Townsend Harris High School - Crimson Gold Yearbook (Flushing, NY)

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PROFESSOR HOLLAND THOMPSON

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PROFESSOR JOHN R. SIM devotion of the whole school and the affectionate regard in which the entire student body holds Prof lohn lgfl Sim render a tribute here superfluous Prof John R l',':i'K fi tl . Q QI li 1 .' L 'Q . I ' . . .' ' 43,-gfgig Sim was born in Morgan County, VX est Virginia on Feb. 15, 1849. At the early age of nineteen he graduated from the College of the City of New York, and two years later became a tutor in mathematics. He served in this capacity for twenty years in both the Cooper Union Techanical School and in the Harlem Evening High School. During all these years he had been applying himself conscientiously to the study of his chosen profession. As a recompense he was awarded successive promotions to instructor and assistant-professor in mathematics. Finally, in 1901, he was appointed Professor in charge of the Academic Department of the College of the City of New York. lt is in this position that we find him now, devoting himself to the interests of Townsend Hall. All who have come in contact with Prof. Sim have experienced the kindness that tempers his actions, The relations of principal and student usually so formal have been made pleasant and amiable. Moreover, Prof. Sim has aided the students in their activities in every available manner. In 1904 he attained the acme of his success when he was appointed Professor of Pure Mathematics. He is a member of various notable organizations, among which are the New York Gamma of Phi Beta Kappa, the Virginia Historical Association and the Southern Society of New York. Accurate in his actions, sincere in his desire to promote a feeling of fraternity and friendship, he stands the beloved and revered leader of Townsend Harris Hall.

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PROFESSOR HOLLAND THOMPSON SSISTANT PROFESSOR HOLLAND THOMPSON, Director of the Townsend Harris Hall Annex, was born in North Carolina and was graduated from the State University in l895. For the next four years he was principal of the Academy at Concord, N. C. In 1899 f-S4944 he resigned on receiving an appointment as University Fellow in Columbia University, New York City, from which institution he later received the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy. He was appointed Tutor in History in the College of the City of New York in l90l, Instructor in 1902, and Assistant Professor in 1906. XVhen the number of students applying for admission to the Preparatory De- partment, as it was then called, grew beyond the accomodations provided for them, Mr. Thompson was placed in charge of the Afternoon Session in the old Cass Building in Twenty-third Street in 1904. The next year he was assigned to the charge of Townsend Harris Hall, which was not yet completed, but was finished around the classes. In l906-O7 the Main Building was rendered habitable though far from completed and Professor Thompson was placed in charge of the A and B classes which recited there. The College proper removed to the new site in the fall of l907 and Professor Thompson was then placed in charge of the old building in Twenty-third Street, where he remained five years. When the building was closed preparatory to the construction of the new School of Commerce on that site, the classes attending were transferred to 138th Street. Professor Thompson has found time to do much literary and scholarly work. He is author of From Cotton Field to Cotton Mill, f'The Prisoners of the Civil lfVar, History of Our Land, and the New South, Economic and Social, besides many magazine articles. He contributed to the New International and Nelson's Encyclopaedias and to the Encyclopaedia Britannica and is joint editor of the Book of Knowledge. He has served on the editorial staff of Current Litera- ture and Review of Reviews and is now engaged on a work on Southern Economic history. Professor Thompson is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, of the Academy of Political Science, of the American Historical Association and of the American Economic Association. In this article it is extremely difficult to give to Professor Thompson the credit which he so rightfully deserves. In his years of service at the college it has been his wish and desire to perfect the education of the student. Professor Thompson has succeeded wonderfully and is continuing the good work which he has so earnestly chosen as his life's mission. Professor Thompson is held in such high esteem by his colleagues and the students who come under his care that it is doubt- ful whether any other man could so gain the love and confidence of his associates, both young and old. To conclude we may say with assurance that it would be a wise and prudent act on the part of the young student who is just beginning life, to set the career of Professor Thompson before him, and to follow it faithfully and absolutely.