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

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The Old Coiiese STATE COLLEGE H ISTORY IN THE FALL of 1898, not a year after an act of lesislature had established the State Normal School of San Diego (March 13, 1897), the first classes were received. Temporary quar- ters had been established over a One-Cent Novelty Store at Sixth and F streets; and that first semester showed an enrollment of ninety- one students and a faculty of eight members, with the training- school classes averaging twelve pupils. At the time of enactment Samuel T. Black, then State Superin- tendent of Education, was chosen, because of his wide experience in many diversified fields as well as the educational, to be the first president. He will always be remembered for his untiring efforts in the interests of the school. On May I, 1899, came the dedication of the new Normal School building, which was situated in University Heights, far away from the populated section of San Diego. By this time everything was well organized and both faculty and student body were being en- larged. In 1910 Dr. Edward L. Hardy, then principal of the high school, was chosen to succeed to the presidency of the Normal School, at ( l Twenty-one

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n I ! r AN EARLY STUDENT BODY ri o|-,.TC »»- . w A. J.e. r»» , S i v « ' A - Twenty

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C I EST-- ihe recommendation o f President Black. He has ably carried on the great work started by the first president: and his efforts, too, have been unceasing. It was not, however, until July 28, 1921, that legislation was effected designating the school, together with all other California Normal Schools, as a State Teachers ' College. Under an enactment of the same year, the San Diego Junior College was merged with the Teachers ' College. June 30, 1923, saw the establishment of the four-year cuTricula leading to the A. B. Degree (major in education]. The first ir dication of the new college-to-be came when the En- aibling Bill, autihorizing the sale of the old site, was passed in May, 1925. After a struggle over appropriations, the bonds were voted «fi 1928 and the new site selected. State appropriations in 1929 and 193 I brought a total of nearly a million dollars. The first classes on the new campus met in February, 1931; and with the formal dedication and laying of the comer stone on May «, 1931,- those who had worked toward this end for many years saw the fruition of their dreams. With the completion of the new gymnasium next fall, the pres- ent building plan will be fulfilled. A second ten year building plan, to follow later, will include permanent ouar+ers for the Music and Art