Dickinson State University - Prairie Smoke Yearbook (Dickinson, ND)

Page 11 text:

PRAIRIE SMOKE You and I should recognize that teaching is the most honorable occu- pation in which a person can engage and that we should exalt our high calling. You and I must recognize that we are morally responsible beings, and that we must be worthy workers in the sight of God. And now dear friends in the years to come when the members of the Class of 1923 are scattered like the autumn leaves before a mighty wind, you can take up this, our first annual, and turn its pages in pensive mood. May it lead your thoughts back to your golden and happy school days. May it retouch the memory of long forgotten pleasures in times gone by. May it throw upon the screen of your life again the visions of the worth while things you cherished while in school. Across tire years, Befranght with fears. Be lewe l with tears. Vet more abounding in sweet joys, To yon, dear Friends My hand extends, My message send, For Love today my will employs.” 8. T. MAY. -10-

Page 10 text:

PRAIRIE SMOKE TO THE CLASS OF 1923 •The stars shine over the earth. The stars shine over the sea : The stars look m to the might) (toil. The stars look down on me. The stars have lived a million years. A million years and a day; Kill find and 1 shall love and live When the stars have passed away. 1 like to ponder on the sublime phase of the eternal aspect of our be- ing. It fills a person with awe to know that our character is formed and our influence exercised for time and eternity. Let us recognize that the worth while things are everlasting. Truth crushed to earth shall rise again. In the end justice will triumph.” Mercy is not strained. Hatred endureth for a time, but love lasts. Cruelty runs its course, but kindness is permanent. There are two really great things in this world—love and service. If you seek happiness, you will attain it through love and service. If your heart is full of love and your hand ready for service you have solved the greatest problem of life. Love and service are the fundamental things in our chistian religion and are the essential elements of greatness. They are the things that make the mother great. They make the teacher great. They will make any one great. Your life and my life have touched for a brief period. You have made me better for this contact and I hope you are better because you have known me. You have your identity and individuality and I have mine. You will be you and I will be I when countless eons have passed away. You and I must be subject to the same immutable laws of the world, and must learn to acquiesce in our common lot. You and I must remember that the home is the best place in the world and that we should make home the most pleasant place in the world. You and I must learn to respect each others tastes and opinions and practice the law of minding our own business. You and I must learn to live together, and must cooperate in solving our common problems of life. You and I must practice the Golden Rule and learn to forgive our enemies as we wish to be forgiven. You and I must care for our bodies and look upon them as being the temples of our souls. You and I should study the wonders and beauty of the world and learn to appreciate them. You and I must learn to recognize the obligations of life, and give al- legiance to our duty.

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PRAIRIE SMOKE HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE SCHOOL. Soon after the Slope country of North Dakota was permanently settled the people began to feel the need for a Normal school in this part of the state. At that time there were three Normal schools in North Dakota, those being at Valley City, Mayville, and Minot. All four were situated well to the north and west of the state in whose services they were erected. The logical location, then, for the fourth Normal was in the western part. The swift development of this part of the state made this section a favored one and the position of Dickinson as a trading center for a large agricultural area and several hamlets, influenced the legis- lature to make this city the seat of the fourth Normal school. The location having been decided upon, the site was selected by the board of Regents, bought by the county of Stark and the city of Dickinson and presented to the State of North Dakota. It consists of sixty-seven acres of choice land and lies just west of the city of Dickinson. On a beautiful rounded butte near the eastern edge of the tract, will stand the main group of buildings. The legislature of 1917 made an appropriation for buildings and main- tenance, but the governor vetoed that portion of the bill which provided for buildings, leaving twenty thousand dollars for maintenance, and school opened the following year. During the season of 1918 a very successful summer session was held, being conducted by Superintendent Peter S. Berg of the Dickinson city Schools. More than one hundred students were enrolled July 18. 1918. The Board of Regents meeting at Fargo, elected Samuel Thomas May of Madison. South Dakota, president of the new school. The Elk's building was rented, a course of study was formulated, necess- ary furniture, apparatus, and supplies were purchased, a faculty of five mem- bers was selected, and school opened October 1, 1918. The school grew rapidly in numbers of students, faculty and equipment, and practice teaching was organized within the city schools of Dickinson. The Normal school is fortunate, indeed, in being granted the privilege of training its teachers in this fine system of schools which is under the efficient management of Peter S. Berg, who is also director of the training school. The school has expanded in various ways to keep up with educational ad-