Montana State University Billings - Rimrock Yearbook (Billings, MT)

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10 The 1 028 R i III r o c k The ‘Pioneers

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The 1928 R i m r o c k 9 How the Eastern Montana Normal School Came to Be The oft repeated request made by the people of the eastern part of Montana for an institution of higher learning in their section of the state, induced the 19th legislature to pass an act creating a new unit of the University of Montana. This act was passed on January 29, 1927, and provided that the school to be established should be known as the Eastern Montana Normal School, and should be located east of the 110th meridian. Eastern Montana Normal School bears the distinction of being the only normal school in the United States located according to a scientific plan. The Board of Education appointed “The Normal School Commission, consisting of President Fisher of the Washington State Normal School at Bellingham, President Black of Ellensburg, Washington and President Baker of the State Normal School, Milwaukee, all of whom arc normal school experts. This commission met and after much consideration, chose Billings as the location of the new school. Chancellor M. A. Brannon was authorized by the State Board of Education to select the faculty for the new school. In May, accompanied by Mr. G. C. Cisel, of the local board, he went to Chicago where he met Dr. L. B. McMullen of the University of Kentucky. Dr. McMullen accepted the presidency of the school and came to Billings in June to make some necessary arrangements and to look over the ground. On August 1st, H. N. Stuber came from the State University office at Missoula to take up the work of registrar and business secretary; a few days later Miss Pauline Rich came from Bismark, North Dakota, to establish a library for the institution. Under the direction of Robert Kiting, business secretary of the Billings schools, extensive alterations and repairs were made in some of the buildings of the Billings system for the use of the normal school. On September 12th, 1927, the school opened with 150 students enrolled. It had been planned in the beginning to offer only first year subjects, but there came many calls for second year subjects, and approximately thirty-five second year students registered at that time. I'hc following instructors greeted the students: Art, Herminc Roberts; Education, Dr. L. B. McMullen, Leon R. Foote, N. C. Abbott; English, Martha E. Dewey; Music, C. V. Ridgely; Physical Education for Women, Marjorie Stevenson; Science, R. A. Shunk; Social Science, J. L. Hawkes. Miss Mildred Whetsel joined the faculty as an instructor in music at the beginning of the spring quarter. File total enrollment during the winter quarter was 220, which included the class of city and county teachers carried in extension by Dr. McMullen. On March 7th, the first graduating exercises of the new Eastern Montana Normal School were held in the Babcock Theatre. Governor Erickson made the address and presented the diplomas to Thelma Hamilton, Eva Shevlin and J. J. Marshall. 'I'hc spring quarter opened March 12th, with 160 enrolled and 21 listed for graduation in June. June 1st marks the closing of the first three quarters of our first year marked by success, harmony and enthusiasm, and the promise of a successful future. Thus came the Eastern Montana Normal School. —Mae Valentine, ’28 Our Colors—Yellow-stone and blue. Yellow-stone for the river and the rimrocks. Blue for the western sky.

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The 19 2 8 R i tn r o c k 11 «r first Cj roup of 1928 Class Miss I helm a Hamilton, Larina, Mom. .Mr. J. J. Marshall, Corinth, Mont. Mrs. Eva Siilvlin, Hillings, Mont. FIRST GRADUATION EXERCISES—WINTER QUARTER 1928 If ednesday, March 7tli, I0:.h) O'Clock—Babcock Theater Organ Prelude.............................................Mr. Henri Monnet Invocation................................................Rev. W. K. Weaver America, the Beautiful ...................................................Audience Violin Solo—Air for G String (Bach-11 illiel nj) - - Mr. C. V. RlDCELY Mr. Ralph Rauh at the piano Commencement Address - - - Hon. J. E. Erickson, Governor of Montana Glee Club of Eastern Montana Normal School Mr. C. V'. Ridgely, Director .. t ... , . . , Words, Leigh Hunt Abou lien Ad hem and the Angel ... jMusic L. A Coerne Boats of Mine lf'ords, R. L. Stevenson I Music, Anne Stratton Miller Presentation of Candidates - -- -- -- -Dr. L. B. McMullen Conferring of Diplomas - Governor Erickson. Chairman State Hoard of Education America.................................................---- - Audience Benediction.................................................Rev. Melvin P. Putman Organ Postlude - -- -- -- -- - Ir. Henri Monnet