Omaha daily bee., 1916-08-21
OF
FREMONT COLLEGE
Large Institution at Fremont,
Neb., Has Had a Remark
able Growth.
FACULTY HAS SERVED LONG

The year 1884 marked an event in
the history OF Fremont. 1t was the
naturalization of an idea conceived
by Prof. w. B. Jones, who had served
in the capacity of consul to Canton.
and later on the Chicago lnter-Ocean
editorial stafi-a man of genius and
culture, who ioresaw the demands of
the west for a college where the tram
ing OF teachers would receive special
emphasis, thus sparing young people
of limited means the time and cx-
pense of attending an eastern tram
ing school, With such an object in
view, the cornerstone of Fremont col
lege was laid July !, 1884. Hon. L. H.
Barnard had donated the land, which
was at that time yielding a luxuriant
growth of stawart Nebraska corn.
Indeed, the location seemed quite re
moved from the heart of the city in
that early day, and little was it
dreamed that in a few years the space
allotted would be inadequate.
College Opens.
The building having been completed, the
following October witnessed the opening of
the building to students. Prof. Jones.
having been made president, with an able
corps of instructors. began the Career Of
tn" new institution. Prof. G. II. MOhi"r
is the only member of the original tH"-
uIty who is still with 1t today. FremonA>
viewed the new institution with pride and
believed in Its ultimate success. In one
year the president died, and his wife
with varying success. After disposing Of
her interest to the present management,
W. II. Clemmons. she removed to Evanston.
Ill. her former home.
1t was with no small misgivngs that the
present president plunged headlong into
debt, "planking down" the first $500 of his
hard earned savings-assuming all oili-
ties OF the retiring head of the institution
and confronted with an audience of thirty
two students. with expenses previously paid
anxiously looking forward to the close OF
the school year, when they should have
retired to grecner fields.
Advertising Pays.
The incoming president with character
istic energy, lost time in letting the pub
lie know that the Fremont normal would
open summer term of school, which no
aspiring pedagogue could afford to miss
and so well the country inoculated
with the announcement that when the sum-
mer term did open 200 young men and
Never was a summer more industriousy
spent. Glasses were run from 8 a. m. to
6 p M, with plenty of evening work for
those who were inclined to be homes!ck-
with just enough Miller boy and "bingo'
on the side to furnish sauce for the pudding
Yes it was a glorious summer, for the
heart was young. and the possibilities OF II
great institution lOomed up before the
vision. and success could be seen perched
on the topmost twig OF every sapling on
the campus
Twenty eight years OF the present man.
agement have elapsed. The little building
in the cornfeld has assumed dignified pro-
portions. and the mile drive from the sta
ton to the building is paved thorOuGhfare
of the best and latest construction.
Science hall the pride of the institution,
adds much to the convenience and beauty
OF the grounds The saplings have grown 4
to stately and beautiful trees of elm, ashF
sycamore and linden, furnishing an at
traCtivc woodland in the center of which
is found the original building, more than
quadrupled and with all modern appoint
mentS East and west dormitories comprise
solid block. They are supplied with steam
heat, electric lights, city water and baths.
and furnish ample accommodation for 800
students. There is large and commodious
dining room and culinary department, un-
surpassed. at ii surprisingly low cost.
A Good Feature.
one Of the features Of Fremont college
that speaks. well for its quality is the
long term of service of the members Of Its
faculty, eight Of the twenty two having
served from fifteen to more than twenty
years. For many years Fremont college
has had state recognition. with the privi-
rgc of granting state certificates the same
as state institutions.
The curriculum consists of eighteen
courses. special stress being placed on cf-
ficienCy. The policy of the school has
been from the beginning efficiency OF the
rural school teacher and higher eduCa tion.
The literary 500 i"tirs. organized in the very
early history Of the school, namely, the
star, and Union, are in flourshing condi-
tion and continue with increased interest.
The debating sections and parlia mentary
law drills and also lecture IN literature
are the features of Saturday mornings