Millersville University - Touchstone Yearbook (Millersville, PA)

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John W. Fox Lebanon, Pa. T II K I O V : II S T O N V. March. Pennsylvania perhaps has not the honor of being the first State to conceive it: hut the good old Dutch County of the State which has given a demonstration of its practicability and utility. The little village of Millcrsvillc has the proud honor of being a pioneer and a prime leader in the Normal School movement in this State.” The reader may wonder how much the students were charged to attend this Normal School during its early existence. The school year was divided into two cfpial sessions, the first session beginning on the first Monday in April and continuing for twenty-two weeks, the second session beginning on the second Monday in October, and also continuing for twenty-two weeks. The students had three weeks of Spring vacation und five weeks vacation in the Fall. The charge for tuition in the common or higher Knglish branches was $7.50 for a quarter of eleven weeks.Studentswereeompelled to pay for all extras, such as language, music, etc. laitin, Greek, German and French cost $2.50 each. A course in oil painting was given at $6.00 extra: drawing ami penmanship $3.00; music lessons on the piano $8.00; use of the instrument,$.00. Hoard was $2.00 a week. Light and washing. $.25. How many students today would approve of this required Classical Course as copied from the 1858 catalogue? “This course is designed to prepare teachers for Classical High Schools. To he admitted to the Freshman Class, a student must possess a thorough knowledge of Geography. Knglish, Grammar. Ruth C. Fox Palmyra. Pa. 19 3 1 Arithmetic, Elements of Algebra. History of thcUnited States, Latin und Greek Grammar, Caesar (two hooks). Virgil (four hooks of the Acncid), Greek Reader, and two hooks of the Anabasis. The fol-I o w i n g are the studies of the several classes: Frksiimf.n First Term Anabasis Sallust and Ovid Higher Algebra Rhetoric Second Term Iliad Livy Geometry I Five Hooks) Zoology or Hotanv Sophomores First Term Memoruhilia Cicero Geometry Completed General History Second Term Herodotus Horace Trigonometry ami Surveying Chemistry Juniors First Term Select Plays of Sophocles Juvenal Conic Selections and Analytical Geometry Geology Second Term Select Plays of Euripedes Tacitus Astronomy Differential and Integral Calculus Twenty

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19 3 1 • • • T II E T O I C II S T O N E render important aid in advancing the great cause of popular education. The above is quoted from the first catalogue and circular of the Lancaster County Normal School, giving the precise reasons for its existence and way in which it was made possible through the good will and foresight of the citizens of Millcrsville. These people sow the possibilities; they were aware of the fact that a Training School for Teachers was necessary as a part of the progressive ideals for mass cduca-lion. To the present citizens of Millers villc and their forefathers belongs the credit of establishing and maintaining what now is one of the outstanding State Teachers Colleges in Pennsylvania. Very little has been published concerning the history of the school, hut information can he gleaned from the old catalogues dating from the beginning of the school in 1854 to the present. These catalogues, it is interesting to note, are buried in the college vault for safe keeping and are as sacred to the authorities of the school us would he the original copy of the Declaration of Independence. In the first catalogue, published in 1855, is printed the Valedictory Address given by D. G. Tres-sler at the first Normal School Commencement. Here we learn something new under the sun. 'I'lie length of the address prohibits its reproduction “in to-to hut the first two paragraphs give an idea of its character: “Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Teachers: “It is with great diffidence that 1 appear before you under the present circumstances. My Daniel Fackler Ml, Joy, Pa. selection for the honorable task you have imposed upon me, was as unexpected as it is undeserved. Many of my fellow-students and co-lahorers have both more experience and ability; and it is with sincere regret, on my part, that one of these was not chosen. Nevertheless, as your partiality has conferred the honor upon me, I will endeavor to say a few words in accordance with your wishes. First, however, accept my hearty thanks for the unmerited kindness. “In the discharge of the duty which I have been appointed, 1 find myself without precedent. and compelled to strike out an independent course. I have been present at College Commencements and listened to College Valedictories; I have heard of such things as High School and Academy Valedictories; hut Normal School Valedictory is, “a new thing under the sun in the State of Pennsylvania. The very name, “Normal School, is yet strange to our cars. It sounds like an exotic word, and so it is. Hut exotics may he naturalized, and so shall this word he and the things which it represents. The schoolboy looks puzzled now at the mere mention of it; the sober citizen asks inquiringly, “What docs it mean?” The school director listens silently and mutters, “Another new thing, I suppose? The masses are pronouncing it over and over again to sec how it sounds; hut soon it will he the watchword, thrilling the ranks of the noble army of educationalists, echoing along all the branches of the common schools, and floating in broad letters upon the banner under which we Melvin R. Forry Hanover, Pa. Nineteen

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19 3 1 T H E I O I C II S T O N E • • • • Seniors First Term Select Plays of Aeschylus A Play of Terence Acoustics and Optics Mental Philosophy Second Term A Dialogue of Plato A Play of Plautus Mechanics Moral Philosophy Text hooks were furnished for cash at Philadelphia retail prices. Students desiring to do so could rent their hooks by paying one cent a week for each hook, provided that they were returned clean and uninjured: if returned otherwise the full price of the hook was charged. From an 1863 64 catalogue: “Millersvillc is a pleasant, rural village, situated three miles from Lancaster city. A fine turnpike road connects the two places, and omnibuses leaving Reese's Motel, near the Railroad Depot, connect with the principal trains. The fare from Lancaster to the school is fifteen cents.” And concerning the government of the school there is hut one rule, viz:— Do Right. The reason upon which is founded the particular regulations which it has been thought necessary to adopt may he found upon making an application of the two following principles: First, No student should he allowed to trespass upon the rights or privileges of another. Second, Privileges that all cannot enjoy should he granted to none. Several of the student regulations im- Miriam Frantz Ismauttr, Pa. Lyk r Ft i a . r posed during the Civil War and continued until quite recently were: 1. Kach student is recommended to provide himself with slippers, that in passing up and down the stairways or through the halls, he can walk quietly. No one must indulge in loud talking, whistling or other unnecessary noise in the buildings. 2. The use of tobacco in any form is strictly prohibited in the buildings or about the grounds. 3. The students shall repair to their riMuns at the ringing of the hell for evening study and not leave them without the permission of the teacher in charge; and, in twenty minutes, from the ringing of the retiring hell, all lights must he extinguished, and all noise cease. 4. Students are allowed to walk for exercise in the vicinity of the school, hut no one, otherwise, will absent himself, without permission from the Principal. 5. It is expected that the ladies and gentlemen of the In-st it lit ion will treat one another with politeness, hut no conversation between the sexes must take place in the I-ecture Room, in the Recreation Rooms, or in the Halls. At the close of the evening lectures or society meeting, all will repair immediately to their respective rooms. Neither sex will he expected to trespass upon that portion of the building assigned to the other. 6. No lady or gentleman attending this Institution, will walk or ride with a person of the opposite sex, except in case of necessity; and, then, only with Anne Frey lAincaiter, Pa. Ticon Iy-one