Northern Illinois University - Norther Yearbook (DeKalb, IL)

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P0927 311: Ziortyrr PREFACE Having been much impressed with the fame of certain other institutions of learning through their annals, it seemed the part of wisdom to the authors of this work to snatch, as it were, from the tomb of oblivion the record of our own great educational institution, which graces the broad prairies of our fair state, and especially that period of its history presided over by the great class of the Northern Normal School. To the appreciative public this volume is respectfully submitted with the hope that it will prove a veritable cyclopedia of knowledge, condensed to such form as may conveniently be transported in the pockets, recommended by scientific authority. To our general readers and friends of the institution, it is our desire to impart relief from their melancholy moments, and to future genera- tions of students who shall with difficulty fill the places of their predecessors, an example Worthy of their close consideration and emulation. In the compiling of this work, no model has been followed. In fact, to the careful observer it will be found quite without parallel. For the convenience of the reader, it has been divided into seven parts. In the first of these, knowing the interest that would necessarily be awakened in the minds of our intelligent readers, the authors have taken the liberty to insert a number of beautiful engrav- ings bearing some resemblance to themselves and their instructors, as a fitting introduction to the volume. In this connection will also be found pages with the inscriptions Juniors and Freshmen, bearing the names of divers per- sonages who are prepared to witness to the utter veracity of every detail of the book. Believing that our high mental state is attributable in part to physical excellence, a second part has been devoted to athletics. Still another portion will be found to be given over to organizations and events, a department, which, to the teacher who is destined to be a social leader as well, should be of infinite value. A fourth section will be found to contain carefully chosen literary selec- tions, not the works of noted authors, it is true, but of unknown writers whom it has been our part to bring before the public eye. The gems herein contained should be the permanent possession of every school-boy in the land. The re- maining sections are a record of the deeds of conspicuous persons who deserve honorable mention for sundry pleasantries they have afforded us. The volume thruout will be found to be very richly illuminated, several gallons of India ink having been consumed in its preparation. The aforesaid work is the result of three long and lonely years of labor, in which the great class has borne the brunt of all manner of adverse criticism, even to the extent of being accused of asceticism and barbarian lack of imagina-

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ZHJ1' iiortbrr Paw tion. For while the intellects of the common throng dozed over biology, psychol- ogy and other matters of light import, the authors of this stupendous work still labored untiringly, burning the forbidden oil in their noble zeal to uplift their profession and add renown to their school. The task was one demanding erudite research in all departments of human knowledge. At times the library has been almost destitute of books, so vast was the number of authors consulted. It has involved penetration into the profoundest realms of Aristotelian thought in order to comprehend and present adequate explanation of some of the Faculty's jokes. The masterly style of these pages has been acquired only after protracted sieges of rhetoric and grammar. And though hampered by the limitations of the English language, the mother-tongue has still been dragged into rhythmic form and adjusted by the sweat of our brows in the making over of old themes. Long and wearisome pilgrimages have been made to the center of culture for the study of the drama and all forms of literary merit in order to better please the aesthetic public. Six-nines have been accepted cheerfully as the reward of neglected lessons. In fact, careful experimentation has shown that the energy expended on a single page of this volume has been sufficient to reduce the Nissl bodies from twenty to fifty per cent of their normal size. All this and much more the authors have accomplished with unwavering enthusiasm. No reward for our labors has been anticipated, the writers despising the base pecuniary compensation which, to the pedagogue, is so trifling a matter, and being assured from the intelligence of their readers that the date is not far hence when their monuments shall crown the terraces of our Alma Mater. And so, gentle reader, when the genius of other great minds palls on thee, lay down thy ponderous Angell or Monroe, and peruse for an hour or two these refreshing pages. And when thou learnest their content, perchance thou wilt shed a tear over the untimely Hunks in history of education, the unreasonable- ness of the geometry class and many similar disasters which may be traced to the marvelous concentration upon this task. But should thy superior knowledge find aught amiss in its content, do thou treasure it secretly in thy heart, lest the super- ficial throng deem thee overcritical. But if thou utter any complaint concerning it, be sure that it be to the succeeding class of Seniors and Annual makers, by whom all suggestions will be gratefully received.