Century of Progress

It is hoped that the following collection of historical vignettes, photographs and lists of graduates will provide old friends and new acquaintances of the University of Maine at Fort Kent with an appreciation for those people and events that have enabled our institution to reach its hundredth birthday. This volume is not designed to be a formal history of the Fort Kent campus. Rather, this is an unabashed attempt to convey, through the words and observations of those involved, the reasons why people even today, especially the Alumni, speak fondly of the “Training School.” Special thanks go to Mrs. Lucille Pelletier, Chairman of the Centennial Committee, Miss Michele Corey, Miss Patricia Pelletier, Noella Michaud, Cyrilla Picard, and Mr. Barry Stokes for their cooperation.

R. Grindle,
on behalf of the Committee

At its Centennial a University pauses for a time in retrospect and prospect, proud of its accomplishments, evaluative of its present practices, contemplative of its future.

For ninety years the sole mission of Madawaska Training School — University of Maine at Fort Kent was the education of teachers — primarily for the region of the St. John Valley, though, as its early catalogues reveal, from the first days, graduates of Madawaska Training School were employed throughout the nation.

In the decade since becoming a campus of the University of Maine System, UMFK has achieved initial accreditation and reaccreditation, added three baccalaureate degree programs, one multiple Concentration Associate degree program, plus certificate programs in gerontology and human services.

Standing between yesterday and tomorrow, UMFK has reached a time of renewal and growth. The Centennial comes as winter wanes and the promised eternal renewal of springtime is upon us. So UMFK looks to the future as a season of academic genesis achievement.

Two mandates for the future await us, historical in their force. One is the unyielding commitment to the improvement of instruction. The other is the continuing redefinition and re-emphasis of general education. The undergraduate years are the ideal years for exploration, testing and discovery. As our students face the next ten decades, their surest armor is that intellectual development which most effectively prepares them to cope with the forces of change, the velocity of life, and the creatively satisfying use of leisure time. The stultifying evenings and weekends of our electronic and energy-prodigal culture must yield to a more worthy exploitation of newly-found free time. General education, the liberal arts, and especially the humanities, will heighten and intensify the living for Second Century graduates of UMFK.

Richard J. Spath
President

First Principal of “M.T.S.”

On February 21, 1878 an act establishing a training school for teachers in the Madawaska territory was approved and signed by Maine governor Selden Connor. Specifically, the act stated:

…the Trustees of the Normal Schools are hereby authorized to establish and maintain, for a period of not less than six months in each year, two schools in Madawaska Territory, so-called, for the purpose of training persons to teach in the common schools of said territory. The towns in which said schools may be located, shall furnish suitable buildings therefore, free of expense, and shall also furnish fuel for said schools. The choice of books and teachers for said schools, the course of study to be pursued therein, and the grade of scholarship for admission thereto, shall be under the control of said trustees.

A sum of $1,000, taken from school funds appropriated to the several municipalities in the territory, was set aside in the State Treasury. This money was to be used to establish and maintain, “for a time at least,” what would be familiarly referred to as the Madawaska Training School, or M.T.S.

As State Superintendent of Common Schools W.J. Corthell noted at the time, the reasons for establishing the school were found in the “peculiar character of the people of this section,” who were “…almost wholly French and French speaking.” The idea for the creation of such a school for the residents of the St. John River Valley was not a new one, Corthell said. “To Americanize them, to bring them out of their isolation in character, modes of life and of thinking, and make them, as far as possible, homogeneous with the population surrounding them, has been the purpose of various educational experiments since 1857.” Furthermore, the Superintendent commented, “To teach these people with other necessary things, to speak and read English, and thus break down the barriers between them and the ‘outside’ has been found a difficult thing to do.”

Corthell recognized the need for, and the value of, bilingual teachers. In the Madawaska territory should not only be “versed in the ordinary branches to he taught.” They must also, in his opinion, be able to “speak and read both languages.” To obtain teachers thus qualified, especially a sufficient number who could afford to work for the “small pay made necessary by the comparative poverty of the section,” had previously been “practically impossible.” Educational progress in the area in the past had been “as great as could be expected under the circumstances,” but the State Superintendent felt that progress had not been “commensurate with the expenditures made.” A “careful personal” examination of the schools in most of the towns and plantations to be served under the act had been made and convinced Mr. Corthell that “some special agency for training up a special body of teachers from the native population” was definitely needed. “Hence the Madawaska training school,” he said.

The new school opened September 30, 1878 under the supervision of Vetal Cyr, “a native of that section.” Cyr was a graduate of Houlton Academy and the State College in Orono in the class of 1876. He also was an experienced teacher, having taught in “some of the best schools in Aroostook County.” He was assisted by Miss Mae B. Morrill, a graduate of Farmington Normal School. Forty-six “thoroughly interested” pupils attended the first term, which closed on December 20th. All students pursued the common school studies required by law except physiology and book-keeping. English textbooks were used, and “special attention” was given to training that initial class “to speak and think in good English.”

After a second term of twelve weeks the school was transferred to Van Buren, where two similar-length terms were held under the same teachers. Superintendent Corthell found the results “so promising” that he recommended that the same schedule be kept for at least two years longer, and after that the school meet in Fort Kent and Van Buren on alternate years. “As a matter of equity,” Corthell further advised that M.T.S. be funded on the same basis as the other Normal schools.

E. S. Morris succeeded Mr. Corthell as State Superintendent of Common Schools, and it is interesting to note his comments on the progress made at the Madawaska Training School during its second year of operation. Morris found that “quite a percentage of” the students there had “but little knowledge of the English language.” Because some could not speak the language “to any great extent” when they entered, he explained, instruction of necessity had to be “very elementary and even primary in its character.” Morris reminded the trustees of the Normal schools that M.T.S. had a special mission. “This school is not a High School or an academy, but as its name indicates, (is) particularly devoted to the training of teachers.”

School terms were again split between Fort Kent and Van Buren. The school population in what Morris called “this interesting portion of our State” numbered nearly 3,500 in 1879, and as the Superintendent pointed out, “The State wishes to educate all its children in the language of the State and Nation, and to make them an English Speaking people.” After all, he stated, “the laws are printed in English” and the “business of the courts is transacted in the same language.” That meant something as basic as the deeds by which the local people held title to their farms were, to them, written in a “foreign language.” Accordingly, all instruction at the training school was given in English.

Although “many” of the pupils attending M.T.S. that year had some teaching experience, perhaps the “larger part” had not, but wanted to teach in the near future. Like Corthell, Morris recognized that “Those employed to teach in this region must of necessity be able to talk the French language, for as yet many of their pupils understand no other.” Previously, Valley teachers had no opportunity to prepare themselves to teach English. Therefore, the fledgling training school provided a particular “want.” Besides, and this was important from Morris’ point of view, the students there were “not only being instructed in WHAT to teach but HOW to teach.”

Morris himself visited the school in Van Buren in June of 1879 and attested to the “faithfulness of both teachers and pupils.” Subsequently, Miss Morrill died and was replaced by Miss L. Maria Knight, another graduate of Farmington Normal School. Further reports received by Morris indicated that M.T.S. was continuing to do “good work,” and he offered the following predictions in his annual report: “as it continues from year to year the standard will be raised in the school, the standard of teachers in the Madawaska district will be raised, and the education of this interesting people will become more general and of a higher grade.” The Superintendent entered his plea for continued funding of the training school. “It is hoped that the State will take no backward steps, but continue to appropriate a sum sufficient for the expenditures of the school.”

Vetal Cyr submitted his first annual report as Principal of the Madawaska Training School in December of 1879. He listed the following attendance figures: fall, Fort Kent, 46; winter, Fort Kent, 49; spring Van Buren, 32; summer, Van Buren, 34. Some of the best textbooks then available were being used, for example: French and English Royal Reader, Harpers’ and Swinton’s Geographies, Hagar’s and Robinson’s Arithmetic, Quackenbo’s Grammar and Language Lessons, Harpers’ Smaller United States History, Payson and Dunton’s Book-Keeping, Kini’s FreeHand Drawing, the Soencerian Copy-books, Webster’s Dictionary and the French Neuveau Treate. The two instructors provided other books for reference. The Principal pointed out that instruction was “not confined to the line of any textbook, although the best were in use….” Most important, as he viewed it, was to make the school “in a true sense PRACTICAL, adapting it to the advancement of the pupils.” He was sure that Morris’s visit during the summer term had made the State Superintendent” familiar as to the necessity of such a school in this territory and with the general character of its work.

Principal Cyr said he had two primary responsibilities. First, he must assist the pupils in “securing a thorough knowledge of the ELEMENTS of the common school studies. Second, he considered it important to make them “sufficiently familiar with the English language to enable them to teach the same in that tongue.” He was well aware of the fact that “a very large percentage of” his students did not speak English. Indeed, he said, “many could not even understand it when they joined the school.” For that reason “progress was necessarily very slow,” and he had to make “sure of ONE STEP before taking another.”

Cyr was careful to note that the methods used during the first year were “experiments,” not set policy, and at least in part determined by the “limited previous preparation of the pupils.” He was encouraged, however, by the dedication of the first class. “Nearly all” had entered with the “intention of fitting themselves to teach,” and had remained through the two terms held in each place. The recommendation that “professional work by the pupils should accompany every step of the work,” had been followed to “a certain extent.” Progress in meeting this recommendation was slowed by the “variety of grades” of preparation that had to be dealt with and the “amount of time necessary to the teachers in giving instruction.”

Vetal Cyr indicated his belief that “one must KNOW before he can apply,” and he personally felt “content for the present in using the best methods and teaching WHAT and HOW to teach.” These were not empty words, for Cyr had formed a primary class during the summer session, where M.T.S. students were given “opportunities for observation and practice in teaching” one hour each day. And, he thought the results were “very satisfactory and of a practical benefit to all.”

Principal Cyr, looking to the “advancement of the (training) school and all the common schools,” suggested that “a grade for admission and a course of studies” be established. The former, he felt, would “excite an interest in those who wished to attend to fit themselves at the common schools….” In turn, he continued, “better teachers would become necessary and better teachers would be employed.” As for the value of a definite course of studies, Cyr contended that it would “mark out a certain amount of work to be done, and would encourage those attending to persevere till this was accomplished, giving as a result a more intelligent class of teachers.”

In 1880, N.A. Luce, the new State Superintendent of Common Schools, reaffirmed the support given to the Madawaska Training School by his predecessors Corthell and Morris. He agreed that a “class of teachers” was needed in the Valley schools who could “readily use both languages.” Such teachers, he reported, simply “could not be secured” prior to the establishment of M.T.S. He attributed the “successful operation” of the school over the preceding two years to the following: selecting “the best and the brightest” of the older pupils and the existing teachers from the area schools, thorough drilling in the “elementary branches of knowledge,” perfecting, reading, writing and speaking in English, seeking to develop the students’ “power to think and express thought clearly and readily in both languages,” and striving to train the students “in those methods of teaching and of school management best adapted to the conditions of the schools in which they must teach.” Luce personally examined the training school students that summer. He also talked with “some forty” school children taught by people who had attended M.T.S. and had come away with a “more than satisfactory” impression. He found that fifty-seven of the seventy-seven teachers employed in the various school districts in the French towns and plantations had attended the training school for one or more terms. The new institution was then “powerfully affecting for good the educational interests of the section.” Superintendent Luce observed, “It has already given an uplift to the schools there, such as all previous effort had failed to give, and the influence in the future will be still more potent.”

Luce was anxious that an appropriate level of funding for M.T.S. be consistently maintained. The original figure of $1,000 was reduced to $800 in 1879, which proved insufficient, and the legislature had to make up the “deficiency” by “drawing for the balance on some other appropriation.” It cost $987 to run the school in 1880 and that did not include $187 owed to teachers in back pay. Lute urged that the latter bill be paid promptly and encouraged the legislature to increase the appropriation for the coming year to $1,200 and $1,000 annually thereafter.

In his report to Superintendent Luce in 1880 Vetal Cyr indicated the following attendance figures: fall, Fort Kent, 44; winter, Fort Kent, 55; spring, Van Buren, 32; summer, Van Buren, 34; total, 96. Physical Geography, Physiology, Civil Government, Free-Hand Drawing, Penmanship and Practice of Teaching had been added to the course of study. Among the new textbooks adopted were: Franklin’s Fifth Reader, Cornell’s Physical Geography, Townsend’s Civil Government, Payson and Dunton’s Book-Keeping; Krusis’ Free-Hand Drawing and Worcester’s Dictionary. The instructors “sifted and rendered easily comprehensible” the text material and made “many of the best authors” available to their students. According to Cyr daily attendance was up from the year before, and the students “found little difficulty in going forward with their English studies, doing the work with more pleasure and satisfaction than formerly.” To encourage proper use of the English language pupils had to “use no other in and about the school rooms.”

Mr. Cyr was encouraged by the interest shown by parents in the school’s efforts. He was enthusiastic about the decision made in Van Buren to erect a “fine building” to accommodate the school terms held there. In Cyr’s words “there seems to be now few obstacles to retard” the school’s progress, providing, the State shall look upon it with favor.” Even more progress could be made Cyr felt, if “a change in the present method of certifying and examining teachers in this territory” were made. He hoped Luce would agree, saying, “You no doubt observed this need while visiting this section during the last summer, and it is hoped some different mode will soon be adopted and the evil remedied.”

N. A. Luce, commenting in his 1881 report, saw the improvements in education in the St. John Valley as part of the benefits being reaped from the creation of the statewide Normal School system. “In the schools among the French along the St. John, and in those in the remote plantations of Franklin, Somerset, Oxford and Washington, one familiar with the spirit and methods of the normal schools, can find the signs of their influence.” One sign of that influence was the increase in enrollment at M.T.S. that year. Two twenty-week terms were held in 1881 with 48 attending in Van Buren and 65 enrolling at Fort Kent. The total attendance of 113 marked an increase of 17 over the previous year. There were no textbook changes for existing courses, but Greenleaf’s Elementary Algebra and Steele’s Fourteen Weeks in Philosophy were adopted for the two new courses in algebra and philosophy. Cyr again reported good daily attendance and “little difficulty in going forward with their English studies.”

Cyr’s recommendation of the previous year was put into effect. New students were “subjected to an examination upon entering,” and this, he judged, “made up a class better fitted for the work.” One result was, he said, “there has not been so great a demand for primary work as heretofore.” He looked forward to the first graduation. At the end of the next 20 week session at Fort Kent a class of six would “complete the studies and be ready to graduate.” Four of the six, he noted, were French and “understood little or no English when they entered four years ago.” By contrast, “they now speak the language fluently and intelligently.” Cyr hoped these prospective graduates would soon be gainfully employed. He suggested to Luce, “could the law be so arranged that the graduates would be the chosen teachers, the influence of the Training School would be greatly increased and soon felt in all parts of the territory.”

The school calendar remained unchanged at M.T.S. in 1882. Attendance dropped slightly (Fort Kent, 53; Van Buren, 48). Physics was added to the curriculum and the text by Steele adopted. School libraries were started in both Fort Kent and Van Buren, with “pupils and parents… receiving the benefits of choice literature.” Principal Cyr observed, “General PROGRESS is now being made, and it is hoped that NO ACTION of the State will retard it.” He noted proudly that all of the first graduating class, eight instead of the six he projected in an earlier report, “taught during the past year and acquitted themselves with honor.”

That first class consisted of Theodore Bouchard, Marion Cyr, Remi Daigle, Cora P. Dickey, Jane M. Farrell, Ozite Landrie (sic), Cassius A. Scars and Michel Therriault. This class evidently listened to Horace Greely’s admonition to go West. Two years later three of the class were living in Minnesota and one in Montana. Ozite Landrie, now Mrs. Fred Mallett, was located in Minneapolis, Theodore Bouchard resided in St. Paul, and Remi Daigle was at Watertown, Minnesota. “Mike” Therriault was then making his home in Missoula, Montana. Cora Dickey and Marion Cyr remained in Fort Kent. Jane M. Farrell, married to Alexis Vasseur (sic), was in nearby Grand Isle. Cassius A. Sears was attending the State College in Orono. It is not clear from an account of the 1882 class, contained in the M.T.S. catalog for 1884, how many of the first graduating class were still actually teaching, regardless of their location.

The State Superintendent of Common Schools reviewed the five year history of the Madawaska Training School in his annual report for 1883. A good deal of the success of the school he credited to Vetal Cyr. A man” ‘to the manner born’ of the people among whom he had labored,” Cyr understood, the people, of all ages, with whom he was working. “His intimate knowledge of the peculiar character of the people of that section, and of the special needs of their schools, his acquaintance with the art and science of teaching acquired by previous experience and study, and his special natural adaptation to the work, have enabled him to fashion the course of study and methods of instruction as to make its work at the same time popular and in the highest degree effective.” The Superintendent had similar praise for Miss Nowland, Cyr’s assistant. Moreover, he went on, “Both have labored with unremitting zeal, notwithstanding the comparatively meager salaries which they have received previous to the current year.” Although the legislature had increased its annual appropriation from $1,000 to $1,300 the preceding winter, he felt this “did but scant and tardy justice to them.”

By 1883 the course of study at M.T.S. was set at two years of 40 weeks each. Eight more students were graduated that year: Frank Austin, Mary Brown, Mattie Cyr, Thalie Daigle, Mae G. Maley, Elodie Marquis, Marie Michaud and Hattie Stevens. A year later, Mary Brown (Mrs. Michel Michaud) was living in Frenchville. Two of her classmates, Thalie Daigle and Hattie Stevens, were located in Fort Kent, Marie Michaud was in Wallagrass and Elodie Marquis was in Caribou. Frank Austin had gone to Orono, and Mattie Cyr was now in Great Fails, N.H. Another dozen were scheduled for graduation in March, 1884.

With the growing number of graduates, the school’s impact was beginning to spread, and happily so, as far as Mr. Luce was concerned. “The effect of the school upon the educational interests of the section for whose benefit it was established, has been all and more than was hoped for even.” He was perhaps even overly enthusiastic about the results to date. “The change its has wrought in the condition of the common schools, nearly all of which are now taught by its pupils or graduates, is almost marvelous.” The money spent on improving education in this part of northern Maine, he said, had been a good investment of tax dollars. “To-day, because of what the school has done and is doing, the State’s benefactions so generously bestowed upon the section for the support of common schools, have ceased to be as water poured into a sieve, as was formerly the case and are now as good seed sown in fertile soil.”

Another $1,300 was appropriated by the legislature for the 1884 school year at Madawaska Training School, but it was not long before this was “fully expended.” The State Superintendent complained that the annual appropriations were “too small,” and allowed no margin for extraordinary calls,” such as “making of any additions to the libraries or apparatus of the schools.” Unless regular appropriations for the Normal Schools, which included M.T.S., were increased to at least $20,000, he prophesied, special appropriations, “which are even now sorely needed will soon have to be made…”

A larger number of males attended the two terms of twelve weeks each held in Fort Kent and one term of sixteen weeks held in Grand Isle in 1884. Fifteen of the fifty-seven enrolled at Fort Kent were “gentlemen,” and the men actually outnumbered the “ladies” thirteen to nine at the session held in Grand Isle: Total enrollment for the year, male and female, was ninety-two.

“A large gathering of the people coming from every town in the territory above Van Buren” attended the graduation ceremonies held under the supervision of the State Superintendent at the close of the second term in Fort Kent in 1884. Those graduating were: Essey L. Brown, Olive M. Cyr, Alphonse Cyr, Josephine Daigle, Meddie Daigle, Elise Dionne, Lillie J. Dowries, Euphemie Pelletier, Edithe Pinette, Denise Sirois, Thomas Scars and Marc Vaillan-court. Half of the class claimed Fort Kent as their residence, two were from Madawaska, and one each came from Eagle Lake, Grand Isle and Caribou. This brought the total number of graduates to twenty-eight, and it is interesting to note that all but three of these had graduated from the Fort Kent branch of the Madawaska Training School.

