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

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10 The Imlel' less the required amount was pledged by July 1. 1893, the pledges would be void. It became evident that without some help the enterprise could hardly succeed. Then it was that President Cook proposed that the society build- ing be combined with a gymnasium and an appeal be made to the legislature for an appropriation. Through the efforts of President Cook and a number of our good friends at the State Capitol. a bill was introduced and we were confident of success. But alas! the bill went the way of many others and the help was not obtained. The pledges at present are all void. but it is believed that they will be made good at any time if the enterprise is revived. The idea of the new build- ing is by no means abandoned. and it may confidently be expected before many years have passed. Among the improvements which have been made should be mentioned the construction of the new iron fence, the improvement of the campus by trimming the trees and bet- tering the condition of the ball grounds, and treating the large building to a new coat of paint. On the whole the buildings and grounds appear to better advantage than ever before. The interior of some of the departments have been much improved by the addition of the cases and exhibits. from the World's Fair. This is especially true of the Sci- ence and Drawing departments and of the Model School. One change has been made in theffaculty during the past year. Professor Reeder resigned at the close of the fall term, and his place was filled by Dr. C. C. Van Liew, who entered upon his duties at the beginning of the winter term. The conducting of regular elementary and advanced classes in music under the direction of Mr. Parsons is a feature of value and has proved itself a success. Some ex- cellent work has been done during the year in the Faculty Club. The special topic has been Science Workf' and the result will be a course of study in science for most' of the grades below the High School. A Science Club conducted by a few members of the school has done work along the

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Tlz e lrzzclef 9 , iff , HE history of the Illinois State Normal Univer- fsgu sity is full of interesting and attractive ma- 040 terial. The first quarter century of the insti- J-'F-X tution is treated of in a volume published in 1882 by President Cook and James V. McHugh. This book -ought to be familiar to every Normal student. for it is the only accessible means of learning of our early career: and -one can never be fully in touch with any institution without knowing something about the struggles through which it has passed to attain its present position. The previous volumes of THE INDEX have given short sketches of our history up to the present time, and so furnish good records of the important events connected with the existence of the Normal. Believing that many things of interest have transpired within the past year which are worthy of a record, and that many will enjoy a reference to the history of their own school days, we shall omit from this article further mention of the early history of our institution and deal especially with current events. An event which many looked forward to with high hopes and great expectations was the construction, during the present year, of a beautiful society building and gym- nasiumf Much hard work and some money was expended by the members of the school and societies in securing pledges for a society building, with the provision that un-

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-The Index 11 same line. Although the classes this year were not so large as last year, they were able to do more if not better work The Seniors were especially fortunate in completing both Dewey and Rosenkranz. A successful Astronomy class was also carried on. Some important changes among our former teachers have occurred during the year. Richard D. J ones, formerly our instructor in literature, has taken the chair of Litera- ture at Swarthmore College. For three years he has been studying for his chosen profession in England and Germany and has now joined President De Garmo at the Quaker Col- lege. The University of Illinois has secured another of our former teachers. Dr. Frank McMurry, who has been in Germany for two years, now has the department of Peda- gogy in our sister institution. Mr. John Hall is still pur- suing his studies in Jena, Germany. -The Summer School will be carried on this year under three departments: Prof. Colton in Science, Prof. Barton in Languages, and Miss Hartmann in Mathematics. At the close of the winter term the Central Illinois Teachers' Association held their annual meeting at the Uni- versity. Over nine hundred teachers were present and the meeting was a success from all points of view. The term just ended has witnessed one of the most novel institutes ever held in the state. Under the super- vision of President Cook the Normal has been able to carry on its regular work and hold at the same time an institute of four weeks, duration that for thoroughness of work and value to teachers could hardly be surpassed. LQ. Arxfgx X'N..e.....D -351-Q G 4'0EP- c-I-1.3.1-.w