Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

Page 16 text:

President Brandenburg was constantly urging teachers to prepare themselves to render more effi- cient service without waiting to be prodded by rising standards of qualifications, which he predicted would surely come. And he was continually striving for improvement in the facilities and offerings of the teacher training institutions. One of the significant and lasting contributions of the Brandenburg administration is to be found in the stimulus to improve in the professional qualifications of members of the instructional staff of the College . This is a contribution that has been made by every administration of the college. It was also during the Brandenburg administration that the transformation of the Manual Training Normal School into a College for Teachers, both in act and in name, and in raising the standards of the institution to the point where it merited and received recognition as a liberal arts college also took place. It was during this period, too, that a course in graduate studies was inaugurated.

Page 15 text:

in the campaign. A typewriter room was made available in Russ hall for the students. During their free hours the students worked in this room sending out hundreds of letters to key persons in all parts of the state con- cerning the separation. Modern day repetition of this procedure Was observed in the spring of 1959 when Kansas State students again supported in word and deed the- proposal of a change in the name of the college to fit its present liberal arts status. For the next 27 years, from 1913 to 1940, William A. Brandenburg served as the chief officer and first presi- dent of the Manual Training School. Before the close of President Brandenburg's' first year, disaster struck 44 and threatened the very existence of the school. On june 29, 1944, Russ hall was struck by lightning and burned. Undoubtedly the damage to Russ proved to be only a temporary set-back. It was ac- cepted as a challenge, and plans for future developments began to take form. 9

Page 17 text:

1 President Brandenburg was succeeded upon his death in 1940 by Dr. O. P. Dellinger and by Dr. Rees H. Hughes in 1941. Both administrations succeeded admirably in helping the college grow. Today, President Leonard H. Axe is continuing the tradition of growth and progress for the College. With an eventfulpast and the expectancy of an eventful future for the College, President Axe and his administration have done much to improve the academic standards at Kansas State. During his term of office we have again had the name of the college changed, more emphasis has been placed on intel- lectual growth, and many additional resources now help the members of the student body obtain the most from their education. ' New buildings are in the planning, new courses are offered, and additions have been made to the faculty and facilities. The future is bright for Kansas State College-as we continue to Square The Oval. Excerpts from A History of Kansas State College