Chicago State University - Emblem Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 14 text:

EDUCATIONAL VISION Dr. 0 ven s capacity fcn Educational A ' ision ' was a source of inspira- tion and i)leasure to all those whose . ood fortune it was to be asst)ciated with him. He was keenly alive and sensiti e to the changing social struc- ture of our modern world, and he saw clearly the need of preparing the stu- dents to meet these new conditions. Through his splendid scholarship he was able to keep in close contact with the progress being made in Science and Art and with the effects that this new knowledge was having on the Avorld. Dr. Owen knew that a mere refinement in the technicpie of teach- ing the traditional curriculum was not the answer to the iJroblem. The challenge of the new day called for a re-evaluation of the existing educa- tional tradition and the addition to the curriculum of new knowledge, new values, and new social habits. With this in mind he visioned, ])lanned and l)artly executed a remarkable educational ]irogram. Since the Xormal I ' ollege was a training school for teachers, his first consideration was to i)roperly prejiare students to be successful teachers. A second and e(piall - important con ideration was to teach the students how to live an intelligent, successful and hapi)y life. In order to accomi)lish these aims. Dr. Owen planned that the student should accjuire the essential knowledge about the social and physical sciences that were sha])ing our modern world. He further believed that this knowledge should be accpiired in the process of trying to control and direct their daily life. I ' he health course which he established will serve as an illustration of this point. The training in chemistry, bacteriology, physiology, mental hygiene, physical education and dietetics which the students received was not only to enable them to understand these subjects as social factors, but was ])rimarily in- tended to find its immediate application in their daily health habits. His l)lan called for the same treatment in regard to literature, music and art. The students were not only to become acquainted with the great traditions in these subiects, but they were to use and develop their capacities in these fields through the medium of their daily tasks. Part of this scheme was realized in the increased time given to the teaching of these subjects and also through the colorful social functions such as the Christmas Week l- ete. -May Festival, Song Contest. Dr. Owen had also initiated student control in the management of school affairs. This was constantly being- extended so that eventually it would include student participation in all situatii This is a ery hasty and inade(|uate sketch of a ver - wonderful ision that a great educator left us. Alay we bring some of it t(.) fullillnient as a tribute to his meniorv. Henrv ( i. Cieilen.

Page 13 text:

It is difficult to think of William B. Owen as having- departed from his scene of activity : his energ ;y was so intense and unremitting-, and his itality so contag-ious. He always gave of himself without reservation. Not merely his own school and the educational interests of Chicago, but those of the whole country have sntifered an irrejjarable hiss. I made the ac(|uaintance of Dr. Owen some thirty years ago. I knew him as student, teacher and administrator. While he was devoted at that time to study of the classics, his intellectual interests were ver}- broad and extended to the subject of i)hiloso])hy. His presence in some seminars in the latter subject made an indescribable contribution of insight and vigor. . s a teacher, I have never known anyone who surjiassed him. I have known him to take students quite ignorant of Latin and Greek and ])re])are them in a year for college aclmission. He did not, ht)wever, use tct get this result the tricks of a coacher. He imparted to those whom he taught his own sense of the meaning of the subject matter and in some subtle way made them feel that they were studying living, rather than dead, languages. As a teacher he ctimbined in a remarkable way the four essential traits: thorough connnand of subject matter, an almost intuiti e insight into the difficulties that it presented to the pupil, enormous enthusiasm in the communication of ideas, and an unflagging interest in the i)ersonal progress of his students. He carried the same qualities into his administrative work, as I knew him in that capacity first in the Old Southside . cademy, and then in the Uni- versity High School. He did not get results by routine attention to details, but by the communication of his own ideals, enthusiasm and insight. He was always a friend as well as a colleague. I have known no one who gave out from his own personality more generously and more affectionately than he did. The educational world will miss him. but it will retain something of the sjjirit and -italitv which he imparted. John Dewey, Professor of I ' hilosophv, C ' olumliia L ' ni -ersitv.

Page 15 text:

THE PRESIDENT AND THE STUDENT William Bishop Owen was an ontstandin.y ' ojitimist in dealing with yonng- ]ieople. He always saw somethini very much worthwhile in all u them. As an illustration let me quote briefly from a conversation which I had with him just one week before he died in which he said, Isn ' t it won- W ' hile he continually apjjreciated the great contributions of the many, he never lost sight of the few, who for manifold reasons needed his insi)iring touch and his deep insight. It was a great thing to see him look into the minds and hearts of these Normal School students, to watch them unfold their minds to him. Because he combined that magnificent intellect with an intelligent and human insight that was marvellous, students did not fear talking over the most difBcult problems with him even when they knew the information given might have serious consecjuences for them. He put new light into their eyes, fresh smiles on faces saddened by a good many hinnan woes, and gave them all that appreciative human interest which heljied them, to go steadily forward. His, indeed, was the gentle spirit which went out to cure bitterness with his ever charitable interpretation of all of the comjilexities involved in our connnon, e ery-day life. Hazel L. Stillman.