East Tennessee State University - Buccaneer Yearbook (Johnson City, TN)

Page 13 text:

inning in First People . . . The late Dr. Sidney G. Gilbreath was elected as first president of East Tennessee State Normal in 1910. His excellent background and vigorous promotion of higher education gave him the ability to guide our school well. Before the official opening of the school in 1911, he su¬ pervised the construction of the buildings and worked on the courses of study to be offered. In selecting his faculty he used wisdom and care, seeking the best qualified people. Charles Hodge Mathes served as the first dean of the college and played and important part in launching the school upon its impressive history. The original faculty of t twenty-two also included: Edwin W. Kennedy, Samuel W. Sherrill, David R. Haworth. William J. Sowder, David S. Burleson, Walter C. Wilson, David B. Simp¬ son, John F. Boyd, Frederick W. Alexander, Delle D. Smith, Della Stroud, Elma L. Rankin, William L. Prince, Elizabeth E. Slocumb, Nellie Cooper, Sadie Brooks, Elizabeth Miller Carr, Elbridge J. Baxter, Mary Moore Davis. During the first year Mr. Simpson and Miss Stroud resigned and were replaced by Christian E. Rogers and Alexandra Allen Arrants. 19 11 DR. SIDNEYG. GILBREATH First President 9

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From the B 1 The administration building, known as Gilbreath Hall, originally housed all classrooms, the library, and the gymnasium. The first heating plant. First Buildings I n 1911 the campus was composed of five buildings: the administration building, the president ' s home, the women ' s dormitory, the dining hall, and the heating plant. With the exception of the president ' s home, these buildings have subsequently been remodeled and enlarged. The president ' s home. The first women ' s dormitory, Carter Hall in 1911. 8

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The first All-S chool Production was a big event. Meals were served family style and students wore formal dress in the first cafeteria. East Tennessee State Normal (above) The East Tennessee State Normal baseball team took their game seriously. (below) An important occasion calls for a special program. Note the Model-School Building in the back¬ ground. Normal School History On October 2, 1911, East Tennessee State Normal opened its doors as a two-year state Normal School. Entrance requirements speci¬ fied good moral character, good health, and at least the elementary school course pre¬ scribed for the public schools of the state. Two courses were offered: the academic and normal. The academic was on the level of the four-year high school level and a person completing this could teach in the elementary school. The normal course of two years prepared teachers for public schools. Tuition was free then as it is now. Expenses per quarter included $2.00 for registration, $6.00 for a room in the dormitory, board in the dining hall was $24.00, and books aver¬ aged between $2.00 - $3.00. Now we know what they mean about the good old days. In 1915 the Model-School Building was ready for use as a training school. Located in the area between the college entrance and the present Training-School, it was torn down when the Training-School Building was built. An addition to the Dining Hall was erected in 1916, which was converted into a barrack for the Student Army Training Corps during World WarTtl. Other buildings added to East Tennessee State-Normal were a men ' s dormi¬ tory built on a new land acquisition of six acres, a gymnasium, and a library. In 1921 the college changed from a two- year to a three-year normal school. A diplo¬ ma course was also introduced with the result of a considerable broadening of course of¬ ferings.