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  A Centennial History of St. Cloud State College

  Edwin H. Cates

  The story of St. Cloud State College epitomizes the story of publicly supported state colleges and universities in America in the twentieth century. It is the story of dramatic growth, both in purpose and service, as the state colleges and universities evolved from normal schools with a few basic programs to truly multipurpose institutions with broad educational offerings. It is an exciting story, and one that Dr. Edwin Cates is eminently qualified to tell.

  For nearly a quarter of a century Dr. Cates has been intimately involved in the development of St. Cloud State College. As a member of the faculty, he has acquired a deep feeling for the attitudes of the students, the faculty and the administration. From his vantage point he has observed the forces that have shaped the direction of the college, and he has noted the commitment by the citizens of Minnesota to ever-expanding educational opportunities.

  With precision and perception he has traced the tradition of St. Cloud State College from a modest campus of fifty-three students in 1869 to a burgeoning campus of some 9,000 students in 1969. He has described, with meaning and good taste, how the college grew from Minnesota's third normal school to Minnesota's third largest college with more than fifty major and minor programs leading to the four-year degree, fifteen fields of preprofessional study, and several master degree programs. He has shed new light on the moments of difficulty and triumph, and he has accented the contributions of many persons whose inspiration and dedication have built a heritage of excellence.

  This history will be a meaningful and significant link with the past and a valuable resource for the future. I am proud to recommend this book to the students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of St. Cloud State College.

  Robert Hobbie Wick

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  History of St. Cloud State Teachers College

  Dudley S. Brainard

  No one is better qualified than Dudley S. Brainard to tell the story of St. Cloud State Teachers College. As teacher and administrator he has observed the development of the college for more than a quarter of a century. With the discernment and impeccable good taste of the skilled historian, he has etched, painstakingly and with keen understanding, the important events in the growth of the college.

  This story, however, is, more than the story of St. Cloud State Teachers College. It is the story of the establishment of publicly-supported teacher education in the State of Minnesota. Attention is directed, quite appropriately, to the importance of the professional education of teachers for the public schools. This importance has not always been recognized as is indicated in the cataloging of the sometimes harrowing events in t he early history of the college. But as the story unfolds one gains a sense of well-being. It is clearly evident that great progress has been made.

  Over the span of years St. Cloud State Teachers College has grown from a normal school offering little beyond the traditional secondary education to a full-fledged college presenting four years of professional education for the preparation of teachers. The degree of excellence achieved by that four-year program has been recognized by both the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. The college is accredited by both these agencies. In the summer of 1953 a graduate program leading to the degree Master of Science in Education was initiated. Authority to offer this program was granted by the 1953 Legislature of the State of Minnesota with the whole-hearted and active support of the teachers of the state represented by their professional organization, the Minnesota Education Association.

  To the younger generation, this history is the story of their heritage. lt is a precious heritage and an important one. The traditions of the college and the lofty ideals of its founders come alive for the reader. It is with a sense of re-dedication to those traditions and those ideals that this book is recommended to the alumni and faculty of St. Cloud State Teacher College and to all students of teacher education.