Louisiana Polytechnic Institute - Lagniappe Yearbook (Ruston, LA)

Page 15 text:

HoutBiana Strimstral Snatitut? The Louisiana Industrial Institute was founded by the Legis¬ lature of 1894. Act No. 68 of that body, approved July 6, 1894, rovides for “the establishment of a first-class Industrial Institute and College for the education of the white children of Louisiana in the arts and sciences, at which such children may acquire a thor¬ ough academic and literary education, together with a knowledge of kindergarten instruction, of telegraphy, stenography and photog¬ raphy, of drawing, painting, designing and engraving, in their indus¬ trial application; also a knowledge of bookkeeping, and of agri¬ cultural and mechanical art, together with such other practical indus¬ tries as from time to time may be suggested by experience, or such as will tend to promote the general object of said institute and college, to-wit: Fitting and preparing such children, male and female, for the practical industries of the age.” The same act located the school “at Ruston, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana and entrusted its control to a Board of Trustees, consisting of the Gov¬ ernor of the State, two members from the State at large, and one from each congressional district. The State Superintendent of Pub¬ lic Education has since been made an ex-officio member. The Louisiana Industrial Institute begin its first session Sep¬ tember 23, 1895. But few schools not heavily endowed have de¬ veloped more rapidly. The total revenue for beginning was about twenty acres of ground, and $20,000, $10,000 of which was appro¬ priated by the Legislature and the remainder by Ruston and Lincoln parish. Out of this a small two-story brick building, now the middle front portion of the main hall, and a small frame mechanic ' s shop, were built, and a faculty of six teachers employed. Since then three three-story wings have been added to main hall; 13

Page 14 text:

WINIFRED MAUDE WILLIAMS, Ph. B., Teacher of Elocution and Physical Culture. MARTHA HUNTER, Instructor in English. PRESTON L. PEACH, M. E., Instructor in Forging and Mathematics. T. G. McDOUGALL, B. S. (in M. E.), Instructor in Drawing and Machine Work. J. U. BRAGG, Instructor in Woodwork and Mathematics. HELEN GRAHAM, B. I., Instructor in Domestic Science. ANNETTE E. BARNES, B. I., Instructor in Bookkeeping and English. HELEN HANNA BIRCH, Teacher of Piano. OLIVE DHU OWEN, Teacher of Voice and Piano. MYRTLE A. MOIR, Teacher of Piano. SALLYE J. COLVIN, B. I., Instructor in Domestic Science. MAY DAVIS, B. I., Assistant in Stenography and Typewriting. RUBY DEAN BRANSFORD, B. I., Assistant Secretary. J. W. MOBLEY, Assistant Secretary. BURNEY M. MARSHALL, Assistant in Telegraphy. Mrs. SALLIE B. CHEATHAM, Matron of Girls ' Dormitory. Mrs. ROBERT J. SMITH, Matron of Boys ' Hall. 12

Page 16 text:

a large three-story Girls’ Dormitory erected; and in addition a two- story frame building known as the Boys’ Hall, and several cottages. A splendidly arranged three-story pressed brick building, known as the Mechanic Arts Hall, has just been completed, as well as a new laundry plant. Other improvements have kept pace with the growth in buildings and grounds. The following table will give a good idea of the growth of the work and usefulness of the Institute during the ten years of its existence: Session. No. Faculty. No. Students. No. Parishes Represented. 1895-96. . 6. 1896-97 . . 9 . 1897-98. .9. .300. .27 1898-99 . .12. .298. . 33 1899-00 . .12. .276. . 3 1 1900-01 . .14. .368. .36 1901-02 . .17. .534. .39 1902-03 . .42 1903-04 . .24. .733. .46 •1904-05 . .29. .837. The courses of study include definite courses of academic work plus an industrial subject. The industrial subject requires at least two periods each day, and is aimed to be intensely practical. Work is offered in Mechanics, including bench work in wood and iron, wood turning, forging, pattern making, and machine work; m Domestic Science, including plain sewing, embroidery, dress¬ making, reed work, basketry, cooking, household sanitation, chem¬ istry of foods and other allied branches; in Industrial Art, including- freehand drawing, sketching, oil and water color painting, and de- signing; in Bookkeeping, Stenography, Telegraphy, Printing and Bookbinding. In connection with four years of industrial work each student pursues an academic course. In Mathematics, the first year begins with a review of Arithmetic, and at the end of the fifth year Calculus is completed. English Language and Literature are carried on throughout the entire course. In Science, courses are offered in 14