Salem State University - Clipper Yearbook

Page 14 text:

TM' Teal' BOM 1931 tape surrounding his oliice or person. We are working with a friend rather than merely an overseer. I am happy to extend the congratulations of the faculty, and their best wishes for the future. Mr. George M. Bemis, superintendent of the Salem schools was introduced as the next speaker. He responded: Never before have I had an opportunity to tell my opinion of the school. There are 113 members of our teaching force who are graduates of Salem Normal School and many present high school pupils are looking forward with real pleasure to coming to the normal school. I am happy on this pleasant occasion to say to you and to the members of the faculty that, in my opinion, you are doing remarkably good work. It has been my duty and privilege to work with many young women who have come to us from year to year. They have come with the real attitude, real desire for professional work in the schools. Dr. Pitman has always taken a very active part in the civic affairs of Salem. As a member of the planning board, president of the Chamber of Commerce, a Rotarian, and in many other ways, he has been known and respected by all classes of people. Dr. Pitman cooperates in every possible way, and it is a real pleasure to tell him at this time of my esteem for him as educator, citizen and friend. Mrs. Mildred Merrill Howe, president of the alumni association of Pitman classes, was next introduced. She spoke as follows: It is a pleasure and an honor to be here to represent the classes who have graduated under Dr. Pitman. The school is about the same from all outside appearances though a few things are changed. The assembly hall used to have desks in it and the gymnasium had no showers. Even Dr. Pitman looks and acts just the same. As freshmen we hardly knew him and dreaded conferences in that private office, but as seniors we came to know him and to appreci- ate him. It is to express the appreciation of the alumni to you, Dr. Pitman, that I am here. Mrs. Howe then presented Dr. Pitman with a very beautiful Watch as a gift from the Pitman classes. Frank W. Wright, commissioner of education and director of the normal schools of Massachusetts, read the 1905-1906 report of the board of visitors written at the time of the appointment of the principal of this school. The most important event in the school that year, he said, was the appoint- ment ofj. Asbury Pitman, superintendent of schools in Marlborough, as principal of the Salem Normal School. Dr. Pitman entered at the beginning of the second term of the school year. Through his wise, skillful and untiring guidance, and through his considerateness and fairmindedness, the school has gained in a way to give satis- faction to the students, faculty, and board of education. Mr. Wright mentioned the fact that the other nine normal schools have all changed principals at least once, and many twice, during his 14 years as commissioner, but Salem has retained Dr. Pitman. He added: Since this school was founded 76 years ago, there have been 5792 graduates. As a single institution that has turned into the teaching ranks in this and other states, Salem Normal School has sent out, prepared to teach, that total, and of that entire number, 3013 have been graduated under the administration of Dr. Pitman. 8

Page 13 text:

I 931 l l1ll'Il!4V Qlimentpzfihe lkatz of Qerhite lt has been our pleasure this year to Celebrate with Dr. Pitman, his twenty-lifth anniversary as principal of our school. Dr. Pitman received the congratulations of E the faculty, alumni, student body, and employees of the lf' Q school. intel I On January 7, Dr. Pitman was honored with a sur- ifff-' prise dinner at Deer Cove lnn, Swampscott. The dinner 6 was given by the men of the faculty, who wished to show their respect to the one who has been the head of the ., school for twenty-live years. Each teacher, in the order 25 of his service at the school, gave an informal speech, inet- p D311 congratulating Dr. Pitman on his achievements. The speeches were given in the following order: Mr. Whitman, Mr. Sproul, Mr. Little, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Moody, Mr. Rockwell, Mr. Woods and Dr. Pitman. Our principal was genuinely surprised, for he hardly realized that he had served Salem Normal School for twenty-five years. During the same week, the employees of the school presented Dr. Pitman with a basket of beautiful flowers, I-le was remembered by the faculty with a gift of books, American Statesmenn by Edward Howard Griggs, and Builders of the Bay Colonyn by Morrison. On the morning of February 3, the chapel program at Salem Normal School was in honor of Dr. Pitman's anniversary. Nearly two hours were given over to speeches, congratulations, and the presentation of gifts to Dr. Pitman, marking one of Salem Normal Schools IHOSK memorable celebrations. On few occasions has the auditorium had such an atmosphere of mingled happi- ness, sadness, and reverence. The program was in charge of the cooperative council of the school, who were aided by the faculty and alumni association. After the regular devotional exercises, Madeline Murray, president of the council, gave an introductory speech in which she stated, Dr. Pitman has helped our school to rank among the leading institutions in the state. Certainly it is fitting and proper that we should join with him in celebrating this anniversary, paying tribute to him for things that he has done for our school. We have with us members from the held of education who are happy to pay their respects to our principal. Miss Gertrude Goldsmith, head of the nature study department, spoke a few words for the faculty saying: lt would really be difficult to review Dr. Pitman's many achievements during these past 25 years. He has always shown his geniality, generosity, sympathy, readiness to help, and willingness to cooperate at any time. His outstanding characteristics are an appreciation of our attempt to do something better in our work and for the school as a whole, and his willingness to let us work OLII our ideas. lt is very easy to discuss dilhculties with Dr. Pitman. There is no red 7

Page 15 text:

I 931 Fzzrzzffy He has had the privilege of graduating and signing diplomas for these persons. Few men have that opportunity and few will ever have it. A total of 9623 students have attended Salem in these 76 years, 4305 have come here and enrolled during Dr. Pit- man's administration. This is a record from which he can and must secure a great deal of satisfaction. lt is a very happy coincidence that two members who greeted Dr. Pitman twenty-live years ago are here this morningeeMiss Goldsmith and Mr. Charles F. Whitney. In analyzing the characteristics of a good principal there are two or three things in particular that come to my mind. He has one thing to do and do well: that is, to train teachers for our children. Of all the principals I have met and still do meet, Dr. Pitman certainly ranks as high, professionally, as any principal now in Massachusetts. He gives his entire time and attention to the professional development of this normal school. I have always found that this principal knows what is being thought in the field of teacher training beyond the bounds of Massachusetts or even New England. Another desirable characteristic of the head of an institution is that he should always have in mind the good name of the school. Salem Normal School is to Dr. Pitman the outstanding and complete institution, not seltishly, but honestly, does he believe that this school is the best normal school in Massachusetts. Iam always glad to nave a principal feel that way. You have a very loyal and earnest principal. As a third characteristic, a good principal has the highest type of members in his teaching staff. Dr. Pitman takes longer and searches farther than any other principal I know. He is over-cautious, but after it is done he has an enthusiastic faculty. During the years Dr. Pitman has been.here, he has supervised the expenditure of hundreds of thousands of dollars of state money. Never a question as to the matter of judgment, accuracy of records or validity of expenditure! So, as you mark the course of your three-quarter century as an institution, mark the course ofa quarter century of excellent leadership. At this time, Miss Murray presented Mrs. Pitman a beautiful bouquet of roses. Mrs. Pitman has not only helped to make her husband's career successful, but has done much for the school in its social activities. Miss Murray next presented the gift of the school, a table lamp, to Dr. Pitman, and said: I like to feel that I not only represent the present student body but also those of the past who have not been so fortunate as I to be able to express publicly my appreciation. All has been said of his characteristics. He has shown the true value of a sympathetic disposition, a man to whom we can go at any time. He is just and he is fair, and justice is the essential fundamental of life. I might speak for hours, but would not touch upon all his good qualities. He is a man who practices the code that he teaches. The last speech was by Dr. Pitman. It is an awful shock, he began, to a man who looks into a mirror and fails to recognize himself, and doesn't know whom his friends have been talking about. Friendship is just as blind as love. The class of 1931 is united in wishing for Dr. Pitman many more successful and happy years at Salem Normal School. 9