The school serving the “lower section of the territory” was moved from Van Buren to Grand Isle in 1884 by the order of the State Superintendent acting for the Trustees of the Normal Schools. The Superintendent said that this move promises to increase its (M.T.S’) usefulness.” The people in Grand Isle were already “showing a warm interest in its success and stand ready to furnish every facility for its work.” The town’s citizens had “expended a considerable sum in fitting up the school-house for its reception.” And, if they could “be sure of its continuance among them,” the Trustees of the Normal Schools were assured Grand Isle would “cheerfully do more in the same direction.” The initial enrollment at Grand Isle pleased all concerned. “The attendance…has been larger than was expected, larger than the last term at Van Buren, and promises to be even larger in the future.” There may have been additional reasons for the change of site from Van Buren to Grand Isle. In his annual report Principal Vetal Cyr said, “There seem to be here (Grand Isle) no influences unfavorable to the school, unlike the conditions at Van Buren during the last term there, where certain hostile influences affected it to a marked degree, which fact I presume, was the cause of its removal from that place.”

Cyr, “to answer what seems to be a local need,” modified the curriculum at M.T.S. to provide for the teaching of the “rudiments of French as written and spoken by the cultivated.” This change was initiated at Grand Isle by Cyr himself. An hour a day was devoted to French. The class translated their English reading lessons into French, and Principal Cyr “explained and illustrated the principles of French grammar” through these translations. As a result, the class “did excellent work, not only to the end of learning the French, but also of getting a further knowledge of the English by the method.” Although textbooks remained the same, they were supplemented by “constant and much oral instruction.”

Students were restricted by a minimum number of regulations at M.T.S. in 1884. Entrance exams were given on the first day of each term, and every student had to declare his, or her, intention of remaining a full term. No student could be admitted, other than at the beginning of each term, “unless satisfactory reason be given for the delay.” A pupil could not leave school at any time besides the end of the term without giving “reasons satisfactory to the Principal.” If not excused by the Principal, the pupil concerned forfeited his right to return. The attendance policy was open to individual interpretation. “Absence from school or tardiness is not permitted when avoidable.” Students were expected to be in their rooms, or at home, during appointed study hours, and during those hours they were restricted to “quiet study.” All pupils had to “duly observe” any “requirements and suggestions” made by their instructors in regard to deportment, as well as study habits.

Vetal Cyr had nothing but praise for the performance of his students that academic year. Everything had been “successful up to the full measure to be expected.” The student body had been made up of the “best material in the territory,” and as expected had been “earnest and zealous” in their work. From the Principal’s viewpoint, they had been “remarkably prompt and regular in attendance, and in deportment all that could be desired.” Because of students such as these, Cyr said, M.T.S. had “Grown in usefulness and popularity, and the outlook for the future is bright with promise of still better things.”

Attendance hit a new high in 1885. Sixty-four registered at Fort Kent and another fifty at Grand Isle, for a total of 114. Cyr attributed at least part of the increase to the enthusiasm of the inhabitants at Grand Isle. The people there had shown they were “deeply interested” in the school and were “doing all in their power to secure its continuance there.” “Extensive repairs” had been made on the Grand Isle school-house, and a “large and pleasant classroom had been fitted out in the upper story. It was now hoped that the building would be “very comfortable,” in terms of room for expansion, for “several years.” There were no curriculum or textbook changes that year. Accordingly, the “WORK of the school” was performed “very nearly in the same manner as that of previous years.” With the addition of “several volumes of choice literature,” the school library collection numbered 120 volumes. Money for the purchase of books was supplemented by “levying a small amount upon each pupil” and from “school exhibitions occasionally given.” More and more students were showing their interest in “general reading” by checking out books on Friday afternoons.

There was no graduating class in 1885, and there were only seven graduates in the fourth class, that of 1886: Lucie Albert, Edithe Cyr, Modeste Martin, Mary McClean, Josephine Paradis, Mary J. Sweeney and Joseph F. Cyr. Again, all were from the St. John Valley, with two each from Fort Kent and St. Francis, and single students from Madawaska, Frenchville and Van Buren. The school year had opened on September 21, 1885 at Fort Kent, where consecutive terms of twelve and ten weeks were held. The term at Grand Isle lasted eighteen weeks. Fifty-five had attended in Fort Kent, and the Grand Isle enrollment was forty-six. The State Superintendent again personally handed out the diplomas. Madawaska Training School had now contributed thirty-five graduates to the teaching force in northern Maine.

A “School Committee” in Fort Kent recommended a change in readers for the Training School, and the Swinton Readers were introduced, providing “excellent satisfaction.” For the first time, Principal Cyr broached the subject of crowded conditions at the Fort Kent site. The district school house then being used was described by Cyr as “small and cold.” He told the Trustees that “many” pupils were being refused every year “for the want of suitable accommodations.” “No changes or repairs” had been made “about the school buildings.” In summary Cyr said, “At Fort Kent a new school-house is much needed,” and he “greatly hoped that the State will do something for this school very soon in the way of buildings.” Cyr implied that such help from the State was warranted by the school’s record in placing its thirty-five graduates, who, as he proudly noted, “not only find ready employment as teachers in this territory, but while some have proved successful teachers in different parts of this State, others have made themselves useful as such in the West.”

The State Superintendent of Common Schools evidently agreed with Vetal Cyr, for he recommended in his list of special needs for the coming year “such legislation as will permanently locate this school at Fort Kent, and will provide for its suitable accommodation.” He began his argument for such legislation by tracing the accomplishments of the school to date. “Since it began its work it has fully proved its right to be, in practically revolutionizing the common schools of the section in whose interests it was established.” The “peculiar conditions” that had led to the establishment of M.T.S., he remarked, “still exist to such extent that without its continued work the common schools would rapidly relapse to something of their old inefficiency.”

While there was no longer a question of the school being “a permanent need of the section,” he continued, “conditions have so changed that its management needs modification.” It was now time to give M.T.S. “a local habitation by permanently locating it in Fort Kent, the most eligible location for it.” But, the former practice of holding the sessions in the village school house (especially because this could only be done “at such times as the common school there was not in session”) would not suffice for the future. “Building for it must, therefore be erected at the expense of the State.” A sum of $1,500 for the building was suggested, as well as “a small sum additional to that now annually appropriated” for the “heating and care” of a new building.

The following year the legislature did provide money for the erection of a new building to house the Madawaska Training School in Fort Kent on a permanent basis. Actual construction, however, was delayed. Miss Nowland was granted a leave of absence from Grand Isle, and Vetal Cyr continued as the only teacher while waiting for the new building in Fort Kent to be completed. Twenty students registered for the term in Grand Isle in 1887, compared to fifty who attended the two terms in Fort Kent. Cyr pointed out that the “deep snows” that winter had “little effect in keeping pupils out of school,” and “interest” on the part of the students at Fort Kent was “never better.” Looking ahead, he said, “By the erection of the new school building at Fort Kent, the present usefulness of the training school cannot fail of being greatly increased.” He did express the hope that the curriculum could be “expanded and see what changes may profitably be made.”

Cyr’s annual report to the Trustees of the State Normal Schools in 188 indicated some changes made. The legislative act of 1887 had deprived M.T.S. “of its ‘wheels,'” by locating it permanently in Fort Kent. The school year was shortened to eight months, instead of the usual ten. The school year was divided into two sixteen-week terms, with a “vacation of two weeks during the holidays.” The first term ran from September 6th to December 22nd, and the second term opened January 9th and closed on April 26th. Girls outnumbered the boys attending by about three to one. Total attendance was only fifty, but Vetal Cyr explained, “The school, being now stationary, cannot reach as many different pupils as it did when it was traveling about the territory.” Yet, average attendance for the year had been good, and student interest “never better.”

The fifth class to graduate from Madawaska Training School reflected the change to a permanent site. Four of the seven graduates were from Fort Kent. The other three claimed residence in Wallagrass, St. John Plantation and Madawaska. Class members were: Madelaine Cyr, Edithe Daigle, Sophie Daigle, Vlarise Labe, Josephine Michaud, Pauline Pelletier and Vincent Theriault. This brought the total number of graduates to forty-two. Obtaining a job then was no problem. “All find ready employment as teachers here and elsewhere.” This class had the advantage of taking a course in school laws of Maine, recently added to the curriculum.

The catalog and circular of the Madawaska Training School for 1888 advertised the benefits expected from the new facilities at Fort Kent. “A Building for its occupancy has been erected, and it will begin its next school year under conditions which promise increased efficiency and power for good.” Pricipal Cyr echoed these sentiments, saying in December, 1888, “The new building is sufficiently completed to be occupied, and the school opened its present term in it under the most favorable conditions and with a larger actual attendance than of any previous year.” Cyr cautiously recommended another appropriation request. “The school needs a LITTLE more money from the State to make the building and its surroundings comfortable and attractive.” He expressed confidence that “This money will of course be granted by the next legislature.”

Cyr’s confidence was inspired by the support given him by the State Superintendent. Well aware of the “fiscal expectancies” of the state legislature, the Superintendent reminded its members that the new building at Fort Kent was “planned and carried forward to completion with constant reference to keeping the expenditure therefore within the amount available for the purpose.” He noted that the M.T.S. building was “large enough for the immediate, but not for the prospective needs of the school.” The original plans included provision for enlarging the building “at the least possible cost.” The State Superintendent then made his bid for additional funds in two steps. “To enlarge it at once would be, however, good policy. The sum of $600 would put on the necessary addition, and in the building so enlarged accommodations could be provided for a needed model department.” The finishing touches called for by Principal Cyr (painting inside and out, a bell tower and a bell, grading and fencing the grounds), he felt would bring the additional appropriation request for M.T.S. to $1500.

The Maine legislature responded with a special appropriation of $600 for “sundry improvements upon the buildings and grounds of the Madawaska Training School.” Approximately another $100 was squeezed out of another appropriation. With this money a belfry was added. Provision was made for a small library and “apparatus room” in the base of the belfry. A bell was ordered, as well as a fancy weather vane for the top of the belfry. “Settees” were purchased for the recitation room. The main part of the building was painted inside and out. Plank walks were laid to both entrances, and the school lot was fenced in. Vetal Cyr was pleased. “The new building is comfortable, and when the contemplated additions are made the rooms will be very pleasant.”

Attendance for the 1888-1889 school year was the largest in the history of the school at Fort Kent, 65. The same textbooks were in use, but “several good works of reference” were available at the teachers’ desks for “general use.” However, more books were needed. “A taste for reading is being cultivated among the pupils, and the little private library is not sufficient to supply the present demand.” Cyr hoped that “something may be done in order to furnish the school with more reading matter.” Through private donations and “fees resulting from school entertainments,” M.T.S. was able to buy a “fine organ” and have it placed in the school-room.

Fifty-nine students registered for the fall term in 1889, and sixty-eight enrolled the following spring. Again, there were no text-book changes, but “several good books of reference” were added to the library, including a set of encyclopedias presented by N.A. Luce, Maine’s Superintendent of Common Schools. The pupils raised money to buy a school-room clock, and private subscriptions paid for a flag, which was “unfurled to the breeze every pleasant day.” Miss Mary Nowland was on leave of absence for the year, and Miss Carrie Nowland “filled the position doing efficient work.” Principal Cyr made his usual favorable comments. “General good health prevailed among the pupils and teachers, all working earnestly, and endeavoring to carry out the design of the school.”

Vetal Cyr made his first serious attempt to acquire state money for a boarding house in his spring report in 1890. The recitation room was becoming too small, considering the “increasing attendance.” Besides, Cyr correctly observed, “Many teachers from distant towns cannot secure beard or lodging within proper distance of the school.” Therefore, he concluded, “a boarding house near the school seems a necessity in order to increase or even maintain the present attendance.”

The graduating class of 1890, the sixth on record, consisted of Mattie G. Cunliffe, Jessie B. Dickey, Emma Marquis, Delia Pinette, Lula Savage, Marguerite Violette and Francis Corneault. Five were living in Fort Kent, one in St. John Plantation and another in Great Falls, New Hampshire, two years later. At that time four were listed as teaching, two classified themselves as housewives, and Francis Corneault categorized himself as a “merchant clerk.”

The 1890 graduates were well aware that M.T.S. needed expanded facilities, and were pleased that the State Superintendent recommended to the state legislature that $5,000 be appropriated for building a boarding house. The Superintendent made a good argument for his case. He began by saying, “No school in the state is doing more important and valuable work than (M.T.S.), and none is growing more rapidly.” Since its permanent location in Fort Kent and the erection of a building there, the attendance had “so largely increased” that the school was “already over-crowded.” He reminded the legislators that the building, because of provision for such in the original plans, could be “readily and cheaply enlarged.” Now was the time. “Such enlargement is our immediate necessity.”

Although the “facilities for boarding seemed ample” in the beginning, “many” students were “unable to attend” in 1889. And, the space problem was likely to become even more serious. The Superintendent explained why. “Owing to the opening of a railroad to the town and the conditions consequent thereto, the present lack of facilities is almost certain to become greater.” If the Training School was going to do the task it was assigned, room would have to be provided, and soon. “There is imperative need,” the State Superintendent argued, “that adequate facilities for board of students shall in some way be made secure. This can be done only by establishing a boarding-house under control of those having charge of the school.” Not one to suggest halfway measures, the Superintendent estimated that for $5,000 a boarding house could be erected, plus enlarge the existing building “sufficiently to meet the growing needs of the school.”

There was a larger number of males in attendance at Madawaska Training School during the next academic year, forty-five out of the 109 registered. Miss Mary Nowland had returned from her leave of absence and was “doing her usual efficient work.” “Entertainment by the school” raised funds for “a considerable addition of choice literature” to the library. “These additions,” Vetal Cyr complained, “must necessarily be made slowly” because of inadequate funds. This was especially unfortunate, in Cyr’s eyes, because “The library is a source whence the pupils derive much benefit.” We wished the state would provide free text-books. That would not only be “a great advantage to the school.” It would also release funds to acquire “Some apparatus with which to help illustrate the principles of physics,” which he felt had become “almost a necessity.” With the addition of three dozen music books and the Normal Music Chart, music “formed one of the daily exercises of the school.”

The State Superintendent of Common Schools had proudly announced the Maine state legislature’s approval of his request for $5,000 for a boarding house at Fort Kent. Despite the fact that work had begun as “early as practicable” it was not finished “in season for opening it to students for the current school year.” The Superintendent judged the building to be, even in its unfinished state, “convenient in arrangements and sufficiently commodious for the accommodation of forty to fifty students. The contractor had stayed within the appropriation to date, but the inside painting was still undone. Vetal Cyr was satisfied with the quality of the work accomplished. “The work on the new boarding house is progressing finely and being thoroughly done.” He regretted that it could not be completed for the coming winter, but, as he said, “we hope that the school will not long be deprived of the pleasant accommodations which it promises.” Cyr felt that fifty to sixty pupils, that is more than the State Superintendent estimated, could be “lodged” in the finished building.

The new boarding house was still not ready for occupancy when the fall term opened in 1891. Only thirty pupils were registered at the beginning of the year. Although this number increased to fifty-seven by the end of the first term, and “the whole attendance during the year was sixty-four, prospective students had to be turned away because of the lack of space. In Principal Cyr’s words, “This was a great drawback on the attendance, for it is very difficult now to obtain lodgings in the vicinity of the school.” For example, “TWENTY SCHOLARS – besides a family,- each doing separate cooking on one small cooking stove” were crowded into one rooming house designed to hold, at most, nine or ten persons. And, Cyr recorded, “It was not an uncommon occurrence for some of them to return to school for the afternoon session without any dinner.” He repeated his plea for additional legislative funds. “It is hoped that the amount of money so necessary to render the building fit for occupancy, will be appropriated by the next legislature.” Cyr was looking forward to a finished “school-room having a seating capacity for ONE HUNDRED pupils….”

The legislature received a similar plea from the State Superintendent of Common Schools. The boarding house still needed painting inside and “to be plainly furnished in order that it be made available.” There was “pressing need” for this, he said. As in his previous report, he asked for monies to enlarge the school itself “to meet the exceptional increase in the number of students applying for admission.” There were seventy-two students then crowded into the building originally planned for sixty. Some of the younger pupils had to be turned away to make room for older ones. Others had been refused admission. “Had it been possible to keep and receive all desiring to attend,” he claimed, “the attendance would have been about one hundred.” To him, the “State cannot afford to long ignore the demands made upon the school for larger accommodations.”

There were only six graduates in the class of 1892. Five of them, Edithe Beaulieu, Lizzie Bellefleur, Marie Daigle, Amanda Sinclair, and Emma Thibodeau, went directly into teaching. It is not clear whether the other member of the class, Mrs. J.A. Laliberte, the former Isabelle Sweeney, was employed in the classroom or not the following fall. A total of fifty-five Valley residents had now graduated from M.T.S. Although the number of males attending the Training School was increasing every year, Vetal Cyr complained because “few young men complete the course and are graduated.” He was not sure if the explanation was the “necessity or a desire to earn money.” More likely he thought, it was “due to circumstances and the lack of remunerative opportunities in this locality for educated young men.” Cyr recognized the economic facts of life in northern Maine. “The leading occupation being lumbering, the boys follow the impulse and remain in school only until they are sufficiently large and strong to work in the woods.” The establishment of winter schools would help to correct this. As Cyr saw it, “This regretted evil will no doubt remedy itself in time – when our school system is carried on under more favorable conditions – when winter schools can be maintained, young men to teach in them will be necessary, and the desire on their part for a better education will be increased accordingly.” Hopefully, more than eleven of the next fifty-five graduates would be males.

Vetal Cyr’s report to the trustees of the Normal Schools in the spring of 1894 covered statistics for two years, instead of the usual one. Thirty-five of the seventy-five pupils attending M.T.S. in 1892-1893 had experience in teaching. The following year, 1893-1894, total enrollment increased to eighty-eight, thirty-nine of whom were males. Fourteen graduated on May 10, 1894: Ethel M. Bradbury, Xavier A. Cyr, Albert Currier, Isaie Daigle, Mary L. Pinette, Sophie M. Pinette, Alexis Robbins, Nathaniel B. Savage, Evelina M. Therriault, Fred W. Therriault, Mattie S. Wheelock and Bruce R. Ward. Of these, eight were from Fort Kent, two from St. Francis and one each from Madawaska, Grand Isle, Seven Islands and Caribou. Ten in the class were listed as teachers. Two were farmers and the class included a merchant clerk and a band master. Superintendent Luce was on hand to present the diplomas.

Cyr reported that his pupils had been “attentive, studious and ready to obey all the regulations of the school.” “At no period,” he claimed, “has better work been accomplished.” He attributed the “greatly increased” attendance and interest to the completing of the new facilities, which included a “fine” school room and recitation rooms. These, he felt, had “added much to the convenience and comfort of both pupils and teachers.” The school library now numbered about two hundred volumes, but many of these were “getting worn out and must soon be replaced by new ones.” It was clearly evident, said Cyr, that “the library is too small for the demand.” One answer was for the “friends of the school” to “confer a great benefit upon the institution by making donations to its library.” Secondly, “It is hoped that the State will grant us something in this direction.”

