Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-07-09
Sum mer Session,

The first Summer Session of Middle
bury college has started out much more
successfully than its promoters antici-
pated. 1t was thought that a registra-
tion of 40 would Justify the effort, but no
less than IS students are now on the hill
actively engaged in study. They in
clude college graduates from some of the
larger universities, principals and teach
ers in neighboring high schools, grade
and district school teachers, and some
not connected with colleges at all. The
courses in modern languages, pedagogy,
chemistry and arts and crafts have proved
especially popular
Dean Howard, director of the summer
session, presided at the opening exer-
cises Tuesday evening, at which addresses
were made by Honorable Mason S. Stone,
State Superintendent of Education, and
President Thomas of the college. In
welcoming the students of the session.
President Thomas said in part:
1--WE live in a time of rapidly expand
ing knowledge. No intelligent school
committee would think of employing a
teacher who had not learned anything in
the last 10 years. Such an instructor is
hopelessly out of date.
zone of the best methods for teacher
to keep himself informed is by attend
ance at higher institutions of learning
during the vacation period. Summer
sessions have become a recognized and
permanent feature in such leading insti
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sin and California. We expect our stu
dents at Middlebury to have a good
time, but we expect them to do serious
work, and we propose to give college
credit in all courses in which examina-
lions are passed. and these examinations
will not be less difficult than those of the
regular year.
Il am ambitious that this summer
work, in connection with our new de-
partment of pedagogy, shall become a
means for the elevation of educational
standards in Vermont. | propose that
we light here a beacon fire, which shall
be seen from all over the state, and sum-
mon to improvement all along the line,
and whose call Will be heard in every
district school-house.
81 expect that the summer session
movement will be the means of lifting
Vermont to more prominent place in
the educational world We are little
state, and we have three colleges. If all
these institutions are to prosper they
must attract many from beyond the
borders. When it becomes known that
! those in search of educational privileges
can secure excellent opportunities in
connection with our recreational advan-
tages, we are sure to have large influx
Of students in the summer months. |
believe, therefore, that this summer
movement will be the means of making
Vermont much more important in the
educational world than she is today.
81 hope also that the summer session
movement will have tendency to break
down the wall of separation, which now
exists to some extent, between citizens
of the college community and those out
side of college. They will come to I'M
derstand one another better, and the
purposes and work of the college Will be-
come better known and therefore more
highly appreciated. All in all / look
upon this summer movement as one of
the most pronounced steps in education
which Vermont has taken in recent
years.