Northwestern State University - Potpourri Yearbook (Natchitoches, LA)

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ALUMNI. The Louisiana State Normal School Alumni Association was first organized on July 21, 1894, at Euston during the session of the Chau- tauqua of that year. The organization was discussed at the Commence- ment at the Normal just previous. A special committee appointed at the Commencement conference on May 30, 1894, presented a Constitu- tion for the Association, which was adopted. (It does not appear from any record who was on this Committee). Col. Thos. D. Boyd, then President of the Normal School, presided at the organization meeting on July 21, 1895, and Prof. E. L. Himes assisted in the organization. The officers elected were: Miss Bessie V. Eussell, President; J. E. Eeadhimer, Secretary; Miss Mollie Kearney, Treasurer. Eegular meetings have been held every Commencement since organization, except possibly 1896, for which no records are preserved. Perhaps the meeting was not held by reason of the late Commencement made nec- essary on account of suspension of the school for five weeks in the spring caused by small pox outbreak in Xatchitoches. In addition to the regular meetings, special reunions have been held annually at the time of the teacher ' s convention every year since 1890. These reun- ions have been the means of bringing together larger numbers of the graduates than have attended the annual meetings in Xatchitoches, and afford great pleasure to the Normalities present. No particular line of work was undertaken by the Association until 1897 when the Alumni Scholarship was established. The first student selected to fill the scholarship was Miss Annie G. Greene, of Tangipahoa. In 1900 the Association named the scholarship in honor and memory of Prof. Aloy L. Smith, for years the training teacher of the Normal School. Those who have held the scholarship since Miss Greene, are: Miss May Lee, East Baton Eouge: Miss Bertha Medlock, AYebster; Miss Olive Mather, St. Tammany; Miss Lena Smyth. Avoy- elles; Miss Marie Himel, Iberville; and Miss Ora Baldridge, Avoyelles. By means of the Aloy L. Smith Scholarship a real work is being accomplished at very small expense to the members of the Association. In 1901, a small surplus having accumulated in the Treasury, it was decided to loan this surplus to students of the Nor- mal in the upper classes to enable them to complete the course without the necessity of stopping to earn money to remain in school. While this fund is small at present, a great benefit has been derived from it, and it is doubtful if any work conld be undertaken that would do as much £ood with a small fund. The student loan fund is in operation in mauy of the leading colleges and universities of the country, and is often larsrelv supported by the Alumni .Association?. In the short time that the loan fund has been in use, loans have bepn made to 27 students, 20 of whom have graduated at the Normal, and 2 of them are now 17

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serving as Parish Superintendents. The loans have all been repaid, and in most instances without delay. The interest rate is nominal, 4 per cent, per annum. This help to worthy students is greatly appre- ciated, and enables the student to complete his course of study and know that he is paying his own way. At the regular meeting in 1907 a proposition was considered to arrange for a general educational rally at the Normal School in 1910 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Normal School. A committee from the Association presented the matter to the Board of Administrators and that body cordially approved the suggestion. As nothing definite has been done towards this meeting, it might be well to leave the date open for 1911, which will witness the close of 25 years work of the Normal. Including the class of January, 1909, 982 persons have been grad- uated from the Louisiana State Normal School. All but about half a dozen have taught in the public schools of the State; some having taught more than 20 years. It is safe to say that the average number of years taught by the Normal graduates is at least three, making the total of three thousand years of teaching for one person. In addition to the work of the Normal graduate as a teacher, she stands always for improved school conditions. In the great advance in school work in general in Louisiana, no influence has contributed more than has the Normal School and its graduates. The science of good schools being the real mission of the Normal, this influence will be felt always. Officers of the Alumni Association. President. Secretary. Treasurer. 1894 Miss Bessie Russell.. J. E. Readhimer Miss Mollie Kearney. 1895 Miss Emmie MacurdoMiss Rosa Colvin Miss Mollie Kearney. 1896 No records. 1897 G. W. Jack Miss Sallie Freeman Miss Laura Tauzln. 1898 C. M. Cunnningham Miss Fannie Nelken Miss Bessie Russell. 1899 Miss Bessie V. Russell ..Miss Scharlie Russell... J. L. Westbrook. 1900 Miss Henrietta Lewis J. L. Westbrook. 1901 J. L. Westbrook George Wallace. 1902 Miss May Lee J. L. Westbrook. 1903 Miss Jessie E. Bowden I. L. Westbrook. 1904 Miss Gussie Nelken J. L. Westbrook. 1905 Robert J. Phillips T. L. Westbrook. 1906 Mr s. Alice Martin Wallace J. L. Westbrook. 1907 A. C. Bernard J. L. Westbrook. 1908 Mrs. Josephine Lobd ell Berwick J. L. Westbrook. •Office of Secretary and Treasurer united in 1900. •Year of election. 18