Cyr, however, was satisfied with the school’s supply of charts, maps and globes, and these, plus the furniture, were in good condition. The hall on the second story of the school house and the outside of the school house still needed a coat of paint, but the grounds had been graded and fenced. “Ornamental” trees for the grounds were on order. There were some definite needs though; the “great and immediate one” being an adequate “WATER SUPPLY.” During the winter all the water used in the boarding house had to be hauled a half mile from the river. The regular .attendance of the school had nearly doubled within two years. Two teachers were now “insufficient to do the work.” Therefore, Cyr suggested that another teacher be added the following fall. “With three teachers the school will be in a condition to do most efficient work.” He knew the legislature might become tired of special requests for the Training School, so he couched his appeal as diplomatically as possible. “The State has been so generous towards the school since our last report that it would seem we might be satisfied, but all these new and fine buildings have attracted scholars,” that is numbers made it necessary to hire an additional faculty member.

Superintendent Luce described the improvements made at Fort Kent in minute detail in his annual report. The lower story of the new building, “attached to the old building as an ell,” contained an “elegant 40 by fifty foot school-room, a twenty by twenty foot recitation room, a twenty by fifteen foot recitation room, a twenty by thirty foot model school room, two “commodious” dressing rooms, and a large stairway leading to the upper story. All the rooms, except the model school room, were furnished in native spruce and the walls painted in “neutral tints.” Modern desks and chairs were provided throughout, and the main school room alone would seat 108 students.

Upstairs was a fifty by fifty foot hall, “with necessary ante-rooms.” Fuel for the two furnaces was stored in the basement. Luce estimated it would take an additional $600 to “complete and furnish” the building. Most of the work had been completed by October, 1893. The special $8,000 appropriation to cover the cost of the building had been divided equally, $4,000 being made available in 1893, and the other $4,000 the following year. Water closets in the basement (“with necessary apparatus and sewerage”), storm windows, walks and a 500 pound bell were purchased under this appropriation. The boarding house was sufficiently complete to be “opened to students” at the beginning of the school year, 1893-1894.

In return for this investment, Luce told the taxpayers, “The State has now at Fort Kent, for the use and benefit of the Training School, buildings and grounds which are highly creditable in appearance, fully adapted to the needs of the school, and a source of pride to the people of all that section of the State.” The “wise and liberal policy of the State” had provided the funds for creating the facilities that had enabled the Madawaska Training School to attract an ever-increasing number of students (from sixty-four in 1891-1892 to eighty-eight in 1893-1894).

“Notwithstanding the liberality with which the State has met the pressing needs of the Normal and Training schools in the last ten years, by making appropriations for improvements,” Superintendent Luce explained, “there are yet needs existing which must be met with other appropriations.” The “immediate and pressing needs” could be covered by “large appropriations.” The “less immediately pressing needs” called for “smaller appropriations.” Trying to convince the legislature to take favorable action, Luce pointed out that to “meet them (the pressing needs) at once would be in the line of a wise economy.” For Fort Kent he recommended finishing and furnishing the hall and model school room in the school building and purchasing additional land to allow for expansion. Like Cyr, he called for “some arrangement for a sufficient water supply,” for both buildings. The school building needed another coat of paint the next year. He also felt M.T.S. ought “to be furnished with some apparatus for science teaching.” He figured these needs could be met with a $2,000 appropriation spread equally over the next two years. Enough of the state’s money had already been invested in the normal schools at Farmington, Castine and Gorham and the Training School at Fort Kent to warrant covering all these “school properties” with adequate insurance. Although he set no figure, Luce suggested that this be taken care of by a separate appropriation.

Superintendent Luce also presented an argument for increasing the regular annual appropriation for both the normal and training schools. In the case of Fort Kent he maintained that increased support was needed to carry out the mission of the school – to provide teachers who could “speak, read and write the English with correctness and facility.” “All this work had to be done,” he noted, and “the school buildings…heated and cared for,” on only $1,600 per year. Only two teachers could be hired within the amount available, and as Principal Cyr had already demonstrated, the present enrollment indicated the need for an additional teacher. To accomplish this, Luce asked the legislature to increase the regular annual appropriation to at least $2,000. For that matter, Luce went on, “there is no good reason why the amount necessary for the running expenses of this school should not be included in the annual appropriation for Normal schools.” As he correctly recorded, “It is to all intents and purposes a Normal school,” and all four schools “should now be put on equal footing in this regard.”

Luce ended his annual report with a list of specific recommendations, two of which applied directly to M.T.S. His third recommendation read as follows: “That the sum of $2,000 be appropriated for finishing and furnishing the hall and model-school room, for repainting the school building, and for enlarging the grounds and procuring a water supply for the Training School at Fort Kent.” His last recommendation was “that the separate appropriation for the Training School be discontinued and that the amount necessary therefore be included in the general appropriation for the support of Normal schools.” Probably he realized that he was asking for too much at one time.

Most likely students attending Madawaska Training School on 1893-1894 were more interested in their personal costs than in considering the annual budget of the entire school. Those staying at the boarding house (thirty) paid no rent per se, but they did have to bear their proportionate share of “HEATING, LIGHTING and supplying their house with water,” an equivalent of $1.50 per month. The rooms at the boarding house were designed to accommodate four students each. Each student room was furnished with “CHAIRS, TABLES, COMMODES, BUREAUS, BED-STEADS, MATTRESSES, MIRRORS and CURTAINS.” The students had to bring “all other necessaries.” Instate students paid no tuition, and even those from the Canadian Provinces paid only twenty-five cents per week. Text books were obtained “at cost” from the principal, and all students paid “an incidental fee of $1” for each year they attended. The Training School was providing an inexpensive education.

The Maine legislature did not see fit to follow all suggestions made by Principal Cyr and Superintendent Luce. Money was not provided for a third teacher, but Cyr was not discouraged and repeated his request for a third instructor in his spring report for 1895. Only with an additional teacher, Cyr said, could the school “give justice to every department.” Numbers seemed to support his request. Ninety one different pupils attended M.T.S. during the year, eighty in the first term, eighty-six in the second, and the teaching load was borne by Cyr and Mary P. Nowland.

The 1895 legislature did make a special appropriation of $2,000 for repairs on the school building at Fort Kent. A building committee report indicated how this money was spent: an additional story was built on the original building. A recitation room was finished, as was “a large, handsome and attractive” hall, “…with wainscoting and substantial finish around doors and windows.” A large stage with anterooms was added, and 250 chairs supplied for the hall. Besides being used for “general exercises,” the hall was to go open to “all entertainments and public meetings eon-netted with the school.” Still more money would be needed, however, for manual training was being taught in “a large UNFINISHED room.”

Principal Cyr acknowledged the improvements made under the special appropriation, but he saw some remaining needs. True, he admitted, the boarding house had received “a good coat of paint” the preceding summer and would be “all right for a few years,” but the school house itself needed a second coat of paint. Equipment money was needed, preferably on an on-going annual basis. “The school has no apparatus of any kind; a supply is greatly needed in the illustration of physical principles.” Also, more money was needed for acquisition of books for the library, the size of which, he again noted, was “not sufficient for the growing demand as the scholars are fast cultivating a taste for reading.”

Cyr made out a list of five “great needs of the school:” enlarging the grounds, finishing and furnishing the hall, finishing and furnishing the model school room, furnishing the boarding house with an adequate supply of water, and furnishing the steward with a small stable. Some of these needs would “receive attention” through the appropriation made by the last legislature. It seemed practicable to take care of the most pressing needs first. In terms of priorities Cyr recommended that the grounds “be enlarged at once, as the opportunities to do so are limited, and the future prosperity of the school will depend largely upon it. Then the hall “should come next in your consideration,” and to complete the list, “the means of supplying water and model room.” If necessary, the last items in the list could “wait for another appropriation.” Although annual reports of the State Superintendent do not provide details on salaries, both Vetal Cyr and Miss Nowland evidently received an increase in wages that year. In concluding his annual report in the spring of 1895 Cyr stated, “I believe more firmly than ever that this school has made and is making a great educational stir in this section of the State and will richly pay the State for its fostering care, in giving it good citizens, capable of speaking and transacting business intelligently both in French and English.”

Enrollment at M.T.S. increased by thirty students the following year. There were 117 different students registered. Ninety-seven attended the fall term, and 108 the winter and spring terms. Miss Sophia Pinette, a graduate of the Training School, was temporarily placed in charge of the preparatory classes, and the school catalog for 1895-1896 indicates that Miss Laura E. Crockett joined Mr. Cyr and Miss Nowland as part of the instructional staff. Although satisfied with Miss Pinette’s work, Principal Cyr recommended that a teacher “trained in an older normal school,” be placed in charge of the preparatory department on a permanent basis. Some “special needs” remained. “We need something more to make these buildings complete…and to afford to the young people who are being educated here the greatest possible advantages.” Cyr also repeated his request for library aid. “I have called the attention of the trustees to the needs of the small library, for the past fifteen years, yet no action on their part to better the conditions, is taken.” He felt his annual appeal was both modest and warranted. “If it be within the range of possibility to add a few good books of reference, with some biographical and literary works, it would afford the teachers and pupils a great source of information and pleasure.” The normal school trustees only recommended “enlarging the lot and making necessary repairs at Fort Kent.”

There were eighteen students in the graduating class of 1896, bringing the total number of graduates to eighty-seven. Those in the class were: Raymond P. Albert, Marie B. Cyr, Caroline Dionne, Lizzie J. Freeman, Germain R. Dionne, Denis B. Martin, Arehile M. Miehaud, Philomen Miehaud, Joseph C. Morin, Meddie L. Pelletier, Ozite P. Pelletier, Arthur P. Pinette, Jennie Pratt, Flora B. Robbins, Omar J. Robbins, Nelson D. Sinclair, Henry W. Therriault, Remi Thibodeau. All were from the St. John Valley (Fort Kent, 6; Madawaska, 4; St. Francis, 3; Wallagrass, 2; Eagle Lake, Allagash and Grand Isle, one each). Cyr noted “the large increase in the attendance of young men from year to year and the number graduating.” This led him to believe “more firmly than ever that the results of this school are paying the State a high rate of interest on all the money invested here.” Moreover, Cyr said, “when these young people become the active citizens in this part of the State that interest will become compounded.” At least fifteen of the eighteen graduating that year were, or became, teachers.

Attendance was again over the one hundred mark in 1897: fall term, 92; winter and spring term, 102; and different pupils during the year, 111. Vetal Cyr spoke in “hearty commendation” of the new assistant teacher Miss Louisa Crockett, who worked with Miss Nowland in the first term, and Miss Rose A. Coney, who assisted during the second term. The perennial request was made for library support. The state did pay for the addition of a “highly prized” set of History for Reading Reference, but works on “Methods of Teaching, Didactics, etc., for professional reading” were still “badly needed.” Cyr thanked the last legislature for its “generous” appropriation, which was used to furnish the boarding house, purchase an air motor to pump water from the river, enlarge the grounds, finish and furnish the model room and paint the school house.

Cyr used the increase in attendance to justify the request for an additional faculty member. He suggested “a lady teacher well versed in the French language and literature be added to the present corps of teachers.” After all, he reminded the trustees, “The design of this school is t educate teachers for the schools in this territory. To educate them in English alone does not qualify them sufficiently.” It was obvious, at least to Cyr, that “There is need for a regular course in French, including reading, language and grammar, translation and literature, and a teacher especially fitted to teach those branches placed in charge of it.” Without such an instructor there was the possibility that the students would seek “those advantages” in “neighboring schools.”

The whole numbering graduating from Madawaska Training School reached one hundred with the tenth class, the class of 1897. The twelve class members were: Catherine Albert, J. Harvey Collins, Deliria M. Cote, Alice M. Cyr, Joseph C. Martin, Clara Michaud, George A. Michaud, Theodula Morin, Michel Ouellette, Fortuna W. Pelletier, Elodie Pinette, Lucie A. Thibodeau. Fortuna Pelletier, a clerk in Madawaska, and J. Harvey Collins, no occupation listed, were the only members of the class not listed as teachers. The class represented the Valley towns of Fort Kent, St. John Plantation, Frenchville and Wallagrass.

The State Superintendent of Common Schools had visited the schools of northeastern Maine for three years in a row “for the purpose of learning their condition and devising means for their improvement.” A history of what he found is contained in his annual report for 1897. After tracing the “origin and character” of the Acadians in northern Maine, he outlined the educational history of the region. In 1895, he wrote, there were 118 schools maintained by the fifteen towns and plantations in the region. These schools were attended by 3,690 pupils. Of the 118 schools, thirty-two were taught by graduates of M.T.S., and the most of the remaining schools were taught by “the more advanced students of that school.” He was “exceedingly pleased with the specimens of work from the several schools” exhibited at a teachers meeting held in Fort Kent in the fall of 1896. The Superintendent attributed the educational advances in northern Maine to “the influence of the Training School as one of the forces promotive of educational progress among the people.”

The influence of M.T.S., the Superintendent pointed out, had not been “exerted through the teachers alone who had gone from it into the common schools.” True, he continued, “The fact of its existence has been a constantly acting force.” WHY? “That such a school was accessible to the poorest boy or girl in the territory who would prepare in the common schools for admission to it, has aroused the ambition of the children, and their parents for them, for more than the home school could give, and has, at the same time, compelled the home school to do better work.” One could see “In nearly every section of the territory there are homes made by those who have been graduated from it,” and those homes were “centers of educational interest and sources of educational influence.”

Madawaska Training School had made its influence felt in the St. John Valley both directly and indirectly. “It is not too much to say that the influence emanating from the Training School in…indirect ways, has been only second in force to that exerted by it more directly through the teachers who have been graduated from it.” But, even more indicative of the total impact made by M.T.S. was “One Man’s Work,” the efforts of Mr. Vetal Cyr.

The governor of the State of Maine was scheduled to visit the Training School in the fall of 1897. Principal Cyr was supposed to “dispense the honors of the house” on that occasion but fell ill. Those present exclaimed: “How regrettable that poor Mr. Cyr be deprived of the pleasures of the festivities and the public be deprived of the pleasure of his company !” Eight days after taking sick Cyr died. The Reverend F.X. Burque eulogized the first Principal of Madawaska Training School at the widely attended funeral. For two decades, Burque observed, Cyr had “occupied the position of Principal of this institution, with most admirable skill, tact, courtesy, devotedness, giving the most gratifying satisfaction to the public, in the fulfillment of his difficult and delicate duties, never offending, never deceiving anybody, being always true, sincere, honest and loyal.”

Cyr had also served many years as town superintendent of common schools, Burque noted, and in that position had “distinguished himself by the most untiring efforts, the most unselfish labors, the most gentle manners, in fostering the educational advancement of the children.” Father Burque repeated the comments made to the Governor just days before. “Among the benefactors who have been most immediately instrumental in bringing about the magnificent educational results we are now noticing and admiring,” he said, Vetal Cyr stood foremost. To Burque, Cyr seemed to “live but for his school, for his classes, for his pupils,” and was “just as proud of each graduating class as any father could be….” Cyr was “never more delighted” than when he saw in the local schools “the success of the teachers he has formed.” As town superintendent he carefully assigned teachers “to the best possible places, to appease parental susceptibilities and to encourage children in a thousand different ways.”

M.T.S. had lost a “Principal and a teacher of the highest distinction.” The town of Fort Kent had been deprived of a “most able and devoted servant.” The “county of Madawaska” was now without “one of its most illustrious sons,” and the Catholic church “one of its most faithful members.” One of the state’s “most noble citizens” had passed away, and everyone in the audience would miss their “cherished friend.”

The State Superintendent of Schools had similar praise for the late Mr. Cyr. “Probably no one personality has made itself felt, and always for the good, in so many homes in every town in the Territory as that of Mr. Vetal Cyr.” Part of Cyr’s success, he felt, had been due to his pleasing personality. “Hearty cheerfulness, his kindliness of manner and his enthusiasm were contagious; and not less so was his interest in the schools everywhere and in the children in the schools. His manner and voice inspired confidence.” Many teachers recalled his visits, either alone or with the State Superintendent, to their schools. These visits “carried cheer and courage to teacher and pupils alike.” The “diffident trembling teacher dreading the coming of the strange visitor,” would be put at ease by Cyr’s “cordial, cheery greeting with happy phrase of introduction,” and that would give her “a self-command which would otherwise have been lacking and have rendered the visit a torture to her and the inspection of her school valueless so far as giving any definite and just idea of its real condition.”

The Superintendent sincerely believed that “such a man at the head of such an institution could not fail to be a force for good.” Those who knew him best could attest to his real abilities. “How great a force he was will never be fully realized save by the few who knew him and his work thoroughly and had his fullest confidence.” From the time “the young Frenchman” took the position as the first principal of M.T.S. he had proven his ability to “organize wisely, build firmly, and direct efficiently the work and influence of the school in which his life work was to be done.” The Superintendent echoed the feelings of many in his final evaluation of the career of Vetal Cyr. “The good he wrought will live after him in the larger, better and more fruitful lives of those who have been under his instruction.” The man was dead, but his influence lived on. “And while we can but feel that his work was too soon ended, that there was in him the power for further, larger usefulness, that there is needed still in the school and among the people the inspiration of his enthusiasm, the directive force of his intelligence, the influence of his wise advice, and the example of his manliness…” Thus read the eulogy for Vetal Cyr, the man for whom Madawaska Training School had been “the center of his thought and affection and which had stood to him in place of wife and children.., and grown to a lusty strength far beyond his earlier expectations.”

That Cyr’s “further, larger usefulness” continued was seen in the wording of resolutions passed in his honor by the teachers attending the Northern Maine Summer School in Houlton the following July. The “genial Christian gentleman, with his “warm hearty greeting” and sympathetic manner was gone from their midst. They indicated their respect for Cyr as one the “most painstaking and efficient members” of the teaching profession, and as a man “who had not only a board interest in education in general, but a deep interest in education in general, but a deep interest in the welfare of each individual student who came under his care.” They agreed with the conclusions of Burque and the State Superintendent, “That his special adaptation to the position which he filled, because of the bend of sympathy between himself and his people and his success in educating them in the true principles of American citizenship, makes his death a loss to the whole state.” Copies of the resolution were sent to Cyr’s family and to the State Department of Education to be inserted in the annual report of the State Superintendent. Among the signers of the resolution was Isaie C. Daigle, a 1894 graduate of M.T.S., and superintendent of schools in New Canada at the turn of the century.

R. Grindle

“An able successor”

In her report to the trustees of the normal schools in the spring of 1899 Miss Mary P. Nowland, the new principal of M.T.S., indicated a smooth transition had been made in the administration of the Training School since the death of Vetal Cyr. Rose A. Conry and Annie Dionne had shared the teaching duties, and as Miss Nowland noted, “They have I think, done in their work, the best that in them lies.” The Principal was content because the school had been “successful this year, beyond my hopes — the pupils are quiet, obedient and studious…” The latter fact had won the “most cordial approval from both teachers and the people of the village.” Eighty-five pupils attended the fall term and 105 registered for the winter and spring terms. The number of different pupils attending during the year was 115.

Routine improvements had been made during the 1898-1899 academic year, paid for mostly by a special appropriation of $2,000 granted by the state legislature in its previous regular session. Of this amount $897.80 was spent for land acquisition and another $282.32 went for repairs. The grounds were graded and seeded, and according to Miss Nowland, were “now very level and green, presenting a fine appearance.” The outside of the boarding house and some of the rooms were painted. Thanks to the will of Vetal Cyr a set of encyclopedias was added to the school library. A few other “valuable books” were received, evidently as gifts, and a set of MacCowes historical charts, a terrestrial globe, and some “philosophical apparatus” were either bought or donated by those interested in supporting Miss Nowland’s efforts to build a solid curriculum. Like her predecessor, however, Miss Nowland would continue to make an annual appeal for the expansion of library resources. “We still need books for general reference and textbooks.”

