Illinois State Normal University - Index Yearbook (Normal, IL)

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I2 Zhu' .inner The iirst noteworthy change in the Normal was removing the old desks and replacing them with new ones. In 1889, the steam boilers were removed from the basement and placed in the HEngine House, which had been constructed for that purpose. For a number of years a need of more room was greatly felt. The attendance had become so large that the one building was more than crowded g Model School classes were taught in gloomy rooms of the basement, in corners, under stairways- anywhere. But, through the energetic efforts of President Cook and others, the legislature of '91 appropriated 3'518,000 for a Training School building. This was begun in the fall of '91 and completed for occupancy at the beginning of the Spring Term following. During the summer vacation of 792 the old building under- went a siege of much needed repair, and during the Fall Term the kerosene lamps were replaced by electric lights. The Library first occupied the narrow hall west ofthe assembly room, each ofthe societies had a library in its own hall, later, all the books were shelved in a single room on the first floor, but now two large, commodious, well lighted rooms are set apart for library purposes. Thus have the improvements been increasing steadily, and we are now looking forward to the time when a gymnasium with competent instructors shall form a part of our school course. Though the legislature has been adverse to granting an appropriation for such a building, yet, with Pres- ident Cook at the helm Cand we hope and pray the hydra-headed political monster may not interferel, we need not despair.

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Eh: jluhrr nu was made temporary principal and began the Fall Term with about eighty students, nearly all ladies. In June, 1862, Dr. Richard Edwards was made president and held the ofiice until 1876, when he resigned. He was succeeded by Dr. Edwin C. Hewett, who at that time was an instructor in the school. After fourteen and one-half years of judicious management, Dr. I-Iewett resigned, and was succeeded, in June, 1890, by President John W. Cook. 1t would be interesting to note in detail the various changes that have been made during the past years, but we shall speak of them only in a general way. The growth of the state in population and the general intel- lectual advancement caused a steady increase in attendance, until the last annual enrollment is 1,230 The lady students have al- ways outnumbered the men, particularly in the Normal Depart- ment, where at present the ratio is over two to one. The work of the school remained essentially the same until 1883, since then many definite changes have been made. The two most important are the increase of professional work and the introduction of science work into the Model Department. Additions have been made to the Faculty as necessity de- manded until now the corps of instructors numbers twenty-one members-twelve men and nine women. On an average the instructors of the last ten years are younger than those before that time, which may in part account for the athletic spirit that has been growing steadily. And let us hope that the day is not far distant when a gymnasium will be added to the number of beautiful buildings already existing.

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DR. EDWIN C. I-IEWETT i876-l89O.