West Chester University - Serpentine Yearbook (West Chester, PA)

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the first steps of the thriving infant. To us the most interesting point in Prof. Maris ' administration is that a young graduate of Bucknell came to teach Mathematics, . lert, scholarly, intensely earnest and devoted to his duty, G. M. Philips at once took a prominent place on the faculty. But he needed a bigger field. So, after marrying the talented young music teacher. Elizabeth M. Pyle, he went to teach Mathematics in his Alma Mater. When, three years later, Prof. Maris was elected a professor in Swarthmore College, the trus- tees turned at once to the young teacher of mathematics who had left them so greatly tn their regret, a few years before. Prof. Philips came at their invitation, and took charge of the school in 1881. THE SCHOOL ' S GROWTH Now the school at once took on a rapid growth. The next year it Ijecame necessary t . add the south wing tn the building. Four years later the central addition to the building embracing the chapel and the old dining-room became necessary. In 1890 the gymnas ' um was added, giving Ijetter facilities for physical education than anv other Normal School in Pennsyl -ania has yet attained. Indeed, few institutions of any character in the country, outside the great universities are as well provided in this respect. By the next year the trustees provided the beautiful home still occupied by the principal. During the same year the intirniary with its possibilities of seclusion and isolation for the .seriously sick, was added to the equipment. THE MANHOOD OF THE SCHOOL Novi ' began the period of great prosperity for the school. Students poureil in, attracted by the strength of the institution under Dr. Philips ' wise and faithful guidance. More of the main building was needed for rooms, and Recitation Hall was built in 1892, while Wayne Field, added in 1893, gave athletics a new im- petus. This providetl for the growth of the school for several years, but in 1900 the new Mtjdel School liuild- ing took the Model School out of the main building, opening up more rooms for the use of teachers and scholars. Even this jirovision was insufficient and in 1902 the present splendid Library Building, the finest building of any kind, ciwned by any Pennsylvania Normal School, sheltered a large and growing collection of books, pictures and scientific and historical cullections. 19

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THE HOME OF THE SCHOOL The counties of Chester, Delaware, Montguniery and Bucks were set aside as the first district in w liich a Normal School might grow. Surely no other Normal School in the State was Ixjrn into so favored a home. West Chester is an old town whose traditions are tied up with the c j-religionists of the great founder, William Penn. Quaker thrift, Quaker solidity without ostentation, Quaker love of education formed the best possible environment for the new school. The four closely settled counties could furnish at once a goodly number of students and could absorb into its schools at salaries higher than the State at large afforded, the teachers who were to be sent out. THE BIRTH OF THE SCOOL An academy had existed in West Chester ever since 1812. The trustees of this academy met in the office of Mr Wayne MacVeagh, in April, 1869, to consider the possibility of surrendering the property and funds of their institution in favor of a new Normal School to be located in West Chester. Among those first interested was Captain R. T. Cornwell, who has been a member of the Board of ' J ustees, almost ever since. With forty-two thousand dollars from subscriptions, twenty-nine thousand from the old academy, fifteen thousand from the State and twenty thousand of borrowed uKjuey. the new school began its work. The central part of the main Iniilding, without Chaiiel Hall, and without either north or s( )Uth wings, formed the entire building. Already the school was ambitious in the matter of its teaching force and eleven teachers were supplied to teach the one hundred and twelve boys and the fifty-eight girls. The first class graduated in 1874 and among its favored group was our own Miss Esler, who has been so faithfully passing on to others the impulse she gained then. THE INFANCY OF THE SCHOOL The first Principal of the new school was Dr. E. H. Cook, a man of scholarly tastes, wiio, however, left at the end of one year. His successor for a year was Dr. Chandler, after whicli George L. Maris took charge. His ideals fitted in more nearly with those of the trustees and he remained for eight years guiding IS

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I ' ntil lyo the regular course of study had e mbraced i)nl y two years, know u as junior and senior. In that -ear the first class taking- three full years of study in the regular course was graduated. Steadily the school forged ahead, guided still Ijy the same master hand. More students came each year; more teachers taught uKire branches; more facilities were added. In 1903 came the greatly improved power plant. Finally in iijl I a new dormitory was built, prn iding, it was supposed, for years to come, especially as the dining-room was also enlarged and many rooms added to the central e.xtension. The end is not yet, already the school is crowded, already students are living outside who winild like to share the intimate life of the school. The three year course has stretched to four. The ten-acre campus has grown to nearly lifty. The hundred thou- sand dollars worth of property has grown until it is rapidly approaching a million dollars of value. The faculty of eleven, some of whom gave o nly part time to the work, has --rown until the list of teachers and administrative ofificers now numbers more than forty. The student body of the lirst year numbered less than two hundred, this year the number will exceed a thousand. The first graduating class numliered ten: the present class will graduate well over three hundred members. THE LEADER The community is ideal, the grounds well located, the trustees capable and faithful, the teachers skillful and de oted, yet all who know the school know it as ihe realization of the dream of one man. Possessed of ision to see into the future, of persuasion to get others to share his dream, of scholarship to demand faithful and solid work, of devotion to labor untiringly for the realization of his plans. Dr. ( ieorge Morris Philips stands as the efficient cause of this wonderful growth and prosperitx ' . Vear after ' ear adds to the honors heaped u])on him. Institutions of learning confer on him de.grees. the State calls him to service, positions of tempting worth in honor and profit are tendered him in vain. Tirelesslv he works — unendinglv he serves. No one does he ever hold to so strenuous a service as he holds hmiself. i lay he long continue to guide the destinies of his and our well beloved West Chester State Normal School. S. C. SCHMUCKER. 20