Metropolitan Community College - Sunburst Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

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XCITINC events were taking shape at the corner of Eleventh and Locust in the fall of 1915, a new school was being born-a school that was des- tined to become a vital influence in the growth of Kansas City, a school that was to give young men and women of Kansas City an education beyond that of high school. That Kansas City was interested in college education could be seen in the unusual success of the University Extension Center lectures that since 1906 had been given to ever-growing audiences, first in the Central high school auditorium and then at the Grand Avenue Temple. For this series, lectures from great universities were brought to Kansas City by a civic women,s group each year . Edward M. Bainter, the first president of this new school, had a vision for the future of Kansas City-a junior college which would be attended by young people who wanted the first two years of university work in Kansas City. Because it was uncertain how many students would enroll in this new junior college, several types of education were combined under one administrative office. The new school was christened the Polytechnic Institute, and under this name six schools operated: the junior College, a teacher train- ing school, a high school, a mechanic arts school, a trade school, and a business training school. Later, a school of nursing was added to these. From the be- ginning, there was also a large night school that as the years went by changed gradually from all high school work to college work. The Board of Education told Mr. Bainter in 1915 that, if by the end of the third year he had 90 stu- dents enrolled in his junior college, the Board would consider the venture a success. When the end of the first year showed a college enrollment of 125, its success was assured, and plans for a splendid future could be made. As the junior College grew in number of students, most of the other departments of the school were moved to other buildings, the high school students went to Manual, the mechanic arts depart- ment and the trade school became the Lathrop Trade School near Convention Hall, and the teacher train- ing department became Teachers College at Eighth and Woodland. In the spring of 1917 while the nation was engaged in World War I, Mr. Bainter served the country in KE 53 if 9 V- if 'ly A, 5 - -fe We ' x x X Y L eiv. A .- i,.,4 pw ,gig , ff X , Q . '-, QL f 'af K Washington as a major in the Department of Or- dinance. Mr. B. M. Stigall, as acting president, ably carried the school forward. When Mr. Bainter re- turned, Mr. Stigall became principal of Northeast High School. Year by year the junior College enrollment grew. To relieve the hard work of studies, there were occasional social activities. There were plays produced by the department of drama, costume parties in which stu- dents and faculty participated, and mixers at which there was always some excellent entertainment. Often faculty members provided a program. Once four couples of the faculty, in Irish costume, gave a rather elaborate square dance, at another time the faculty put on an original one act play. The music depart- ment at Christmas time gave the school an outstand- ing concert that became one of the traditions of the tllllflllllfll nu Nfl'fnffnI1'1'l1gpllgl'