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

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History of the Illinois State Normal University DR. E. C. HEVVETT. of vs X 4: as 5 cxn JW? 1 J f v VERX institution ot learning that amounts to any thinv, has a body of tiaditions and customs, and fatts of its ea1l1e1 and later l1lStO1X,XXll1Cll should bers during all its subsequent histoiy fo this statement, the Illinois btate Normal Unixeisity is, by no means, an exception, and to help its members of the present generation to a knowl '.-'-': 'i '..'f::' f:Jf'lfxlfff-Ez'-Y-EQ, , I 7 ' K ,' , ,' A , , ' l ' , ,Q , f - IL, rs .NG BZ ctw' I . IL, I . I I I I K I L. L'J 'L':':v-f. f C . . I Y Y . V. V Y :fuYif'Q1gs-1533159 if . i ' , ' , i ' s , ' ' ' i t o in TQ12-'Iii 21? c c - c 3-,I GQ ltxxvlilfgjyygffi possess a profound interest for all its loyal mem- zise:-'ei 2231651611-beilv. . .- - - . f r - .- ,eff ua A. N , X .7 N . 1 ., I I Q5 D . .g ., I ' . Y I . Y K V f ' i l I .L I . Ik I I ,. I . 4 I' V I7 v - edge of these things has been my motive in responding' to the re- C1 1 r l lg k P quest to prepare this article for publication. Colleges and universities have existed for ages, but normal schools belong to modern times. It was during the last century that the idea of schools for the special preparation of teachers for their work, sp1'ang up in this country. The iirst school with this name, and for this purpose, on the western continent was opened just sixty- five years ago on July 3, 1839, in the historic village of Lexington, Massachusetts. ln the beginning it had three young women for its pupils and one old gentleman, a Unitarian clergyman, for its faculty It began in the face of much opposition. Many good and learned men believed it was not needed. They said, If one knows a thing he can teach it. There is no need of special schools to prepare him to do it. Wlieii we think of the present number of normal schools in America, and of the great work that they have done, it seems almost incredible that such an opinion should have been almost universally prevalent but little more than half a century ago. And let us remem- ber that our institution was established less than twenty years after that lirst one at Lexington, and wl1ile this opinion of normal school work of which I have spoken was still strong in the minds of a great many intelligent people. I shall try in this article to set forth only at few of the leading facts in the history of our institution. Space will allow nothing '7 H,lllII'1l mln Illlirllf Illlfllllllff.,l'iili,ll'lQ l3m'vKWAI,'l'IClt. i,Sl1l1'llIll'f,l H'fllfugjfIlf flu' lfllfw lllillys !I'lllAI'll oil14'rsfr'ul'1' llllillllll' llIll1I,4'NllfNl'.H +SI,THANNA I5l,n'1cnxs'1'A1-'ia 13

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Vid il ,ily 3 QA, '31 2.2 Q of teachers, have received direct instruction from him and felt directly the force of his personality. And the influence that he wielded was a very positive one. His appeals to the intellectual powers of his pupils were clear, and the influence that he wielded upon their moral and spiritual purposes was equally decisive. They left hiin with a clearer appreciation of truth, and they left him with intensified desires for nobler living But these young nien and wonien have theinselves gone forth into the world as teachers. The power which they received from hini, therefore, has been reproduced in their intercourse with t-he multiplied thousands whoni they have been called upon to instruct. In order to acconiplish good in this world we need two things. W'e need opportunity, and we need the mental and nioral preparation rightly to use the opportunity. Our departed brother had the opportunity, and he also had acquired the requisite preparation for it. RICHARD EDWARDS. QW ,.,X.71.:,7.6.5X,.5.Xf..,,... '21 lllllfll' of ,lIf1If1y.w'ff. -Llcim Bicows. Hlljilllll czlffl Illini' ofa uvml lo flirty. -Al,'l'IIA BURTIS. '12

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