Independence Junior College - Inkanquil Yearbook (Independence, KS)

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THE INKANQUIL PAGE 3 HOW IT WAS It is with a pride which we be- believe wholly pardonable that we glance backward over the accom- lishments of. the year. The Indep- endence Junior College is now an established institution, a live, firm- ly entrenched, growing organiza- tion. The citizens of Independence should realize fully that they have taken an important educational step in making this the home of a junior college. The faculty consists of six mem- bers of high educational standing, who are to be complimented on the very excellent manner in which they have handled the affairs of the school. Few junior colleges in the-country have had the rare fortune of securing such capable professors, who have the interest of the students so deeply in mind an every moment. They have not only taught thoroughly and comp- etently, but have done ,much by personal contact toward directing the students along the 1'oad to ser- vicable knowledge. It is this per- sonal mental guidance which is lacking in many larger colleges and universities, and which is so very desireable in every school. The curriculum of the College was established by the University of Kansas, and is presented on the same high plane as that of the Un- iversity itself. On a recent visit to the College, representatives of the University expressed their en- tire approval of the work done here, which approval was the final step necessary in order to make this an accredited school. Students completing the the two years work offered here are eligible to enter any of the larger colleges and universities of the state without it being necessary for them to pass entrance examinations. A number of the College activi- ties have been developed during the year, which had fair to win for the school a recognized place among the colleges of the state in the near future. 'Although the football and basketball teams were seriously handicapped by their limited number, they showed a val- ient spirit which is astonishing when the existing conditions are taken into consideration. Due to a shortage of substitutes, many men have played through to the end of a game after being physic- ally incapacitated by accident. The student body appreciates the her- oic attitude which its atheletes have shown in defending the Blue and Gold, for however often they went down to defeat they went bravely, showin-g a fighting spirit to the end. 'Toward the close of the year, a Women's Athletic Association was organized under the supervision of Miss Alice May Austin and Miss Zella Spradling. Points for mem- bership are scored for hiking, swimming, etc. It is the aim of those interested in the work to secure the afliliation of the local order with the National Women's Athletic Association, so that points gained in the Independence College can be transfered to other schools. ' The Young Women's Christian Association, under the guidance of Mrs. Majel W. Wood has had an interesting and useful year. Sev- erel prominent club women of the city have greatly aided in the Work by their inspiring and educational talks. During the holiday season, the members of the Association joined with others in providing gifts for the Mexican children of the city. Plans are already being made for the coming year's pro- gram, oflicers having been elected some time ago. The Young Men's Christian Ass- ociation was organized under the direction of Mr. Clayton,Montgom- ery, with Mr. James Gilmore as president. Its programs have in- cluded several excellent talks by members of the faculty. The College also has a debate club, which was represented in a dual debate with Arkansas City by Mr. James Gilmore, Mr. Harold Bullock and Miss Rachel Gansel for the affirmative, and Miss Jose- phine Blades, Mr. Alford Prescott and David Argo for the negative. Much work was done on a play entitled, Mrs. Partridge Presents in which Miss Rachel Gansel plays the role of Mrs. Partridge. It is believed that this play was. the outstanding College event of the year. With the exception of the all-school picnic this play conclud- ed the year. -Daisy McGaughey

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PAGE 2 I THE INKANQUIL . PROFESSOR C. S. RISDON We the students of the Independence Junior Col- lege, dedicate this, the first edition of the lnkanquil, to Professor C. S. Risdon, the beloved leader and friend of all the college students. Pro- fessor Risdon has been known and loved by most of the student body since they first started to school in the grades. It is with the greatest regret that we part with our old friend, and the students of the col- lege wish him the acme of success in whatever he undertakes in the futugre.

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PAGE 4 THE INKANQUIL It is with regret that we speak of Prof. C. S. Risdon as 'formerly superintendent'g it is with sorrow that we realize we can no longer go to him with our student's troub- les, and throughout the whole city, those who have ever had the inter- est of the school at heart, the de- parture of Prof. Charles S. Risdon from this community cannot but feel that Independence has suffer- ed a loss which it will be difiicult to efface. Prof. Risdon's greatest aim as superintendent of schools here was to build up one of the strong- est and most successful education- al systems in the state, and one which attracted even nationwide attention. The resignation came as no great surprise to the older members of the Board of Educa- some Inde- Prof. three made tion, as they had known for years that larger cities than pendence were bidding for Risdon's help. Some two or years ago Prof. Risdon was flattering offers to fill positions in the educational field which, in both remuneration and chances of advancement as an educator, ex- ceeded his post here. Despite the fact that Independence could not offer equal inducements, the super- intendent remained here, and as a result, the city has a junior college course added to the cirriculum of its school system. When Prof. Risdon came to In- dependence from Thayer, in 1902, only a shadow of the present school system was present. Two of the present schools, the Wash- ington and the Lincoln, were func- tioning, although even both these are new buildings, but in the same location. The high school was then operated by the county. Since Prof. Risdon's arrival here, the Longfellow, McKinley, Willard, Riley, and Junior High school buildings have been built. In ad- SUPT. C. S. RISDON dition the Senior High school building has been remodeled to ac- commodate the Independence Jun- ior College, an institution offer- ing two years of regular college study, and whose credits are hon- ored in every college and univer- sity in the state. Since Prof. Risdon has been at the head of the Independence schools, courses in manuel train- ing, domestic science, music, phy- sical education, printing, art,kand mechanics have been added. When the retiring superintendent took up his work here, the school en- rollment was 500, whereas it is now almost 3,000, or an increase of over six times. During this time thle value of Independence school propertyhas increased from S20, 000 to 31,358,000 When Prof. Risdon took over the duties of sup- erintendent, the school property consisted of fl block of land where the Lincoln school now stands, the Washington school with a half a block of ground, and the old fourth ward school, which was located in the 500 block on south fourth street. CToday the six grade schools each have a block of land attached, with gthe exception of the McKinley.l Prof. Risdon was largely respon- sible for the erection of the new Junior High school building. Be- fore tlie subject was brought be- fore the citizens of Independence. he had given the matter much thought, and at last, when archi- tects examined the plans he had laid, they found necessary very few changes in his ideas. School men in Kansas readily agree that the Junior High school building in Independence is one of the best in the state from an architectural standpoint. During his twenty-four years in Independence, Prof. Risdon has .-,fp raised the Independence schodl system from one common to a country village to one of which a city many times larger than this might welll be proud. The resign- ing superintendent's popularity with the school students as well demonstrated by the honor at the high school which was confered on him. Another little incident which shows the regard in which local students hold Prof. Risdon Was the greeting given him at a reception by the faculty of the Junior Coll- ege. When Prof. Risdon entered, as the function was almost at a close, every student sprang to his feet and cheered the superinten- dent. , In going from this community into a different field, where, indeed rewards are greater and promotion and advancement are more readily achieved, Prof. Risdon istaking ag step upward. We of the Indepen- dence Junior College, last of all would not bewail the fact that a friend who has labored among us and for us for the last twenty years has gone to improve his lot. It is for us, not to sulk be- cause we are deprived of the man under whose leadership we grew up, and to whose sound and log- ical method of proceedure in the educational field we owe what we have learned, but to welcome the' new administration, whatever be it, as the next best, and to jstrive to maintain the same high stand- ards of scholarship, the same bra- nd of true and clean sportsman- ship, and the same honor, respect and consideration for our college, its faculty, and the, man who is chosen to direct its work-as we did under the guidance of that mall who, like Samuel.M. Nees in our high school days, stood for all that is noble and clean and good in student life, Charles S. Risdon. -Russell Greenlee