The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-04-26
STATE UNIVERSITY.
Review of It's Growth Under Presi-
dent RaymOnd's Management,
NOW A HIGH GRADE COLLEGE.
Characteristic Features of the Most
Advanced Modern Educational In
stitutions Observation-Disclosures
Improvement over the old Regime.

To tho Editor OF the Intelligeneer
sIR:-The progress of the West Viz
GINA University since DIR. Jerome H.
Raymond became president Of the instl-
tuition In the summer OF 1897 has been
watched with close attention by large
number Of persons. particularly by those
who are Interested in the educational
advancement of the state.
When Dr. Raymond was elected 70
the presidency of the University, the
work Of the school was almost entirely
Of an academic character In three
wears the school has been transformed
into a high grade college, and II Dr.
Raymond's policy Is continued there is
Likelihood OF It's soon becoming uni
versity In fact as we'll as In name. The
entrance requirements have been raised,
the quality Of the work improved, tn.
number OF students more than doubled,
and the general tone OF the school ele-
yatea. The Increase in theinumber Of
advanced students is especially notice.
able. This is Illustrated by the fact
that last year the number Of graduate
students attending the University was
thlrty-six. Three years ago there were
no graduate students enrolled. TWEEN
ty-seven new instructors have been
added to the facufty. The new profess
sors have not come from one school or
from one section Of the country, but
from the leading universities Of the
world.
Clean, Progressive Administration.
DR.. Raymond has given the Univer-
slty clean, progressive administra-
tIon. He has not hesltated to introduce
into the University the characteristic
features OF the most advanced modern
educational institutions. The introduce
lion of co-education in all departments.
the establishment of the elective sys-
TEN and of the summer term, and the
substitution of the faculty committee
system of government for the faculty
meeting system show the tendencies of
the University under DR.. Raymond's
presidency.
The summer term is particularly
worthy Of mention. 1t has become
popular not only with the teachers Of
the state, who are unable to attend col
lege at other periods of the year, but
also with the regular college students,
and there Is a growing tendency for the
latter to avail themselves Of Its advan-
taGes. The enrolment OF students last
summer was $50, and will probably
reach 800 this summer, greater en-
rollment than the total for the whole
year not so very long ago.
School of Music Has Grown.
The school of music. which was or
ganized in October, 1897, has had a'mar-
yelous growth. The influence of the
school Of music upon Morgantown,
where the University is located, often
receives comment. This influence Is
shown by the great Improvement In thu
musical part OF the religious services
since the school has been established.
It is further evidenced by the fact that
pipe organs have been lately purchased
for two Morgantown churches. II may
be well to note here that two generous
men have presented the University with
500 to be expended in the purchase OF
n pipe organ, and that the instrument
has been placed in Commencement hall.
The school OF art was also founded tn
the fall of 1897, and has had an en-
,,,,,,r,rtr,r r,rntvtb
In 1898. a regular department OF elo-
cutlon was established and the work
made free. This department is of very
great Importance. and is highly appre-
ciated by the students.
Several other departments have been
established in the University and q
number of old departments divided.
Natural science, political and social
science, and history have been recog-
nized as important and given a respec-
table place in the curriculum.
Appropriation for Higher Education.
Through the influence Of Dr. Ray
mond and the friends of the University
the last legislature OF West Virginia
made liberal appropriations for the PuE
poses Of higher education. The appro-
priatlons included provisions Tor thre:
new buildings which. when erected. VIII
add greatly to the University. In this
connection may be mentioned the beau
trying OF the grounds in the past two
years. The street running through the
University campus has been paved. the
grounds graded and beautifed in many
respects, and improvements made On
the old buildings The transformation
that has taken place in these respects
IS very gratifying 10 those who reaiiz'
the influence OF beautiful surroundings
upon student life.
DR.. Raymond has never neglected an
opportunity to broaden thu educational
possibilities OF woman. He has ever
stood ready to befrlend and advance the