New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-18
NORMAL COLLEGE OPENED
HUNDRED YOUNG
WOMEN GATHER IN THE CHAPEL.
INTERESTING EXERCISES IN WHICH THE STU
DENTS TAKE PART-PREsIDENT HUNTER
AND COMMISSIONER HUBBELL

Twenty three hundred earnest young women, en-
dowed with far more than an ordinary amount Oh
intellect and inspired by the true love OF acquiring
knowledge probably the largest body Of women
the world gathered in any one educational in
stituton for purposes OF study-this was the IN
spring sight that greeted the faculty and TRENDS
Of the Normal College who were present at us
opening exercises for the year 1869. held In the
immense chapel of the college building, at Sixty
eighth-st and Lexington ave. yesterday morning
In reviewing this vast assemblage and looking into
the faces Of those who composed it. one could not
fail to be most forcbly impressed by the fact mat
they all students in the true sense OF inc
word: that they there for work Should any
one doubt this however, let him remember mat
every one of the pupils at the Normal College
has acquitted herself well and honoraby in one OF
the public schools Of this city has passed entrance
examinations to the College 30 exacting IN their
requirements that many others gave them up IN
despair and has for her goal the attainment OF
teachers certificate upon graduation; or perhaps
In addition this by year OF extra study the de-
gree of Bachelor OF Arts.
NOT PEDAGOGUEs OR "GRINDs.'
Yet the multitude OF faces In the audience that
met the friendly glances Of the faculty from the
platform did rot give the slightest inclination that
their owners claimed relationship in the ranks OF
the proverbal pedagogue. bookworm or grlhu'
They had had a vacation of nearly three months
and, Judging from the bright eye and rudy cheek
oughy by mountain stream. That the students
OF the Normal College are in such vigorous health,
as rule is largely due to the vital and primary I'M
portance President Hunter attaches to physicll
culture as a part of their education Largely
through his efforts large. new gymnasium Tor the
use of the young women has been opehcu OH '"e
top floor OF the building.
Furthermore Or. Hunter Is well calculated 10
inspire mis- pupils with the love OF exercise and
outdoor sports. as he is living example OF MS
theory This fact was revealed to the students In
a new and unexpected light yesterday morning
when School Commissioner Charles Buckley Hub
bell upon addressing the young women told them
that a few weeks before he had made hurried
call upon their venerable president at his summer
home in Sullivan County. where he had found him.
clad in straw bonnet and velveteen jacket,
sailing q boat the lake near his house Ihis
reference caused considerable laughter.
The exercises began promptly at o'clock when
DR. Hunter and Commissioner Hubbell, who Is
the chairman Of the Executive Committee or the
trustees took their seats upon the platform. where
the members of the faculty were already seated
For fully fifteen minutes the floor Of the chapel
and galleries had been filling rapidly. All OF the
former pupils 1447 in number filed in perfect order
through four doors opening into the main room
end took their seats by sections. While this was
going on. the entering class. just graduated from
the grammar schools. assembling In the gal
eres in hardly less orderly fashion The new
corners were easily distinguished from the others,
for they wore their hats and wraps and some car
ried their old school books with them
THE OPENING EXERCISES BEGIN.
Before President Hunter had taken his seat every
pupil was in her place. and the opening exercises
began with the singing OF Sweet Hour OF Prayer
DR. Hunter then read from the 18th chapter or
Corinthians after which the entire college joined
in singing "My Country, 'Tis OF Thee while
miniature waves rose In the background and passed
in rpples across the surface Of a huge American
flag that hung loosely above the PLATFORM as the
breeze was waited in at the side windows Then
followed number OF ia few yro' nf The young
women especially selected for the purpose.
President Hunter then arose to speak lie sald
in part I'm behalf Of the faculty OF the Normal Col
lege. / most heartily welcome you back 10 these
claly the large entering class. ! am extremely
sorry that all the rooms We have been Obliged 10
ne roons Droyjding nearly two hundred additional
sittings yet furnished. but We hope 10 have
the furniture here to-day and in place by tomorrow
liberation decided 10 admit 24O in Of our ac-
commoda tons, hoping 10 have d year IRON rom no"
not continue to take all who apply for admission
to the college in the advanced courses unless the
Rsn ShTG sc6oo and the college We're we to build
all over this lot in four or I'VE years We "ouu De
badly crowded as We are now.
COMMISSIONER HUBBELLs ADDRESS
Dr. Hunter then introduced School Commissioner
HuDDell, who Is not unknown 10 the ftIlDtls VI
college. and was received with hearty round Of
applause Mr. Hubbell said: This vast assembly
OF students is the largest that has ever gain
cred In the history OF the education OF women.
came here this morning 10 get an inspiration from
this very fact and congratulate you most near NY
on the suspicious circumstances attending your re-
should be the happiest OF the college year, as you
meet in your cassrOOms for the nrSt time alter
nest purpose. and with bright outlook ahead IL
Is not necessary for me 10 call your attention 10 the
the free education you receive here For every one
Of you to do your very best Is all the return they
bring particularly TO your attention, and that Is
that you may be ever mindful Of the condition OF
possession save your moral nature You cannot
possibly attain success in study or az teachers WITH
entering the college building and another after
school hours 1t will give elasticity TO walk.
servation Keen and enliven the brain
A BETTER DAY HAS COME.
"A new and better day has come TO you than
those who have gone before you have ever known.
The day Of the arisocracy OF pull has passed away
and with It the trustee system. In its place has
come the day OF merit The day has passed. for
ton capable OF teaching and desiring place in
the schools must go from one trustee to another
Now the graduates Of this institution go to the
City superintendent Of Schools and are received by
him as would be the daughter OF the Governor or
this Empire State. and are rewarded according 10
merit" .
students the former members Of the college passed
out OF the chapel to their respective cassrooms.
while President Hunter detained the entering pupils
TO explain 10 them the courses leading TO grsdua-
lion in either academic normal depart ment.
There were l.347 promotions In the college this
year 100 non-prCmotions, S5 admissions and 100 IN
The training department. making a total OF 500
nIipils under President Hunters supervision.
THE CITY COLLEGE ONERCROWDED.
Ut OPENS WITH THE LARGEST NUMBER OF
STUDENTS IN ITS HISTORY.
The City College opened yesterday with the
largest number OF students in It's history The
names of $50 young nen are enrolled on the Isis
y, the college About 100 OF these make up the
.,,h ,,sshnan class What 10 do with the ever
..-.osln., numbers has been the perpexlng ques-