The log cabin Democrat., 1921-09-23
NORMAL NEAR 300 AS SESSION OPENS
WELCOME TO STUDENTS
TOrreysOn Presides at Splendid Exer cise-Enrollment Shows No
 Slackening.

An enrolment which today at noon
 had reached 297 and showed no sign
 of slackening, and the splendid open l ing exercise held this morning in the
 auditorium of the science building
 gave the State Normal School most
 suspicious start for its twelfth annu-
 al session. Numerous announcements
 made in behalf of student societies also show that the various school ac- tivities are being launched with the same lack of delay, and the institution has excellent prospect of bettering it's former records for work accomplished. Today's enrolment of 297 is a gain of 23 since yesterday at noon. More grave responsibilities devolv- ing upon the State Normal through the acute crisis in Arkansas public school education were urged upon the students as incentive for maximum cooperation with the faculty in full filling the purpose for which the State Normal was established. Taking this as his theme at the opening exercise this morning, Pres. B. w. Torreyson also praised student bodies of the past for the fine school spirit and de- votion to high ideals, proverbially dis played there. Few schools or dis tricts in Arkansas are sure of having schools this year." Mir. Torreyson said. Many prospective students writing the State Normal have asked if their warrants from school districts can be accepted as cash. They write that school funds are exhausted and they must come to the Normal or remain idle. Arkansas is face to face with "a calamity as bad as the famine in Russia"
 It is to prevent such calamity through the strengthening of public school education forces that the Nor mai has been established, MT. Torrey- son said, and students must work to- ward this goal Ninety mine per cent of the students here while I have been at the Normal have worked and have worked hard" he said. "1f you re- alize the states condition, you will work to help us serve it. Remember | it is not this building or the admin istration building or even the faculty which makes the State Normal-it is the student body
 A part of the program at the exer- else was a vocal solo by Prof. Homer F. Hess, who responded to an encore, and a reading by Miss Glenn Kirkland, who was also generously applauded. MT. Torreyson also introduced Jo Frauenthal, one of the trustees, as staunch friend of the State Normal and of public school education.
 Students were extended a welcome to Conway by the pastors of the churches, Rev. c. M. Reyes of the Methodist, Rev. R. L. Jetton of the Presbyterian and Rev. E. P. J. Gar rott of the Baptist. The audience was reminded by Rev. Garrott that the church of which he is pastor is near est to the State Normal and has a hearty welcome at all times for the students. Rev. Reyes spoke of the privilege held by incoming students, in contrast with hundreds of other Arkansas young men and women whose circumstances will not permit their attendance. He told of numer- ous letters received during the sum- mer, asking if some assistance could not be given ambitious boys and girls requiring help if their education was continued.
 The unexpected gain in enrolment was taken by Rev. Jetton as a condi- tion best illustrated by a fish story, which concerned two anglers who were unable by any legal means to make catch. Finally in desperation they unstripped and waded along the shore until they come to hollow log. One held a sack over one end and the other punched with a stick through the other. "The first sack held 16 fish," he said, "but they kept punch ing until it was filled three times from this log. Mir. Torreyson has found such a log for the State Normal and keeps punching until a big student body results, even in times of depres- sion"
 Matriculation and organization of classes were continued this morning, it was announced by Dean A. J. Mead ors, and all classes directed to meet this afternoon in eight periods of 15 minutes each. The exercise concluded with MT. Torreyson's address.