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

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' Education . . . the grandest of enterprises ' Art students used stereoscopes and drafting equipment to gain Gaslight fixtures are apparent in the upper righthand corner. working knowledge of perspective drawings. President Edwards was recognized as a public speaker of great power, an inspiring teacher, and an uncompromising idealist. His crusade for increased academic training marked him as the most successful exponent of the tlieory of normal schools in America. Perhaps President Edwards ' outstanding achieve- ment may be found in his role as the first president of two normal schools — one at Salem, Massachusetts, the other at St. Louis, Missouri — and as second president of ISNU. In reality, Dr. Edwards was the second principal and first president of ISNU, because the latter term was not applied to the top-office position unHl 1866. It was a status quo curriculum during the 14-year Edwards administration, with only six standard cate- gories of subjects incorporated in the early catalogs. These embraced language arts, criticism, higher mathematics, philosophy, vocal music, didactics, edu- cation methods, and optional studies. Left: Mary Brooks, first teacher of the ISNU Model School, originally taught under Presi- dent Hovey in the Peoria school system. She resigned her ISNU position after three years ' service in Major ' s Hall to become Mrs. James Wiley. An illness caused her un- expected death in 1868. Right: Henry McCormick, an Irish immi- grant, served at ISNU for almost fort ' ears. Upon graduation from ISNU in 1868, Dr. McCormick became principal of the Normal Public School system. He joined the Uni- versity staff in 1869 as instructor of geogra- phy and later advanced to the position of vice president.

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Richard Edwards, a Welshman by birth, learned the English language through memorization of an English catechism. A i ubiic speaker of no mean reputation, the ISNU administrator re- ceived a number of calls to various Illinois churches. He resigned as president in 1867. Richard Edwards — Richard Edwards became jDresident of the State Nor- mal University in September, 1862, and held the office tor fourteen years. Upon him fell the crucial task of stabilizing the infant school during the war and post- war years. President Edwards ' biography exemplifies the tradition of America as the land of opportunity. The outhful immigrant ' s family debarked from Wales to Ohio in 1832. Young Edwards was ten years old at the time. He was in full comprehension of the English language, having committed an English catechism to memory dur- ing early religious training. Forsaking a carpentry apprenticeship in 1838. Richard Edwards undertook studies at the Bridgewater, Massa- chusetts, Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1846. He financed his way through college by means of part-time teaching. Graduate studies were continued at Harvard University- and the Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York. Under Dr. Edwards ' experienced guidance, ISNU emerged as the largest and most influential Normal in America. Basic to the 40-year-old leader ' s educational philosophy were the ideals of consecrating a right spirit in college students and providing each community with the type of professional leadership it so often lacked. Fell PontI was the ideal setting for iiirKU The pond lias siiin li(( ii n p!,h ' ' ! I this group ot Illinois State Normal Uni%ersitv coeds built in 1918. im, .MB - i-2

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Readin , ' ritin ' , and ' rithmetic — and whittling were naluded nj tin Iiai: versit ' ' s infant years. Stationary desks, adorned with fanc ironwork, wer Hard, straight backed chairs offered litde incentive for rekixation. S( h(Hil prograni during the Uni- Lonxentional cUrssrooni furniture. Sunday evening meetings in Wrightonian Hall furnished students and townspeople with essays and orations. Located on the now-removed fourth floor of Old Main, this second society hall was adorned widi elaborate carpeting, rich curt, tins, ni.l tv, s, .1, A wA]- 14