Plymouth State University - Conning Tower Yearbook (Plymouth, NH)

Page 23 text:

and its history We, the class of 1950, would like to briefly recapitulate our four years here at Plymouth Teachers College, which indeed, have been memorable ones, filled with expert professional training, fun and pleasure in the all-important extra-curricular activities, and finally, in the gaining of everlasting friendships. Many noteworthy changes took place on campus when our class “came aboard” in 1946. These were changes that the college seemed to be prepared for and welcomed. As you all know, the college, in this our initial year, was placed under the leadership of a new figure in education in this state, namely, Dr Howard R. Jones. His sincere interest in education, his dynamic personality, and his high professional standards were attributes that we were quick to recognize and strive to follow Dr Jones’ predecessor, the late 20

Page 22 text:

“This above all, to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man” —Shakespeare Presenting the Qass °f 1950 0 0 4 4

Page 24 text:

Dr Ernest L. Silver, president emeritus, indeed set the pace for our new president, having devoted his entire life to education and its perpetuation in American democracy In those early days in September, 1946, veterans were establishing beach heads on hundreds of college campuses throughout our country, and indeed Plymouth was a typical example of this sudden demand for a higher education. Our class was large. Necessary changes in campus facilities were quickly instigated. Hall Dormitory was given over to house the male college students, Russell House became the headquarters for the men students pursuing courses to finish their high school education, cut short because of their adherence to the call to duty Because classes at Rounds Hall were indicative of expansion, some were held in the Little Theatre, Livermore Hall, and some in the rooms adjacent to the college book store. A most significant development brought about by the class of 1950 was the beginning of the inter-collegiate sports program. So ambitious was our desire to start basketball that one of our classmates, William Wood, of Berlin, donated his services as student-coach, piloting the team until the beginning of the second semester when the college was fortunate enough to acquire the services of our most able coach and physical education director, John Foley A men’s baseball team was started the following spring of 1947, to further answer the demands of students seeking a well-developed college education. The outstanding records of our basketball and baseball teams during their early stages of growth through to the present day speak for themselves—a record of which we are all proud. Intramural sports gained considerable momentum during our latter two years of college, culminating in an organized whole in 1949-50, directed by students engaged in the duties of a new course in Community Recreation. When our class reached that all-important phase of its professional training—student teaching—the college met its needs by deviating from the regular procedure. No longer did secondary trainees go to Orford solely, but high schools as far south as Goffstown and northward to Berlin accommodated our student teachers. Superintendents and headmasters throughout the state were eager to engage these future teachers in their schools and to guide them through their first direct teaching experiences. Another equally significant development the college underwent, while the class of ’50 progressed, was the inclusion of the early childhood education program. Some of our able classmates showed their interest and ability in working with youth at the kindergarten level. During 1949-50 Plymouth Teachers College aided in an acute shortage of elementary school teachers by introducing a conversion program, whereby secondary trainees could concentrate their efforts toward the elementary curriculum to alleviate somewhat this crucial situation. In conjunction with the State Board of Education, the college set up a special curriculum emphasizing elementary education in the senior year, at the conclusion of which a certificate (in addition to the secondary standing already earned) was awarded showing their qualification to teach in the elementary school. We boast of having several class members who enrolled in this special program. Space does not permit us to be all-inclusive in this class history; for instance, we have not mentioned the fact that during our four years at Plymouth, there developed a musical group known as the A Cappella Choir This choir, now consisting of some 21