyden as a teacher seem es- pecially distinctive. First, he is a practical idealist. He com- bines, in a rare degree, an optimistic, far-reaching grasp of edu- cational ideals, with a practical, shrewd conservatism. Hence, he avoids many disappointments and mistakes. Every physical, mental and spiritual effort tells. There are no backward steps and no depressing waits. Ahead of his age, and yet of his age, he moves forward to the goal, without haste, without rest. He knows how to dream, to work, and, when need be, even to wait, for the carrying out of God's great plans. Then, too, Mr. Boyden handles men and things with con- summate skill and tact. He studies every situation with refer- ence to the present and the future. He makes up his mind cau- tiously, impartially, firmly. He listens -thoughtfully to all pro- per advice, modifying his plans if he finds cause. Next he stud- ies people, their special elements of strength and their possibili- ties as helpers. Without loss of dignity or honor, he nearly always wins them to his way of thinking or acting. All who know him in educational comradeship bear testimony to this gift which we students recognize so well. The same loyal def- erence which we feel shows in the honors accorded him by National Educators, andin the unselfish devotion to him and the school shown by the teachers who have so long worked hand to hand andlheart to heart with him here. The third trait of Mr. Boyden's character, and the one which, perhaps, we admire the most, is his sympathy with the ambitions,

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'A QN ' I' than . xi wb, ,Midas X .'.'C?:-'Hn ' ' 'fairer . if 'W acuity 'ALBERT G. BOYDEN, A. M. Principal qf the Normal Sclzool ana' Instructor in Educational Study gf Man. Bridgewater Normal School, 1849. A. M. Amherst College, 1861. Principal English High, Salem. Sub-Master Chapman Grammar School, Boston, Instructor at Bridgewater Normal School, 1850-53 5 1857-60. Principal of the School since I86O. ARTHUR C. BOYDEN, A. M. Vice-Princqal and fnstfnctoif in Natural Science, . Hz'story ana' Cifuil Polity. Bridgewater Normal School, 1871. Amherst College, 91876. A. M. Amherst College, 1879. Taught' Mathematics Chauncy Hall School, Boston, 1876-79. In 1891 went with W. Dick- inson on Educational Commission to Jamaica. Instructor in Chautauqua and Cottage City Summer Schools. Bridgewater Normal School since 1879. FRANZ H. KIRMAYER, Ph. D. Instructor in Classics and Modefrz Languages. Attended Universities of Munich and Giessen. Ph. D. Bos- ton College, 1895. Served in War of Rebellion, 1864-5. Vice- Consul of United States at Munich, 1868. Author. of several text books. At Bridgewater Normal since 1870.