p. 17 | Notes Afield by W. E. Howell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 11, 1914

Notes Afield

By W. E. Howell

Union College

HERE are assembled the largest number of choice young men and women it has been my privilege to look upon in one of our schools since the best days of Battle Creek College. It is truly inspiring to see enough students and teachers to have made up Gideon's selected army, march into the spacious chapel every morning in mid session and lift their hearts and voices in adoration of Him to whom they have consecrated their lives and pledged their service. These are prospective recruits for our ranks in the forefront — for reviving the work at home and for extending the triumphs of the cross abroad.

Union College gave us twenty graduates from the college course last year, nineteen of whom are in the work. She will give us twenty-two more of the same class this year. I find her graduates in responsible positions in nearly all the nine schools I have visited so far. They are fast taking their place beside graduates of Battle Creek College of fifteen to twenty-five years ago; in fact, are taking their place as the latter thin out in our school work. Of our six college presidents the past year, three are Battle Creek and three Union men. The same proportion will be retained next year. Four of our normal directors and the three secretaries of our general departments of education are from Battle Creek College, while three secretaries in the Missionary Volunteer departments are from Union. There is a similar mingling on the faculties of our colleges and larger academies, all lifting together to forward the cause they have espoused in common.

While Union College has kept her enrollment a little above three hundred the last two years, yet with three union conferences from which to draw she ought to have one hundred more next year. While she has a large constituency, yet with seven of the academies in her territory offering twelve grades of work, she is having as hard a struggle to increase her enrollment as has Emmanuel Missionary College with her five affiliated academies doing ten grades — if not harder. These two colleges are making steady improvement in facilities and efficiency, and it is our privilege to pray and work to the end that their college departments may be built up to the place where these schools will not be so dependent on their academic patronage for maintaining themselves, and where they can fulfill in a larger sense the word of Testimony that "it is for the honor of Christ that well-educated workers should be multiplied among us."

Strode Industrial Academy

About three hundred miles south of Union College, but still in the Central Union Conference, is Strode Academy, near Oswego, Kans., within ten miles of the Oklahoma line. It was named after the gentleman who gave the land on which the school building stands. It was originally a two-room church school, then the townsmen gave dollar for dollar with our people for constructing two dormitories and establishing a twelve-grade school.

One element of decided strength in this academy is the little change that has been made in its faculty. The principal, John B. White, a graduate of the Kansas State Normal and a teacher in the public schools for eighteen years, has been head of the academy for five years; the business manager, also a teacher, has been there three years; the preceptress, also a teacher, for two years; another teacher for one year. These are all engaged to continue next year.

Another element of strength is the balance of industrial education maintained along with the work of the school-room. The teachers work with their students. Principal White teaches blacksmithing, and leads the boys in doing such electrical work, plumbing, painting, and papering as are needed about the institution. The business manager, F. I. Mohr, teaches gardening, and their garden is a model of neatness. Mrs. Mohr is matron, and directs the glove making and laundry work. R. H. Bruns teaches broom making, and leads a choir and orchestra. Mrs. Leech, the preceptress, teaches sewing. Miss Miller, their efficient cook, teaches cooking. The glove making and broom making are carried on especially to aid students in their expenses, the girls earning an average of fifteen cents an hour making gloves, and the boys an average of twenty cents making brooms — after a period of apprenticeship. Carpentry is taught by an experienced contractor, who is a member of the board, and church elder. Students are required to have an industrial credit before graduation.

Another element of strength is the strong spiritual tone pervading the school work throughout. Almost to a man, the students reckon on nothing else than having a part in the denominational work. Five were graduated in the twelfth grade this year, with sixteen enrolled in the eleventh grade.

Campion Academy

More than five hundred miles west of Union College, but still within the Central Union Conference, is located Campion Academy, near Loveland, Colo., about sixty miles north of Denver. It is about three miles from town, on a campus of thirteen acres, of which four are under cultivation. The climate is invigorating, and the quiet country environment favorable for the work of an academy.

Clifton L. Taylor, one of our experienced educators, is principal, with Elder and Mrs. Gosmer, Mr. and Mrs. Ledford, Miss Olive Taylor, and Mrs. Taylor as assistants. Only Principal Taylor and Mrs. Taylor remain next year. Elder Gosmer will take the principalship of Wyoming Intermediate School, and Mr. and Mrs. Ledford will accompany him. Campion Academy has had four principals in the seven years of its existence, with frequent changes of faculty. Despite these disadvantages, the school is planning strong work next year. Elder E. E. Farnsworth, a former principal of this academy, returns next year as Bible teacher. A thorough canvass for students will be made this summer, with the assistance of the old students. The constituency of the Colorado and West Colorado Conferences ought to supply at least one hundred and twenty-five students above the sixth grade.

Just prior to my visit, the cantata "Queen Esther" had been given by the students and faculty under Mrs. Gosmer's leadership. So favorable an impression was made on the visiting citizens that at their request the cantata was repeated in the town.

As a result of earnest spiritual effort during the year, every student in the school but one has now been baptized and added to the church. W. E. H.