There were ten “ladies” and thirteen “gentlemen” in the graduating class of 1899. The twenty-three were: Maxine J. Albert, Willie J. Audibert, Victori Bourgoin, Joseph A. Cyr, Alexis R. Cyr, Aime R. Chasse, Zepherim Daigle, Methaide Gagnon, Thomas Henderson, Vital Labbe, Euphemie Laferriere, Marie Michaud, Laura A. Michaud, Luther McLean, Denis Nadeau, Elize Nadeau, Ella Paradis, Herbet A. Sweeney, Catherine Sanfacon, Albert J. Thibedeau, Odelie M. Thibodeau, Agnes Thibodeau. These graduates were from the Valley towns of Frenchville, Madawaska, St. Agatha, Allagash, Wallagrass, St. Francis, Fort Kent, Grand Isle and St. Hilaire, New Brunswick.

The Madawaska Training School lost a good friend and “founding father” with the death of Major William Dickey on November 19, 1899. According to his biographer, Rev. F.X. Barque, M.T.S. owed “the whole of its existence, that is its origin and its developments” to the Duke of Fort Kent, as Dickey was referred to in the Maine State legislature. Many were the times Representative Dickey, a lifelong Democrat, had stood before the Republican controlled Maine house of representatives and pleaded for more tax dollars to support his beloved school. In the early days he had been particularly helped by Superintendents of Common Schools Luce and Stetson and more recently by Governor Powers. When it came to the Training School, Dickey spoke to his legislative colleagues with evident and warranted pride. “We have now a staff of teachers as distinguished as any one in any part of the state of Maine. No other normal school in Maine has ever furnished better teachers than our own at Fort Kent.”

Major Dickey often visited M.T.S. and could be frequently seen attending classes or sitting in the armchair by the fireplace listening to the “instructions of the day.” Students passed his house, known to them as the “barracks,” on their way to school each day. In a letter to the student body, Superintendent Luce once said, it is to “your venerable friend, Major Dickey to whose voice and influence in the legislature you owe it all.” Or, as a newspaperman from the Bangor Commercial reported in the 1890’s, “the scholars venerate Major Dickey who is a frequent visitor to the school which his efforts obtained for this region.”

It was Dickey who warded off a bill introduced in the state legislature in 1895, which in effect would have forfeited all state appropriations to those school districts “where discipline and instruction would not be entirely conferred in English.” This bill was interpreted as being “aimed at Madawaska,” and as Rev. Burque stated, it was not long before Major Dickey was “on the breach to fight away the invaders.” With the help of Governor-to-be Powers, Dickey was able to have the bill “suppressed altogether.” Because of the importance of the French language and culture to the history of M.T.S. part of Dickey’s argument against the proposed bill bears repeating here. In general terms, he said, “This bill is bad and would do much evil… It would deprive both of school money and education thousands of children in Madawaska… (It) is an impossible task to confer discipline and instruction but in English.” More specifically, and this was the heart of the matter: Would it be equitable to confiscate their rights to education because, being born of French parents and having learned in their prime infancy but the French tongue…they labor as a matter of course, under the want that French may be, more or less, spoken to them for school discipline and instruction? It is not just …that the privilege of the French language to a certain extent may be left them in the schools, until they may be sufficiently instructed to understand a teaching entirely conferred in English?

The Maine house of representatives agreed and voted the bill down.

In 1897, the last term Dickey was in the legislature, he introduced a resolution that $6,500 be appropriated for “enlargement and completion of “the Madawaska Training School. The following year Major Dickey wrote a letter to the Bangor Commercial,,commenting on the expansion of M.T.S. during his lifetime. Talking about the fifty students then boarding themselves at the school, he said,” They bring and provide their own ‘grub,’ cook the same and are the best behaved in the state.” He referred to the death of Vetal Cyr as “a great loss, for he and the school had become one.” As for the “management” of the school under Miss Nowland, “things are progressing nicely and our school is doing noble work.” William Dickey’s contribution to the birth and early growth of Madawaska Training School would live on in a succession of buildings named in his honor.

The number of different pupils attending M.T.S. during the school year 1899-1900 (fall term, 87; winter term, 107; spring term, 52). May Brown, a “teacher of experience,” joined the staff in October of 1899. Annie Dionne had charge of “French classes only” that year, and her work in French showed “good results.” The rest of the classes were taught by Rose Conry and Mary Nowland. Miss Conry, Miss Brown, and Miss Dionne also helped out in the dormitory. The remnants of the special legislative appropriation was spent on painting the walls and woodwork in two of the class rooms and the corridors and several rooms in the dormitory were papered and painted.

Miss Nowland was pleased that the state had provided $200 worth of books as a special gift to the school library. She explained that the low attendance in the last term was the result of extending the school year in the common schools from thirty to thirty-eight weeks, and the Training School students who taught in the public schools of the territory could not attend school themselves later than the middle of April.

The first graduating class of the twentieth century was a small one. The thirteen classmates were: Nathalie Albert, Fred Albert, Fred S. Corbin, Magloire Chasse, Marie Gagnon, Mattie Lagace, Julia Labbe, Demerise Labbe, Elvira G. Pratt, Ludivine Plourd, Phillippe Roy, Lydia J. Savage and Emilie M. Thibodeau. Three were from Grand Isle, two each from St. Francis, Fort Kent, Frenchville and Wallagrass, and single students from Madawaska, St. Agatha and St. Hilaire New Brunswick. The graduating class in 1901 was even smaller. The seven graduates were: Joseph S. Albert, Madawaska; Trefle J. Bernard, Grand Isle; Levite Dionne, Madawaska; Alice P. Roy, Fort Kent; Antoine Sirois, Madawaska; Margaret E. Savage, St. Francis; Almeda L. Stevens, Portage Lake. Although the graduating class was small, total attendance was up from the previous year: fall term, 91; winter term, 116; spring term,58; for a total of 120 different students. The teaching staff remained the same, the Misses Nowland, Conry, Dionne and Brown.

The special event of the year was the unveiling of a memorial window at the graduation exercises on June 7, 1901. The friends of Vetal Cyr throughout the Madawaska Territory had made a gift of the window to the Madawaska Training School in the memory of its first principal, Mr. Cyr. Although “conventional in design” the window was thereafter one of the first features of the campus to be pointed out to visiting dignitaries.

Enrollment was “larger than ever before” the following year, with 130 different students registered in one or more of the three terms. There were only 48 pupils registered in the third, or spring, term, due to its late closing date. Miss Nowland added a new type of statistic in her annual report for 1901-1902. She noted the number (62) entering the school, perhaps in an attempt to show how many of the students who started the program at M.T.S. finished in the prescribed amount of time. There were exactly 62 “self-boarders” that year, seeming to indicate an early twentieth century version of “placing freshmen and new students in the dorm.” Miss Conry was out the first part of the year due to illness at home, and her place was taken until Thanksgiving by Miss Mary E. Hughes of Pennsylvania.

Miss Nowland found the conduct of the students throughout the year “irreproachable.” She also said, “I cannot speak in too cordial praise of the work done not only by teachers, but pupils, particularly those of the graduating class.” The eleven graduates were: Joseph H. Audibert, Adele J. Bernard, Eda Bradbury, Lizzie B. Daigle, Thomas D. Dufour, Anna Dube, Joseph Dumais, George Henderson, Isabelle Martin, Fred E. Michaud and G.B. McC. Parker. The only student from outside the St. John Valley was McC. Parker, who was from Springfield, Massachusetts.

In 1903 Miss Nowland again revised the way she reported the Training School’s enrollment to the normal schools’ trustees. Instead of calculating the number of different students attending during the year, she gave a total of those attending the three terms, in this first instance 301. To Miss Nowland the “greatly increased numbers” had led to “livelier interest” and had made the school “more than ever before, pleasant and profitable.” She praised the “work of all, particularly that of the first class…” All in all it had been “a most successful year.”

The M.T.S. catalog for 1902-1903 shows a number of curriculum changes. First year students took reading (English and French), language and composition, arithmetic, U.S. history, vertical writing, and geography. During their second year were held responsible for reading (English and French), grammar and composition, arithmetic, U.S. history, French grammar, and geography. In the third year English reading, grammar (English and French), U.S. history, free-hand drawing, physiology, history of Maine, physical geography, civil government, bookkeeping and arithmetic were required. Fourth year registrants needed to take English grammar, English literature, algebra, physics, school laws of Maine, pedagogies, botany, French reading, grammar and composition. All students, as in earlier years, took vocal music each term and “physical culture” daily. There were few changes in expenses, conditions of admission or the general regulations. Some pupils may have tried to avoid the “incidental fee” of fifty cents due at the beginning of each term. Others may not have abided the Sunday Observance rule, under which “Proper observance of the entire day” was “expected” and attendance at the church of their choice was required.

All fourteen of the graduating class of 1903 were from the St. John Valley or nearby Eagle Lake. The class list included: Marie Alice Audibert, Amanda Austin, Russell Cleveland Brown, Isabelle Bellefleur, Maxine T. Chasse, William R. Chasse, Adeline Cyr, Alice Marie Daigle, Antoine Joseph Gagnon, Marie Therese (sic) Nadeau, Gertrude Therese (sic) Nadeau, Anna Ouellette, Margaret Alice Sweeney, Amelia Lisia Cote. All nine listed as teaching the following year were located in the immediate vicinity. The total number of graduates from Madawaska Training School had now reached 183.

The number of boarding students increased to 71 in 1903-1904. A special legislative appropriation of $1,250 provided for finishing, painting and furnishing several rooms in the boarding house, redoing the laundry so that it could be “used better” for a kitchen, repairing the ceiling and floor in the dining room and painting the other kitchens. A new chandelier was purchased for the hall. A globe and some physical maps were bought for instruction in geography. A new piano arrived, and $50 was spent on new books for the library. Four instructors, Miss Nowland, Miss Conry, Miss Brown, and a new addition J.C. Morin, shared the teaching load. The graduating class of 1904 was a small one, including only H. Ervin Bradbury, Felix T. Chasse, Alfred T. Cyr, Denise M. Guimond, Mary A. Henderson, Jeannette M. Nadeau, Beloni P. Roy, Melissa Savage and Joseph A. Tardif, representing the towns of Fort Kent, St. Agatha, Madawaska, Frenchville and Allagash Plantation.

Miss Conry was on leave of absence during the 1904-1905 school year. Mrs. Josephine L. L’abbe replaced her. The beginning class that year was “unusually large” (75), and as Miss Nowland expressed it “very interesting, because interested.” “Much hard work” was done during the year in and outside of the classroom. There were 137 different students registered for the year. The winter term, as usual, was the heaviest attended (125). Income from fees paid by the student body were used to fund staining the school building floors and painting both halls there. All the floors in the boarding house were also painted with the use of money generated by the school itself. This meant that $1,500 appropriated by the legislature could be used to purchase a new steam heating plant for the boarding house. The new system was badly needed, as witnessed by the 79 students staying there during the “very severe weather” that winter when, as Miss Nowland reported,” “We were not able to keep the house as warm as we could wish.”

According to Miss Nowland the graduating class of 1905, though small in size, was “of more than usual excellence, seven of the number being teachers who are ambitious to excel.” The class consisted of Emilie Bellefleur, Josephine Bernard, William H. Cunliffe, Jessie M. Daigle, Edna J. Daigle, Frederic Hebert, Annie Laferriere, Saul Michaud and Mattie J. White. Three, Bernard Hebert and Edna Daigle, were among the first graduates of M.T.S. to come from the town of St. David.

The State Superintendent of Public Schools, George W. Warren of Castine, chairman of the legislature’s education committee and other members of that same committee attended the examination and graduation exercises. One of the legislators attending, Mr. Briggs of Auburn, had been a member of the legislature that had established the Madawaska Training School. Miss Nowland was pleased that Briggs “remembered the passing of the act, adding to the interest of what he said to the school.” But, looking to the future, Miss Nowland could not pass up the opportunity to ask the legislators present to seriously consider the school’s need for an additional faculty member, “We do very much desire another teacher — we very much need another teacher.”

There were two new faces on the instructional staff at M.T.S. in 1905-1906, Emma J. Bresnahan and Pauline D. Balloch, the latter working only through the winter term. Because the number of students attending the autumn term (133) was the “largest in the school’s history,” however, made Miss Nowland even more insistent about adding to the faculty. “We want more and absolutely need another teacher.” Although Miss Balloch’s service had “added much to the advantage of the school in every way,” Principal Nowland thought it only logical that, on a permanent basis, “much more and far better work can be done by five teachers than by four, if all are capable workers.”

Income from the boarding house had covered the costs of painting, whitewashing and other repairs the preceding summer. The steam heat was finally installed, making the house “very warm and comfortable throughout.” Another year Miss Nowland foresaw new floors and new seats in her list of priorities. It is not clear how many of the 139 students attending the winter term were staying at the boarding house. The number registering for the spring term showed an increase of nearly thirty students over the previous year, but the number of different pupils attending during the year remained approximately the same (137 in 1904-1905; 140 in 1905-1906). There were sixteen graduates in the class of 1906, the third class “in point of number” in Miss Nowland’s memory. Familiar French names appeared in the graduation list: Alfred Albert, Catherine Bouchard, Saide S. Bernard, F. Joseph Cyr, Edith Dutour, Alma Doucet, Hubalde R. Daigle, Nellie M. Gullifer, Nathaniel L. Klein, Levi E. Michaud, Louise Plourd, Emma M. Raymond, Catherine Souci, Joseph H. Therriault, Lea R. Tardiff and Lottie B. Williams. All were from the St. John Valley except Nellie Gullifer, Fort Fairfield, and Lottie Williams, whose home town was Monticello.

Modeste E. Guimond joined the staff at M.T.S. on a temporary basis in 1906-1907. Another full time teacher was promised for the following year. If this promise was kept, Miss Nowland felt the school would be enabled “to do more and better work,” including, hopefully, Manual Training. She believed the addition of manual training to the curriculum would be “of greater service to the school and the territory” than any other new program except possibly Domestic Science. Actually she would like to add both, putting forth logical arguments in support of each. “Both would be a success,” she claimed, “the first because of the natural aptitude of the boys and gifts for such work and because of the large number of boys who attend the school.” She viewed Domestic Science as a natural expansion of the M.T.S. offerings, “because of the self-boarding which is carried on, this affording a larger practice class for Domestic Science than can be found elsewhere in the State of Maine.”

The number of new students in the fall of 1906 was down from the preceding year, “due largely” to the raising of admission standards. “Several” were unable to pass the examinations. The opposite was true of the graduating class, which with twenty members, was the second largest in the school’s history. And, as far as Miss Nowland was concerned, “in point of scholarship, deportment and general helpfulness it (the class) merits the highest praise.” Other student statistics found 99 attending the fall term, 111 the winter term, and 75 the spring term. These figures, plus the fact that only 116 different pupils attended during the year, are further evidence of the effects of the new admission standards.

A “long and most inclement winter” had led to “more than usual amount of sickness” at the Madawaska Training School. Still a good deal of work had been accomplished amidst the confusion of taking out the old seats in the school building, replacing them with new ones, and laying hardwood floors. Another of the needs of the school expressed by Miss Nowland had been met, presumably out of the $2,000 special appropriation from the legislature.

Over half of the class graduating from M.T.S. in 1907 were from Fort Kent, five were from Madawaska, two (the Sinclair girls Sophronia and Alice E.) lived in Wheelock, and Grand Isle and St. David were represented by one student each. Those receiving diplomas were: Albertine E. Audibert, Sophie M. Boutote, Felix Beaulieu, Lucie A. Cyr, Flavie M. Cyr, Edee Cyr, Arthur R. Daigle, Marie Daigle, Elizabeth Daigle, Anna Guy, Francois Herbert, Marie Michaud, Severin Morneault, Rose E. Nadeau, Dina M. Plourd, Thomas S. Pinkham, Sophronia Sinclair, Alice E. Sinclair.

Modeste Guimond stayed on as a faculty member in 1907-1908, and Katherine L. Lawlis and Ethel I. Duffy were welcome first-time members of the staff. Counting Miss Nowland and May Brown, M.T.S. now had five regular instructors. Miss Lawlis took the place of Miss Bresnahan who resigned. A native of Houlton and a graduate of the Farmington Normal School, Miss Lawlis was evaluated by Miss Nowland as “an earnest, helpful teacher.” Miss Daffy came in January to take charge of Manual Training. She had been “thoroughly fitted for her work” at the Macdonald ?raining School at Truro, Nova Scotia. Miss Nowland attributed the early success of the Manual Training program to the “zeal and enthusiasm” of Miss Duffy. Forty-seven boys and “as many” girls had “worked at the benches.” Assignments included paper-cutting, paste board work and sewing. Miss Nowland was pleased to report, “The effects of manual training in the school are already apparent and will, I am confident, insure for us a larger attendance next year.” Having won trustee approval and legislative support for one of her proposed curriculum changes Miss Nowlanc could not resist making an early repeat bid for Domestic Science as well. “The self-boarding done by the pupils make a course in domestic science particularly desirable, and this I hope a wise legislature will provide for us in the near future.”

All but $195.93 of a $2,000 appropriation from the legislature was spent on putting steam heat in the school building, laying new floors in the dormitory kitchens, purchasing a hot water heater, and applying several coats of paint to some of the dorm rooms to make them “more clean and habitable.” A room in the rear of the second story was “fitted up” to house the manual training course.

Miss Nowland was concerned about still another drop in enrollment in 1907-1908. Less than 100 different students registered throughout the school year, and even attendance in the winter term dipped below the 100 mark. Proportionately, the decrease during the spring term was the smallest, seeming to indicate that arrival of Miss Daffy, with her “zeal and enthusiasm,” would eventually offset the decrease in numbers resulting from the new admission standards.

Residents of the Valley towns of Fort Kent, Frenchville and New Canada, as well as the Maine town of Grindstone and the New Brunswick town of Canterbury were included in the graduation list in 1908. The fourteen class members were: Luc Albert, Edmond J. Cyr, Lizzie A. Cyr, Rex Dow, Caroline Dufour, Catherine Dufour, Louise Dufour, Agnes A. Lang, Helene Lang, Nellie McDonald, Myra M. Nullen, Joseph H. Nadeau, Euphemie Pelletier and Euphemie Roy.

There was a special two week summer session held in Fort Kent in 1908. The session drew ninety students, twenty-six of them being teachers. Thirty-three were previous graduates of Madawaska Training School, and five others were graduates of the normal schools at Castine, Presque Isle (then known as Aroostook Normal School) and Gotham.

Three graduates of the Good Shepherd Convent in Van Buren were in attendance, as were single graduates of St. Joseph’s Convent in Wallagrass, Ricker Classical Institute and Houlton Business College. One female student from Frenchville had graduated from St. Lewis Academy in Quebec, as well as from the convent school in Van Buren. The largest number of students (32) were from Fort Kent; sizable numbers came from St. Agatha, Frenchville, Wallagrass, Madawaska and New Canada. Eagle Lake, Wheelock and Grand Isle sent three students apiece. Single students came from Van Buren, Washburn, Winterville, Woodland (Washington county), and Springfield, Massachusetts. Miss Nowland said, in her special report to Payson Smith, State Superintendent of Public Schools, “The undivided attention given in every class spoke well for the interest taken…” Certificates for regular attendance were awarded to fifty-two attending the summer session, and thirty-two took the “complete examination for teachers.”

Enrollment did go back up the following year, 1908-1909. The figures read: fall term, 106; winter term, 130; spring term, 85; number of different pupils, 135. There was one change in the faculty. Miss Guimond resigned and was replaced by Margaret A. Sweeney, a graduate of M.T.S. and of the Aroostook Normal School in the class of 1908. She was assigned to teach French and penmanship, and Miss Nowland indicated she did that “very acceptably through the year.” The most popular course, however, continued to be manual training. Sixty-two boys, that is half the student body, were involved in the woodworking part of the course, paying “such enthusiastic attention ..as to be almost unconscious of the presence of visitors when busy at their benches.” The girls took “sewing, cardboard construction, raffia, etc.” Miss Nowland pronounced the girls’ sewing as “equally as interesting and as well done” as the boys’ wood work.

