Georgia Southern University - Reflector Yearbook (Statesboro, GA)

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EXPANSION . . . A revival of the building program brought in a new gymnasium and a dining hall. The gymnasium, which was built from contributions made by graduates of the in- stitution, was hence given the name Alumni Building. From the state, appro- priations were finally granted with which to construct an auditorium. A $15,000 heating system was installed for these new buildings and for the dormitories and the administra- tion building erected at the founding of the college. At the time of the completion of the dining hall, the President of Georgia Normal School made his home on the third floor of that building. Three hundred students were enrolled at this new teachers college by 1926, justify- ing an increase in the amount of subjects and fields listed in the curriculum. Entrance to the school was determined either by ex- amination or by certificate. New courses added to the curriculum and those for which two-year certificates were issued included library science, physical education, industrial arts, home economics, expression, business, and music. A two-year course for elementary teach- ers was the main attraction. Two literary societies, a Y.W.C.A. home economics club, Latin club, a glee club, and several social organizations were established so that the students interested in grouping with kindred souls could do so. THE REFLECTOR, published by the senior class, had its beginning in 1926 and in- cluded photographs and drawings of stu- dents and buildings. EAST HALL-Erected 1907 Freshman Women ' s Dormitory ANDERSON HALL-Erected 1932 Married Students ' Apartments and Dining Hall

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CURRICULUM . . SANFORD HALL-Erected 1937 Freshman and Sophomore Men ' s Dormitory WEST HALL-Erected 1907 Sophomore Women ' s Dormitory Besides the program for which the school had been founded, the curriculum included such electives as Latin, solid geometry, music, psychology, and at least two courses in teacher training. J. W. Hendricks, who was the first prin- cip al, resigned at the end of the first year and was succeeded by E. C. J. Dickens, a member of the Board of Trustees. The year following its beginning the school had quite an increase in enrollment as well as in the number of faculty mem- bers. In 1915 the curriculum was enlarged by adding a course in expression, special work in English composition, and an extensive farm improvement program. Training in domestic duties continued until 1920. Closely following the election of E. V. Hollis as principal in 1914, the A AA School attendance disclosed the alarming fact that education here was coming to a standstill. Since more and more vocational education was being taught in hometown high schools, there was no longer the need for a boarding school of this type. The grounds and buildings began to lose prestige. The merchants of Statesboro and nearby Savannah swung into action— appropriating money and rehabilitating the camous. The Board of Trustees, the General Assembly converted the First District A AA School into the Georgia Normal School. This bill, passed in August of 1924, provided for the educa- tion of public school teachers for south Georgia. Changes in the administration of the Col- lege occurred soon after the change in op- eration. Guy H. Wells, who had become dean in 1926, succeeded Hollis as president the next year. At the same time, Zach S. Henderson, a native of Eastman, Georgia, took over the dean ' s office.

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PUBLICATIONS . . . ALUAANI BUILDING— Erected 1932 Public Relations Office and Student Publications HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATIONAL BUILDING— Erected 1955 Athletic Offices and Classrooms ,0 The first school newspaper printed at the Normal School was called THE TORCH and was issued monthly, but with the advent of co-educational standards, the name was changed to THE GEORGE-ANNE and was published weekly. The later name was de- rived from a combination of George (sym- bolizing the male student) and Anne (repre- senting the female), both stemming from Georgian. Both high school and college basketball were sponsored by the physical education department at the time. Games were played in the new gymnasium— the Alumni Build- ing. The Student Council went into effect as a method of student government, which deliberated on all discipline problems. In 1928 Georgia Normal School was ad- mitted into the American Association of Teachers ' Colleges. The administration, headed by Guy H. Wells, decided that the college was attract- ing enough students at the end of the 1928 term to justify a four-year course. Since they had already applied for such a grant, they proceeded to get four seniors ready for graduation from a four-year institution. On graduation day in 1929, the right to grant degrees was offered, but none too soon. Those four seniors were waiting in the wings of the auditorium to receive their diplomas when word was received that Georgia Normal School was officially South Georgia Teachers College. The high school curriculum was immedi- ately dropped from the school ' s program and students were trained to teach in sec- ondary schools.