Pratt Institute - Prattonia Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

Page 15 text:

Tribute to the Founder HEN we review the life of the founder of CE} Pratt Institute (may we say “our” Insti- tute?) its close parallel to the life of our great American, Lincoln, is apparent. The same simple faith and quiet dignity, the same plain, yet shrewd humor, which are the chief. attri- butes of the character of the one, are the outstanding features of the character of the other. Each did his best for his fellow men, with little ostentation. The adequate portrayal of Charles Pratt’s ceaseless pursuit of lofty ideals and their crystallization into actions would require the command of thought and language which constitute the ability and charm of an Emerson. peta aera None should be better able to express appreciation of Charles Pratt than those whom he has so greatly benefited—the students of Pratt Institute, in whose interests his benevolences culminated. The same far- sighted progressiveness which brought him into promi- nence in the industrial world was shown in its high- est degree by the manner in which he so unselfishly gave his wholehearted support and life to the develop- ment of this practical method of real education for people in average circumstances, even when others thought it foredoomed to failure. xat= Nothing more vividly attests the success and perma- nence of his efforts than the splendid organization of Pratt Institute and the unity with which the whole Institute is bound together, with “Pratt spirit” as the vitalizing factor. Could Charles Pratt see the sincerity of purpose which animates the Institute and the enthusiasm with which all its members do their work, he would indeed rejoice in the fulfillment of his ideals, for it is commonly recognized that the highest tribute to our Founder’s generous endeavors is the loyalty and devotion of all true Prattonians to their daily tasks. = Pree prion Tio son

Page 14 text:

SCOTTI oS Nitin Tc TTT iT 12 TRAE LEELA TALTTATTTTUT i POPE EEE EO GP DELON EE RON

Page 16 text:

Historical Sketch of Pratt Institute The following historical sketch of Pratt Institute was written at the request of the editors of ” “Prattonia? by Mr. Walter Scott Perry, who has been a director in Pratt Institute since its organization in 1887. REASONS FOR FOUNDING PRATT INSTITUTE HEN, in February, 1887, I met, for the first time, Mr. Charles Pratt, the founder of 4 Pratt Institute, he outlined four propositions which have been fundamental to the UN work of Pratt Institute. These in substance are as follows: oe 1. “I wish to found a school that shall help all classes of workers, artists, artisans, apprentices and home makers, and I wish its courses conducted in such a way as to give every student practical skill along some definite line of work, and at the same time reveal to him possibilities for further development and study.” 2. “I want to found a school that shall give everybody a chance. That is, instead of having one type of examination for entrance to all its classes, that may rule out some earnest young men and women who may not have had an opportunity for an early education, we shall have, instead, all kinds and grades of work with different entrance requirements; so that, if one cannot enter on one level, he may on some other, and learning to do one thing well as an employment, he may also be influenced to climb to a higher level by earnest study and effort.” 3. “I want to establish a school that shall not compete with the public and private schools of Brooklyn; but, through its specialized lines of work, shall supplement those schools and offer to young men and women, not only of Brooklyn, but of the whole country, opportunities for special work that shall equip them for life’s problems. And in this,” he said, “we must be content to do pioneer work, with all that such work means in effort, responsibility, and disappointment at first, through the failure of others to understand what we are doing.” 4, “T wish to help as large a number as possible to secure this type of education and I shall never feel I am doing all that I ought to do unless I can help at least three thousand young people each year toward a practical education.” Then he hesitated and said, as he often did afterward, “I would like to make the number four thousand if I dared.” In planning the Institute Mr. Pratt was guided largely by his own personal experience. He therefore made it a school where young men and women in circumstances similar to those of his own youth could have the chance that he never had; and, because he knew what they needed and why the average school then had failed to give it, he planned with an insight and a foresight that have won both wide approval and admiration. It was his wish—and to this wish the Trustees have rigidly held—that the Insti tute should reach and help all classes of practical workers ; and that its courses should be so conducted as to give every student definite, practical skill along some one line of work, and at the same time reveal to him the possibilities for development, service, and culture offered by the most commonplace tasks. CHARLES PRATT, THE MAN Mr. Pratt was a man of sympathetic nature—and although somewhat reserved—he was most cordial in manner, large hearted, thoroughly unselfish, broad-minded and far-seeing. He was intensely interested in everything that concerned Pratt Institute and gave of his time, though engaged in active business, without thought of overtaxing his strength. No detail was ever too small to receive his attention. He worked not as one to be known es the founder of a great school, but rather as one whose sole desire was to help each and every individual student toa better and happier way of living. He gave not money alone, but to a wonderful degree he gave himself to the task. At one time when asked by a friend how much money he was giving to the Institute, he replied, “Why should J ey ; ys tell how much syle iving; that i Ss matter,—the giving which counts is the giving of one’s a. ee 14