Fort Hays State University - Reveille Yearbook (Hays, KS)

Page 24 text:

Edith E. Hoag, B.A„ Assistant Professor Commerce E. J. Montague. B.S.. Professor Commerce Financial Secretary Ina McCurdy, A.B.. Assistant Professor Commerce Ruth Thomas, B,S., Instructor Commerce Page Twenty-Four

Page 23 text:

HISTORY Robert L. Parker, A. EL, A.M., Professor History The motif of the History Department is “In- terpretati on is of more importance than informa- tion ’ This does not mean that facts are ignored. On the contrary, a knowledge of facts is essential. He who has studied history aright ought to possess that poise of mind, that sanity of viewpoint, so po- tent in preventing one’s opinions becoming warped and twisted by the perplexing and often conflicting influences of modern life. There is an old saying that if a book on his- tory is interesting it is not history. This certainly is not true of twentieth century treatises and text- books. History in common with the other social sciences is inherently interesting because it treats of that most interesting of all subjects — man. Recent events have shown as never before the need that American citi- zens should be trained to think straight upon economic and international questions. In recognition of this fact two courses have been added during the present year to those previously taught in the Department. These are International Law and Economics. It is planned to add still another course during the summer term of 1920 under the title of “Institutions, Parties and Government ’ This will deal with current questions of social, industrial and political significance and the hope is that it will prove one of the most valu- able courses offered in the Department. What has transpired within the Department during the past year? Noth- ing startling or sensational. All the work has been conducted in accordance with the ideal above set forth and the results will have to show for them- selves. During the year sixty-five students have been taking correspondence courses in History. This number does not include those who started to take correspondence work but who discontinued sending in manuscripts for various reasons, although they are nominally still enrolled. The number includes only those who have already finished their courses during the current year or are still regularly sending in manuscripts. One study class in English History has been conducted at Rozel and the course has been completed. During the current year one hundred and fifty- three resident students have enrolled in the History Department. Page Twenty-Three

Page 25 text:

COMMERCE The reorganized and expanded Department of Commerce, will be a year old Wednesday, May 26. The enthusiastic response by the young people of western Kansas who want a business education has fully justified the steps taken to build up this part of the institution. Until about a year ago, the demand for commercial education was met satisfactorily by courses in Typewriting, Shorthand, Bookkeeping and Pen- manship. But the calls for more extensive training in commercial work in- creased. Some wished to teach commercial work in the high schools, while others wished to prepare for business positions. To many, the high fee charged by the business colleges, made this kind of training prohibitive. Numerous inquiries from business men themselves, emphasized the need for home study and extension classes in business administration. The present program is to place the work of this Department on a plane with what is being done in the best institutions. A survey just completed shows that this is actually being accomplished; that the standards in our department are as high, and the credit given for the work is as li beral as is found in the better institutions of the North Central Association. To ac- complish this result, four new faculty members have been added and me- chanical apparatus as extensive as is found in the best business colleges in- stalled. Mr. E. J. Montague, a graduate from the Department of Commerce of the Oregon Agricultural College, with extensive business experience in con- nection with the State of Kansas and the United States Government, was elected head of the Department and to give instruction in Higher Accoun- tancy, Farm Accounting, Banking, Salesmanship and Business Organization. Miss Ina McCurdy, a graduate from the University of Iowa with high school and business experience, was placed in charge of the Shorthand, Typewrit- ing and Office Training classes. Miss Edith Hoag from the Mt. Morris College and with two years experience as Principal of the high school and Head of the Commercial Department of the Osceola High School, was elected to handle the courses in Bookkeeping, Business Letter Writing, Commercial Law and Commercial Geography. Miss Ruth Thomas of Baker University was given the correspondence work in Shorthand and Typewriting and the added responsibility of class room assistant in Shorthand and Typewriting. Quick to catch the spirit of the institution, the activities of the depart- ment have been extended very rapidly. Most of the resident courses are being offered by correspondence. Large numbers are already enrolled for correspondence work in Shorthand, Typewriting, Bookkeeping, Commercial Law and Penmanship. Large extension classes in Shorthand and Sales- manship have been conducted with good results. The old theory that school teachers are poor business men and women is going to be refuted at the Fort Hays Normal School. The Department of Commerce does not believe the task will be difficult. A knowledge of good business methods will help the teacher be of greater service to a community and at the same time, will be a force for a better salary. Page Twenty-Five