The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-12-26
From Normal.
NORMAL, ILL, Dec. I'LL

Normal University located this place, and
the glorious results its faculty and students
haye achieved in the past, and are continuing
to achieve
The existence of the institution dates back
some eighteen years; for, believe, some four
wears after the institution was chartered, it
held its sessions in an insignificant building
somewhere near the location OF the present
building.
Fourteen years ago thepresent magnificent
structure was occupied. It's first President
was General Hovey, a man eminently fitted
for such a position. The patrons Of the
school remember him with feelings of high
regard This worthy man was succeeded by
the present incumbent President, Richard
Edwards, than whom better man never liv.
ed Much does the state of Illinois owe TO
this man for the present status Of its educa-
tional facilities. No man, venture to say,
has done more to further on the cause of edu
cation in the state of illinois than DR.. Ed.
wards He has, with his indeiatigable labor,
and the hearty cooperation OF his associate
teachers, given to the Normal University a
reputation second to none in the United
States as Normal school.
Since the organization Of the school, there
have been admitted into the varions depart.
mcnts GlSS students. From the Normal De
partment 24l have received diplomas and
from the Model school %.
The purpose of the school is to train teach.
ers for the work Of teaching. And having
this for their object, the faculty are rigid in
their opinions of what they consider right,
giving the students a degree of thoroughness
that can be had in a very few schools of our
land. Those of our state who design teach.
ing and do not feel themselves properly fitted
for their work, l advise to attend the Nor
NAL, it can do them good
There are four departments 10 the institu.
ton, the Normal, High School, Grammar
and Intermediate and Primary. The Nor
NAL department is for teachers, and the Model
school for the testing of the practical ability
of the Normal students for teaching
This training school is working out grand
cr results this year than ever before. A new
feature has been introduced. Formerly this
training department was under the supervis.
ion of the various members of the faculty,
and they, with the duties of teaching the Nor.
NAL students, could not give that care to the
teachers training that should be given it..
This year the whole matter of teacher train
ing is under the supervisor of ripe scholar
and teacher, Prof Thomas Metcalf ably as
sisted by Miss Gertrude Case. These persons
give their time exclusively TO this work
Fifty students from the Normal department
teach, each class, every day for one half the
term, their work being sharply criticised by
another set of fifty students and the trainers,
each one keeping a diary OF their observa
tions and criticisms. These dairies ere in
spected by the trainers and suggestions made
on them. At the beginning of the second
half Of the term, this second set of fifty stu.
dents takes the place of its predecessor A1d
the pupils of the first set take up the pen Of
criticism on the students of the second set
thus the criticisms are an evenly divided aE
fair. The results of this manner of procedure
are apparent. An enthusiasm is thus cnkin-
died which is really pleasant 10 see. As
Pres. Edwards remarked to day, this is the
pleasantest term of school he ever experl.
enced.
The University is doing better things than
ever before. The qualifications for admit.
tappn ;ntn fhp Nnr,,,ol la,Narsrnn,, g,
higher standard. At the beginning of this
term 81 ,-j3 per c.. of those seeking almis.
sion were rejected on account of the want of
the necessary qualifications.
The school Is characterized by sincere,
earnest effort on the part of both faculty and
students. The students as class are com
posed largely of farmers sons and daughters,
which fact in itself is sufficient evidence of
the working disposition of the school.
The price of admission into the Normal
department is 10 pass the necessary examina-
tions and sign declaration To teach in the
state for three years after leaving school, and
report to Pres. Edwards that fact. Students
may omit studies by passing a reasonably
thorough examination in them.
After plain statement OF these facts, allow
me to add further, that, notwith standing the
storms of adversely which the institution has
met and braved; notwithstanding the fact that
in an early period OF the institutions history,
il was almost under the suctioneer hammer;
notwithstanding the fact that there continues
10 be opposition in the Legislature TO the APP
preparation of funds for the maintenance of
the institutions; Notwithstanding all these
adverse things, / believe that the institution
has acquired such hold on the minds Of the
people Of the state of Illinois that its perpet-