Emporia State University - Sunflower Yearbook (Emporia, KS)

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Department of Educational Administration ' Once in a great while we find a person who has rare ability to stimulate our minds, to make us think. Mr. Caroth- ers is a man of this type. In private conversation or in classroom discussion, when Mr. Carothers leans back in his chair, fixes his eyes on the ceiling, and proceeds to extract ideas therefrom, students listen eagerly, for they know they are getting something of exceptional value from one who is a recognized intellectual leader. Mr. Carothers has written a text book, Teaching of Thrift and Conservation, which is now being published. During the past year he has contributed to the Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, and has had an article included in the book, Democracy in Reconstruction. In recognition of his literary productions he has been elected as a member of the Kansas Authors' William H. Carothers Club. During the school year of 1918-19, Mr. Carothers was in Washington, D. C., where he was the director of the National School Thrift Campaign. In 1912-13 he was one of the State High School Inspectors for Kansas. At present he is the head of the de- partment of Educational Administration. This year Mr. Carothers was offered a fellowship at Columbia University, which he refused in order to continue his work at the Normal. He holds the A. B. degree from the University of Kansas, and M. A. from the University of Chicago. Department of Agriculture Prof, Phipps, as the boys call him, is head of the de- partment of Agriculture. As such he comes in contact with most of the men of the school and his friendly suggestions and advice have helped many a boy over the rough places in his career at the Normal. He takes a strong personal in- terest in athletics, uses his influence to persuade athletes to come here to school and to keep them here, and is always available to fill a vacancy in the coaching staff. To Mr. Phipps is due the credit for most of the beautv of the reconstructed Normal campus. The sunken garden was his idea and the arrangement of flower beds and trees is left to his judgment. He conceived the idea of planting trees as memorials to our war heroes and it was at his sug- gestion that groups of trees were dedicated to the memories Charles R-Phinpe of McKinley Pratt and Frank Rostetter. Mr. Phipps is a member of the Emporia Chamber of Commerce and takes an ac- tive part in its affairs. He promotes county institutes and stock shows and is a great booster for progressive agriculture, both in this county and in other parts of the state. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a B. S. degree and by extensive reading and research has kept abreast with all that is new and worth while in culture. agri- 29

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0 Dean of Women b Occasionally, a person is found whose first words seem l I to establish a current of friendship that extends a lifetime. Mrs. Kerr is such. Though this is her first year as our i Dean of Women, she has never been a stranger to us. To 1 Qi' I hear her speak is like feeling a handclasp that invites at l 5 iin. V .X ' once confidence, respect and intimacy. She delights in gain- i ing the friendship and confidence of the girls, and she looks l J i after their material welfare as well. She knows personally Q X . ' the condition of every rooming house in -town, and she keeps I ' in touch with the girls so that cases of illness may be re- ported at once. Delinquencies in grades are promptly ins vestigated by her, and the cause remedied if possible. In addition to her personal work with the Normal girls, Mrs. Kerr plays an important part in the administration of the social activities of the school. She is a member of the Faculty Council and the Social Committee, and she conducts a class in Campus Proh- lems which brings important matters connected with school life before the students. Her freshmen lectures are an inspiration to every new girl entering the school, while her Thursday afternoon teas are a means of bringing the faculty members together in a most delightful way. Mrs. Kerr's influence is not confined to the Normal alone. She is president of the down-town Y. W. C. A., and is well known as a competent organizer of such work. During the war she was associated with Mr. Kerr in library work in France. Mrs. Willis H. Kerr The Library There is no Mr. Dean Kerr. Some men are known as the husbands of their wivesg but though Mrs. Kerr is justly well known and appreciated, she does not shed a reflected halo upon Mr. Kerr, for he is quite brilliant enough in his own name. Willis Holmes Kerr has his A. B. from Bellevue College, Nebraska, and his A. M. from Columbia. In 1907 and 1908, he studied education and English literature in Edinburgh University, receiving the class essay prize. He! has spent seven seasons in European travel, including overseas li- brary war service in 1918 and 1919. Mr. Kerr hag taught English, Philosophy and Library Science, in Bellevue College, Westminister College and the Kansas State Normal School, at the same time being either chief or assistant librarian. He has taken active part in the A. L. A., the N. E. A., the N. C. T. E., and in three state library associations. Twenty- four articles by Mr. Kerr have- appeared in educational publications since 1907. Since 1911, except for his leave of absence in Washington and Paris during the war, Mr. Kerr has been librarian at K. S. N. An amateur in biography is really in a bad way. Much he could say, and should say, but book--reviewers and press-agents have cheapened the value of adjectives un- til nothing is left to the scribbler but to say sincerely but rather unpretentiously, He-'s nice and we like him. Let him go? Not unless Kansas wheat ceases to create ex- citement in Wall Street, and Kansas legislators fail to stop the exodus of the biggest men-from our state schools. Willis H. Kerr 28

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Department of Teacher Training All the world's a stage 'F i li and each man in his time plays many parts. So it is with one of the stars at the Normal, Dr. Herbert G. Lull. For twenty-two years Dr. Lull has been in the teaching profession, as high school principal, superintendent of schools, professor of education, and director of training schools. Nor is he the dilettante which this might imply. Along with his work in Michigan, Washington and Kan- sas schools, Dr. Lull has kept up his own professional develop- ment. In 1898 he took a two-year certificate from the Ypsi- lanti Normalg in 1904, an A. B. from the University of Mich- igang in 1911, an A. M. from the University of Washingtong . and in 1912, the year in which he took the Ph. D. from the Herbmciun University of California, he received the honorary degree ,,--.....,,....... -.- ,.,, s., of M. Pd. from Michigan State Normal College. In the last twelve years, Dr. Lull has contributed thirty-four significant professional articles, with a broad catholicity of subject matter, to the educational journals of the country. His book, The Redirection of High School Instruction, is to be out shortly. from Lippincott's. Students newly enrolled, or extraordinarily shy, are rather overwhelmed by Dr. Lull's crusty exterior. Icy chills-b-r-r-r-rl race up their spines, congeal their brains, and freeze the brilliant words they are about to utter. But in time they recognize the humanness of the man, admiration for his power and genuineness supplants the fear that has gripped them, and they recognize, as does the Normal at large, that we have here a four-square man of whom we are justly proud. School of Public Speaking and Expression When we wonder who, and attempt to satisfy our curiosity by searching for the source of inspiration for a large part of our school activities which make campus life enjoyable and worth while, we find that it narrows down to one man, Pro- fessor F. L. Gilson, Dean of the School of Public Speaking and Expression. He is drawn upon from the kindergarten to the senior college for his valuable suggestion and criticism in dramatic work. His advice is valued above that of all others in put- ting on such stunts as Penny Arcades, as well as such plays as The Servant in the House and As You Like It. He is a strong booster for K. S. N. not only on the campus but l a out over the state, where the school is well represented by the Gilson Players. Professor Gilson holds a high place in the affections of his students and the student body at large. He is a man of even poise and dignity, of liberal views which he attempts to impose upon no oneg a patient, sympathetic, and enthusiastic teacherg and a practical artist. The stage is his canvass, he paints his picture with beautiful lighting effects, and his characters are real. He is an artist in the interpretation of human nature. He loves his work and according to his poem, Satis Est, is contented to be a school teacher, and truly he is a real teacher. Professor Gilson is a graduate from Cumnock School of Oratory, Chicago, Ill., and is recognized throughout Kansas as an authority in his line of work. Franklin L. Gilson 30