University of North Texas - Yucca Yearbook (Denton, TX)

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Administration Q 0 o o 0 0 0 DR. W. I-I. BRUCE ...... . ..... President Emeritus Dr. W. l-l. Bruce, President Emeri- tus of the College, who has served more than fifty years in Texas schools, holds a unique position among the distinguished educators of America. l-lis name appears in Who's Who in America, and he has to his credit the authorship of several books on mathematics, philosophy, and educational prob- lems. l-le has been president of two Texas colleges and has done active classroom teaching in edu- cation in our College for at least one term each year since resigning the presidency in l923. Dr. Bruce was born April 8, 1856, in Troup County Virginia, but spent the greater part of his young life at Waverly, Alabama. l-lis early education was received in the Old- style academies in Georgia and Alabama. I-le received his B. A. degree from Alabama Polytechnic lnstitute in l883 and his Ph. D. from Mercer University in l890. ln 1896 he was given an honorary M. A. degree from Baylor University, and in 1917 Trinity University bestowed on him the LL. D. degree. l-laving begun his teaching ca- reer in the rural school when he was nineteen years old, Dr. Bruce served in the academies of Ala- bama from l877 to l883, and as principal and superintendent in Blanco, Marble Falls, and Athens, Texas. l-le was instructor in mathe- matics at the University of Texas during the summer terms of l897, l898, and l900. The following year he served as President of Iohn Tarleton College at Stephenville. ln l9Ol he came to North Texas State Teachers College as profes- sor of mathematics, and in l906 he was made President of the Col- lege. l-le held this office until his resignation in l923 when he was made President Emeritus. Dr. Bruce says that his main philosophy for a successful life is to discharge his obligations and to meet his responsibilities fully. l-le firmly believes that a man is suc- cessful to the extent that he makes use of the abilities with which he is endowed. Another basis of his philosophy is found in the Biblical quotation, And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Going the second mile has always characterized Dr. Bruce's services to the College, and we who enjoy the results of his untiring service are grateful to this scholarly man of vision. Page 8

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. . . . zeal mf if fig Caffe 6 As a student at North Texas State Teachers College, as its dean, and as chief executive since l934, Dr. W. I. McConnell has seen the College take enormous strides to- ward becoming foremost among teacher-training institutions. ln fact, it has been his impetus that has had much to do with the tremen- dous growth of the College in recent years. Dr. McConnell's administration has been characterized by a prac- tical execution of his far-visioned ideals. A growth in enrollment, an enlargement and strengthening of the faculty, and a development of the curriculum are tributes to the guiding genius of our president. And through his efforts y we are enjoying a great development in the physical plant of our College. Dr. McConnell was born in Bates- ville, Arkansas. I-le received his B. A. and M. A. degrees from the University of Denver, after having graduated from this institution. l-le received the Ph. D. degree from Columbia University in l925. l-le taught in Wise County from l9U4 to l908 and was superintendent of schools in Van l-lorn from l908 to l9ll and in Petrolia from l9ll to l9l6. Then he came to the College, beginning as professor of mathe- matics. ln l9l9 he was .made professor and director of the eco- nomics department, and in l923 he was made Dean of the College. A unanimous vote of the seven Page 7 l DR. MCCONNELL ..... . . . . . President of the College members of the Board of Regents present at their meeting May l5, l934, made him President to suc- ceed the late Dr. B. l... Marquis. Dr. McConnell holds the distinc- tion of rising to the presidency of his Alma Mater, being a member of the graduation class of l9l3. Therefore he knows the College not only from the teacher's and administrators point of view, but also from the students. l-le is in- deed no stranger to its ideals and traditions and we may look for- ward to a continuation of the pres- tige and growth of the North Texas State Teachers College under his guidance. Administration O

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. . . . . 66140 fA6C0!!66 1-le's a jolly good fellow de- scribes our Dean, Dr. B. B. Harris. It was with delight that his former students learned that he had been appointed Dr. McConnell's succes- sor as Dean in 1934, and since then their enthusiasm has been shared by the entire student body. Dr. 1-larris has been a member of the College faculty since 1916, when he came to join the agricul- ture department. Two years later he was placed on the biology staff, and has been in that department ever since, except when away studying. 1-le was made head of the department in 1921. A native of Pendleton, South Carolina, Dr. Harris came here from Marlin, where he wasteacher of science in the high school from 1911 to 1916. l-le received the B. S. degree from the A. ci M. College of South Carolina in 1911, the M. S. from Ohio State University in 1923, and the Ph. D. in 1929 frornthe Uni- versity of Texas. ln qualifying for the last degree, Dr. 1-larris did his research under the direction of Dr. 1-1. I. Muller of the University, who is known for his phenomenal re- search in genetics. Dr. I-larris's dissertation was among the first student contributions ever pub- lished' in this field' of biology. Dr. 1-larris holds a fellowship in the Texas Academy of Science and is a member of the North' Texas Biology Club, of which he served as president in 1926. I Pge9 DR. B. B. HARRIS .... R . . . . . . . . Dean of the College The Dean deals with each stu- dent, from the time of entrance to the time of receiving the coveted sheepskin lt has been with inter- est, understanding, and efficiency that Dr. Harris has assisted in the making of several thousand degree plans since assuming the duties of his office. 1-lis firm upholding of the standards of North Texas State Teachers College has been one of trie cliieftactors in rits application of his administrative principles. We congratulate Dr. 1-larris for completing successfully his second year as Dean of the College, and sincerely wish for him many more. Administration C