Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

Page 33 text:

MATHEMATICS J. A. G. SHIRK, A.M., MLS, Mathematics interests every person, either from the standpoint of production or consumption. Every individual must occasionally make some calculations, and is therefore a consumer of mathematics. Many people are ignorant of the benefits to be derived from the use of this valuable tool, and prefer to do their thinking and reach their conclusions in a general way without the aid of the exact processes of mathematics. The leaders in almost every field of human knowledge are now clearly recognizing that to be exact is to be mathematical. Men who jested at mathematics a few years ago are now seeking for information concerning its processes. We as teachers of mathematics are in the producing class, and are trying to meet this universal demand for mathematical knowledge by devising specialized courses in mathematics. Our department is growing rapidly in numbers and enthusiasm, as we not only prepare producers of mathematics but also train hundreds of other young men and women to become efficient consumers of mathe- matics.

Page 32 text:

BIOLOGY O. P. DELLINGER. A, BPH D, “Culture is the possession of an ideal broad enough to form the basis of a criticism of life. No one can possess this ideal today who has not had the facts and spirit of modern science as well as history and art as a part of his education,” The social problems which today face the human race find their explanation and solution in the tested experiences of science rather than in theoretical speculations. This department is today overflowing with students. The curric- ulum covers a wide range of subjects. Each subject here has a specific application to some human problem, and is taught by a specialist in that field. Plans are under way for a museum in the new library, and the administration has promised an additional teacher for next year. It is hoped to build a bigger and better department for the future.

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INDUSTRIAL ARTS A. H WHITESITT, □ S. The Industrial Arts Department has two functions to perform: first, to prepare teachers to teach well; second, to prepare workers to work well. Some industrial teachers seem to think that their main job is to pre- pare trained workers for industry. We do need better trained workers, and our public schools should do for such, all that is in their power; but where will the producer in industry find a market for his product except there be an intelligent, economic consumer to take and use his product? Where there is one producer, there are many consumers. The industrial teacher has a tlual function to perform—he must help to prepare the worker for industry and he must also help to pre- pare the multitudes for intelligent consumption. He is a wise teacher who senses the proportionate needs of both groups and works to satisfy each. We believe the Industrial Arts department is succeeding in its problems, as evidenced by the increased interest and numbers of stu- dents who have enrolled in this department during the last year. As evidence of the practicability of the work being done in this department, witness this issue of the Kanza, which comes from the K. S, T. C. press.