Lebanon University - Link Yearbook (Lebanon, OR)

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erty and enterprise, thus converting the dead formality or active antagonism of tyrannical rote into the enthusiastic and immeasurably more profitable work of liberty, enterprise and enthusiasm. With no hostility to other schools or edu- cators, I have a determined hostility, always and everywhere avowed, to all of those usages which turn the sympathies of the students against good order and which tend to make labor a burden and life a failure. 7 Not one among the thousands who attended the old normal ever sought in vain for personal assistance in his studies from the principal. He was always ready and willing to give instruction and advice and was continually lending a helping hand to all who came under his supervision. This personal interest in each individual was not confined to the matter of studies, but extended into every phase of student life. From his personal purse many a dollar was cons tributed to the welfare of those who found even the very low expenses of the institution more than they could meet. At his own expense he provided an excellent library which was placed at the disposal of his pupils in a large room in the university and still serves the institution to-day. This library was one of the famous features of the school and was much more expensive than the tuition of the university would warrant. To the casual stranger on the streets of Lebanon the figure of the founder of the Old Normal probably often passed as ordinary and unnoticed, but in the class room, at ttGeneral Ex and through- out the grounds the frail form was the most conspicuous of all and was every- where accorded the respect and admiration of every one present. For the stu- dents of the National Normal University held their principal in the highest esteem and loved him as only a real, true friend can love another. That the strength of his personality and the influence of his work has survived the years that have passed since they left the City of Cedars is evidenced by the enthusiasm that the approaching reunion has brought from the thousands of men and women throughout the country who still regard their days at the nor- mal school as among the most important in their lives and who have never for- gotten the wonderful democracy and benevolence of Alfred Holbrook. A WONDERFUL RECORD The soundness of his system of training and the value of his theories of life were illustrated in the mants own wonderful career. Though frail and in poor health from early boyhood, having to give up his chosen line of work in civil engineering because it was too strenuous, Alfred Holbrook lived to be ninety-three years old and was in the best of health when in his seventieth year. it has been remarked by those best acquainted with his work that, while he had under his direct instruction a total of more than fifty thousand students ta rec- ord for personal instruction for one main no pupil ever left the institution of which he had control morally worse than when he or she entered it. A fond- ness for home life was evidenced throughout his career and he raised a family of six children, one of whom was drowned while skating in his early manhood. His three other sons and his two daughters were closely associated with him in the work at the Old Normal. R. Heber was vice-president of the institu- tion for a number of years and was professor of mathematics and natural sei- ences. He was the author of a number of worthy educational books and was identined in an editorial capacity with several prominent educational jour- Utugc Ninefy-siltl

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JOSIAH HOLBROOK Uhrm' Xhu'fwfimq

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nals. J ohn B. was professor of civil engineering. Irene was professor of ancient languages and Anna was professor of rhetoric. Josiah, who besides his work in the class room, was secretary of the school, is the only male mem- ber of the renowned family of the Holbrooks who is still living. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in the first company organized in Warren County during the Civil War tCompany F, Twelfth Ohiol and went to the front early in July, 1861. Like that of all three of the Holbrook boys who served during the war, the record of Josiah on the battle field is an enviable one. Later he was proprietor of a large book store and prominently identified with the uni- versity. He had been one of the highly respected citizens of Warren County for many years and has also been a mast popular public oHicial as county re- corder, a position which he now holds and for which he comes up for re- election at the polls this fall. He holds sacred the memory of his father, many of whose admirable qualities he has inherited. THE LAST REORGANIZATION The reorganization of the school covered a period of several years, during which the name of the institution was changed to the Lebanon University. While it does not enjoy the pre-eminence in the educational world that it attain- ed during the life of its founder, it is one of the foremost universities in its field and attracts a substantial enrollment from all parts of the nation. The principles which governed it during the days when Alfred Holbrook had per- sonal charge are still largely embodied in its policy and its pupils enjoy all the advantages of the modern higher educational institution. Prof. Holly E. Cunningham is now its president and during his administration the Lebanon University has prospered continually. He is a great admirer of the schoolis founder and will take a prominent part in the celebration during the week of June 25. The eighty thousand students of the Old Normal who now reside in all parts of the world include men and women from every walk of life, and the reunion in honor of the hundredth anniversary of the noted founder of the school will see many prominent personages in Lebanon. The five days exer- cises will be appropriately opened on Sunday, J une 25, by Dr. Marion Crosley, of Indianapolis, the first student to enroll, and on the same day former stu- dents who are now ministers of the gospel will fill every pulpit in Lebanon, embracing every denomination of the Christian faith. There will be gatherings during the week of doctors who will be the guests of the Warren County Med- ical Association; entertainments for students now in the legal profession have been arranged by the Bar Association; the two Lebanon banks and building and loan association have made special arrangements to interest the Old N or- malites who are now engaged in banking and brokerage; the hosts of former students who are now teachers will be taken care of by the Warren County Teachers Association. Among the most noted of these latter are John B. Withers, president of the Teachers College, St. Louis; J. B. Brown, president of the Valparaiso University; A. J. Gantervoot, of the College of Music, Cincin- nati; J. O. Creager, head of the Department of Education of the University of Wyoming, Professor Clark, of Kirksville, Mo., who is the husband of Irene Hol- brook, and O. P. Kinsey, Vice-President of Valparaiso University. IPage Niuety-screnl