The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1920-09-02
PRES. A. c. Crane
TENDERS RESIGNATION
Popular Head of Minot Normal School
Accepts Fine Position as Principal
of State Normal at Edinb0ro, Pa.

of State Normal at EdinbOrO, Pa.
President A. G. Crane of the Minot
Normal School rendered his resigna-
tion to the Board of Administration
Monday to take effect in about q
week.
Mr.. Crane, his wife and their son
Paul, will leave Minot about Sept. 16
for their new home in Edinboro, Penn
sylvania, where Mr.. Crane has accept
ed the principalship of the State Nor
NAL School which is located in that
city. Mr.. Crane returned recently
from Pennsylvania, where he met with
the Commissioners Of Education and
with the members of the state board,
who offered him an unusually attrac-
tive proposition. It has been known
for some time by a number of his
North Dakota friends that Mr.. Crane
was considering leaving the state un-
less greater inducements could be
given him to remain, but it was hoped
that the North Dakota Board of Ad-
ministration would do all in their pow
er to keep this popular educator in
our state.
The Pennsylvania Normal Schools,
which were originally private institu-
tions, have now become the fun prop
erty of the state and vigorous cam
paign is being waged under the direc-
tion of DR.. Thos. E. Finegan, commits
sioner of education, who enlarged the
Normal schools and improved their
efficiency. It is probable that mil
lions of dollars will be expended for
the Normal schools of Pennsylvania
during the next few years. Governor
Sproul is intensely interested in edu-
catiOnal improvement in his state and
Mr.. Cranes position promises to be one
of greater usefulness and possibilities
than North Dakota offers.
Mr.. Crane came to Minot in the fall
of 1912, as the first president of the
Minot Normal school, spending the
first year in building and organizing
the school. The building not being
completed at that time, school opened
for the students in 1918 in the Arm
ory. Under Mr.. Cranes influence, and
due largely to his hard and conscien-
tious work and to the cooperation
given him on the part of the faculty,
this school has grown steadily in num-
bers and usefulness until today it
stands as one Of the most important
educational institutions in the North
west. III,
During the period that Mr.. Crane
has been President, he was away two
wears in army service and post-grad..
uate study, having recently received
the degree of Doctor Of Philosophy
from Columbia University. Mr.. Crane
made an enviable record at Columbia,
being regarded by members OF tne
faculty as one Of the OUTSTANDING ea,
ucators in the west and it IS suspected
that it was due to his reputation gam
ed at Columbia and to his importan1
work in the army, that the Pennsyi-
vania board decided to offer mr.. crane
this wider field.
Major Cranes work in the army was
40 constructive and capable that u at
tracted nation wide attention. TOT :
wear he was Director OF Educatlonai
work in the hospitals OF the Unlteu
States. in the Surgeon Generals oe-
nsrtment. Major Cranes work was
considered of such importance that ne
was asked BY the Surgeon General 20
write its history as part Of the records
If the part which the United states
took in the World War.
Mr.. Cranes first position IN Nortn
Dakota was as Superintendent OF
.cIools at Mimic. From this position,
ha went to Montana as superintendent
of Ferpus County High School, g
+ I,evistown. After two years ne re-
turned to jamestown, N. D., as sup
er;ntendent Of the city schools. Wnile
~ Iamestown he became conductor OF
~ +oachers' summer school, at Mlnot
.nd Valva for several years prior 10
tha % oneninp Of the Minot Normal
school. 80
work at Minot for Mr.. Crane.
Mr.. Crane expresses great regret AZ
leaving his many Minot friends ana
the institution at Minot. He feels tnat
nroprietory interest in the school from
his long connection with it during the
first years Of its history. He had re-
fnsed a number of offers from other
institutions that meant considerable
more salary. because he felt that ne
was man Of the west. His sympathy
hes a1wavs heen with the western peo-
pie. - ,;,, ho
distinct loss to our city ana 20 tne
entire northwest. A1c I10S ~.
most in every civic undertaking. HIS
leaving will mean a blow to education
in the northwest that will require sone
years from which to recover. ne mas
been prominently identified with the
Minot fraternal orders, the Associa-
tion Of Commerce, Town Criers, no
tary and Inquisitors' clubs and is Ct
present Commander Of the William g.
Carroll American Legion Post. Both
Mr.. and Mrs. Crane have endeared
themselves to thousands Of North Da-
kotans, who will regret their depart
ure, but who rejoice that the change
means such an important advancement
for Mr.. Crane.
The following statement to the pub
lie is made by Mr.. Crane:
Statement to the Public:
After eighteen years Of kindly treats
ment by the people Of North Dakota,
/ feel under obligation to explain my
reasons for leaving the state. It is
only after long deliberation and with
extreme regret that this decision is
made. AS superintendent Of city,
schools, as institute worker and as
president Of the State Normal School
at Minot, Dakota has treated me well.