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

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Teacher ” was taken from the name because it didn’t fit the institution (1931) From the first day of school in 1902, until the inaugura- tion of W. A, Lewis in 1914. the curriculum expanded from a two-year course with no certificate privileges, to an eight- year course granting one-year, three-year, and life certifi- cates, and the bachelor of science degree in education; the faculty grew from two to 24; and enrollment increased from 23 to over 700. The day of Lewis’ inauguration also marked the day of the school ' s independence from the State Normal School, and a change of name. At the request of the college person- nel and Hays citizens, the board approved the name Fort Hays Kansas Normal School to recognize the historic sur- roundings in which the college is located. During Lewis’ 20-year administration (1913-1933), there were two additional name changes. Upon the request of the Board of Regents, the legislature of 1923 adjusted the names of the three state normal schools to Kansas State Teachers College, adding the names of the towns where located. 16 Fori Hays State History

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ft was not an easy road from Western Branch to Univer- sity. The circumstances which led eventually to the 1902 founding of the college extended over a period of more than 30 years. A bill granting the abandonment of old Fort Hays, located south of the present school site, supported the establishment of a Western Branch of the Kansas State Nor- mal School (Emporia), and was first introduced in December, 1899, when the 56th Congress convened. Three months later, President William McKinley approved the bill. Legislation enacted in 1901 gave the Board of Regents of the Kansas State Normal School, the responsibility of pre- scribing the course of study, not extending over more than two years; conditions of admission and other regulations needed to operate the program successfully; provided that the course of study included only the coursework which pre- pared students for advanced academic work offered at the State Normal School. 1 | g 4 1 . First football team organized in fall of 1902. 2 . Fort Hays 5 3 6 Normal building at the Goiden Belt Fairgrounds. 3. Miss Anna Keller was one of the first three teachers at the Western Branch of the State Normal School when it opened. 4. Hays, Main Street in the early years of the school. 5, The first day of school, June 23. 1 902. The school opened in a building at the site of old Fort Hays, 6, The original classes were held in buildings left on the fort from the Indian war days, ! Fort Hays State History 1 5

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Eight years later, in 1931, when the name was again changed — to Fort Hays Kansas State College — there was some controversy over reinstating the Fort Hays part of the name. One student commented in an opinion poll taken by the State College Leader that the new name sounds like a battlefield.” Others complained that the addition of Fort Hays made the name too long, but according to Geneva Herndon, faculty emeritus, They viewed it as an advance. People were glad for the removal of the word ‘teachers’ from the title, particularly since at that time, many students weren’t studying to be teachers.” “The significance of the change of name is this. Our class is that of any of the universities and colleges of the Mis- sissippi valley,” said President Lewis in a 1931 address to students. Fort Hays Kansas State College now gives the same degrees as would be obtained elsewhere and the courses offered are practically the same.’ ' Ironically, students in 1975 used the same arguments to promote the change from Fort Hays Kansas State College to Fort Hays State University. In a letter-to-the-editor printed in the State College Leader, Ed Barker, then president of the graduate class, listed reasons supporting the proposed change. He said that university status would aid in job place- ment; increase total enrollment; identify us as separate from junior and community colleges and add prestige. He added that Fort Hays State met all requirements for a university and is “far more worthy than many schools with that title. t 2 A. 1 . Because of the rural background of many early students, agri- 3 11 culture was stressed. 2 . An early orchesis group. 3 . Architect ' s drawing ot proposed W. A, Lewis memorial campanile — never built. 4 . The college campus of the future as envisioned by William Lewis, President 1913-1933, Fort Hays State History 1 7