Butler High School - Magnet Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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Roy W. Wiley Newly Elected Superintendent

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John A. Gibson For forty-six years the Builder, Philosopher, Critic and Defender of the Butler Public Schools. A Builder who built the intangible things of the Spirit, an Architect whose blue-prints guided human careers, a Contractor who was faithful to the children given him in trust. His philosophy was an inner flame, constant and never extinguished, by the light of which two generations struggled upward. His teachers, when wearied by the thrusts of conflicting theories, found in him the stone that trans- muted many .theories into one harmonious whole. Those who had decisions to make or problems to solve profited by unbiased, logical, constructive analysis. He was the School's severest critic and staunchest defender. No attitude of self-praise or satisfaction ever dulled his perception of faults of structure. His mind ever penetrated smoke-screens of fallacy and mazes of unrelated ideas to the basic flaw. Difficulties were subjected to relentless analysis and synthesis. He was consistent and predictable. His integrity was fundamental and unquestioned. The Schools relied on him and found in him an able defender who fought for them as he would not have fought for himself. Forty-six years ago Butler met Mr. Gibson. He was a young man, a recent graduate of Allegheny College, unknown to most of the citizens. He took up his work quietly, teaching from eight o’clock until four, supervising, organizing, studying and thinking. He absorbed the theories of his supervisor, Mr. Mackey, and made them his own. When Mr. Mackey left in 1896, the young Principal was chosen to assume the leadership of the schools. The town grew, the schools and their Superintendent met ever-increasing problems of administration. He might have chosen the course of opportunism. Instead, he advanced into positive leadership, attacking obstacles and striving vigorously for a better school. Now, he is leaving us at the summit of his career, having given us a lifetime of service. We cannot easily express our appreciation. There are no words for those who deal with intangibles. Yet, we know that deeds die and ideas live. John Gibson's philosophy conceived an idea, his conception of service enabled it to live, his spirit is inspiring others to carry it on — a monument without granite, the Butler Public Schools.

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Roy W. Wiley When Mr. Wiley first came to Butler High School in 1933, all that we knew of him was his impressive record: an honor graduate of Grove City College, with his Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh: four years of very successful high school teaching followed by eleven years as well-beloved principal at New Brighton High School; a member of the faculty at Geneva College Summer School; a director in the Forensic League; a member of Phi Delta Kappa, honorary educational fraternity; a man well-spoken of by all who knew him, and chosen, when he became principal of Butler High School, as the best-qualified from a group of more than eighty applicants. After four years we have found him to be all that such an admirable record presaged. His calm, quiet poise; his friendliness; his readiness to hear both sides of the question; his sincere interest in each individual; his very real con- cern to do what is best for pupils, teachers, and school; his broad and masterful grasp of school problems; his interest in the community as a whole—all of these have conspired to make him the Ideal School Principal. We feel confident that this record will be enhanced by his work in his new position as Superintendent. We are sure that he will not lose his interest in boys and girls. The man who, at college, was not only an excellent student, but a track man. Business Manager of the college annual, President of the Public Speaking and Literary Clubs, and Commencement Day Orator, will not soon forget his interest in youth. We feel confident, too, that he will keep the same wise, intelligent grasp on educational problems which he has shown heretofore. He brings to his new task not only additional university credits which put him well on his way to a Doctor’s degree in Education, but also a wealth of practi- cal wisdom which fits him pre-eminently for the place. We wish him every success in his new position as Superintendent of the Butler City School District.