Fairmont State University - Mound Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

Page 19 text:

— i o tS ! S S ZJz . - j Li OUR LAST AUTUMN l vj? s Lovingly decking the dear old walls Enclosing our worn old Normal halls. And the breezes play in the trembling vines, Telling of autumn and happy times. The dear old building of red and gray Seems only a part of nature and today. Like the swaying trees, or the grassy mound, Or the withered leaves that lie on the ground. The brick is dull, the stone is gray, Their tints no longer bright and gay; The windows reflect the sunlight ' s gleam And fleecy clouds like an autumn stream; The cl ock as it strikes the hours away, Makes sweetest chimes at the close of day! This is our last bright autumn here, At this old home and campus and dear, For when the year has passed and when Bright autumn plucks the leaves again, Our home will be on yonder hill, The newer mansions there to fill. But no new mansion can efface The memories of this dear old place — Yet the school outgrows its narrow halls, And so may we, as the future calls. MERLE SHARPS. 13

Page 18 text:

Our Last Autumn , OFTLY, silently, one by one, The pretty leaves come fluttering down. Ere the cold north wind begins to roar, Maple and poplar and sycamore Will give their kindly leaves to cover The sleeping flowers and fading clover. All over the green grass, soft and sweet, They spread a new carpet for our feet, And some are yellow and some are brown, These autumn leaves now fluttering down. Swift through the Indian summer sky The flocks of birds go skimming by, High on the gables the sparrows chatter, Then softly down to the ground they flutter. They hop along with no thought of fear, Merry and happy and full of cheer. And here the pretty pigeons come Sailing into their turret home. They coo awhile, then fly away, White and purple, black and gray. Here in the corner the garden lies; Slowly each bright autumn flower dies. There in the heart of the yellow flower, A honey bee bathes in the golden shower; The sunflower nods on its blackened stem- Its head, once golden, has lost its gleam, And the breezes whisper through corn-blades sere, Telling them Winter will soon be here. The pansies that blossomed and cheered awhile Have fallen asleep and ceased to smile. Round the windows and under the eaves, Cling the graceful ivy wreathes; Some are as red as the walls where they cling, Others are green as they were in the spring.)! See! How they drape round the gray stone arch And climb to the windows above the porch— 12

Page 20 text:

The Fairmont State Normal School [4, HE alumni and friends of the Fairmont State Normal School have many reasons to be encouraged over the outlook for the institution. It is now generally recognized as a distinctly high-grade normal school, equal in its courses of study and its faculty, to the standard normal schools of other- States. The enrollment is now composed largely of high-school graduates who are taking advanced courses in preparation for teaching. The Fairmont Public Schools are co-operating in a generous way, in providing practice teaching advantages, and it may be safely said that this normal is providing its student teachers with better opportunities for acquiring skill in actual teaching than any other school in the State. Arrangements were made with the State University the past year, by which the regular normal work and the advanced academic work given in the Normal School will have definite advanced credit value towards a degree in the University. The Normal Training Short Course is proving quite popular, and is meeting the needs of a large number of people who are not able to remain in school for the full six year course. Some notable work has been done in extension activities during the past year, in classes, lecture courses, and school publicity. In many ways, the Normal is extending its influence and usefulness. The coming year will mark the beginning of a new period in the history of the Normal. The main building on the new site will be finished and ready for occupancy at the opening of the new school in September. The new building will have many new features. It will be one of the finest of the State school buildings, the equipment of which will be modern in every respect, offering the students of the next year many modern advantages. There was never a time in the history of the Normal School, when the outlook was so encouraging and so full of promise for expansion in usefulness. A fine, new building, a thoroughly trained faculty, and a loyal student body, make the Fairmont State Normal School an attractive institution for students. THE PRESIDENT. 14