The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-01-18
ENR0LtM
Is RAPIDLY
INCREASING
Greater During Present Term
Than Ever Before.
SCHOOL Is MUCH IMPROVED
Room Was Made to Garry on
Educational Work
SCHOOL Is MUCH IMPROVED

AIva. o. T, Jan. IA few people in
and around Alva predicted the downfall
OF the Northwestern Normal school last
year when Governor Ferguson and the
board Of regents, after numerous requests,
made change in the presidency of the
school 1t is claimed by some that this
prediction was made in hopes OF causing
a decrease in attendance so as to make
it. embarrassing for the new president.
Thomas ". Conway. But the loyal people
or Woods county and Oklahoma paid no
attention 10 reports circulated, and in
sstead only put their shoulders to the
wheel and pushed the normal that much
harder.
An increase in the attendance of pupils
al the normal have been looked for ever
since Mr. Conway took charge. From the
start the school in the fall enrolment has
grown steadily. It exceeded that of last
year but the real test came at the open
ing OF the second, or winter term. At the
beginning of the winter term last year
there was an enrolment of 473; at the
beginning Of this year the enrolment
reaches $40. a gain of 81 over last year.
But this is not a fair comparison, as 1t
show how many finished the term before.
The best way to show the growth OF the
school since President Conway took hold
with his new faculty is from the normal
department. The seats occupied By the
students of the normal department in the
large assembly rooms at the beginning
OF the winter term Of 1892 numbered 3l5;
ri the beginning of the same term for 1893
which opened a week ago il was 80 a
gain over last year of IS. This year eX-
ira chairs had TO be put down the aisles
and at the sides and back of the room.
If any more students enroll seats Will
have to be provided for them in some
other room, as the assembly room is
crowded to its full capacity. Great stress
was laid upon the statement made by
some Of the wOuld-be knockers last sum-
mer, that when the senior class was called
TO order there wouldn't be q quorum.
To show how true was their prediction.
We will show the number of members in
the class during the last term of Mr..
RInent and that of the new president.
During the last term of the year 9G1-02
the number Of students in the senior class
was seventeen; the senior class now has
an attendance of twenty-four students
The success Of the school this year is
due TO reasons: First, the united sup
peIt of the people of the northwestern
part of Oklahoma in givingV BGKQJJ
part of Oklahoma are giving the school,
and second, the harmony and good feel
Eng existing among the faculty. You see
10 more fussing among the faculty. Pres
ident Conway is popular and We'll liked by
all. He treats all alike, and anyone who
wishes to visit the school is received
whit courtesy.
The board of regents has been more
In the past six months over $1,000 has
been expended for the improvement Of the
normal. Every available space in the
building that could be used to make room
for the fast growth OF the school has been
utilized under the direction of President
Conway, those rooms which have never
before been used have been remodeled and
furnished. About 5000 square feet Of
space has been put to use since the be-
ginning of the term. The faculty has
been increased from seventeen to twenty
two to take care of the new departments
and the growing demand OF the school
The y. 7. y. is one of the best known
schools in the southwestern part Of the
country and its success only shows what
united support VIII do. The school is
crowded now, and it Will be only q short
time until a new building will have to
be added To meet the demands