Salem State University - Clipper Yearbook

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Ellie iBre5iIJent's Message XVhen I assumed the duties of the principalship of the Salem Normal School on the first of February. 1906. the membership of the school during the first year reached the low level of 170 students. Witli the exception of the period of the XVorld War, however. the growth has been steady and without interruption until. for many years. our quota. which has been limited by the capacity of the plant and faculty membership to a maximum of 520 students, has been hlled and usually there has been a rather long waiting list of fully- qualined applicants. In 1906. there was but a single course for teachers in the elementary grades. The senior class contained but one man. and there were but two others, both Armenians who had been driven to America by Turkish atrocities. But their presence made the school a co-educational institution. and such it has been with the exception of the years when we were engaged in the War, when all of our men and several of the women were engaged in some form of patriotic service. The proportion of men is now reasonably large and is steadily in- creasing. ln response to a need of which the schools had become increasingly con- scious, the commercial department was established in a small way, and the membership has steadily increased to a quota of ISO students. The course has been prolonged until it now le'ads to a degree at the end of four years of work. This department now supplies from one-third to one-half of all the new commercial teachers employed annually in the high schools of the State. Many of our graduates are also employed in private commercial schools in this and other states, and high schools from many other parts of the country have looked to us for professionally trained teachers of the commercial subjects. The development of the junior high school has also created a demand which we have been prompt to meet by the establishment of an appropriate course to meet the requirements of that branch of the public school system. This course has attracted students who generally have possessed a considerable degree of scholarship. some of whom have been ambitious to continue their preparation in order that ultimately they might become teachers in senior high schools. Many earned their degrees elsewhere long before we became a degree granting college. l'rominent among the changes in educational procedure which have oc- curred during the period under consideration is a far greater degree of democra- cv. both in administration and instruction. Presidents and principals are no longer dictators. Their most important function is to select the most efhcient associates that conditions will permit: to organize and suggest, rather than to direct: and to encourage and promote the greatest possible degree of individual initiative and freedom in the faculty and in the student body. Unquestionably

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Qu Qppreriattmt of Br. iiittnmn Although it is with a feeling of keen regret that we contemplate Dr. Pitman's retirement, there is. nevertheless. a certain detached and almost aesthef tic satisfaction in the thought of a career so auspiciously begun. so conscien- tiously pursued. so rounded with dignity and honor. At this point. not of th- termination but ofthe commencement of a new and abundant period of devel- opment. we find ourselves inspired by his example to fresh and higher levels of personal achievement. XVe are proud that the Class of 1937 'Aretires with Dr. Pitman. In his relations with us. his students. Dr. Pitman has ever shown his kindliness and generosity. Vsfe have been his first concern. and h: has always maintained that the school exists for us. a vital point too often forgotten by many educators. Never parading his benevolence, he has acted tactfully and unobtrusively upon many occasions when he has known some of us to be in need or other difficulty. We know that he has always supported us whole- heartedly in any worthwhile venture and that he will always be intensely interested in our welfare. Dr. Pitman has brought honor to his college and to himself. by the integrity which he has carried to his high office. by the spirit and vitality with which he has met and conquered the most difiicult of administrative problems. A courageous leader. a sympathetic guide, an enlightened advocate of the best in educational thought. Dr. Pitman will always be associated in our thoughts with our Alma'lVlater whose growth he has so carefully nurtured. Vvfe wish him happiness and a wealth of active years in the future. THE Cmss or 1937

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this has been the most significant change in education in the past century. XVith- out it. Salem would have had no Co-operative Association. lhere would have been no such thing as really progressive education. Education would have remained in the grip of dictation and indoctrination. XVhat is my feeling at leaving the school that has been the central and major interest for considerably more than one-half my adult and active life? Can there be any feeling other than one of inexpressible regret to think that my work is ended at the school into which I have tried to build the best years of my life and which I have loved and shall continue to love as long as life shall lastf In the main they have been happy years. My going will be easier because of the many pleasant memories which I shall carry with me. Few greater opportunities could come to any man. I shall never cease to be grateful for them and for the support and cordial co-operation which you and all of the thousands of students who have preceded you have given me. I can say no more. I look forward with high hopes toward the future of the School which has now become a college. Standards of admission and scholarship will con- tinue to be raised: the professional training of our students will be improved: advanced courses will be offered: there will be a higher degree of specialization in this and other professional schools for teachers. The alumni of whom you are soon to become a part will continue to support the school as loyally as in the past: an efficient and loyal faculty will continue to carry on the work under new leadership. And the leader that was will watch the progress of the collegeiwith pride and satisfaction and with his most earnest wishes for a future that shall be far greater than its past. I Q I S