The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-31
SUMMER SCHOOL
 SESSIONS CLOSE
MIR. ABERcRoMBiE THINKS MUCH MORE SUBSTANTIAL GOOD WAS ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR THAN LAST SUMMER.

University July 30.-(Special)-The sec ond session of the University Summer School for Teachers closed regular work on Friday after a most successful ses- sion of six weeks A majority Of those in attendance have left for their homes though about one hundred and fifty remain to take the state examinations which last through Tuesday.
 From every standpoint the past ses- sion has been a marked success, and those who first promoted the summer school feel that their judgment has been vindi- cated and their labors in its behalf re- warded by the good effected by the work. President Abercrombie says:
 While there has been a slight decrease in enrolment as compared with last year, there has been an increse of about hfty in the number of teachers registered. It is generally conceded by both instruc- tors and students that more substantial work has been done this session than last. The results so far indicate enthusiastically that there exists in the state a wide and growing field for such a vacation school, and l am confident that the University Summer School for Teachers will be a permanent institution"
 The total enrolment was 316, which is somewhat smaller than that of last year. This falling off in attendance, however,
 
 year many town people registered who did not do so this year, simply to get the benefit of the lectures In reality there were more teachers enrolled this year than last. In the student body there were represented fifty-four counties of Ala bama, four other states, Georgia, Mis- sissippi. Tennessee and Texas, and one foreign country, Mexico. This year, as was not the case last, most of the stu dantc lived n 10 dOrr1fforias O the interval between the close of the regular session and the opening of the summer term, the dormitories were re- fitted and everything made as comforta- ble possible. the rooms being furnish ed with neat though not expensive furni- ture. As was natural, the students took advantage of the privilege of living near their work, and every available room on the campus was occupied.
 The faculty numbered twenty-six as able educators as could be gotten to- gether in the state-men and women who have made speciality of the work for which they were employed. If no teach CT inside of Alabama could be secured for a chair, the best to be found else where was employed.
 The corps of lecturers, numbering twelve was especially efficient this year. none of them ever going begging for au- diences. Among the more noted of these were Inspector Hughes of the city schools of Toronto Canada, Principal Dr. Arnold Tompkins of the Chicago Normal school and MT. A. c. Hart, secretary of the Mobile Y. M. c. A. The two former are among the most noted educators of the country, and MT. Hart is recognized as a powerful leader in his work MT Hughes lectures were mostly pedagogical and dealt with the training of children; Dr. Tomp- kins spoke on philosophical subjects, deal ing with life; and MT. Hart gave delight ful accounts of travel in Europe and Asia Minor, in which he interwove many great and noble thoughts. The other lecturers were President Thatch of Au- burn, President Branson of Athens, Ga. MT. Wyche, president of the Story-Tel- lers' league; Dr. J. H. Phillips. Prof. l. B. Cunningham, and Prof. J. D. DuBose. all of Brmingham State Superintendent of Education l. w. Hill, Gen. George D. Johnston and pr. J. T. Searcy of Tus- caloosa, Dr. T. M. Owen of Montgomery and Dr. Ellen B. I.igon of Mobile. | The prime object of the summer school, as stated in the catalogue, was to pre- l pare teachers to meet the requirements Tor state certificates. But 1t has far surpassed this object it has furnished more efficient teaching force to the state; 1t has been medium of exchange of pedagogical ideas and methods he tween the teachers in attendance. and thereby 1t has made a more homogeneous body of them; it has furnished recreation for the students at the same time that 1t has given work; finally, and probably most important of all, 1t cannot have Tailed to imbue those in attendance with higher ideal of their profession and fill them with inspiration to do their work better than ever before
 It may be truly said now that the IJni- versity is fulfilling her real part as the capstone of the educational system of the state By the inauguration and carrying out of the summer school idea, she reaches down and sends her influence permeat ing the entire educational system of Ala bama.