Essay on History and Heritage
Written by J Thomas Brown
| The Beginning | Masterplan I | Masterplan II & III | Athletics | Organizations | Traditions |
From Normal School to University
Master Plan I: In 1893, and later in 1903, the state authorized the first expansions of the Normal School. An addition (North Hall) was placed on the north side of the main building to house science laboratories, the school's first library, and two gymnasiums for men and women. A Training School was later built to the south and east. All structures were architecturally compatible and similar in appearance. They were all located on the site of the present day Quadrangle.
Indiana State developed a curriculum, that enabled it to emerge into the twentieth century, and was recognized as one of the premier normal schools involved in teacher training in the United States. In several areas this level of excellence was apparent and readily supported by the State of Indiana. Indiana State was a pioneer in the training of teachers in the field of Industrial Arts, and in 1915 constructed a large building to house this and the Home Economics programs. The State Normal Library was constantly rated as the second largest teachers college library in the United States (behind Columbia University) and was housed in a magnificent structure which was described as one of the most magnificent library buildings in the mid-west. In the decade prior to and immediately following World War I the Indiana State Normal School prospered. The successful development of the institution led to calls from around the state of Indiana for the creation of another institution to train teachers. Rather than create a new school, the Indiana State Normal School was authorized to open a branch campus in Muncie, Indiana. The Indiana State Normal School- Eastern Division opened in the 1918
It was not until the year 1907 that the State of Indiana required a high school diploma of all teachers licensed to teach in Indiana. In response to this initiative, high school graduation was made a requirement for admission to the Normal School, and a four-year College Course was established. The first bachelor’s degrees were awarded in June 1908. The first North Central Association accreditation of the Normal School was awarded in 1915. During the period from 1907-1924, a large part of the curriculum in the elementary teacher training program was of sub-collegiate quality, and often not accepted for transfer by other colleges and universities as college level work. The academic structure of Normal School was reorganized to form 13 departments in 1923. In the following year 1924, all course offered were elevated on a college level. In 1927, a Graduate School was created at the Normal School to administer the programs of students pursuing graduate study in education. The first master's degrees were awarded in 1928
Through the decade of the 1920's, the task of elevating the academic curriculum of the institution, as well as the scholarly credentials of the faculty, was undertaken in order to meet the requirements of accreditation. In 1929, the name of the institution was changed to Indiana State Teachers College. In 1930, the institution was admitted to the American Association of Teachers Colleges and was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
The decades of the 1930s was a difficult time for academic institutions. The depression of that decade coupled with the threat of global war had a limiting effect on enrollments. The academic reputation of the institution as a teachers college was secure but the physical plant had suffered years of neglect. The college was located in the heart of a thriving commercial district, but lacked a cohesiveness which identified it as a college community. It is fortunate that federal funding from PWA and WPA programs were available to colleges and universities who were in desperate need of assistance.