East Stroudsburg University - Stroud Yearbook (East Stroudsburg, PA)

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faculty, the trustees were kept busy conferring with applicants who came in person to look after their own interest. Early enrollments of students were registered at the home of the president of the Board. It was announced that the Normal School would open its doors for the first time on Sep' tember 4, 1893. The first term of the new state institution began September 4, 1893, and before the close of the term three hundred and twenty pupils en! rolled. Everyone was so well pleased that nearly all enrolled for the winter and spring terms. The curriculum was largely academic because most of the students came from districts which lacked the benefits of a more advanced course of study. A sisubrjunior school of a preparatory nature was provided for those who needed further education to meet entrance requirements. The curriculum most commonly pursued included psychology, history of education, methods of teaching, school management, ancient, medieval and modern his tory, literature, plane and toptionallyl solid geometry, with such sciences as physics and bet any. A special board was appointed to examine applicants for entrance since the school was not opened until the fall term of 1893. Promotions were made at the end of each year by the state board of examiners. Classes were held in one building, Stroud Hall. The training school, which caused so much trouble while the school was under construction, was housed in what is now SQ and the whole end of the basement of the south wing. The chapel,

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state legislature to divide the Fourth Normal School District to provide for a school in Saran! ton. Seeley Rosenkrans, a local businessman, went to Harrisburg to look after local interest. There was much anxiety felt by the people of East Stroudsburg as to whether or not the school would be accepted by the state. The final victory came on March 22, 1893, when the buildings were accepted. The trustees were elected with Seeley Rosen' krans as president of the Board. The report on the costs of the buildings of the Normal School was given at this meeting. The estimated cost for the buildings was $100,000. To this sum was added a state appropriation of $35,000. The Board of Trustees then started making arrangements for the opening of the school. The first question was the securing of a principal. George P. Bible, principal of Indiana State Normal School, was elected principal of the East Stroudsburg State Normal School on May 26, 1893. The faculty was chosen in June, among them being E. L. Kemp, who was then principal of Palitinate College of Meyerstown. The night of the meeting at which the faculty was to be selected, several trustees called at the home of the president of the Board to help carry the apr plications, credentials, and photographs of those who were seeking positions as teachers in the Normal School. These applications were so numer' ous that they were carried to the meeting in market baskets. For weeks before this election of DOMESTIC SCIENCE CLASS

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or assembly room, was on the third floor where center dormitory rooms are now. The present rer ception parlors, Post thce, Business Ohice, Game Room, Y.W.C.A. Room, housekeepers room and supply room were classrooms. Many members of the faculty and their families also lived in Stroud Hall. Extracurricular activities included clubs and athletics. The first clubs were the Shakespearian Society, the Minisink Society, and the Debating Club, which was known as the Minisink Lyceum. Professor Brasefield, professor of mathematics, was the adviser of the latter. One of their first topics for discussion was, Resolved: 11That Col lumbus should not receive or be accredited with the honor of having discovered the New World? The Y.M.C.A. was formed in November, 1893, the Y.W.C.A. in 1894. A library was opened in the rooms which are now occupied by the Womenis Quiet Lounge and the room opposite. Regulations deemed necessary for the best in; terests of the school were as follows: u1. Loud talking, whistling, scuffing of feet or any rude or boisterous behavior is strictly prohibited in this building. 2. The use of tobacco in any of its forms in or about the building, and the use of in! toxicating drinks or profane language are strictly prohibited. 17 3. No water, dirt, or other material shall be thrown from the windows. 4. Ladies and gentlemen are not allowed to associate together, excepting at such times and occasions as may be designated by the principal. Standing in groups in the main corridors or prolonged conversations are not allowed. One of the highlights of the winter term of 1893,1894 was the sleigh ride to Delaware Water Gap. Seventeen sleighs and several cutters conr veyed the party. Four hundred people, including students, faculty, and trustees, enjoyed the ride. In April, 1894, plans were being received for new buildings and additions to the old. The Board of Trustees advertised for bids on a new addition which was to be three stories high, built of brick, and 36 by 60 feet. This was the little building between the Main hall of Stroud and the bridge leading to the new dining hall. This whole structure is now known as the annex. The contract for the erection of a kitchen was awarded to C. S. Hoffman, whose bid was $4,888. The kitchen was to be built between the south wing of the main building and the main building itself. A large twostory porch was erected in front of Stroud Hall in 1895, and fire escapes were placed on all of the buildings. Professor H. Brasefield, and his assistant, Pr0r fessor W. L. Kaufman, did not apply for re;