University of Nebraska Kearney - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Kearney, NE)

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President George E. Martin Anyone who wishes to sec the president of our college needs only to stand a few minutes in the corridors—first, second, or third floors. Tall, gray-haired, gray-eyed, and usually gray-suited. President George E. Martin is everywhere at once, although he never seems to hurry. President Martin came to Kearney twenty years ago as head of the English department; later he became director of the teacher training department, and in 1919, he began his work as administrator. Mr. Martin received his B. A. from the University of Nebraska in 1914, and bis M. A. from Columbia University in 1919. In an interview, Mr. Martin said: The gratifying thing to me is chat the institution has been converted from a two-year school to a college of four years’ training. In 1916, we were affiliated with the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools with a nominal affiliation. In 1933, we were fully accredited with that association.” During President Martin’s incumbency, the student enrollment has doubled, and so has the number on the faculty. The curriculums have been sharply differentiated. Tw'o new buildings have been constructed. The work of each department has been revised and made more efficient. Briefly, President Martin has been able to transfer his vision of an efficient teacher training institution into a reality'. There is no work of which one may be so proud as that of a professional teacher,” Mr. Martin believes. Pago Ten

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Tribute to Dr. A. O. Thomas We honor ourselves, we honor the college in paying homage to Dr. Thomas who died January 30, 1935. Dr. Thomas died a very rich man. We arc not alone in our sense of loss, in our desire to pay tribute to a true friend, to a great man. Flowers, messages of sympathy, words of praise have come from almost every country in the world. Few men have been so universally mourned or so universally honored. Few have received greater encomium. Kearney State Teachers College has suffered a peculiarly personal loss, in the passing of Dr. Thomas who was the first president of our college. We were indeed fortunate to have so wise and so able a leader during our pioneer years. His spirit of tireless energy, undaunted courage, boundless faith, infinite patience, and his clear-seeing blazed the first lap of the Kearney College trail against great odds. He laid a broad, solid foundation upon which his successors have builded an institution of which we are justly proud. Though called to larger fields of endeavor, Kearney always held a warm place in Dr. Thomas’ heart. Busy as he was, honored as he was, he never lost his interest in the welfare of this college nor ambition for its progress. For as he laid the foundation stone upon stone, he dreamed that through the development of this institution he would realize his vision of education. During the years which have passed since Dr. Thomas left Kearney, this vision of what education could be, what it should be, guided him along the path which led to the heights where he stood out, a lone figure, as founder of the World Federation of Education Associations of which organization he was secretary-general at the time of his death. Dr. Thomas attained the acme of position and of recognition in his chosen field. His Kearney friends in the college and in the community followed his ever-widening sphere of influence and his phenomenal success with pride and satisfaction. Dr. Thomas’ inspirational leadership was most unusual, but he was more richly en- dowed with a genius for friendship. His was a warm, sincere friendship, with an eagerness to serve others. May I give a homely example? One evening as I was sitting on the porch, Dr. Thomas came along with a mattress on his back. After office hours he had visited a student quarantined for smallpox. Finding the bed unsuitable for a sick boy, he was taking him a mattress from his own home. Dr. Thomas rarely forgot a face. For each personality seemed to be another interesting chapter in the great living book of human nature. This explains in part Dr. Thomas’ uncanny ability to understand and to work with people. His philosophy was that one should learn and consider the other person’s point of view before reaching a decision or passing judgment. The world is better, richer for Dr. Thomas1’ long and useful life. A life that is a wonderful example of what a man of sterling character, high aspirations, unconquerable spirit, and of vision, can achieve. A life that is a challenge to each one of us. Page Nine

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The Administration Staff Usually wc do not give our affection ro the same persons to whom we give our money (somewhat unwillingly!), but every rule has its exception. Mrs. Bessie Black, bursar of the college since 1911, is the lady who presides over the money hags, and at the beginning of each quarter, it is to her that we reluctantly give our money; however her charming smile makes us forget our empty purses. And of course, if we don't lose our textbooks or break chemistry apparatus, it is probable chat Mrs. Black will return several of our dollars at the end of the quarter—only to take them again at the beginning of the next term! No, she isn't a sophomore, the litrle lady in the knit dress; she's Mrs. Elsie Leake, secretary of the extension department. It is she who puts your name on the precious blue, white, pink, or yellow card which entitles you to watch the games and attend the lyceum programs. She has been in the office” for six years; just how it existed before her coming is another unsolved mystery. Miss Edith Smithey has served the college in one way or another since there has been one to serve; from the lowly station of filing clerk, she has progressed to that exalted position of registrar. She has her A. B. in Education, from K. S. T. C., a degree which she earned in those hours when her official duties did not demand all her time. Efficient and helpful, Miss Smithey is also the checker-upper” who finds out whether or not you have taken your Physical Education. She is one of the most loyal boosters of the school. Miss Dorothy Williams has had the imposing title of Secretary to the President” for nine years. Mr. Martin once said, Maybe I am the president, but Miss Williams does the work.” She has been, for the past two years, a member of the Y. W. C. A. advisory hoard.