Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-10-21
New Principal of Vermont Acad-
envy.

InC bOdbC ANOllhol bSlOOi az OOiHSOu,
VT, has resigned his position to accept
the principalship of Vermont Academy
at Saxton's River and will enter upon
his duties there within the next few
weeks.
The. trustees and patrons of Vermont
academy are. to be congratulated upon
securing man possessed of so high
qualifications for the successful adj
ministration of the school, and SO in
timately identified with the educational
interest of the state.
Professor Alger is the son of Rev. n.
w. Alger, formerly a well-known
clergyman in Vermont. His training
in the schools has been thorough. He
was first student in the academy at
st. Johnsbury, leaving there for Yer
mont academy, from which he was
graduated in 1885, Entering Brown
university he at once took high rank
in scholarship. In the junior year he
was awarded the prizes for excellence
in mathematics and the natural sciences
and upon his graduation in 1890 as an
honor man he was elected to member
ship in Phi Beta Kappa.
Z nou completing his college course
he ass umed charge of the Latin Eng
fish department of the Providence, r.
l. Boys High school, two years later
returning to Brown university as in
structor in mathematics for three
years.
From Providence he came to Ben
nington, Vt, in 1895 as superintendent
of schools and principal of the High
school. Here he remained five years.
in 1900 becoming principal of the Nor
NAL school in johnson. Under his adj
ministration the schools of Bennington
were greatly improved. The High
school building was enlarged and made
more modern in construction and equip
ment, a new school building for primary
work was erected and the quality of
work in all the schools advanced.
When, unsolicited, the position at John
son was offered him, his resignation
caused general regret. a man who has
been prominent in educational life in
the state and well acquainted with
affairs at johnson has written of his
work at the Normal school as follows:
"Among the able men who have
served as principals of the State Nor
NAL school, no one has been truer in
educational thought and effort, or
more devoted to the larger educational
interests of the state. or more efficient
in the wise administration of their
school than Prof. John L. Alger
Under his principalship the school has
risen in public respect and confidence,
has become better organized and bet
ter equipped, and is stronger in the
power efficiently to serve the educa-
tional interest of the state His adj
ministration has been characterized as
"wisely progressive, tactful, always
directed by uniform sound judgment"
Professor Alger has been closely al
lied to all the educational interests of
the state during the years of his resi-
dence. While in Bennington he was
county examiner of teachers. He has
been an active member and officer in
the Schoolmasters' club, the State
Teachers association, the New Eng
land Superintendent association and
the National Education association
He has been in constant demand as
instructor in Summer schools.
Professor Alger brings therefore to
his new position, a thorough training,
ample successful experience, wide
acquaintance with educational lead
ers and interests and mastery of
modern educational ideas and methods.
in addition to those personal qualities
which will at once lend force to his
work and win the confidence and re-
spect of the people.
Vermont academy has splendid
plant. Its year opens with great
promise. We bespeak for it greater
prosperity than it has yet had and a
commanding position among second
airy and preparatory schools in New
England.
Says the Rutland News: 1.-The selec-
ton of John l.. Alger, principal of the
State Normal school at johnson, to be
successor of Edward Ellery, as principal
of Saxton River Academy, is a wise
choice. Mr.. Alger, as superintendent of
the Bennington schools and in his later
position, has given full evidence of his
scholarly qualities and executive ability.
No educator in the state is more widely
or more favorably known"