Stephens College - Stephensophia Yearbook (Columbia, MO)

Page 32 text:

Rox Txxsczo DAv1s DIRECTGR OF RESEARCH present Stephens educational sys- tem, and particularly its aim-the de- velopment in every girl of a sense of personal leadership, and a knowledge ol' balanced living-is largely the work of the Research Department, headed by Dr. W. W. Charters. The department was established in 1920 under his direction and has played an in- creasingly important role since that time. Dr. Charters has had varied experiences in other institutions, having been affiliated with the Carnegie Institute of 'l'eclmology, the Universities ol' Chicago, lllinois, Pitts- burgh a11d Missouri. At present, in addi- tion to his work at Stephens, he is con- nected with Ohio State University. ASSISTANT TCD Tl-IE R RESIDENT Rox Tfxsco DAVIS is well qualified for his position as Director of Public Rela- tions and Assistant to the President. 111 the latter capacity he acts as tl1e official host of the College, and his extensive ex- perience in meeting and dealing with people is most valuable. Mr. Davis, geniality always strikes tl1e right note in putting guests at their ease and extending to them the cordiality of the College. From his position as secretary and business manager of Stephens College, lVlr. Davis in 1921 was appointed Envoy Extra- ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Costa Rica and later to the Republic of Panama. llc returned to Stephens in his present capacity in 1932. VV. VV. f3lIAR'l'lCRS I 21

Page 31 text:

Tl-Ili Pl? ESIDEIXITS MESSAGE HF! faculty and the administration of the College have had the privilege, dur- ing the year l935-36, of serving the largest number of students ever assembled at one time on the Stephens campus. This fact alone makes the year a significant one. The increased enrollment has emphasized tvvo important problems which the College has endeavored to meet as frankly and effectively as possible. lfirst, it has been necessary to expand the material facilities to meet the needs of larger numbers, and second, the growth of the student body l1as alforded the opportunity to adapt the policy of indi- vidualized attention to a larger group. The physical expansion has involved the building of a new residence hall, a new line arts building and new stables and riding rings. lt l1as meant also a consider- able amount of remodeling and redecora- tion as well as tl1e addition of new equip- ment. The beginning of building activities eastward from the main campus suggests the possible future development of the College grounds and buildings as rapidly as the plans for such development can be realized. The important accent of the year, however, is found in the earnest ell'orts of the faculty to adjust the educational pro- gram to the individual needs ofnine hundred students instead of seven hundred or live hundred. No matter how many students may come to Stephens College, every girl who sets foot on the campus will have full Page v Pnicsini-:y'l'.lu1r:s Mxnisox NN oon claim to the services of the faculty in meet- ing her individual needs. Mary Smith will continue to be Hary Smith a11d not just another Junior or Senior. To adopt any other policy would be to violate the funda- mental principle upon w hich the educational program of the College rests. To every student of Stephens, li inscribe this message of friendly greeting and per- sonal appreeiation. The success of the year must be attributed largely to the willing assumption of responsibility and the wise investment of time and ell'ort on the part of students who have entered earnestly into the plans for their growth and develop- ment.

Page 33 text:

DEAN CDF ADMINISTRATION DEAN WELDON P. SHOFSTALL is one of the best known figures on the Stephens campus because of his rare spirit of friendly comprehension and because of his position as Dean of Administration. ln his capacity as Dean the students come to him for counsel on curricular matters. His sympathetic understanding of all our difficulties and his tactful skill in administering sound advice had endeared him to all Stephens students. Before becoming Dean of Administra- tion in 1932, he Was Research Secretary of the College for three years. Since his goal is the humanizing of education, Dean Shofstall is of the opinion that in most collegiate systems the importance of grades has been overstressed. He is responsible for the grading and rating system now used at Stephens. B. LAMAR .lornvsow I 2 WPIIJDON P. SHoFs'rALI. DEAN CDF INSTIQLICTICDN THE enthusiasm and spirit of cooperation that Dean B. Lamar Johnson extends to every Stephens girl makes of him a favorite ally. During the past several years Dean Johnson has Worked to bring about on the campus notable changes. N ow cach dormi- tory has its own library, situated in each parlor for the convenience of the girls, cozy reading corners have been arranged in the central library, reading surveys have been conducted and a book contest is sponsored each year. These improvements have stim- ulated the reading interest and appreciation for good books. Dean Johnson does not devote all his energies, however, to the cultural develop- ment of Stephens Women. He is very busy training his three energetic sons.