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

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Aa a olnUpu of i ' lnrprr ISpgarft an iEalprm. H % (ElasB nf 1921 iSpspprtfullg Spliiralr tliia Unlump nf tn (3m iBrloupii JfrtPitli mtb Npui riurtpal Page Seven

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Au rnu u ltomas i mttb. A. M., fh. i. Prtnrtpal of Slip tatc formal Srhool Urat CEhratrr. fa. NDREAV Thomas Smith, A. M., Pd. D., Principal of the West Chester State Normal School, widely known as an educator and ;idministrator, was horn Septeinher 10, 1862, near Norristown, lontgomery County, Penn.sylvania. He is the eighth child and third sou of Ei ' asiiius P. Smith, who died in 1886 and Elizalieth (Haker) Smith who died in 1905. The hoy, Thomas Smith, on the farm, early displayed those qualities of perseverance, fidelity, helpfulness, sympathy, Ihoug ' htfulness for others, uprightness of character and love of Nature and out-door sports that foreshadowed the ideals of the man, when he was to take his place as a leader of men and a guide of the plans and purposes of youth. His early education was received in the schools of Fairview Village and Nori ' istown, Pa. He was an apt pupil, eager foi ' knowledge and anxious to make the most of every opportunity. His ainhition to secure an education and liis keenness of vision, as he looked into the future, were nowhere lietter shown than when he chose to enter a higher institution of learning rather than enter upon a business career which seemed to be looming before him. He had had con- siderable experience as a teacher before he decided to pursue the bent of his inclination and become a student at the West Chester State Normal School. On entering the school, he immediately took high rank in his studies, hold- ing many positions of trust and honor in his class and literary society, and was interested in all phases of the activities of the school, not only those pertaining to the class-room, the literary society and the religious work, but to athletic in- terests, and, as an enthusiastic base-ball player, he has always retained his love for that sport. We may. indeed, remark, in passing, that it is no uncommon sight to see Principal Smith, clad in base-ball uniform, at his accustomed place on second base, whenever the Faculty is called upon to face some opposing team and needs the inspiration of his presence. Andrew Thomas Smith was graduated from the West Chester State Normal School in the class of 1883. He was in his twenty-first year, but his work thus early, gave promise of what his riper years have achieved. In the fall of 1883, when he had barely attained his majority, he accepted the position of first assistant in the Chester Springs Soldiers Orphan School, and the next year was elected Principal. He was soon called back to his Alma Mater to teach in the department of Pedagogy. Page Eight