Miami University - Recensio Yearbook (Oxford, OH)

Page 21 text:

sonally directed the elementary education of his own and his neigh- bors ' children. He studied the children ' s reactions to different educa- tional methods, tested the lessons for his Little Readers, and observ- ed the difficulties which the youngsters encountered in learning. Thus McGuffey drew the material for his famous readers. The McGuffey Eclectic Readers had a profound influence on American education during the little red school house period. Not only did they open tlie gates of literature to a full generation of the American population, but through their homely maxims and precepts, they imbued a whole- some philosophy in the youth of the country which is remembered to this day. Though his fame rests upon the success of his readers, Wil- liam McGuffey was also influential as a thorough teacher and a de- voted minister of the gospel in the early days of Miami ' s history. .• .C ' -i ' Mn.i -—■■- Pnric Seventeen

Page 20 text:

WILLIAM HOLMES McGUFFEY FAK ItEAl ' HI C I FLUE l ' E T m m One afternoon in the late autumn of 1826 along the deep-rutted road that led to the remote village of Oxford rode William Holmes McGuf- fey. Sitting erect on a benign mare, the sandy-haired Scotchman wear- ing a stovepipe hat and dressed in a solemn suit of shiny black bom- bazine approached the scattered settlement which was to be his home for ten years. Steeped in the classical studies of Latin, Greek, philos- ophy, and Hebrew in which he had excelled at Washington College, Pennsylvania, McGuffey was accepting a professorship at Miami Uni- versity at the age of twenty-six. During his years in Oxford, the young professor performed experiments in child psychology which were to have fai ' -i ' eaching results. In his home scjuth of the cam].)us, he per-

Page 22 text:

The experienced seniors hold the lofty positions, for they are looked up to by other classes. Holding presidencies of organiza- tions, directing the activities of ODK and Mortar Boai ' d, and enjoying their last year in the sheltered Oxford environment are some of the active pursuits of the class. Two positions of greatest importance that seniors hold are Editor and Business Manager of The Miami Student. Bvit the seniors ' reign is short- lived, and they must think about leaving a definite contribution to the school. President Bob Garrett is the popular leader of this year ' s class. An able adviser is Harold Gefsky who serves as vice-president. Song-bird Frances Snyder becomes practical and fulfills the position of secretary-treasurer. I94U SE IUKH W iH Vj ' r I % ' T Pnijr Eujhtprv