The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-16
INDIANA.
Twelfth Annual commencement of the State
Normal school.

Twelfth Annual Commencement of the State
Normal school.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
TERRE HAUTE, June 15.-On yesterday
occurred the twelfth annual commencement
exercises of the State Normal School at Terre
Haute. The exercises were Characteristic OF
the school, and received the highest com
mendation from every quarter. The school
differs materially from all other schools in
the State. 1t differs radically from all other
normal schools. The following are some OF
its characteristics:
First-It admits only such as wish to quail
ify themselves to teach at least two years in
the State.
Second-It makes speciality of profess
sional teaching. 1t has no Commercial de-
partment," no musical department" no
classical department. but the whole
school Is a. teachers depart
not little side-show, but the main thing.
All the academic work is done with view OF
'how to teach it.' The students are taught
70 look at subjects from the teachers stand
point.
Third-This school gives more time to the
profession work than does any other normal
school in the United States
Fourth-It has connected with it training
the work of model teachers, and in which
they themselves can practice their own theo-
ries under the eye OF a critic teacher.
Fifth-It is not exaggerating the fact to say
that this school gives a better mental disci-
pline than does any other school in the West.
The logical methods pursued in the instruc-
ton is manifest in every essay and Grafton
given by the graduates.
Sixth-At the end of the three years
course of study the graduates are given sim
ply certificate of graduation" and are not
given the regular diploma until they go out
and for two years demonstrate their
ability to successfully teach and man
age a school. Hence, there are always
two classes of graduates on commencement
day. Out of the thirty-fve graduates this
year, only eight were selected to deliver their
addresses. These were selected, not with
reference to merit alone. but to best show the
working of the school, and to give variety.
Governor Porter was present, and made an
address to the class and delivered the di-
plomas. The Governor, who usually makes
a happy speech, Outdid himself on this occa-
sion. He said that of all the college COM
mencements he had attended he had never
heard any exercises to excel those he had lust
listened to. He claimed that no woman's
rights convention ever held in the State had
done so much to demonstrate the ability of
woman and her versatility of powers as had
the exercises of the day. In speaking directly
to the class he said that the work
of the teacher was by no means conferred
to the routine teaching of branches of study;
that great work, if not the greatest work,
was To develop good character and make
good citizens The teacher must impart
knowledge and teach the child how to I'M
part it. The power to express ones ideas
clearly, concisely and fluently is quaifica-
ton difficult to attain but much to be de-
sired. To give this power should be a con-
A1l.s ,f IL ANAa - Iii
your time to the bright pupils they will take
care of themselves. The dull pupil tests the
true teacher He who has the patience and
skill to successfully train the dull pupils is
the truest teacher. Do not spend all your
affection and words Of promise on the good
boys and girls. rather like the bad ones.
A bad temper is not always, nor generally the
sign of bad heart. Heredity and a bad
stomach are the chief causes of bad temper.
Be forbearing and trust to the work
OF education. Never reprove boy while he
is angry-then you cannot reach his cooler
judgment and better self.
Those to whom the Governor delivered
certificates of graduation were Rose B.
Alexander, J. NJ. Stephenson, Mary NJ. Van
Nuys, p V. Voris Carrie Monical Lena
Sheets, Edith Williams, A. r. Chairman,
Edith Austin, J. NJ. Brown, c. w. Grouse,
Hattie Cutter, Mary b. Cox Lizzie Campbell,
Katie Campbell, G. w. Deland. Mary Foley,
DluuIe L. HAL, u "A. JACKSON, I. H. hlrScn,
Mary E. Jurgens, Emily Keith, Ella Lindley,
Mary Macarthur, E. NJ. Morrison, Laura Ray,
H. NJ. Smith Eugene Scott, j. H. Tomlin,
Clara Van Nuys, w. H. Warvel, W. O. War
rick, Matte L. Williams, Ida B. Westfall,
Lola Young-thirty-fve in all. The first
eight delivered addresses.
Those who had had their two years of sue
cessful practice and received the regular
diplomas, were;
Mary j. Anderson, Lille Buck, George W.
Cox, Mary NJ. Carter, Ella Goodsell. L. B.
Griffin, A. w. Hadley, Mary E. Hathaway
Charles E. Hodgln, Ida G. Jordan, William
ID. Kerlin, Elijah I. Kerlin, Maggie Law
renee, Luella Long, Mary N. Mustard. S. B.
McCracken. Sallie Overman, Eugene Patter-
son, Jennie Throop, Helen Weiss Wilson H
Cox-twenty-one in all.