The special appropriation for Madawaska Training School in 1909 was only $600. This may have reflected the fact that many of the repairs and improvements, like new floors, steel ceilings and painting in the dormitory, had been finished with monies previously appropriated. Expansion of the school curriculum to include the “practical Teaching” of household science and agriculture the following year would require more funds. Miss Nowland considered the addition of these two courses and the “opportunity of observing in the model school,” also to be established the next fall, as “great steps forward.” Some of the seventeen students who graduated in 1909 would come back to take advantage of these new offerings. The members of the class were: Cassius Henry Austin, Lea Boutote, Angelina Guy, George Ernest Sweeney, Clarence Bonnell, Vital J. Cyr, Arthur J. Cyr, Jean O. Cyr, Agnes M. Daigle, Levite Dufour, Leonard J. Hebert, Levite E. Hebert, Alphonse V. Picard, Annie Picard, Maria Alma Bourgoin, Marie J. Lausier, Donat Pelletier. Bonnell, a native of Conway, New Hampshire, was one of the few out of state students thus far to attend and subsequently to graduate from M.T.S.

A second two week summer session was held in Fort Kent in 1909. Miss Nowland and Rose A. Conry, well known to present and former students of the Training School, taught during that session. They were joined by three special instructors: Miss Matilda B. Doland, Miss Mary H. Gussman and Miss Ardelle M. Tozier. Twenty-nine of eighty teachers in attendance were graduates of some state school. Thirty-seven certificates of regular attendance were handed out at the end of the session.

The changes in curriculum and the resignation of Miss Sweeney made it necessary to hire three new instructors for the 1909-1910 school year. French was not taught the first term. Miss Martha D. Chase of Portland took up those duties at Christmas. Mr. L.B. Boston from the University of Maine was placed in charge of “work in agriculture,” and he “accomplished much” through “recitations and practical work.” Three acres of land adjoining the school grounds were purchased and, as soon as possible,” ploughed, harrowed, laid off into plots and scaled on paper by the older boys,” with the help of Mr. Boston. The older boys also built a granary and started to erect a henhouse for eighty-five chickens that were already hatched. They also experimented with growing radishes and lettuce in a hot bed.

The third new instructor, Miss Sterritt of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, directed the new program in Household Science, and she soon “awakened a keen interest among all the girls in school.” A large room on the ground floor of the dormitory was made even larger to provide a classroom for Miss Sterritt. Hard pine sheathing was placed on the walls, a new steel ceiling put up, and the “furniture and utensils necessary” added before classes started. The Manual Training room was also enlarged by opening into it two small rooms, and the lighting was improved. Fifty-four boys made most of the articles used in various departments of the school, as well as “several very useful and creditably made articles,” which many of the boys remained “over hours” to finish. All the work done was “distinctly practical.” Miss Nowland had only “one regret — that Manual Trainiag was not introduced into the Training School a quarter of a century ago.”

Although the Model School had opened that September, the teachers there had to work “under great disadvantages,” as their rooms were “battered, dark and cold.” By Christmas, however, the rooms, each capable of accommodating forty pupils, were finished and “won golden opinion from parents and scholars.” Miss Teel and Miss Buckman, “two hard-working enthusiastic teachers, such teachers as cannot fail to obtain good results,” were placed in charge of the Model School. With better opportunities for observation, Miss Nowland expected “much better work than formerly” from the Training School pupils.

The annual special appropriation from the state legislature remained at $600, but some minor repairs and improvements were made with these limited resources. The store rooms “below stairs” were enlarged and improved. New floors were laid there and in the work room. The store room walls were sheathed with hard pine and new ceilings put in. Then drawers and lockers for individual students were put in. Other major repairs would have to wait for future appropriations.

Enrollment statistics for the 1909-1910 school year showed a slight decrease in all categories, the number entering, number attending each of the three terms, the number of different pupils, and the number of graduates. All eleven graduates were from Fort Kent itself or surrounding Valley towns. The following received their diplomas late that May: Ambroise Albert, Hedgwidge Bourgoin, Annie M. Cyr, Evina M. Daigle, Catherine Ouellette, Augusta E. Pinkham, Isabel M. Pratt, Robert P. Sweezey, William Levesque, Emile Ouellette and Delia S. Savage.

Miss Louise C. Laporte and Miss Annie F. Wetmore were listed as members of the instructional staff at M.T.S. for the school year 1910-1911. Presumably they were hired to teach in the model school. There were 113 registered for the fall term, 121 for the winter term, and 70 for the spring term. There were fifteen in the graduating class, at least eight of whom held teaching positions in the Valley the following fall. Irenee M. Cyr went into farming, and Fred E. Sweeney was subsequently employed as a clerk. How the other members of the class were employed is not evident from the existing records. The full class list follows: Louise Albert, Isabelle Bouchard, Donat Bourgoin, Emelie Cyr, Irenee M. Cyr, Delphine Daigle, John Gagnon, Denise Guy, Winfred I. Labbe, Rilla Ramsay, Scott R. Ramsay, Anna Raymond, George W. Savage, Laure Sireis, and Fred E. Sweeney. Rilla Ramsay was going to go on to the Normal School at Presque Isle the next year.

Over the years it had become at least physically easier for those living in the St. John. Valley to attend M.T.S. The Fish River branch of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad was opened for travel in 1902. The extension of this branch to St. Francis, and the completion of the Van Buren to Fort Kent section in December of 1910, reduced the commuting problem and eased the pressure on the available rooms in the boarding house. New students were also attracted by the catalog descriptions of the new courses developed under Miss Nowland’s leadership. Mechanical drawing had been added to the manual training course. Agriculture students learned to practice crop rotation (grains, grass and potatoes), and they grew vegetables in a small plot in the three acres now owned by the school. The emphasis in the domestic science course was also on the practical, with “special attention…paid to the selection of food, to its composition, to food values and cost.”

Admission standards had been stiffened. No one was admitted who did not attain an average rank of 65 percent or fell below 50 percent in arithmetic, grammar or geography. In terms of student conduct “order, punctuality and systematic effort to master one’s work…” was expected. The important regulations were posted in every student’s room; for example, “All the students must render cheerful and willing obedience to regulations and to the expressed wishes of the teachers, conduct themselves in a proper and courteous manner’, avoid noisy and boisterous conduct in and about the buildings, observe neatness of dress and person at all meals, recitations and social gatherings, and keep their rooms neat and tidy.” Students attending for at least one year and satisfactorily passing an examination in all of the studies of the course were granted diplomas signed by Miss Nowland and the State Superintendent of Public Schools.

Madawaska Training School held its third summer session in 1911. The teaching faculty consisted of Miss Matilda B. Doland, Fitchburg, Massachusetts; Miss Nellie M. Harvey, Castine; Miss Iva Baxter, Fredericton, New Brunswick and Mrs. Charles N. Perkins, Brewer. Courses in Rural School Management, Arithmetic with Methods, Geography with Methods, U.S. History with Methods, Manual Training, Drawing and Music were crowded into the two week session. Eighty-two of the 105 registered were teachers who had only an elementary education themselves. Eighty-eight were one room, rural school teachers. Only six taught in village schools. Only two were graduates of normal schools. The group had an average of six terms of teaching experience. Only eleven had no teaching experience. As to be expected, most were from Maine (94), but there were six teachers from other states.

There were as many students (115) attending M.T.S. in the fall term as in the winter term in 1911-1912. The spring term enrollment also increased to 98. Sara H.E. Doone and Eleanor F. Welch had joined the instructional staff, making a faculty of seven. The graduating class was also a large one. The twenty-five graduates were: Marthe Albert, Ella Austin, Mildred Bradbury, Irenee R. Cyr, May Arm Cyr, Albert Daigle, Anna Daigle, Francis Daigle, Rosanna Daigle, Delia Dube, Celina Dugal, Joseph Dumond, Laura Gagnon, Joseph Kelin, Zebedee Klein, Cecile L’Abhe, Ernest L’Abbe, Lula L’Abbe, Francois Lang, Georgina Lang, Patrick Martin, Emma McPherson, Nellie Michaud,
Isabelle Ouellette and Lizzie Savage.

No monies in the form of a special appropriation from the legislature were included in the list of M.T.S. “resources” in 1912, but there was $700 in the balance unexpended account. Miss Nowland’s report to the state for that year makes no special mention of lack of funds or any particular plea for a special appropriation of the coming year. Her report included basically enrollment statistics (fall term, 115; winter term, 115; spring term, 96), a list of teachers (including one, Eleanor F. Welch, who had taught previously in a summer session at Fort Kent), and a list of the twenty-five students graduating. Miss Nowland did not designate the home towns of these graduates as she had done in previous reports.

The class motto was “Aim High” and the class colors were “Old Rose and Green.” Lizzie M. Savage, the class secretary, gave the valedictory address, and Irenee R. Cyr, the class president, was the salutatorian. The vice-president was Isabelle Ouellette, and Ernest L’Abbe served as class treasurer. “The Cherry Festival at Naumberg’ was recited by Celina Dugal, and Delia Dube read “Christophe Colomb.” Emma A. McPherson offered “A Story,” Francois X. Lang spoke on “Manual Training,” “Biscuit Making” was discussed by Laure Gagnon, and Isabelle Ouellette, and the agriculture course students were represented by Albert Daigle, who spoke on “Artificial Incubation.”

Miss Mary P. Nowland directed a summer session that ran from July 22 to August 2, 1912. Other instructors were: Miss Doland, again; Miss Louise M. Richards, Farmington; Miss Bertha H. Burridge, Machias; and Miss Marion C. Ricker, Farmington. Courses in school management, school law, primary methods, drawing, music, arithmetic, geography, history, and domestic science were taught. Eighty-one of the 100 registered were Maine teachers. Of these 77 taught in rural schools. The other four worked in “village schools.” Fourteen were graduates of convent schools, and thirty-nine were graduates of training schools. As a group they averaged five years of teaching experience, but nineteen had no experience. Fifty-four were given certificates for perfect attendance.

Mr. Laurence B. Boston, the agriculture instructor, “severed his connection” with M.T.S. at the end of the winter term in 1913, for “what seemed to him a better position.” Miss Nowland was sorry to see him go. “Mr. Boston’s earnest enthusiasm and his untiring effort to interest the pupils and their parents in the subjects that he taught made his loss one to be felt.” Boston was replaced by Mr. Maurice A. Peabody. Attendance figures that year were as follows: new pupils, 42′ autumn term, 125; winter term, 127; spring term, 111. Course descriptions were added to the M.T.S. catalog in an effort to attract more students. For example, the history course taken by “second class” students covered “Presidents’ Administrations from Washington’s to the Close of the Civil War. Current Events. History of Maine-outlines of the State Course in History of Maine. Making a good deal of use of the Maine Register in reference to their own towns. Stetson’s History as a reference book.”

Eleven of the sixteen members of the class of 1913 obtained teaching positions upon graduation. Half of the class were from Fort Kent, two were from St. David. The remaining graduates were from Eagle Lake, Portage, Madawaska, St. Francis, St. John and Daigle. In alphabetical order the graduates were: Edith M. Bouchard, Fred T. Bouchard, Caroline Cyr, Louise A. Cyr, Eugenie Daigle, Iva G. Daigle, Phebe Dow, Robert B. Dow, Leonide J. Guy, Alice M. Hebert, Delie Lang, Clara M. Mills, Gladys M. Mills, Catherine Michaud, Mildred E. Noble, Damase A. Robichaud. These “fourth class” students had some of their last classes in the renovated library, which had been made into “a larger and much needed classroom” with part of the $2,500 provided by the legislature for “repairs and improvements.” The rest of this money was spent on paper and paint in the dormitory and “commodious and well lighted toilets” in the school building.

Miss Nowland served as director of the summer session in Fort Kent again in 1913. Miss Alice Nowland of Berkeley, California, joined Miss Doland, Miss Alice Jones (Somerville, Massachusetts) and Miss Helen King (Portland, Maine) in providing instruction in school management, school law, English grammar, geography, language, primary methods, U.S. History, writing and music. Ninety-six attended the two week session.

Between summer session and fall the old fence around the school grounds was taken down, and the school buildings were painted. “Both of which changes,” said Miss Nowland, “add very materially to the appearance of the place.” The main room in the school building was also painted, and a steel ceiling put up. M.T.S. tapped into the town of Fort Kent’s new supply of “good water.” But, what made 1913-1914 a “Red Letter year, a SAFER year” was the installation of electric lights. Miss Nowland was now able to report, “The constant danger which attended the handling by the scholars of so many kerosene lamps is now a thing of the past.

There were a number of new faces on the faculty at the training school that year. Donald H. Sawtelle was hired as one of Miss Nowland’s assistants. Beulah C. Bates taught during the winter and spring terms. She had come to the Valley that fall as a representative of the State Superintendent of Public Schools to visit the schools in the area and to offer them her “assistance and advice.” In February Miss Nowland herself went on leave of absence for the rest of the school year, and Miss Ardelle M. Tozier, of Presque Isle Normal School, became acting-principal. Miss Tozier’s “well known efficiency made very desirable her presence in the training school.” The model school teachers were Miss Nellie M. Douglas of Blue Hill and Miss Laura A. Richardson of Fort Fairfield. These instructors noted an increase in enrollment figures, especially for the fall (136) and winter (152) terms.

Commencement exercises in 1914 began with the class singing a “Welcome Song.” Mary M. D. Ramsay recited “Columbus.” George F. Martin, class president, read his essay on the “Characteristics and Uses of Woo(]..” Rosa Cyr, Christine Cyr, Laura Ouellette, Theresa Saucier, Helen D. Allen and Leanna Daigle sang the “Holiday March.” The class secretary, Delina Daigle, presented “La Rouet.” Louis O. Cyr was excused from giving his essay on “Relation of Lime to Soil Improvement.”

The class sang a “Hunting Song” after Victoire M. Boutote recited the “Legend Beautiful.” One of the lighter parts of the program, offered by Cecile Bouchard, Angelia Cote, Reeve Cote, Elsie L’Abbe, Gertrude Michaud and Mary Roy, was entitled “Home Economics — Does It Pay?” This was followed by Laura Bolton Mallett’s presentation of the class gift and singing of “Soldiers Chorus” by the first and second classes. Superintendent Smith then conferred the diplomas. It had been a long day since the program started at 10:30 in the Domestic Science Room, especially for Delia Charette, Ella Daigle and Grace Hebert, who had been responsible for preparing lunch for the trustees.

A beribboned commencement program tells us that the other two class officers in 1914 were Gertrude Michaud, vice-president, and Louis O. Cyr, treasurer. Their class motto was “Earnestness, Honesty, Self-Reliance.” The class colors were lavender and gold, and the class flower was the pink rose. The class included, besides those already named, Grace Hebert, Madawaska; Delia Charette, Fort Kent; and Ella Daigle, also of Fort Kent. The class ode, sung to the air Juanita, began with the words “close by the river Madawaska School doth stand” and its last verse ended with, “In our hearts we’ll ponder M.T.S. so dear.”

A man whose name was to become very familiar to M.T.S. students over the years joined the instructional staff for the 1914-1915 school year. When Donald W. Sawtelle resigned Richard Crocker was hired to fill his position. A graduate of the University of Maine, Crocker took on his tasks “with the true Maine spirit.” He evidently passed Miss Nowland’s close scrutiny, as she recorded in her annual report that he had performed “effectively in the classroom. Faced with a big fall enrollment (169) Miss Nowland hired Miss Dora M. Bradbury, a recent graduate of Mt. Holyoke College, to teach the additional classes required. The Principal found her to be an “interested and efficient” assistant. The upsurge in enrollment, reflected in the figures for the winter (185) and spring (149) terms as well, had convinced the legislature that a request for $2,500 to build a boys’ dormitory and dining hall should be honored. Miss Nowland hoped the building would be ready for occupancy by January of 1916. In the meantime, routine repairs and improvements were made to the facilities, including the addition of a bathroom for the boys in the boarding house.

Emma L. Pinette, class valedictorian, based her graduation speech on the 1915 class motto, “Let Me Do It.” She was also class president. Her fellow officers were: F. Dieudonne Long, vice-president; Yvonne E. Michaud, secretary; and George H. Pelletier, treasurer. Annie M. Bellefieur gave the Salutatory. Other graduates who participated in the formal parts of the graduation exercises were Ida L’Abbe, who recited, “La Retraite de Russie;” Carrie Bolstridge, who read an essay on “Our Bird Friends;” Rose M. St. John, who offered “Advice to Undergraduates;” Irene L’Abbe, who spoke on “The Little Quaker Maiden;” and George H. Pelletier, who delivered his essay on “Seed Selection.” The class had selected green and white as its colors. The complete list of graduates follows: Gertrude M. Albert, Annie M. Bellefieur, Carrie Bolstridge, Madeline Beaulier, Lizzie A. Brown, Alice M. Cyr, Delima Cyr, Madeline V. Cyr, Irene H. Daigle, Emelie O. Dionne, Frank M. Eaton, Stella B. Freeman, Ida L’Abbe, Irene E. L’Abbe, F.D. Long, Yvonne E. Michaud, Marie C. Nadeau, George H. Pelletier, Laura May Pelletier, Emma L. Pinette, Julia B. Raymond, Aurore Roy, Rose M. St. John.

Enrollment figures went over the 200 mark in 1915-1916, with 207 registering for the fall term and 210 for the winter session. There were 178 in attendance for the spring term. A list of those teaching at the Training School, including the model school instructors, reflects this growth: Mary P. Nowland, Mary Brown, Katherine L. Lawlis, Sarah H.E. Doone, Eleanor F. Welch, Nellie Young, Mary Robbins, Richard F. Crocker, Carl W. Maddocks, Noel D. Godfrey, and Clara Cooper, who took over Beulah C. Bates task of visiting the rural schools for the State Superintendent, taught a special class during the winter term. Miss Robbins managed the dining room and kitchen in the new boys’ dormitory. She was assisted by Miss Ida Russ, who came to Fort Kent from Farmington Normal School. Thanks to an early construction start the preceding summer, the first and second floors of the new form were ready for occupancy on January first, as Miss Nowland had hoped. Entrance hall, cloak room, dining room and kitchen occupied the first floor. The Director of the Household Science Department also was provided a room on the first floor. The Training School girls helped in preparing meals and the “care of everything connected with that department.” Most of the actual cooking was done in the basement.

The twenty-four boys who lived on the second story rose early, set the tables, prepared breakfast, readied the bread for the oven, and made sure the vegetables were ready for dinner. They also helped wait on tables and put the dining room back “in order” after the meal was over. Although the boys were given responsibility for “the entire care of their rooms,” Mr. Maddocks and Mr. Godfrey made sure they kept them in “good order.” Miss Nowland expressed confidence that the next legislature would appropriate enough money to finish the second floor of the dormitory and extend the school building “to accommodate the increasing numbers of scholars and to supply us with necessary books and apparatus.” The legislative appropriation for Madawaska Training School in 1915 had been $8,000 for the dorm and $1,000 for repairs. Only nine cents of this was left by the time of Miss Nowland’s annual report.

