Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-11-29
PROF . H0DGIN IS
PIONEER AMONG
NM. EDUCATORS
New Mexico University Pro-
feSSor Has Been Engaged
in Educational work
Since September, 1885

The following article written by
Agnes Davenport Bond regarding
Charles Z. Hodgin one Of the pio-
neer educators Of the state, appear
ed in the last issue Of the National
Magazine:
prof. Charles Z. Hodgin OF the
state University of New Mexico
might be truly called a pioneer ed
ucator of the state. He came TO
Albuuuer1ue in September 1850,
from Richmond. Ind. where he
had graduated from the state nor
NAL.
At that time there were no pub
lie schools in Albuquerque; the
only institution for learning being
an academy, supported by the
New West Educational Commits
sion. That winter Professor Hod'
gin taught for three months in n
little frame building, w III was
built by private subscription FOR
n school house. A very small
amount of public money was also
furnished at that time to aid in the
promotion of education, After fin
ishing the term of three months
Professor Hodgin taught in the
academy for five years The acad-
envy was, at first a three-room
building, but later on a fine, spa
cious three-story brick building
was erected, which is now the pub
lie library.
In 1891 the territorial legislature
passed a bill to levy general tax
for the establishment Of public
that year. and Professor Hodgin
was the first school superintendent
in which capacity he remained for
six years.
In 1886 Professor Hodgin was
one of three men who organized a
territorial teachers association.
The first meeting was held in Santa
Fe, with a membership of forty.
That organization has now devel-
oped into the New Mexico Educa-
tional association with a member
ship of nearly 1000. and is recog-
nized as a vital power in educa-
tional matters. 1t meets once
year usually in Albuquerque, and
the membership includes teachers
and educators. Professor Hodgin
is the only member now in public
school work who was at the open
ing meeting. He has twice been
president of the association and is
now president of the educational
council, an under section of the as
sociation, and is at the present
time preparing a program for the
council. He has also been a dele
gate to the National Educational
association, and has been a mem
ber of this since 1888.
He became dean Of the univer
sity in 1897, and has been connect
ed with some department of edu-
cation in the university ever since
then, period of twenty-fiv, years.
For several years he has been vice
president and professor of educa-
tion. 1t was formerly a custom in
this university to allow a teacher
who had taught six consecutive
years, to take the seventh away
from the university. If he so desir-
ed. Professor Hodgins took advan-
tage of this, and spent one year in
the University of California at
Berkeley and later on one year
travelling abroad, visiting many
countries and storing up much in
t1itntiH5 anu NdiudDle hnOWleQBe.
He also attended the Cook County
Normal school. in Chicago, under
the direction of Colonel Parker for
a time. In the course Of his teach
ing he has had pupils who have ad-
vanced from the lower grades into
high school and gone through the
university, entirely under his su-
perVisiOn.
At the present time Albuquerque
has a splendid, up-to-date school
system and many substantial
school buildings, so it is difficult
for us TO look backward thirty
seven years, through Professor
Hodgin's eyes. and see New Mexico
as it was in the territorial DAYS,
and realize what a change has
taken place, and what a unit for
good and advancement Professor
Hodgin has been in its develop
ment.