Chicago State University - Emblem Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 7 text:

The College THE Chicago Normal College as it stands today with its splendid faculty, fine buildings, and large body of students, is quite a differ- ent place from what it was in its beginning. For when in 1856, a department for training teachers was established in the city for the first time, it was merely an additional course in the Central High School. Later the department assumed a more professional tone when it became a School of Practice in the Scammon School building under Mrs. Ella Flagg Young. Until 1870 no entrance examinations were required and students were freely admitted on high school certificates. The examina- tions then established were discontinued after five years, and then such an influx of students came from all over the country that the supply of teachers far exceeded the demands, and the school was given up for fifteen years. During that time high school graduates who passed sat- isfactory teachers ' examinations and cadetships were given positions. In 1893 the City Normal School, as it was then called, was reopened with Miss Theresa McGuire and our Mrs. Hardinge as instructors. Three years later, 1896, the property on which the College now stands was given to the Board of Education to maintain a Normal School for Chicago and Cook County. New ideas of education were worked out here, for Colonel Parker, the principal, was a radical and a reformer setting up against the old mechanical methods, a new spirit of fresh contact between teacher and pupil. Practical teaching under the guidance of critic-teacher and college supervisors was instituted. The kindergarten and manual train- ing departments had their start, and in 1906, the deaf-oral department under Miss Mary McCowen was established in the school. In 1905 the old Cook County building was replaced by the one now in use, and in 1915 was added the new Arts Building with its gymnasium and swimming tank providing for the physical health of the College and its fuller development. But by far the greatest influence in the College was the principal- ship of Mrs. Ella Flagg Young, beginning in 1908. Then it was that the school began to take the position of dignity in the educational world which it holds today under Mr. Owen ' s competent direction. It is well to remember that there have been big people on our faculty in the past and that there are now. Charlotte McCarthx.

Page 6 text:

Bebication tfje principal anh Jfacultp of t )t Cfjicago i ormal CoUcgc toe bebicatc t )iii bolumr, in appreciation for tf)e patient gerbice tt)ep Ijabe renbereb ug anb in ttje ijope not onlj) ttjat tijig tjoofe map in siome measure sfjoto tfje fruit= ful regultg of tfjeir effort, but tljat our entire future libes map gerbe to expresig our gratefulnes!£r for tfje priceless; grotott in potoer tofjicf) toe otue to tljeir untiring efforts.

Page 8 text:

ONE of the most important ceremonies in which a lower Junior takes part is a formal int roduction to the library. In one short hour she is told of all it contains, and where she may find whatever will aid her in her eager search for knowledge. She learns that there are twenty- five thousand volumes, classified according to the Dewey System; that reference books and magazines are in the west end, and that a card cata- logue at the east end directs her to the books on the shelves. Later she finds the pamphlets about everything of possible value, and the latest and best magazines for current topics and literature, which are great helps. There are two attractive spots in the library which everyone watches with expectant interest. One of these is the library bulletin board, usually posted with charming illustrations appropriate to various holi- days and seasons and instructive clippings of announcement. Students are indebted to Miss Dickey, head librarian, for the special effort she makes in filling these boards. The other bright spot is the center table, always lovely with flowers and plants, which are so often of such a nature as to be a special treat to those botanically inclined. Miss Dickey is assisted by Miss Bates in the library work. Both are wonderful people, for, given a subject and a minute, they will show you the book containing the best information available. If a worried student asks for the Geographical Gastropaedia, it is understood that she means the Geographical Gazetteer, while her sister-in-distress, who can- not find The Child ' s Ear, is given The Listening Child and goes on her way rejoicing. A most popular place is this Normal College Library. Marccllii J . CordesiiKui.