Truman State University - Echo Yearbook (Kirksville, MO)

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tes Centennial nni er ary Growth has not been limited to land and facili- ties alone, however. The student body of 140 young men and women in 1867 could hardly have en- visioned that in 1966. 99 years later, 5,320 students would be enrolling in their College. Nor could they imagine the faculty increasing from 6 to a number nearly 43 times that many. 252, in the same 99 years. Changes have also taken place in the name of the institution. The school became known as the North Missouri Normal School in 1869, but the name was revised by the board in 1870 to be the First District Normal School. On May 20, 1919, the legislature officially changed the name of the College to The Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. Permissive legislation was passed in 1945 al- lowing the five state teachers colleges to drop the word Teachers from their official name. All except Kirksville elected to do so. Legislation was intro- duced this year, however, to allow the Teachers College to drop Norzlieusr from its title. Artist William Unger's concept of the campus upon completion of the Student Union is shown in a photograph of his recent painting. Eight men have held the presidency of the College since its inception. Following Baldwin in 1881 was VV, P. Nason, a member of the original faculty. He served just one year as acting president. J. P. Blanton, superintendent of schools in Mexico, was elected president during the summer of 1882 and served until his resignation in 1891. W. D. Dobson of Moberly was made president of the Normal School in 1891. Eight years later John R. Kirk, a former teacher, principal, superin- tendent, State Superintendent of Public Schools, and lawyer, was named as the administrative head of the College. Serving until 1925, Kirk was succeeded by Dr. Eugene Fair, a member of the faculty. Dr. Walter H. Ryle was named President in 1937 and served until January 31, 1967. Dr. F. Clark Elkins assumed the presidency on February 1. The past 100 years have indeed brought many changes to the Northeast Missouri State Teachers College, But Joseph Baldwin's philosophy remains-- . . thorough scholastic training lies at the founda- tion of a teacher's education.

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The Teachers College opened its doors for the first time on September 2, 1867. Classes were held in the old Cumber- land Academy building, located at the north edge of Kirks- ville. The above picture is a photograph of a painting by William Unger. Coll e Cele Celebrating its Centennial anniversary, North- east Missouri State Teachers College, founded as North Missouri Normal School and Commercial College, was established as the mother of the teacher education system of Missouri on September 2, 1867. lts founder, Joseph Baldwin, was one of Americais pioneers in the field of teacher education. Beginning with a faculty of 6 and a student body of 140, Baldwin launched his philosophy, that a thorough scholastic training lies at the foun- dation of a teacher's education? That philosophy has continued to be the 'sfoundationn of the Teachers College for 100 years. Baldwin started his school in one building which had formerly been the Cumberland Academy, a Presbyterian school. Not until May 17, 1871, did the present campus site begin to take form. On that date, the ground was broken for the construction of old Baldwin Hall. That groundbreaking ceremony was the first of many that have taken place during the past century. The College has grown from one building to 25 major buildings. The site of the first Baldwin Hall was a 15-acre tract outside the southern limits of the city. The College now encompasses more than 60 acres, all of which lies within the city limits of Kirksville. The first building erected on the present site were old Baldwin and Library Halls. destroyed by fire in 1924. and Laughlin Hall. lit? :sw

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