Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-19

| VENUE = Nv GtSOOS
Who Has Resigned as Principal of Co
| burn Classical Institute at WaterVille.
Mr.. Stevenson was horn in Clinton.
| Me, about 30 years ago. He attended
| the public schools ami Coburn CLASH
| cal Institute, being one Of the best
| classical pupils ever graduated from
| that institution. He attended Colby
College for two years, and after that
| went 10 Harvard for three years re-
| ceiVing the degree of a. B., in 1903,
| and the degree of A. NJ, in 1904.
After leaving Harvard he became
instructor in Latin at Milton Aead--
envy, remaining there for two years,
| coming to Coburn the latter part of
| the year 1906.
During the time he has been the
head Of the local school Mr.. Steven
| son has conducted the institution
| strictly in accordance with the most
| advanced idea of education. He al
ways stood firm for clean athletics
and although he had some opposition
at tirst, the results have proven that
his was the right view. Under his
guidance and administration athletic
contests have not been restricted TO
the strongest and most capable boys
in the school but all have had an
opportunity to take part. There were
out practicing. last fall, for football
enough boys TO make up nearly L.
teams. the teams being composed OF
BOYS of various sizes and ages.
From an educational standpoint the
standard Of Coburn has been raised
to the level OF any school in New
England and Cohurn graduates have
beer able to compete successfully
with the graduates of any school in
the country in taking entrance exam
inatians fer colleges. z There are now
about 40 students enrolled in the
school.
Mr.. Stevenson married, in f965s Miss
Mar jorie Elder. daughter of the late
Prof. Elder Of Colby College, and they
have one daughter.
Regarding his reasons for resigning
the prineipalship of Cob'rn and in
giving something about his future
plans Mr.. Stevenson gave the follow
ing interview to the Journal:
II am giving mp my work at Co
burn because / want an opportunity
of putting 30 a thorough test the be-
lief I have always had that Boys
school can be established and success
fully conducted in th6 state Of Maine.
! have already been promised sufd-
cient support to enable me TO spend
a year in an attempt " bring things
to point where beginning may
be made with confidence that steady
| success will follow If, at the end of
this year of effort. it Is certain that
the matter can be handled successful
| ly. start will be made; otherwise.
not.
Eat present can add nothing more
exeept to say that 1 shall enter upon the
attempt with my eyes open, and with
Knowledge of the many difficulties in the
way. If success comes, / shall of course
be glad IL it does not come, shall be
content-merely hoping that someone else
may in the future take the same plan up
and carry it to happy conclusion. The
boys of Maine should have school Of
the type which is coming to be regarded
everywhere as the best and most potent
for the careful, vigorous and democratic
training of youth.
my regret at leaving Coburn is greater
than I can express. The associations and
friendships of the past seven years have
been very dear to me. The trustees of
the school have treated me splendidly.
Under every sort of condition they have
been most thoughtful and most generous,
The other teachers and the students have
been kinder than / could ever hope to de-
serve. These are things that l shall new
er forget-no matter where my lot may
be placed"
President Roberts of Colby College has
the following to say regarding the work
Mr.. Stevenson has accomplished during
the time he has been principal of CO.
burn and the esteem in which he is held,
not only by the pupils of the school but
by the trustees of Coburp and Colby;
"The period of Mr. Stevenson's princi-
palship has been one of very great pros
perity Attendance has largely increas-
ed, important additions to the school
equipment have been made, new ath-
letic field has been provided, and the rep
utation of Coburn for scholarship and for
character building has been enhanced
and extended. Mr.. Stevenson has given
himself with unstinted devotion to the
task of making the institute an ideal
place for the training of boys and girls.
This effort has been increasingly sue
cessful throughout his principalship. and
Mr. Stevenson turns over to his successor
school with which any man may well
be proud to identify himself.
"Mr. Stevenson is an accomplished
scholar, skilful teacher and wise adj
! ministrator. He has been especially hap
ply in his relations with hts pupils. They
have. at all times found in him sympa-
thetic and helpful friend, and have repaid
his interest in them by according to him
their. admiring respect and affectionate
loyalty. Mr.. Stevenson's teachers have
been glad to follow SO capable and in
spring a leader, and all the members of
the staff of instruction have worked to-
gether tremendously and successfully un-
deR his direction