Salem State University - Clipper Yearbook

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Vvlho of the thousands of the alumni of this school does not recall with pleasure many occasions upon which Mrs. Pitman has added to the pleasure of the schools social events by her gracious presence and participation? By virtue of her quiet dignity, inspiring conversation, and gentle and gracious manner. she has endeared herself to the hearts of the many who have come in contact with her. Dr. Pitman's early years in Massachusetts seemed to lead him step by step toward the position he now holds. He came to this State in 1891 to ac- cept a position as grammar school principal in the town of Millbury, and later went to the city of Malden. His outstanding abilitygand record of success as a teacher and leader soon brought him a call to a position of greater responsibility. In 1892, now a young man of only twenty-five, he was ap- pointed superintendent of schools. serving in two districts-one of four towns and another of two larger towns in central Massachusetts. He held these positions until 1897, when he became city superintendent of schools in Marl- borough, Massachusetts, a position formerly held by the late Jeremiah E. Burke, a former superintendent of schools in Boston. It is interesting to note that another of Dr. Pitman's predecessors at Marlborough was Grenville T. Fletcher who resigned the principalship of the Normal School at Castine, Maine, to become the first superintendent of the Marlborough schools, leaving that position to become agent of the Massachusetts State Board of Education. Many interesting and difficult problems presented themselves to Dr. Pit- man during his term of service in Marlborough. These various experiences- extending over a period of nine years-served to give him first hand knowledge of the evervincreasing theories of educational practices which have come to the fore during the past thirtyffive years. Deuelopmervl of the School by Dr. Pitman At last, on February 1, IQO6, Dr. Pitman entered the doors of the Salem Normal School to assume the position of principal-a position which by the very nature of the institution offered him the opportunity he most desired! to serve Youth. There he has trained, inspired, and guided the young people who in turn have carried that influence throughout the State of Massachusetts and into many other parts of the country. Dr. Pitman once said, We were put here for the ser' vice we may render. The only justincation for the maintenance ol' this instif tution-in fact the only hjustincation for life itself, is the ideal ol' service. 'lihe Road Io the l'1'1rm1r7 llo1m'slec1d Surely if is lllls Plllloso' 28

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There the pupils ranged from four to twenty-one years ol' age. They were doing about as they liked with no regard lor discipline. lle arrived the first day to und the older boys sitting outside the building, their backs to the wall, their attitude deuant- all ol' them smoking clay pipes. lle lelit at the end ol' that term to return to Normal School. carrying with him the good will ol' his pupils whom he had quickly won by his sympathetic understanding and his interest and participation in their activities, and leaving behind a record ol' successful teaching. Another winter he took an even more difhcult school on the Maine coast where he made such a success as a teacher that the term was extended in order that they might take advantage ol' his services. llis aptitude was evident: he early showed his ability as a teacher and leader. Upon graduae tion from the normal school in 1887, he was honored for his outstanding accomplishments by being made salutatorian of his class. Following his graduation from Normal School, he served as principal of high schools in Searsport and Jeflerson, Maine. Not the least of the many evidences of his good judgment is his choice of a helpmate, for we learn that on July 23, 1890, at Lincolnville, Maine, he married Flora Etta Carver-a descendant of Governor Carver's family, and also of General Israel Putnam stock. He had nrst met her at the Castine Normal School where she also was training for the teaching profession. She too was an outstanding student and up- on her graduation in 1888 F 1 was made valedictorian of 1 ,A , ,. .,, her class. Her interest in and I Z sympathy with his work - T555 were increased by her own -A teaching experience in the I elementary schools of Maine. 7 fgi 'J The following year they removed to lVlassachusetts, and it was in this state that their two sons were born. The older of the two sons Earle Carver of Red Bank. New Jersey, is in charge of one of the laboratories of the Du Pont Company: Arthur Loring, the younger, is a biological chemist con' nected with the Department of Agriculture in XVashing- ton. Both sons are graduates of Harvard College where they received their bachelors degrees, and of lVlassachu- setts Institute of Technolo- gy. where they received their masters degrees. Mrs. Joseph Asbury Pitman 27

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phy of life that has placed him in a position where he might render that service: and his friends. colleagues. and alumni all testily that he has exempli. tied that philosophy throughout his thirtysone and oneshall' years as the head of this institutionfa longer period of service than that ol' any other previous principal. Under his able administration the school has grown and developed from a Normal School with an enrollment of i7o students. ollering a single two-year elementary course. to a State Teachers College with an approximate enrollment of soo students and many fully qualified candidates on the waiting list each year. The school now ofliers four courses-lilementary. .lunior lligh, Commercial. and a special course for teachers of mentally retarded children. all four years in length and giving the degree of Bachelor of Science in lfducation. lfarly in his administration. the State Board of lfducation. commenting on his work. wrote: Through his wise. skillful. and untiring guidance. and through his considerateness and fairmindedness, the school has gained in vigor and unity and has developed in a way that gives great satisfaction to the Board of Visitors. Commercictl Department Perhaps the most conspicuous of Dr. Pitman's achievements was the establishment of the Commercial Department in IQO8. This school has the distinction of being the first in the country to provide for the professional as well as technical training of commercial teachers in an integrated program. For several years, various associations of teachers, as well as the National Education Association. had passed resolutions calling attention to the need for such training to meet the increasing demand for high school commercial teach- ers. Alert, as always, to the needs of the educational system of the state to which the school ministered, Dr. Pitman carefully outlined plans for a com- mercial department at the Salem Normal School. His plans met with the enthusiastic support of the State Board of Education. and he proceeded to se- lect outstanding teachers in this field, to equip the department, to enlarge the scope of the work and to increase the time of preparation until he built up a four-year course which graduates each year approximately forty young men and women thoroughly trained in the technical subjects of the commercial course as well as the theory and practice of teaching. The Hrst student body in this Commercial Department was chosen by personal con- ference with the principal from among recent graduates of the elementary course. Twenty-three of th e s e planned to complete a one- year course while a second group of forty-one started upon the regular two-year course. v blqi - .-: .L The department was or- ganized under the direction of Arthur J. Meredith who ' The Pzitmtm Homestead 29