The Penn's Grove record., 1923-11-23
Dedication of New
GIaSSbOrO Normal
Formal Exercises At South Jer.
sey's State Institution on
November 9th

The South Jersey State Normal
School, erected at GlassborO, the past
year and opened September 18th, was
formally dedicated last Friday with
exercises which gave the hundreds
present much information the needs
and use of the school.
D. Stewart Craven, of Salem, chair
man of the committee on dedication,
presented the speakers
Hon Robert L. Cox, member of the
State Board of Education told the
History of the Movement for a South
Jersey Normal School.
Mr.. Cox said that this is the climax,
the elimination of the hopes of many
years. AS far back as 1912 the quest
ion of a normal school for South Jer-
sey was actively discussed by the
state board.
He said that there is in the public
schools in New Jersey nearly 100000
pupils. They are being trained by
over 10000 teachers. The expenditure
of the state on its public schools ex-
coed thirty millions of dollars yearly.
In the six southern counties there are
about 1904 900 scholars and 1000
teachers in a population of about ne
half a million.
There are now five normal schools
in operation in which are about $500
pupils. Every year there is admitted
about HOO. The increase in the school
populatio mis- upwards of 10000 a year
SO there is needed 100 new teachers
every year. This fact is a reason why
the state board is concerned about the
development of normal school teachers.
Mr.. Cox stated that in 1912 the COM
m~issioners of education pointed out
to the state board the need of a nor
NAL school in South Jersey, and again
in 1913 and 1914. In 1914 the presi-
dent of the board said that the crying
need of the present moment in view of
the scarcity of teachers, is a normal
school, and that it is needed in South
Jersey.
The records of the movement for q
South Jersey normal school is prophe-
tic. Jealousy and rivalry impeded its
progress. The matter of selection of
a site was referred to three South
Jersey members and they each brought
in a different report. 1t was then left
to the members of North Jersey to
cast the vote. Mr.. Cox said he spent
a number of week-ends visiting sug-
gested locations and making investi-
cations. G~lassborO was finally decid-
ed upon because it is near the geogra-
phical centre of population for the six
southern counties. 1t has excellent
railroad facilities. including a passeng-
er tunnel thus eliminating dangerous
railraod crossing. The site abuts
along the line of the railway, permit
-aloa1 10 h. 1aoofoI cfaffipInnt1y
far away that students would not be
annoyed by the noise of trains and
several dollars in transportation and
d~iscomforts of exchanges are saved
the student. Ample room is provided
for a railway switch for the earring
of coal to the buildings. It's nearness
to high school centers permits the re-
turn of students to their homes daily.
Of the students who are then in
the normal schools over 200 were from
Camden, Gloucester and Cumberland
Counties. There is a saving of several
of travel a day by the location
Of a normal school in South Jersey:
Another point for the Glassboro To-
cation was that it was surrounded by
a grove and ample grounds to make
he location an ideal one.
DR.. Broome spoke on Education as
a Profession" He gave the early
of teaching which in its infan-
" was not considered very dignified,
and ever today it is doubted whether
-eaching is a profession the same as
he ministry, law, journalism, engin-
eering and medicine; being professions
having a public status, having a posi-
ton of responsibility in the public
mind that We wish our own profession
IF teaching might have. Teaching is
4 profession insofar as the value and
need of the service rendered is concer-
ned. There is no services paramount;
He said it will not be recognized
Continued on page
ell .xofocc;on until all teachers