Fifteen of the twenty-two graduates in 1916 were from Fort Kent. The remainder of the class were from: St. Francis, Daigle, Wallagrass, Guerrette, New Canada and Eagle Lake. The class motto was “La fin courionne l’oeuvre,” and the class colors were read and white. Albert Bouchard, the class president, opened the graduation program with his “Declamation entitled “A Man Is As He is Worth.” Anne Marie N. Cyr followed with her essay on “The Children.” Then came Leona Rioux’s recitation, “An Order for a Picture,” and Florence Pinette’s essay on Jean Francois Millet. Cora May Chasse presented the gifts and Alexandre J. Doucett, who was also class treasurer, delivered the valedictory on “Heroism.” The graduation list read: Rose M. Austin, Albert Bouchard, Cora M. Chase, Rose M. Coulombe, Anne Marie N. Cyr, Alice V. Daigle, Marie A. Daigle, Modeste Daigle, Rose L’Abbe, Alma Lapointe, Leanna Levesque, Flavie C. Marquis, Emma Michaud, Hermina Michaud, Laure Pelletier, Corrine Pinette, Leona Rioux, Eva Roy, Ethel Savage, Therese Violette.

The summer session at Fort Kent in 1916 attracted only 46 teachers, 20 of whom received certificates. The Director, Miss Nowland, was assisted by Miss Matilda B. Doland, Fitchburg Normal School, Massachusetts; Miss Elizabeth Jenkins, Presque Isle; Miss Nellie Young, Fort Fairfield; and Miss Dorcas Hoyt. In her brief report on the two week session, Miss Nowland said, “that the work was most pleasant and profitable was evidenced by the interest which all present evinced.”

Enrollment at M.T.S. was down for 1916-1917 (fall, 176; winter, 193; spring, 167). But, this was in comparison to the record numbers of the preceding year, and the number of graduates increased to twenty-six. The $8,000 appropriated for the dormitory and the $1,000 designated for repairs was supplemented by $400 by special order of the executive council, presumably to cover the costs of completing the second story in the dorm as suggested by Miss Nowland. New instructors for the year were Sherman J. Gould and Dwight L. Moody. It is assumed that as male instructors they were also assigned duties in the new boys’ dormitory. Graduation was held two weeks earlier in both 1916 and 1917 because of the need for teachers in the Madawaska Territory.

The 1917 class was honored by the presence of Governor Milliken and members of his council and staff. Two of the normal school trustees, J.F. Singleton and C.P. Allen, were also, present to see Superintendent Payson Smith confer the diplomas. The class represented Valley towns from Lille to St. Francis. its president, I.L. Cyr, was present and spoke for his class at its sixtieth reunion in 1977. Also at that alumni day banquet was Mrs. Lucille Pelletier, business manager at UMFK and chairman of the Blue Ribbon Centennial Committee, whose uncle Denis Lausier was another member of the graduating class of 1917. As far as can be determined the following graduated in that year: Edithe M. Bouchard, T.E. Bradbury, Florence E. Cote, Euphemie A. Cyr, Charles Alphee Cyr, Isaie Cyr, Hedwidge A. Dumais, Marguerite M. Farrell, Verna H. Hafford, Adeline B. Harvey, Anabelle M. L’Abbe, Rosa A. Lapointe, Denis Lausier, Ernestine E. Lausier, Bernice C. Levesque, Francoise J. Martin, Isabelle Martin, Alvia A. Michaud, Zenas R. Michaud, Eva M. Mills, Henry E. Ouellette, Amanda Paradis, Pauline M. Pelletier, Gertrude I. Pinette, Gertrude P. Saucier, Alfred D. Soucy.

The first direct evidence of the impact of World War I on the Madawaska Training School appears in 1918. Shortly before school closed Mr. Laurence B. Norton “received his call to the colors.” Norton and C.J. Huntley had just joined the faculty, replacing Mr. Gould and Mr. Moody. As Miss Nowland indicated in her annual report five out of the six male teachers who had charge of the boys in Dickey Hall had gone into the service. The female members of the faculty that year were the Misses Nowland, Lawlis, Doone, Welch, Nellie Young, Mary Robbins and Mrs. Scott R. Ramsay. Enrollment remained steady: fall, 163; winter, 167; spring, 156. School had started late in the fall because both boys and girls were needed to help harvest potatoes. The work on the third floor of Dickey Hall was not finished until late fall. Some “needed” repairs in the girls’ dormitory were not completed until about the same time.

One of the graduates of the class of 1918, Marion Etta Pinette, of Eagle Lake, was to maintain a lifelong association with M.T.S. She later attended and graduated from Castine Normal School and returned to the Fort Kent campus when it had become Fort Kent State Teachers College. At the time of her death she was a well-remembered loyal member of the Alumni Association. Her fellow classmates in 1918 were: Bertha May Blanchette, Carrie Mae Bosse, Joseph J. Boucher, Emile Bourgoin, Leona Marie Cyr, Leon M. Cyr, Emelie A. Daigle, Herbet D. Daigle, Lizzie L. Daigle, Marie Annette Daigle, Marie C. Daigle, Odile F. Daigle, Odile M. Daigle, Oscar R. Daigle, Laure Marie Depere, Lenora Dorothy Dow, Laure Dora Guimond, Annie Martha Hoyt, Lea L’Abbe, Lillian I. L’Abbe, Alice Long, Winifred Bertha Levesque, Yvonne Mercedes Levesque, Florence Bernice Martin, Emelie Evette Michaud, Donald F. Mullen, Vivian L. Mullen, Alphonse N. Nicknair, Alice Alma Ouellette, Donat B. Ouellette, Leon B. Pinette, Marion Pinette, Laure D. Rossignol, M.T.S. was still serving the St. John Valley, with all the graduates coming from the immediate area. Alphonse Nicknair lived furthest from the river itself- in Winterville.

New names were added to the Madawaska Training School faculty list in the post-World War I era. For example, in 1920 four new names appear, Belle G. Nowland, T. Augustine O’Donnell, Vera Gilman and Iva G. Daigle.

Enrollment varied little between the fall (178) and winter (180) terms, and even the spring (158) statistics held steady. As before the war most of the student body, at least in the graduating class, came from towns in the St. John Valley. There were only two exceptions Dorilda Vermette, of Caribou, and Marie Louise Tetreault, the lone out-of-state member of the class, who came from Worcester, Massachusetts. Miss Nowland again carefully recorded the names of those graduating: Hattie Albert, Gertrude Austin, Viola Austin, Paul Bourgoin, Nellie S. Corbin, Aurore Arm Cyr, Elsie L. Cyr, Blanche Arm Daigle, Lilian A. Daigle, Vital R. Daigle, Blanche A. Desjardins, Florida Doucet, Lucy H. Gagnon, Eugenie Lagace, Martha Levesque, Florentine Long, Alima Marquis, Yvonne Martin, Laura J. Michand, Albert Plourde, Mattie Pinette, Hilda Ramsay, Florence Savage, Marie Louise Tetreault, Regina Theriault, Dorilda Vermette.

The following year, 1921, Marie Roy and Mary Ramsay were put in charge of the model school. Jotham Reynolds, Antoinette Page and Stanley Clowes joined the regular staff. The number of registrants was down in all three terms in comparison to the previous year (fall, 162; winter, 160; spring, 147). There were 42 new pupils compared to a graduating class of twenty-eight. Diplomas were given to: Irene Bernard, Hector Bourgoin, Herbert Cote, Azilda Daigle, Irene Daigie, Lumina Daigle, Mabelle Daigle, Zenaide Daigle, Ethel Dempsey, Idile Dionne, Laura Dumond, Edithe Gagnon, Grace Gagnon, Leo Gagnon, Myrtle Hafford, Bertha L’Abbe, Beatrice Lapierre, Therese Marquis, Adrienne Michaud, Edna Morin, Aline Morneauit, Emelda Nicknair, Yvonne Pelletier, Levite Rossignol, Rose Roy, Hedwidge Souci, Edwin St. Pierre.

Starting in 1923 the state normal schools and M.T.S. were required to report on a biennial instead of an annual basis. Miss Nowland’s first report under this new system was also the first report in which she clearly distinguished between those teaching in the model school, high school and training school departments. In 1922-1923 the Training School faculty consisted of Miss Nowland, Richard F. Crocker, May Brown, Sarah H. E. Doone, Antoinette Page, Medeste Rossignol, David Garceau and Linwood L. Dwelley. The next year, 1923-1924, William H. Smith and Albert Weymouth replaced Garceau and Dwelley. Raymond Finley, Mrs. R.F. Crocker, Milton Cantor and Laurence Harris served on the high school department faculty in 19221923, and J. Arthur Green and Eleanor Prosser replaced Finley and Harris the following year. There was only one change in teachers in the model school department between 1923 and 1924. During the first year of the biennium Mrs. Paul Ouellette, Elizabeth Campbell, Vida V. Vance and Hilda Sullivan staffed that branch, and in 1923-1924 Laura Ouellette “ably filled” Miss Sullivan’s place. Referring to the teachers in all three departments, Miss Nowland commented, “The work of both years has, I think, been successful in every department. The teachers have, with few exceptions, worked hard and accomplished much.”

Comparing enrollments for the two years, the fall sessions remained practically the same, but enrollment dipped during the winter and spring terms in 1923-1924 compared to 1922-1923. The highest enrollment in any of the six terms was 175 in the fall of 1922.

Miss Nowland also distinguished between those graduating from the training school and high school departments. She included the home towns of the nineteen graduating in 1922-1923 (St. David, Frenchville, Lille, Winterville, St. Francis, Fort Kent, St. Agatha, Eagle Lake). Those earning diplomas were Alfred Albert, Wilfred W. Belanger, Blanche A. Bernard, Marie L. Caron, Annie D. Connors, Anne Marie Cyr, Elsie Marie Cyr, Merilda Marie Cyr, Helene M. Daigie, Laura A. Dempsey, Helene M. Desjardins, Sylvia A. Gagnon, Geneva Mason, Sadie E. Mills, Ida L. Pelletier, Essie Roy, Ernest F. Sirois, Laura S. Thibodeau. By contrast, Miss Nowland did not include the home towns of the twenty-three members of the class of 1924. Those classmates were: Rose Audibert, Verna V. Babin, Blanche H. Beaulieu, Alma J. Beupre, Bernadette M. Cyr, Bertha D. Cyr, Ledo C. Chasse, Annette E. Daigie, Eva D. Daigie, Jeanette S. Daigle, Marie Anne Daigle, Louise S. Fournier, Adrien Remi Jacques, Elsie C. Laferriere, Laura Martin, Loanna C. Nadeau, Christine M. Pelletier, Robert Pelletier, Emma M. Rossignol, Annette Souci, Delina M. Thibault, Mabel M. Vaillancourt, Aurora Flora White. As Principal, Miss Nowland also indicated those graduating from the high school department in both 1923 and 1924.

At the evening graduation exercises in 1923 the Salutatory address was given by class present Alfred L. Albert. Anne Marie Cyr’s recitation was titled “Vive la France.” Annie D. Connors was responsible for the presentation of gifts, and Geneva Mason recited “O Mere, je t’aime tant.” Helene M. Daigle was the valedictorian. The other class officers were Laure S. Thibodeau, vice-president; Helene M. Desjardins, secretary and Ernest F. Sirois, treasurer, and the class motto was “Labor Conquers All.” In 1924 the class motto was “Equal to the Burden,” and the class colors were red and white. Adrien R. Jacques was class president and delivered a “Declamation — ‘Let the Other Side Be Heard’.” Marie Anne Daigle was vice-president, Annette Souci was secretary and Ledo C. Chasse was responsible for the class treasury. Blanche H. Beaulieu was class valedictorian, and Bernadette M. Cyr was salutatorian. “L’enfant de Strasbourg” was offered by Emma M. Rossignol, and the presentation of gifts was done by Christine M. Pelletier. Percival P. Baxter, governor of Maine, was on hand to give an address and confer the diplomas. Fifty years later Adrien Jacques and nine of his classmates gathered for alumni day and recalled “Let the Other Side Be Heard.”

Attendance records for M.T.S. for the year 1924-1925 show a decrease in the training school department and an increase in the high school department, and the same trend continued in 1925-1926. The largest term enrollment in the training department was 153 in the fall of 1924, and the lowest was 107 in the spring of 1926. It is interesting to note the specific teaching responsibilities of the faculty at that time. Besides serving as principal, Miss Nowland taught pedagogy, social laws, history and reading. Richard F. Crocker, the only instructor listed as having a B.S. degree, served as assistant principal, taught agriculture, biology, general science and psychology, and was responsible for athletics. May Brown covered literature, music, physiology and history. Sara H.E. Boone headed the manual training program. Antoinette Page was the French instructor. Modeste Rossignol covered the penmanship, arithmetic, grammar, geography and some of the history courses. David Garceau divided his time between English, algebra and physical and commercial geography. Iva Daigle assisted Irene Benn in domestic science. Philip Taylor shared responsibility for some of the remaining arithmetic, history and grammar classes. Crocker passed the responsibility for athletics on to the only new man on the faculty in 1925-1926, Linwood Dudley, who also had to teach general science, biology and arithmetic. There was a similar variety of teaching responsibilities in the high school department in 1924-1925. J. Arthur Greene, holder of a A.B. degree, taught math and science. Samuel Avin, who also had an A.B., was hired to teach Latin, French and history, and Eleanor Prosser was responsible for English, history and athletics. All the high school instructors, except Greene, were replaced the following year, 1925-1926. James Nowland took over classes in English, history and civics. Vivian B. Hilton was the new commercial teacher, and Madeline Coughlin, A.B., was now responsible for Latin, English and French. Each of the model school faculty was responsible for two grades: Laura Ouellette, grades one and two; Vida Vance, grades three and four; Velma Carter, grades five and six; and Nellie Douglas, grades seven and eight. Bella G. Downes was the house mother, and Jean O. Cyr was “Engineer.”

Thirty students graduated from Madawaska Training School in 1925. Miss Mary Nowland retired in June of the next year, so her replacement as principal, Mr. Richard F. Crocker, was the one submitting the report to the State Commissioner of Education for the school years 1924-1925 and 1925-1926. He hastened to point out that the “healthy growth” of the school during these two years was “hardly apparent from the data given.” The high school department had increased “approximately one hundred percent” during that time period, “without lowering the standard of either entrance or graduation.” The entering class in the Training Department was discontinued in 1925-1926, “thereby raising the entrance requirements.” Crocker said this change was possible because of “improved conditions in the public school systems in the territory.” He felt the change would also bring about “higher standards for graduation and improved conditions in general.” True, one immediate result was an automatic decrease in the number of pupils in the Training Department. But, he claimed it was safe to predict that the greater educational advantages offered will very quickly make up for the reduction in numbers.”

Principal Crocker spoke favorably of the future as well. “Another very gratifying state of affairs is the demand for better trained teachers throughout Madawaska Territory. This was not an overnight phenomenon. “This demand has been growing gradually for some time and is becoming more insistent each year.” He was sure M.T.S. could meet these new demands. “The school is preparing to meet these needs and assume its whole responsibility to the district.” It was appropriate that the thirty-five diplomas awarded in June of 1926, the last year Miss Nowland officially held the post of principal, represented the largest graduating class in the history of the school. Alphabetically the class list read: Will Albert, Cecilia Cora Beaulieu, Albert Bouchard, Emilianne Collins, Gerald H. Corbin, Josephel Cote, Dora E. Coulombe, Corinne A. Cyr, Marie-Anne Cyr, Pierre Paul Dufour, Anne-Marie Freeman, Genevieve M. Gilbert, Frances A. Henderson, Adrienne R. Jacques, Lilly M. Jandreau, Lucy A. Kelley, Eva M. Lajoie, Gustave Long, Albertine A. Lapierre, Dorilda M. Lapierre, Irene M. Lizotte, Donat Martin, Themla E. Melanson, Hattie Michaud, Emelie C. Nadeau, Essie R. Nadeau, Eva Blanche Nicknair, Firmin F. Pelletier, Lillian N. Pelletier, Olida M. Pelletier, Cecile M. Robichaud, May Bernadette Roy, May Ellen St. John, Evelyn M. Thibodeau and Leanna M. Thibodeau.

Frances A. Henderson was salutatorian of the class of 1926, and Irene M. Lizotte was valedictorian. Gerald H. Corbin delivered the Declamation, Eva M. Lajoie recited “Fleurette,” and Lillian N. Pelletier “bestowed” the gifts. Commissioner of Education Dr. Augustus O. Thomas conferred the diplomas. The class motto was an interesting one– “If we rest, we rust.” Those serving as class officers were: Will Albert, president; Adrienne R. Jacques, vice-president; Corinne A. Cyr, secretary; and Pierre Paul Dufour, treasurer. The class probably heartily endorsed Mr. Crocker’s praise of the retiring Miss Nowland. “The school has indeed been fortunate to have had the services of such servants and the influence in the district is a tribute to their worth.” Although Miss Nowland was technically on leave of absence the following year, for all practical purposes she had retired to her home in Ashland after graduation in 1926. A local historian summed up Miss Nowland’s career in these words, “Few teachers, if any, in this country can claim the honor of such distinguished service as that rendered by Miss Nowland.”

M.T.S. expands

Besides his duties as acting-principal Richard F. Crocker had to teach pedagogy, psychology, school laws, agriculture and nature study in 1926-1927. May Brown, who served as critic teacher as well as instructor of methods, history and literature, retired at the end of the school year after twenty-seven years of service. “During this long and faithful service,” Crocker observed, Miss Brown had “endeared herself to the people of the territory.” Modeste Rossignol also retired after “many years of faithful service.” Her teaching schedule that last year included geography, language arithmetic, spelling and writing. “Filling the vacancies, adding new members to the faculty and raising both entrance and graduation requirements had changed the school materially,” Crocker noted.

Sara H. E. Doone, an experienced member of the M.T.S. faculty in the manual training program, was appointed to the additional position of Dean of Women in 1927-1928. Crocker dropped pedagogy from his personal teaching schedule, and the course was picked up by Miss Helen Hance, B.A., who replaced Miss Brown as critic teacher. She also taught reading. There were three other new members of the faculty: Gladys E. Tibbetts (music, algebra), James Nowland (arithmetic, general science, history, literature) and Emilie W. Bunker (arithmetic, geography, language, reading, spelling, writing). Alice V. Russell, Velma Carter, Marion Pinette and Amy Vance taught in the model school in 1926-1927. Russell, Carter and Vance were replaced by Catherine Orcutt, Gertrude V. Davis and Eva Springer the following year.

“It is gratifying to note the greater interest in well trained teachers,” observed the new principal of M.T.S. This expanded interest had made it possible to raise the entrance requirements here without affecting the enrollment materially.” “Higher standards,” he felt, increased “the range of … usefulness” of the graduates, and this was confirmed by the “Splendid reports … coming in from other parts of the state and from other eastern states.” For the time being at least there was “a demand for all of our graduates.” The 1927 graduating class was small (9), but the 1928 class was considerably larger (28). Overall enrollment increased in all three terms in 1927-1928 in comparison to figures for 1926-1927.

There was a dramatic drop in the number of students entering the Training School in 1929 (90) over 1928 (139). Mr. Crocker explained what had caused this decrease. Over the preceding four years many new courses had been added to the curriculum, whereas others had been dropped. The first year’s work was “discontinued” in the fall of 1929 in the hope that “more advance work may be added.” Crocker claimed, “It is these changes which have been responsible for the decrease in enrollment.” Because of a surplus of teachers Crocker had decided to be “more selective in all phases of teacher training activities.” He was convinced, however, that there was “not likely to be a surplus of high class teachers.” As he reminded the State Commissioner of Education, M.T.S. had been established “to administer to the peculiar needs” of the Madawaska Territory, and as these needs became more like those found throughout the rest of Maine, it seemed only logical that the “curriculum should change accordingly, and without question, it will.” He reported to the commissioner, “We feel that these changes are justified and that the growth is for the best educational interests of this part of Aroostook county.” The changes in curriculum were paralleled with changes in the faculty in both the training school and model school departments. Angeline Morneault, A.B. (mathematics) joined the M.T.S. faculty in the fall of 1928. Nellie Grinnel replaced Irene W. Benn in domestic science the following autumn term. Claire A. Callaghan, A.B. (physical education, history) and Helen P. Stinson were first employed the same year. In the model school department Sarah Burpee was hired to teach grades seven and eight in 1928-1929. There were no changes in the model school the following year. Thanks to Mr. Crocker’s demand for efficient fiscal management of the dormitories, M.T.S. emerged on the credit side of the ledger in both 1928-1929 and 1929-1930.

