Fort Wayne Normal School - Annual Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

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18 OUR YEsTERDAYs COMMENCEMENTS In the early days, joint commencements were held for the High School and Training School. The programs consisted chiefly of essays delivered by the graduates. A published copy of the essays of the class of 1869 is still preserved. One cannot believe, after reading the essay of Miss Margaret Cochrane, later principal of the Washington School and still a resident of Fort NVayne, that the youthful spirit of progress was any less strong in the '60's than it is in 1922. Men will cling to old opinions, to old policies, and to old hats all the more desperately because haunted by the terrible fear that they might possibly, in a moment of weakness, be led to entertain a feeling of tolerance for any dangerous 'new fangled' thing. Such men have ever been clogs to the working out of 'onward and upward' motto, and perpetual goads to that particularly progressive spirit, 'Young America.' It is to these that young America, never at a loss for expressive titles, has given those of 'old fog'ies,' 'fossils,' and 'slow old coaches'. In January, 1902, the first class graduated from the extended course. At this time the Normal commencement was separated from that of the High School, and addresses were given by men of prominence in Fort VVaync:. In 1902 the address was given by Rev. I. Webster Baileyg in 1905, by Mr. Samuel Bl. Foster, in IQO4, by Superintendent I. N. Studyg in 1905, by Dr. W. O. Gross. From 1905 to the present time, the addresses have been given by men of reputation in educational circles outside of the city. The names constitute a list of which the Normal School can be proud: 1906, Hon. F. A. Cotton, State Superintendent of Public Instruc- tiong 1907, W. W. Parsons, President of I. S. N. S.g 1908, Dr. E. B. Bryan, President of Franklin College, 1909, Dr. Robert I. Aley, State Superintendent of .Public Instructiong 1910, Dr. NfVilliam L. Bryan, President of I. U., 1911, Dr. E. H. Lindley, I. U.: 1912, Prof. H. B. Von Klein Smid, DePauw Universityg 1913, Dr. NV. W. Black, I. U., 1914, Prof. D. H. Roberts, Michigan State Normal College, IQI5, Dr. M. E. Haggarty, I. U., 1916, Dr. Stanley L. Coulter, lfurdue I,'ni'.'ersity, 1917, Edgar A. Doll, Vineland Training School, 1918, F. B. Pearson, State Superintendent of Ohio, 1919, Dr. VVm. Bishop Owen, Principal of Chicago Normal College, 1920, Carroll G. Pearse, President of Milwaukee State Normal Schoolg 19.21, Dr. W. 'vV. Black, I. U. In 19.22 the address is to be given by S. A. Courtis of the Research Department, Detroit Public Schools. BACCALAUREATE Several weeks before graduation the girls of the Senior class select, by v-oting, the min- ister whom they wish to have preach the baccalaureate sermon. This service is held the Sunday before graduation. THE BANQUET For many years the Juniors had given a party the week before graduation in honor of the Seniors, These parties finally became so elaborate that they have taken the form of a banquet to which the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, their wives, the members of the School Board, their wives, the Alumnae, Miss VVilber, the Faculty and the Normal stu- dents are invited. The Juniors take much pride in making this occasion an outstanding feature of the year. The banquet room is decorated with school colors, daisies, and other spring Howers, and the school pennants. Various educational leaders of the city. as well as a Senior honor student chosen by the Faculty to represent her class, give toasts. The school song, class songs, and community songs are sung. Class yells are given and sometimes a short program is given by the mem- bers of the Junior class. All await this event eagerly, for it is a time when old friendships are renewed, past experiences are recalled and re-lived, new friendships are formed, and everyone has a rousing good time. , BIBLIOGRAPHY OF NORMAL SCHOOL HISTORY I. The Fifth Annual Report of the Board of Education, 1868. 2. Report of the Public Schools, 1901-1902. 3. Report of the Public Schools, 1907. 1 4 Essays and Addresses of the Fifth Annual Commencement of the Fort Wayne High School, 1869. Property of Carrie A. Snively. 5. Commencement Programs, IQO3-IQ22. 6. Fort Wayne Normal School Annual, 1917. 7. Cartoon Magazine, September, 1913. 8. Newspaper Clippings. 9. Historical Sketches of State Normal and Training School at Oswego, N. Y., 1887.

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FLOWER FESTIVAL QUEENS