San Diego State University - Del Sudoeste Yearbook (San Diego, CA)

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Chm: Qgpniztmdtim. ODAY there seems to be a feeling abroad in many places which is inclined to regard the normal school as a place where very little is to be gained in the way of culture. The advocates of this notion hold that the normal school is a peculiarly con- structed machine whose crank is turned to grind out ready- made school-teachers; that the students serve a term of drudgery, are deprived of social privileges, have all their originality stiiied, and are then sent forth to apply the same method to the children of the state. If this be true, we are soon to be graduated-lifeless, narrow-minded, unlovely old maids. 'Very fortunately. however, our entrance into this establishment four years ago was clouded by no such apprehensions. We came, many of us, fresh from the mountain regions, innocent of adverse criti- cism, light-hearted and light-spirited, our attitude marked by a single- ness of purpose, to the accomplishment of which our every energy was devoted. The glorious opportunities before us formed the topic of our dreams; to our minds, to be able to graduate from the normal school meant the consummation of our highest ambitions. With such strong preposessions we embraced the opportunity of entrance and set out to attain our ideal. At times the feeling came that the goal was too far away to be reached. Moving toward it was like moving through the trackless air. Bryant asks 0f the water-fowl. whither lies its way through the depths of the evening sky. The bird could not answer, if it heard. It can- not see the distant lake toward which it is moving steadily and swift- ly. Yet it is being guided by a higher powereand so, we trusted in

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SAMUEL T. BLACK, President.

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2 WHITE and GOLD our moments of doubt and went courageously 011. Four years ofwork have opened great Vistas in the realm ofknowl- edge. In literature, from its birth to the present time, we have studied national ideals, particularly emphasizing the evolution of the English language and literature. It is here that the harmony of mankind in thought and aspiration has been observed, and a juster estimate of character has been developed; here that the conception of life in its full meaningeman in harmony with the universe-has in part been realized. While in literature we are studying the ideals of nations as voiced through individuals, in history we gain a View of society as a whole, representing the relations of individuals in association, one with an- other. Thus we have been permitted to see the development of na- tional ideals from selfish conservatism to an approaching era of inter- national love. In this day of great advancement along all scientihc lines, one cannot be fitted to teach, even in the elementary schools, without an introduction into the best that the world has to offer in science. Such an introduction has been offered to us here in the courses in chemis- try, biology and physics, where we have touched upon the various as- pects of the physical life of the universe, indirectly leading up to the truth that there is law, order, and purpose in all the works of God. ' Then naturally, a glimpse into the wonderful though intricate domain of mathematical law, has offered another of our important op- portunities. . Literature, History,SCience, and Mathematics may seem to be largely of mere practical value, yet the Art side of life has not been neglected, since the excellent opportunities in In usic and drawing have furnished, perhaps, the most pleasing part of our training, lifting us .from our heavier tasks up into the freer atmosphere which can be reached only'through the development of the emotional nature. In a professional way, the most valuable ofour opportunities lies in applying, in actual teaching under experienced leaders, the princi- ples of education developed by our academic work. The training school Hfurnishes stuff to try the soults strength 0119 It is here that we feel for the first time what insignificant beings we are after all; it is here that we have the opportunity to learn the meaning of selfac'on- trol and responsibility; that we forget self in our anxiety for the child- ren; that we meet innocence and perfect trust; that we are allowed the blessed privilege of feeling that in our hands have been placed, for a brief season, human beings, the moulding of whose characters, in a- very large measure, rests with us. Aside from book learning, our opportunities have been particu- larly notable in our relations to the faculty and t0 the student body. While the knowledge we have gained will, it is quite likely, soon de-