Western Michigan University - Brown and Gold Yearbook (Kalamazoo, MI)

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Western Normal School 19 Our class in June 1919 forged the fifteenth link in the chain which had its beginning in 1904. It was our priv- ilege to share in many phases of West- ern ' s growth during 1917-19. Some of these phases were: first, the appropri- ation granted to the library; second, the establishment of the A. B. Degree Course and finally, third, the deepening of her sense of relation to the life of the na- tion and the strengthening of that rela- tion by opening her doors to a Student Army Training Corps Unit. At this same time our activities were varied, reaching into the fields of aca- demic study, dramatics, forensics (the Forum being established as the men ' s debating society), athletics, and numer- ous drives and war activities. Thus equipped we went out to our respective fields of active interest to try to exemplify the characteristics predom- inating the spirit of our school and the men and women who guided us. With such a backgroimd -hatever we may have accomplished in our active work is due in large measure to Western. My first year of active work was spent as mathematics teacher in an elementary school in Detroit, Mich. Since then my work has been that of critic teacher in the Detroit Teachers ' College Training School, and the latter part of last year I served as assistant-principal in an elementary school in that city. At the present I am enjoying a year at Teachers ' College where I have seen again some of the Westerners . Those of us who have been away from Normal for several years, feel a stronger appeal than ever and certainly e feel that she has a clearer right to every service we can render. FLORENCE STRATEMEYER. FLORENCE STRATEMEYER Western — Life Certificate 14 Since the Western Normal School is beautifully located, it did not matter whether we rode up in the mountain car or walked up the front stairs or up the South walk, — just so long as we did not try to ascend or descend by the wooden steps parallel to the hill-climbing car, — when we reached the school we were impressed by the beauty of the scene below us. This elevated existence may account for the fact that the faculty were so broad-minded, so tolerant, so appreciative of each individual ' s struggles and so willing to work hard to develop each personality.

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I have taught at the Northern State Normal eight years and enjoy the teacher training work very much. My department is growing rapidly and our aim is to specialize in the training of Grade and Junior High School teachers. I have as my assistant Frank R. Martin, Western Normal 12 who has been an important factor in the development of the Manual Arts Department at Northern Normal. Since leav- ing Western Normal I have continued my preparation, having spent seven summer sessions at various colleges and universities and in the future plan to spend a year in residence at University of Wisconsin. IVIrs. McClintock (Myrtle Hayward) myself and our two sons, David (eleven) and Walter (five) are living at 1023 North Front St. and would be glad to hear from any of our old friends. May I through Brown and Gold send greetings and best wishes to the faculty, Alumni and students.

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One of the outstanding experiences of my college life there — I dare riot mention all — was that football game in the fall of 1913, when Kalamazoo licked Ypsilanti. Can you not remember the parade, the theater escapade, and finally the big bonfire on Normal Hill? That game was a landmark in Kalamazoo athletic history! Besides the athletic events, the social life was a great pleasure. The dances were all carefully planned and managed in a very attractive manner. They have constantly improved in nature and enjoyment since I left, and now I understand that there are almost enough men to go around ' at these parties. Be that as it may — the parties cultivated our taste for refined, well-chaperoned dances. I belonged to the Normal Literary Society which — we were led to believe — was very superior to the Amphictyon Society. I am not so sure now, for I do not recall ever having attended a meeting of this rival society. This group gave the students a chance to develop many necessary qualities for public activities later in life. Probably the thing in our training which proved the Waterloo for many of us was Practice Teaching. In some way we suffered, learned, survived, and later came to look back with gratitude on this practical training. Although there is much more to be said, such as the broadening experiences of having room-mates and landladies, and other necessities for a college education, I want to demonstrate that a woman can stop talking. Still, I must add just this word more. The facidty of the Kalamazoo Normal School do not stop educating and advising their students at graduation. Instead, they map out for themselves a life task, and as each graduate appeals to them for help they are always ready to lend a hand. God bless them. Sincerely yours, MARY E. HOWE. Western State Normal School — High School Life Certificate 1913-1914 Lawton, Mich.— Taught 8th Grade and History in H. S 1914-1915 University of Michigan— A. B 1915-1917 Grand Haven, Mich.— Principal County Normal 1917-1920 Detroit Teachers ' College — Director, Rural School Department 1920-1923 The Alumni have made good. The stories given above are but a few of the many that might be told. Seniors, let ' s carry on.