University of Wisconsin Oshkosh - Quiver Yearbook (Oshkosh, WI)

Page 9 text:

Rufus Henry Halsey succeeded President Albee. President Halsey came to Oshkosh in 1898 from Binghamton, New York, where he had been superintendent of schools. He believed in close student-teacher relationships. He assigned many administrative problems to faculty committees, and he promoted social activities on campus. In 1900, under President Halsey, a science building was constructed to the northeast of the assembly building. President Halsey died in July of 1907 by an accidental shooting at Lake Gogebic in Upper Michigan. RUFUS HALSEY 1898-1907 th« only unnamed building on (ampul, was torn down this past year to make way for the library. John Alexander Hull Keith followed Mr. Halsey as President of Oshkosh Normal School. Immediately before accepting this position. President Keith had been the head of the training department at Illinois Normal University. His administration here marked the expansion of the campus area and physical plant. During 1908 and 1909, the Old Gym was built. At that time this building was the second largest gymnasium in the state and one of the best-equipped connected with any normal school in the country. President Keith left Oshkosh in February, 1917, to become President of the State Normal School at Indiana, Pennsylvania. 3

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On June 6, 1871, the Board of Regents employed Mr. George Sumner Albee as the first president of the school. He came to Oshkosh from a position as superintendent of schools in Racine. President Albee believed in giving personal attention to students. He also believed that students in a normal school should have work in the theory of teaching from the beginning of the program of study. He established the first kindergarten directly connected with any normal school in the United States. Under the first president, several additions were made to the normal school. In 1874 a two-story addition which provided four more classrooms was built on the rear of the original building. In 1876 an addition for a model school was built. Recognizing the importance of physical education, President Albee encouraged the building of the first gym; which was completed in 1888. In 1894 a new unit was added to the south end of the original building. President Albee died on September 4, 1898. A bust of him, sculptured by Miss Helen Farnsworth Mears, stands on the left side of the main library desk. President Albee 1871-1898 The Oshkosh Normal School with iti additions during President Albee's administration. 2

Page 10 text:

Harrington Hall wo named for John Harrington, who wo a regent from 1904-1914. In 1913 the Industrial Building (now called Harrington Hall) was built to house the various branches of manual arts. Since the Industrial Department was closed in the early 1930’s, the building has been used for science courses. It was named for John Harrington, regent, 1904-1914. Also in 1913 the normal school, under President Keith, purchased Hooper-Oviatt House on Algoma Boulevard for a women’s dormitory and boarding house. But because the house accommodated only twelve roomers and twenty-five boarders, the project was discontinued in 1930. At that time the house was converted into the president’s residence. Th« President' Houie. 4