There were 37 graduates in 1929, 30 in the graduating class of 1930 and 27 received diplomas in 1931. Regular class attendance was up slightly (96) in 1930-1931, partly attributed to new students being attracted to the physical education program which was enlarged when a new gymnasium was officially transferred to the school in January, 1929. Crocker would remark a year later, “The Physical Education program has developed from a healthy beginning into an efficient department, ministering to the needs of the whole student body.” Miss Carlista Mutty was hired as Physical Director, and she “manifested skill and efficiency in teaching and coaching not only basketball, but also in Calesthenics, tennis and archery….” On one occasion she is known to have said, “Try this play. Aurore (Bouchard) and Juliette (Pelletier) stand behind your forewards….” Other letter women on Miss Mutty’s team were Florina Dufour, Alice Freeman, Lena Frenette, Bertha Gallant, Irene Rioux, Elizabeth Gage, Irene Cyr and Maxine (Max) Gagnon, president of the class of 1931.

Another reason enrollment was again increasing, according to Crocker, was the addition of extra curricular activities. “Extra curricular activities have also come into their own until every student is able to find some activity to fill his particular need or like. The effect has been pronounced on the life of the institution.” For example, there was the school orchestra, under the direction of Miss Sylvester, with its own student officers; a dramatics group, which put on “Ici on Parle Francais” as the senior play in 1931; a girl’s glee club, which put on a Christmas Cantata at M.T.S. hall that year; and the Ever Ready Club, whose purpose was to provide the seniors with social activities.

Principal Crocker was optimistic about the future of the Fort Kent campus. As he reported, “the fall of 1930 saw the institution faced by many needs. In fact, the further development of the school waited on some of these issues.” But, things were improving. “It has been gratifying and encouraging to see changes effected from time to time, which have practically solved the problems of this nature.” He considered the physical plant “at the present writing … all that could be desired.” He noted “A slow but steady and healthy growth” in attendance and found it “particularly gratifying” to report a “splendid growth” in the Training School department, due to improved facilities and the fact that “standards in general” had been raised. Or, in his own words, “conditions in general have seemed to demand greater selectivity and higher professional standards for our teacher training institutions and the policies of the school have been molded with these points in view.”

The dormitories generated less income in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1932 than in the preceding year. This probably reflected a decrease in the number of students living in the dormitories during the latter year. But, this was not unique because all of the other normal schools, except Western Normal School, followed the same trend.

A permanent alumni association was formed in the spring of 1931. Mr. Richard F. Crocker was elected its first president. Mrs. Mary J. Desjardins became vice-president, and Miss Marion Pinette served in the dual capacity of secretary and treasurer. The executive committee was composed of alumni, faculty and student representatives. “For some years the alumni have been taking more and more interest in the welfare of the school,” Crocker recalled. The newly formed alumni association, he predicted, would “render a real service to both the institution and its members.”

The M.T.S. yearbook, The Arcadian, gives the modern reader a view of how students viewed the faculty back in 1931. With Principal Crocker there was “no sidestepping of issues. The student felt “free to present our problems” to him and were “sure to get a wise and effective counsel in them all.” Mr. David Garceau they characterized in one line of a poem as “Eager for excellence of execution.” The Director of Training, Miss Edith M. Hawes, always had “time to help in solving our greatest or most trifling problem.” Of Miss Angelina G. Morneault, then mathematics instructor, they said, “We never question her decisions, for we know she always thinks the problem over before presenting it to us.” They were strongly influenced by Miss Antionette Page, their French teacher. “This type of influence is bound to bring to us a kind appreciation of not only the French language, but also the English language.” They asked a rhetorical question about their music director, Mrs. Gladys Sylvester. “What would we do without music and what would we do without Mrs. Sylvester?” To the students, Miss Eva Daigle, a graduate of M.T.S. who had been called back to serve on the faculty, was especially able “to see our handicaps and difficulties and to understand them.” The last two lines of a poem showed what they thought of Mrs. Levi S. Dow, the home economics instructor. “We can live without books, but human folks can’t live without cooks.”

Maxine Gagnon was president and valedictorian of the class of 1931. Irene Daigle of Fort Kent was vice-president. Lilian St. Peter, known as “Billie” to her twenty-six classmates, was class secretary, and Cora (Peggy) Picard served as class treasurer. Other class members were: Imelda (Mel) Barron, Lena (Biz) Frenette and Bertha (Puss) Gallant from Eagle Lake; Aurore (Dawn) Bouchard and Florina (Flo) Dufour of Madawaska; Lillian (Lilly) Coulombe, Irene Daigle, Evangeline (BiD Desjardins, Jeanette (Jean) Dubois, Lorette Pelletier, Mable Pelletier, Loretta (Lonny) Pbelan, Irene (Tomboy) Rioux and Simonine (Frou) Robichaud of Fort Kent; Bertha (Tootsie) Lajoie, Nora Ouellette and Monique (Mort) Dumond of Van Buren; Sylvio Bouchard of Frenchville; Kenneth Joseph Goodwin of Rumford; Adeline (Addie) McBriety of St. Francis; Nora (Red) O’Clair of St Agatha; Estelle (Ted) Ouellette and Cora (Peggy) Picard of Grand Isle; Antoine (Tony) Picard of St. David; and Nora Plourde of Keegan. Bertha Gallant delivered the salutatory address. Kenneth Goodwin gave the class history. Adeline McBriety was the class prophet. The class will was read by Imelda Barron, and Aurore Bouchard and Florina Bouchard presented the class gift. The Arcadian was dedicated to Mr. Crocker.

There were several additions to the faculty and staff in 1931-1933. The only faculty member with a M.A. was Edith M. Hawes, Director of Training. Kathryn Ranney was hired as an assistant in domestic science. Frances W. Ouellette joined the faculty as an instructor in English and Latin. The model school staff remained the same: Yvonne Daigle, Marion Pinette, Loretta C. Daigle, Catheryn Hoctor, and Belle B. Downes was still house mother. Grace A. Theriault was the school secretary, and Jean O. Cyr and Arthur Marquis were the two janitors. The new alumni association was supported by both past and present faculty. The boys band of Edmundston, New Brunswick, was scheduled to play for alumni day. A report that three alumni, Mr. George Cyr, Mrs. Fred Bouchard and Mrs. Fred Pinette (Beatrice Bouchard), had died during that year was later corrected. “It has since been found that the latter item was wrong. Mrs. Fred Pinette is enjoying the best of health. It is a great satisfaction and relief to be able to make this correction.”

The number of students registered in the Secondary Department at Madawaska Training School in 1932-1933 was 61, and this figure increased to 70 in 1933-1934. By contrast there were 29 pupils registered in the Normal Department in the former year and only 21 in the latter year. The number graduated in 1933 was 29. For some reason Mr. Crocker did not include the number of graduates in 1934 in his report to the Commissioner of Education. Waneta T. Blake joined the M.T.S. faculty as an English and Latin teacher in 1932-1933. Angelina M. Michaud was hired the same year to teach mathematics and history. Courses in English, physical education and health were assigned to another new instructor, Miss Emma K. Painter. Also, Loretta D. Michaud took over grades five and six. There were no changes in the faculty the following year.

In 1934 Mr. Crocker reviewed the changes that had taken place at M.T.S. since he had become principal in the fall of 1926. The school faced “many serious problems” then, he said. “All of the buildings were badly in need of repair and the heating plants were inefficient.” There was no gym, and “all programs which depend upon such facilities were seriously handicapped.” And, as far as he was concerned, the “work offered at the various levels of the school was far from satisfactory.” Subsequently,’ he had devised a “comprehensive foreword-looking program” in which goals were “laid out so as to cover several years,” with a “definite amount of constructive work” to be accomplished each year. By 1934 he felt, “practically all of the changes have been effected, and the result is highly satisfactory.” But, to him, “the most satisfactory feature” was knowing that the grade levels of the two departments had been raised to a point which compared “favorably with other schools of this type.” A negative consequence of “raising the standards of entrance and exercising greater selectivity at all levels” had been a considerable reduction in enrollment “for the time being.” This “materially increased” the per pupil cost, but to Crocker “the results will justify it.” The past few years, he indicated had shown “a small but steady growth in numbers,” and he expected as much as a fifty percent increase for the year ending 1935.

He hastened to point out that the expected increase would “not be at the expense of quality,” but instead represented “general recognition on the part of the people of Madawaska Territory, of the improved conditions here.” He found this “display of confidence” to be especially gratifying” and one which would “enable the institution to serve the territory more adequately.” As Vetal Cyr and Mary Nowland had often repeated before him the educational problems in the St. John Valley were “unique,” but M.T.S. would, as before, “make a determined and honest effort to solve these problems.”

The “splendid work” accomplished in the Training School department for the years 1932-1933 and 1933-1934 was singled out for “special mention” by Mr. Crocker. “Greater and better opportunities have been offered and the results are obvious,” he said. He credited the training teachers for having done “superior work,” as evidenced in the elementary students in the practice school making “greater progress than previously.” Indeed, when compared to national norms, these students had been “found to be from one-half to three grades higher.” This proved to him that “these younger students are not handicapped by the practice teaching, but are actually benefitted by superior instruction.” Then, as later, many of the students who found the elementary field “unattractive” went on to “institutions of higher learning” to prepare to enter the secondary field. Crocker was pleased to report, “a large number have already done so and are holding responsible positions.” Crocker issued a plea that must have sounded very familiar to Maine legislators. “The outstanding need at the present time is more money for library books,” because the library at that time, in his view, contained “only the barest necessities in the way of professional literature.” He argued, “The offerings here should be greatly enriched at the earliest opportunity, any improvement here will be quickly reflected in the work of the school.”

A new faculty member in domestic science, Miss Rilla S. Dow, was hired for 1934-1935. That year a school paper, or newsletter, The Cauldron was initiated with Austin Wiley as its editor. It reported the alumni’s effort to raise funds for a memorial window to be installed in honor of Miss Nowland. Sr. Mary Hermine (Isabelle A. Martin, class of 1902) wrote a tribute to Miss Nowland in the alumni edition of the Cauldron. In it she remembered her ex-principal as “a disciplinarian second to none, firm, resolute, but kindhearted.” The class of 1935 was the first to graduate with two full years of normal training.

At the commencement exercises in 1935 Raoul J. Bourgoin delivered the salutatory address: Florina F. Dufour, the essay; Jeannette O. Roy, the French declamation “Les Trois Jours de Christophe Colomb;” John M. Kirk, the valedictory. The class motto, colors and flower, respectively, were “Simplicity, Sincerity, Service; …. Salmon and Silver;” and “Sweet Pea.” On alumni day Antonia Daigle gave the class prophecy; Edna Daigle, the class will; Barbara Crocker, another French declamation “La Mort De Jeanne D’Arc.”

There was a shortage of teachers in the Madawaska Territory in 1936, and even though the graduating class numbered thirty-nine, several positions remained unfilled, partly because several of the class “continued their studies.” The high rate of employment made Crocker feel optimistic. “We feel that the demand both within and outside of the Territory is distinctly encouraging.” He believed that “much such success” had resulted from efforts the last two years to “raise the standards of the school in all respects.” He commended the faculty for their efforts to improve themselves professionally through “summer-school attendance, extension courses or resident study.” Miss Catherine Hoctor, for example, had been on leave of absence for two years to upgrade herself professionally at the University of Maine. “Due to the cooperation and enthusiasm,” Crocker reported, “the rating and efficiency of the faculty are being raised as rapidly as could be hoped for under present conditions.” But, he emphasized, “We can hardly expect the improvement mentioned above to continue without some recognition in the way of better renumeration.” The salary schedule in Fort Kent was “in the lowest group in the state.” The Principal was convinced that “the time has come when it would be unfair to faculty members and to the institution to ignore this situation.”

Crocker’s biennial report to the Commissioner of Education did not stop with his support for faculty salary increases. “The efficiency of the school cannot be raised through improvement of the professional standing of faculty members alone.” In addition to other needs, the school was “greatly handicapped” by the lack of “facilities and equipment.” He called for an increased budget for textbooks and supplies. He labeled the library and laboratory facilities as “entirely inadequate.” Moreover, he said, they “should be considered as two of our problems that need immediate consideration.” He tried to ease the impact of his demands by saying, “I am not unappreciative of some of the difficulties and problems may attend some of the hopes for improvement but I am certain that our needs justify the requests.”

The 1936 Acadian was dedicated to Bertram E. Packard, State Commissioner of Education. A new faculty member, not mentioned in Mr. Crocker’s report, but listed in the Acadian of that year was Floyd Powell, who was kept busy teaching classes in General Science, Problems of Democracy, Penmanship, Educational Sociology and World History as well as coaching basketball and baseball. A native of Danforth, “Red” Powell had gone to Washington State Normal School where he starred in football, basketball, track and tennis. He went to Pittsfield in 1928 to teach geography and coach athletics. He returned to W.S.N.S. in the fall of 1930, played football and basketball, and graduated with honors in the class of 1931. From 1931 to 1934 he taught physical education, biology, health and general science at Washburn. He received a degree from the University of Maine in 1935 and came to M.T.S. to mold a winning basketball team.

During his first season as coach M.T.S. played Ashland and Madawaska High Schools, twice each; Van Buren High; Shead High School of Eastport; the Houlton Grads; the Millinocket Magic City Five (a semipro team); Ricker Classical Institute; F.S.N.S.; W.S.N.S. and A.S.N.S. The game with Aroostook State Normal School was for the State Normal School championship, and the Fort Kent five won 40-20. Members of the squad who attended the basketball banquet at Dickey Hall were Lewis Bourgoin, Vernon Kent, Vin Marquis, Benny Picard, Oscar Martin, Clifford Daigle, Levi Dow, Pete Dufour, Austin Wylie, Ronald Bouchard, Bill Dube, Emery Soucy, Red Clark and John Barry. Letters and trophies went to Bourgoin, Kent, Marquis, Picard, Martin and Daigle. Powell also coached the girls’ team, which played mostly inter-class and squad games, except for two games with Ashland High and one with Ricker.

Austin W. Wylie was president of the class of 1936, and Maude Morin of St. Agatha served as his vice-president. Lorraine (Snookie) Dufour was class secretary, and the treasurer was Alphena Daigle, who came to M.T.S. from Regis College. The class motto was “Magnificence Through Simplicity,” and the class colors were “Silver and the Roses.” A number of the seniors belonged to the Sons and Daughters of Madawaska, a club organized the latter part of the 1934-1935 school year for those students whose parents, either father or mother, had attended the Madawaska Training School for at least one year. Those graduating in 1936 were: Leona (Lu) Bellefieur; Aurore (Dawn) Bouchard; Agatha (Ti-Gat) Cyr; Antoinnette (Tony) Cyr; Corrine B. (Sunny) Cyr; Roa Dalgle; Lorraine (Snookie) Dufour; Raynaldo A. (Pete) Dufour; Simone (Sim) Dufour; Theresa (Tess) Langlais; Albina Y. (Bea) Marquis; Theresa B. (Tess) Martin; Maude Morin; Adrian (Joe) Morneault; Camille (k’mil) Morneault; Yvette (Brownie) Nadeau; Cora (Ted) O’Clair; Geneva (Geneve) Paradis; Anne (Piton) Parent; Kathieen (Kate) Pelletier; Benoit (B.J.) Picard; Gilberte B. (Topsy) Picard; Juliette (Zet) Rioux; Janet A. (Wiggles) Soucy; Lorette C. (Zazu) Soucy; Anne Marie Toussaint; Jeanne (Pesty) Toussaint; Irene Vaillancourt; Anita (Nita) Babin; Juliette (Ju) Chasse; Bernadette (Bern) Galbert; Juliette B. (Ju) Pelletier; Priscilla (Pris) Pinette; Agnes (Aggie) Soucy; Blanche A. (Queen) St. Germaine; Frances (Frank) Wilverton; Alphena (Phina) Daigle; Austin Wylie and Vernon (Vern) Kent. Frances Wolverton was the only “downstater” in the class.

At the annual alumni meeting held at the gymnasium in 1936 it was decided that the alumni day program for the following year would be dedicated to Miss Mary P. Nowland, and that the memorial window would be installed at that time.

A facsimile of the memorial window dedicated to the memory of Mary P. Nowland appeared on the cover of the 1937 Acadian. The yearbook itself was dedicated to Miss Nowland, and Payson Smith, David Garceau, May Brown, Eleanor F. Welsh, Sarah Doone and MarieAntoinnette Page wrote tributes in her honor.

The 1936-1937 basketball season at M.T.S. had several highlights. The schedule opened with wins over the Fort Kent A.A., the Presque Isle Indians, and the Van Buren A.A. The first loss was to the State Normal School champs of Presque Isle. A second win over the Presque Isle Indians and a victory over Ricker Junior College p-receded a trip to the Maine Memorial Gym to play the University of Maine Freshmen. Coach Powell blamed his team’s loss on the Orono coach’s use of an eighteen man bench and the large playing surface. The “green and gold” of M.T.S. next defeated Eastern State Normal School of Castine. “The Flying Frenchmen” defeated Washington State Normal School in the first game played in the new Machias gym. The return match with Ricker College was the only game in which M.T.S. scored less than thirty points. Then Coach Powell’s team upset the highly-publicized Houlton “Spuds.” This win was attributed to “fine defensive play.” Although Vernon Kent played “one of the most brilliant all around games ever witnessed at Presque Isle,” A.S.N.S. defeated the Fort Kent team in a return match at Presque Isle. It proved to be the last loss of the season.

“Will of the Wisp” Vin Marquis was shifted back to guard for the home game with the Fort Fairfield A.A., previously undefeated. Marquis put on a “dazzling exhibition of cutting, shooting, passing and all around effectiveness,” and M.T.S. won 50-17. The schedule ended with a second win over W.S.N.S. and two victories over the Washburn A.A. Seniors on the team were Vin Marquis, “whose feats upon he basketball floor stamp him as one of the best players ever to don the green and gold spangles;” Lewis (Tiwis) Bourgoin, who had led the team in scoring for two years; and Vernon Kent, the team’s center. The junior varsity team compiled a 7-0 record in a schedule that included Limestone, Madawaska and Van Buren high schools and the A. and P. Clerks. The girl’s team beat Limestone, lest to Ricker twice and tied Madawaska in a game played at Frenchville Hall. Those not interested in athletics could join the glee club (Harmony Hall) or try out for the school play, Mountain Mumps, a three act farce by Austin Goetz.

