Franklin College - Almanack Yearbook (Franklin, IN)

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PROF. R. J. THOMPSON

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Mathematical Department LASSES come and classes go but the Mathemat- ical department remains a constant quantity. lt is diiiicult to conceive that it shall ever be other- wise, for mathematical studies looked at from a prac- tical point of View underlie so many intelligent pur- suits and employments as to render an acquaintance with them of great importance, while looked at from a theoretical point of View they afford a fine mental discipline, as they demand from the student earnest voluntary exertion. Few students attain much success in mathematics unless willing to sub- mit themselves to steady and continued discipline. No other line of studies demands greater self-denial, patience and perseveranceg and this at a period in life when restraint and application are peculiarly valuable. It.will appear then that the aim of the department is three-fold : mental discipline, develop- ment of character, and knowledge. The methods employed vary with the different sub- jects treated, and to some extent with indiyidual students. Wliatevei' the method used, clearness, ac- curacy and careful expression of thought are de- manded. The mathematical rooms are large with eastern and southern windows. A small but yaluable library renders much assistance in the various lines of study. The blackboard space is too limited for the Freshman class but allows about twenty to write at the same time. Dryuess and drudgery are terms often connected with this department, but all is not dryness though it must be admitted dust is fiying much of the time. He will be a benefactor to teachers who inyents a dustless crayon. The drudgery, too, is enliyened now and then by the introduction of matter not con- templated by the makers of the text-book. Exami- nation papers sometimes reyeal original defmitions, as for instance, 'tGeometry is the means by which we imaginef' After all, where is the imagination more needed than in the study of geometry? The student who spoke of the conjugal diameters of an ellipse was perhaps taking lessons in campustry, while he who is classifying logaritlnns changed hyperbolic system to ' 'diabolic system unconsciously expressed his aversion to adyauced algebra. The teacher sus- pects, however, that the youth who gaye the Cussoid of Dioclesl' for the Cissoid of Dioclesn was one who sought out many inventions. Close study and much study usually bring to the student of mathematics rewards in the quickeued perceptions, in the conscious ability to meet difficult problems, and in the mastery of mental powers. These are possessions which may be made available in many directions. ' Professor Rebecca J. Thompson has had charge of this department for oyer twenty-five years. She is one of the best in the country. The students loye her as a teacher and a true Christian lady.

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Department 't 777 ' rl HE Biological Labo- vf ratory of Franklin y it 7 ' College consists of three well lighted rooms on the .7 'l if l , 1 fourth floor of the main ifg',,, t building. lt is furnished if with water, gas, micro- scopes, microtome, reag- ents, charts, etc., all the most useful appliances found today in any well arranged laboratory. The purpose of this department is to give the nature as she is, and to afford him a comprehensive knowledge of the laws which underlie all development, thus opening up before him the method by which she has in the past, is at the present, and will in the future bring about changes in organism. The department, by no means, places all the stress upon the Hhand writing upon the wallf' but is careful that the student gets some conception of the individual who does the writing. It's through nature to nature's God. The method by which these results are obtained is by daily investigation with scalpel and microscope in the laboratory, by means of a familiarity with the organism in respect to its habitat, daily recitations, lectures, quizzes, etc. The subject of geology, while not properly a department of biology, yet, because of the lack of teaching force, is under the charge of this depart- ,QV ! V , 1 ,,,. ' students a familiarity with of Biology ment. The method of bringing its facts to the mind of the student is by means of daily recitations from books of the most advanced thinkers and investiga- tors in this line of work, in connection with the well selected and classified Gorby Cabinet of more than thirty-five thousand specimens collected in America and many foreign countries. This department, under the efficient management of Prof. Owen, has done much to place Franklin College in the front among the colleges of the State. Prof. David A. Owen was born in Green County, this State, on December 11, 1852. His boyhood days were spent upon the farm, working during the summer and attending the district school during the winter. At the age of eighteen he entered Point Commerce High School, where he remained two terms. The following two terms were spent teach- ing school. ln 18733, feeling that God had something more than being a country school teacher in store for him, he entered Franklin College, from which he was graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1878. In 1878-79, he was principal of Salem High School. In 1879-82, he was tutor in Franklin College. ln 1881, Prof. Owen received two honors, one from the college and the other from Johnson County. The people of the county elected him to the position of superintendent, and the college gave him the degree of M. A. He has been teaching in the college since 1879. Prof. Owen is a member of the Indiana Academy of Science, of the American Association for the advancement of Science, and of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.