River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-07-11
Pres. Parker's Resignation.

persons received diplomas, having
completed the advanced course of
study, and eight received certificates,
having completed the elementary
course.
Immediately following these closing
exercises the announcement was made
through the local papers that Pres. w.
ID. Parker had rendered his Tesigna.
ton to the Board of Regents, and that
with these closing exercises his con-
nection with the school would cease.
1t has been known by school men in
the state for year or more that Pres
Parker had signified to the Board his
desire to be relieved, and a purpose to
resign as soon as choice of a sue
cessor and his readiness to assume the
duties of president of the school would
protect the interests of the school
from loss or prejudice. At the earnest
solicitation of the board and of the
committee on teachers, Pres. Parker
has withheld his formal resignation
until the present time. but now deter
mines that Justice to himself and to
his family requires withdrawal from
active work in the schoOlroom, and
his resignation is without condition.
The normal school at River Falls
was opened for students in the fall of
1875. w. ID. Parker, then principal
of the high school and superintendent
of public schools of the city of James
vile, was unanimously elected by the
Board of Regents president of the
school. For fourteen years he has
continued at the head of the school,
enjoying the undated and undivided
confidence and respect of the board,
the community, and the patrons of the
school.
The task which confronted Mr..
Parker, in the organization and initial
direction of the school of which he
was made the head, can hardly be APP
preciated except by such as carefully
scrutinized the situation. Normal
Schools were not novelty in the state
at that time, but to organize such a
school in the midst of a community
where ideals relating to its purposes
and functions were general, not spe-
cifc, and where in the large area from
which it was expected students would
be drawn, scarcely any but the most
elementary form of common schools
existed, was an undertaking of no
ordinary character. Scholastic stand
ards OF admission must be maintained,
and yet persons of promise with
meager scholarship must not be re.
PEELED. Other standards equally vital
must be insisted upon, yet their very
conceptions must be created, and their
value established. A professional
spirit and attitude must be aroused
toward the public schools in the pub.
lie mind as in the minds of normal
pupils. These suggestions will indi-
cate somewhat Of the pioneer work
required. The manner and success
which have marked the progress of
the work accomplished through the
school, evidence the skill, tact, per-
sistence and ability with which Pres.
Parker has met these demands, over
come the difficulties, SO FAR as it were
possible to surmount obstacles beyond
the control OF the school itself, and
placed the school in right relations to
the community while maintaining true
| organic relations to the system of
normal school work in the state. The
school itself is the monument of he
roic and intelligent effort which will
abide to his honor and perpetuate his
| fidelity. 1t has been built up largely
| by his personal vitality and strength,
and the builder has been depleted as
the building has grown in stature
and in favor" of intelligent observers.
Pres Parker has been an indefatiga-
| bic worker in the Wisconsin Teachers
Association and served it without stint
of time, expense, or energy. 1t is to
| be hoped that that body will not lose
his fellowship and counsel. The Wis
consin Journal of Education has had
no more earnest and interested sup
porter than Mr.. Parker, and no one
more anxious for its enlargement in
influence, in circulation, and in power
in conserving unity and 60 operation
in the teaching force in the state.
Whatever position Pres. Parker may
assume in the state or out of it, we
are sure he will not pass out of CRATE.
full remembrance of the two genera
tions with which he has lived and
labored. and we have lingering hope
and belief that this remembrance will
be mutual. Wisconsin, Journal Of
Education.