Helen Austin Leidy, of Fort Kent Mills, was valedictorian of the class of 1937. Theora Savage, of St. Francis, was salutatorian, and Winnie Ouellette, of Keegan, was honor essayist. The school orchestra played the opening march at graduation. The chorus, composed of Normal I and Normal II students sang “Song of Courage” and “Flower Song.” The French essay, “Le Chef d’oeuvre de Dieu,” was delivered by May Corbin. “Strive to Succeed” was the class motto. The class flower was the “Sweet Pea,” and the class colors chosen were “Lavender and Yellow.” Commissioner Packard gave out diplomas to Henrietta J. Austin, Louis J. Bourgoin, Yvette M. Caron, May L. Corbin, Elodie Cyr, Cecile M. Daigle, Clifford L. Daigle, Anne Marie Dufour, Albertine Jackson, Helen A. Leidy, Venerard Marquis, Oscar R. Martin, Margaret M. Michaud, Gilda M. Michaud, Agatha M. Morneault, Lucien J. Ouellette, Winnie M. Ouellette, Laurette Pelletier, Loumay M. Pelletier, Nellie I. Roy, Yvette R. Saucier, Theora V. Savage, Simone M. Sirois and Emery J. Soucy. All of the graduates were from the St. John Valley. M.T.S. faculty attending the ceremony were Mr. Crocker, Angeline M. Michaud, Marie-Antoinette Page, Floyd Powell, Cathryn R. Hoctor, Waneta T. Blake, Rilla Dow (and her assistants in Domestic Science Geneva Paradis and Dolores Marquis) and critic teachers Beulah M. Bradbury, Anne Marie Cyr, Marion Pinette and Theresa Marquis.

One of the major events of the 1938 school year at M.T.S. was the May presentation of the play Gypsy Queen. Mother Grunt, the gypsy queen, was played by Dolores Saucier, and Lucienne Martin had the role of Rosalie. Bernice Dufour was the Fairie Queen. A month later the seniors put on the play “Hold Everything,” with class valedictorian Harold Rheinlander cast as Christopher Morgan. Arthur Kelly, vice-president of the class and an honor student, played Tim Maculey. Class president John Hoctor played Steve. Dolores Saucier, class secretary and honor student, starred as Caroline Caruthers. The role of Courtney Barrett, Jr. was played by Robert Marquis, president of the student council and class treasurer. The class salutatorian, Barbara Crocker, was cast as Connie Morgan. Two other students Velma Daigle and Lucien Dickner served as ticket and stage managers, respectively.

In sports, as reported by special student Levi Dow, sports editor of the Acadian, the men’s basketball team played a seventeen game schedule, winning nine and losing eight. The opposition was “a bit tougher” than usual, with A.S.N.S., Gorham, Ricker, Maine Frosh and Farmington being the strongest teams faced. Veterans John Hoctor, Herbert Ferris and Robert Marquis formed the nucleus of the team. Other varsity members were O’Neil Doucette, Red Clark, Harold Rheinlander, John Barry. Leslie Larson, Roland Cyr, Kenneth Roberts and Levi Dow. The girls basketball team, as reported by Lily Cyr, girls’ sports editor, “had more defeats than victories.” Two of the best guards were seniors, Eloise Cyr and Dolores Saucier. The team managed only six points against Washburn and eight against Ricker. The M.T.S. baseball team beat Van Buren 25-5 in their first game of the year. This was followed by a 65 twelve inning loss to Ricker. They lost another heartbreaker to A.S.N.S., 8-7. The usual lineup for M.T.S. Johnnie Hoctor, catcher; Herbie Ferris, second base; Kenneth Roberts, third base; O’Neil Doucette, shortstop; John Barry, left field; Red Clark, center field; Fred Desjardins, Leo Albert and Wallace Bouchard shared the right field position; and Bud Farnham and Robert Marquis alternated on the pitching mound and first base.

The Fort Kent municipal band provided the music for the alumni day picnic. John M. Hoctor gave the class prophecy, and Dolores Saucier read the class will. Roberta Ouellette and Robert Marquis were responsible for the class gifts. At graduation the following day Velma T. Daig!e read her essay on “The Significance of Horace Mann,” after Barbara Crocker’s salutatory address and the singing of “On Comrades” by the Normal School chorus. Dr. Sidney B. Hall, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Richmond, Virginia, delivered his address on “Knowledge is Power.” Harold Rheinlander entitled his valedictory speech “Tolerance.” The class motto translated as “This Endeth Our First Lesson.” Those receiving diplomas were Roger R. Audibert, Barbara E. Crocker, Eloise G. Cyr, Velma T. Daigle, Yvette Daigle, Fred A. Desjardin, Lucien Dickner, O’Neil L. Doucette, Herbert L. Ferris, John M. Hoctor, Arthur L. Kelley, Robert W. Marquis, Lucienne M. Martin, Laurine Ouellette, Lerette M. Ouellette, Roberta A. Ouellette, Harold Rheinlander, Isabelle Raymond, Anita M. Rossignol, Leontine Sirois, Delores L. Saucier, Estelle Vaillancourt, Dorothy T. Libby.

Only two of the twenty “hopefuls” who reported to coach Powell for the 1938-1939 basketball season were veterans (“Red” Clark and “Flash” Barry). The team still managed a 10-9 record, including wins over the Fort Kent Lions and the St. John Valley All Stars. Clark led all scorers with 230 points for the year. The girls had more veterans (twelve out of twenty) and compiled a better percentage record, with five wins against a single loss. The squad consisted of Etheline Michaud, Verna Pressley, Louise White, Joyce Ramsay, Rose Marie Fournier, Dot Bradbury, Rhea Berube, Cecile Desjardins, Hope Crocker, Bernice Dufour, Blanche Hebert, Fernand Cyr, Betty Leidy, Janice Farnham, Marcella Picard, Jerry Pelletier, Virginia Marquis, Theresa Bouchard, Ruth Crawford and Kay Leidy. The girls’ squad beat Caribou High School (twice), Presque Isle High School, Hodgdon High School and split two games with Ricker.

The girls and boys glee club of M.T.S. presented a minstrel show in 1939 with Howard Cousins as interlocutor. Background music was provided by Mrs. Gladys Sylvester, piano; Thomas Thibedeau, saxophone; and Dube, violin. The end men were Bud (Antiseptic) Pressley, Eddie (Asbestos) Hoctor, John (Pepsodent) Barry, Bert (Synopses) Levesque and Claude (Red Cap) Belyea. There were also two end girls, Verna (Lil’ Liza) Pressley and Kay (Delilah) Leidy. Most of the profits went to the Acadian fund, as did the money made from the senior play “Here Comes Charlie.”

Lillie (Eulalie) Cyr of Madawaska was salutatorian and vice-president of the 1939 class, and Joyce (Joycie) Ramsay of Fort Kent was valedictorian and secretary. Hermel (Herm) Daigle was class president, and Dorothy Bradbury was class treasurer. Both were from Fort Kent. The “Yellow Rose” was the class flower, “Black and Yellow” were chosen as the class colors, and the class motto selected was “Willing to Try.” Dr. Packard was on hand again to hand out diplomas to Bernice C. Bourgoin, Dorothy Bradbury, Lilly Marie Cyr, Hermel P. Daigle, Bernice Y. Dufour, Florence A. Guy, Janet W. Hutchinson, Philippa M. Jandreau, Catherine D. Leidy, Bernadette R. Michaud, Abel A. Morneault, Juliette A. Pelletier, Yvette G. Pelletier, Joyce Ramsay, Constance M. Sirois, Artheline M. Theriault, Eudo E. Thibodeau, Theodore Brown. Eleven of the class were from Fort Kent, and the remainder were from the usual towns along the St. John River.

Special memorial exercises in memory of Miss Mary P. Nowland were held on June 21, 1939, the Normal students began the ceremonies with musical renditions of “Let the Halls Resound in Song” and “The Lord is My Shepherd.” Dr. Bertram E. Packard, Commissioner of Education, gave the opening remarks, followed by the State of Maine Song, sung by the Normal students. Official greetings were offered by Hon. Lewis O. Barrows, Governor of Maine, and he was followed by still another song by the Normal chorus, “The Perfect Day.” Dr. Payson Smith, then of the Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, delivered the major address and unveiled the long-awaited memorial window. Dr. Irenee R. Cyr, president of the alumni association, accepted the window on behalf of his alma mater. The ceremonies closed with the Normal School chorus leading the audience in singing the school song.

Several changes in faculty are noted in Principal Crocker’s next biennial report. Virginia Nadeau was now teaching French. Mr. Harry R. Tyler became the new Director of Training, 1939-1940, and Ferne Lunt became the new Director of Physical Education the same year. Ruth Gregory replaced Eleanor McKeen as critic teacher in grades five and six.

Commenting on enrollment changes Mr. Crocker reported a drop from 166 to 141 for the period 1936-1938, but he was not alarmed by this. “The enrollment varies some from year to year but there is no definite trend in this respect.” The average enrollment for the next two years, 1939-1940, was 155, which he said was “about the variation shown over the past ten-year period.” The entrance exams used in the other state institutions were not used at Fort Kent because Crocker felt such a general intelligence test had “little reliability or validity where any language difficulty exists.” Also, the so-called Mort Report of 1934 had designated the northern part of Aroostook County as “part of the area of low opportunity.” Instead of the exams used elsewhere, Crocker required an “acceptable scholastic record” and a “confidential reference report” filled out by he principal of the school from which the prospective student came. Desirable Personality traits checked were social maturity, work habits, personal habits, character “and the like.”

Graduates in 1939 and 1940 had no trouble obtaining teaching positions because there was “a shortage of teachers in this territory at the present time.” Judging from “past experience and our present enrollment,” however, Crocker predicted, “it would appear that there will be no surplus during the next two year period at least.” Although some repairs and “small improvements” had been made in recent years, and the school’s physical equipment was “in the best condition it has been for many years,” Crocker pinpointed some “very real needs.” “From the standpoint of both professional material and fiction,” for example, the library facilities were “far from what they should be in an institution of this sort.” Laboratory facilities were considered to be “one of the greatest needs of the moment…” The rooms were available, and Crocker felt “such facilities” could be provided “for very reasonable expenditures.” As a result, he contended, “several parts of our program would be greatly benefitted.”

The class entering M.T.S. in the fall of 1939 was the first to go through a “Freshman reception.” Instead of beanies the freshmen were required to wear green crepe paper bows “and woe to the unwary who were caught without them.” According to custom the freshman class planned an outing, the object of which was to sneak away “without letting the sophomores find out about it until it (was) too late to interfere. “One of the freshmen, Russell (Cab) Collins was from Lansing, Michigan and came “well recommended as a super star basketball and baseball man.” He also played in the orchestra at the Blue Moon Dance and Dine House. Three Franciscan sisters also enrolled as special students at M.T.S. that fall. The newly formed Boys’ Club sponsored a Mardi Gras dance in February. Howard Cousins was interlocutor for the minstrel show for the second year in a row. “A surprise feature” of the show, “outstanding in its excellence,” was a drum solo by Cab Collins, the “drummer-athlete.”

Cab Collins scored only four points in Coach Powell’s opening win over the Madawaska Boys’ Club. But, he scored eight in a winning effort against Presque Isle High School and “threw in two foul goals with the game practically over” in the second game against P.I.H.S., won by M.T.S., 28-27. Powell’s “green and gold combine” continued their winning ways against the Island Falls Tornadoes, the U. of M. Collegians, the “bearded warriors” of the House of David, and an “astounding win” over Farmington Normal School. Sixteen points down at half-time “Red” Powell’s charges tied up the game and won it in overtime. The next night M.T.S. was beaten by Gorham Normal School, 44-42. The team split two games with A.S.N.S. and were “out-manned” by the Maine Frosh. M.T.S. split with both W.S.N.S. and Ricker to close the season. The girls’ squad, with White, Michaud and Pressley at forward and Gustin, Pelletier and Berube at guard, also “got off to a good start” with twin wins over Presque Isle High School, followed by a 30-10 win over Ashland High, before two one-point losses to Ricker and Hodgdon. Verna Pressley, high scorer for the year, led Coach Lunt’s team to a second impressive win over Ashland.

The president of the class of 1940 was Luther J. Bubar of Blaine. Howard Cousins, later recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award, was vice-president and an honor student. Rheta Long of Fort Kent was class secretary. Rita Violette of Van Buren was class treasurer and valedictorian. Miss Blake probably insisted that the class motto be kept in its original form “Conficimus Incipere.” The class colors were “White and Gold,” and the class flower designated was the “Rose.” Leslie (Diji) Larson of Fort Kent delivered the salutatory address. Dr. Edward J. Allen, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Maine, addressed the graduates, and E.E. Roderick, Deputy Commissioner of Education, conferred the diplomas. Degree recipients were: Guy Baker, Rhea Berube, Luther Bubar, Howard Cousins, June Dechaine, Bertha Dube, Leonette Dube, Mildred Dube, Cecile Dufour, Rita Dufour, Rowena Dumond, Anna Hebert, Blanche Hebert, Berdick Labbe, Alice Labrie, Cecile Laplante, Leslie Larson, Rita Long, Ludger Michaud, Bernice Nicknair, Ludger Ouellette, Onerine Ouellette, Lorraine Pelletier, Joan Poirier, Verna Pressley, Claire Roy, Janet Roy, Arm Savage, Florence Theriault, Annette Sylvian, Alfreda, Thibedeau and Rita Violette. Verna Pressley, of Haynesville, lived the furthest from the St. John Valley.

By 1941 the annual minstrel show at M.T.S. had become one of the most papular extra-curricular activities. Docite Nadeau replaced Howard Cousins as interlocutor. Rita Cyr and Ruth Labbe were the end girls, and the end men were Orine Jacques, Harvey La??combe, Everett Beals, Kenneth Roberts, Wellinton Jamieson and Jackson Laurence. There were thirty-nine students in the glee club. Others tried out for the school play, Goldoni’s “The Servant of Two Masters.”

In her second year at M.T.S. Ferne Lunt expanded the athletic program to include organized softball, badminton, volleyball, tennis and “physical education work.” Basketball, however, was still the core of the program. Coach Lunt’s team had a winning season, losing only one game to Houlton by one point. Etheline (Mosquito) Michaud was captain and high scorer. Other squad members were Ruth Libby, Jeanne Martin, Connie Ouellette, Clair Roy, Geraldine Pelletier, Fernande (Fern) Cyr, Theresa Bouchard, Elizabeth (Purley Be) Leidy, Hope (Sis Goon) Crocker and Louise White. Coach Powell’s men’s squad bad a winning year, despite losing some veterans during the season. Two losses to W.S.N.S. and a defeat at the hands of the Emerson Pills of Millinocket marred the season.

Lieutenant Raoul Bourgoin, class of 1935, was killed in 1940 when the army pursuit plane he was piloting crashed in the fog at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. He was en route to Langley Field, Virginia, after visiting his family in Frenchville. After graduating from M.T.S. Bourgoin bad gone to the University of Maine, where he played fullback on the football team and was co-captain of the basketball team in his senior year. He had left his teaching-coaching position at Foxcroft Academy for an “air career.” James (Pop) Hoyt, president of the alumni association in 1941, recalled Bourgoin’s being “the ideal team man in sports and in life, he was a combination of the highest ideals with a personality that endeared him to all who knew him.”

The 1941 Acadian was dedicated to Mrs. Gladys T. Sylvester, Music Director. In return she wrote to the graduates, “You have been fortunate to have had the valuable training which is given at M.T.S. Remember that the school is and will be wholeheartedly interested in you and your future.” Joan (Jo) Dube of Plaisted was the class salutatorian, and Gerald Laurence of Mars Hill was valedictorian. “Sans Peir,” “Old Rose and Silver,” and “American Beauty Rose,” were the class motto, colors and flower, respectively. Dr. Frank Wright was the graduation speaker. Other graduates receiving diplomas were Priscilla Albert, Everett L. Beals, Jeannine Bouchard, Theresa Bouchard, Mary Jane Daigle, Cecile Desjardins, Edna Dubois, Emma Dubois, Emma Dumond, L. David Klein, Jeanne Martin, Etheline Michaud, Theresa Toussaint.

Even the annual minstrel show held at the M.T.S. gym in late 1941 reflected the fact that the world was at war. Three of the end men, William Bonville, Vaughn Allen and Jerry Long, were named “Liberty Bond,” “Social Bond,” and “Security Bond.” The other end men were Edgar Soucy, Harvey Lacombe, Arthur St. Pierre, Laurence Roy and Alton Brown. End girls (the Gold Dust Twins) were Hope Crocker and Roberta Austin. Other clubs and organizations were the M.T.S. Girl’s Glee Club, the M.T.S. AND M.M.S. Orchestra, the M.T.S. Boy’s Club, Le Cercle Acadien and the History Club.

In athletics Coach Ferne Lunt set up a point system by which the girls in the physical education classes could earn class numerals, an “M”, or the State of Maine Seal. Points could be made in major sports (volleyball, basketball, field hockey), minor sports (badminton, tennis, archery, table tennis, deck tennis, golf, gym stunts) and miscellaneous other ways. A women’s athletic council was set up as well. The home towns of Coach Powell’s male squad indicate that M.T.S. was starting to draw more students from outside the St. John Valley: Vaughn (Tweedie) Allen, Westfield; Henry (Hank) Lord, Waterville; Wilbur (Will) Brady, Bangor; William (Bill) Bonville, Presque Isle; Harvey (Harv) Lacombe, Madawaska; Wellington (Duke) Jamieson, Boston; John (Johnny) Wilier, Presque Isle; Homer R. Ward, Limestone; Philip Laurence, Mars Hill; Benoit Levesque, Fort Kent; Oreine (Jock) Jacques, Plaisted. The. baseball team had only five veterans (Lacombe, catcher; Brady, Pitcher; Jamieson, first base; Lord, second base; Laurence, left field). The schedule included Ricker, Presque Isle High, Caribou High, W.S.N.S. and “other schools of Eastern Maine.” The 1942 yearbook was dedicated to Mr. Powell. “To Red our coach, through victory and defeat .’ — he inducts spirit which makes us hard to beat.”

Wellington H. Jamieson was president of the class of 1942. Bernice (Berns) Greenier of Limestone was the class secretary. Sister Marie-Des-Leys, Sister MarieEngelbert and Sister Marie-Beinvenu would be remembered by their classmates for their role with the Red Cross War Fund. Other graduates were Phyllis Lauritson, Carola Faye Day, Rita P. Bouchard, Gerald Chamberlain, Edgar Soucy, Violette Blanchette, Fernande Cyr, Geneva Charette, Thelma Pelletier, Constance Ouellette, Claudette Paradis, Gerard Beaulieu and Philis Laurence.

The faculty during the 1941-1942 school year included both new and old faces. Floyd Powell was named Vice Principal and taught social science and physical education. Principal Crocker was still in the classroom teaching science, psychology, principles of education and school laws. Henry R. Tyler was still Director of Training, and Gladys Sylvester was “the” music department. There were two French instructors, Louis H. Thibodeau and Jeannette Bonville. Mrs. Cassius Austin assisted Mrs. Rilla Dow in the Domestic Science area. Waneta Blake taught her accustomed English and Latin. Angleine Michaud divided her teaching duties between mathematics and art, and Ferne Lunt was responsible for English as well as physical education classes. The critic teachers were Theresa Marquis, Marion Pinette, Lucien Dickner and Frances Wolverton.

As Principal Crocker noted in his 1940-1942 report there was a decline in enrollment for the two year period. Why? “First, there is little to attract young people to the field of elementary education in this part of the state.” Second, there were other jobs then available, “with better salaries and better working and living conditions.” The third reason was out-migration. “Thousands of people have left this area.” Crocker predicted that “these conditions will probably exist for the duration of the emergency.”

From an enrollment of 163 in 1940 the student body decreased to 109 in 1942. Still academic and professional standards had increased during the same time span. According to Crocker, the students were better prepared and more carefully selected than in the past. This, rather than curriculum changes, had led to the raising of standards. Crocker felt it was not possible to estimate the shortage of elementary teachers in Aroostook County until all the schools had opened. He suggested that a summer session in 1943 “would help materially” to relieve the shortage. For one thing older teachers would be encouraged to “come in and renew their certificates, temporarily.” Another possibility would be to offer “extension work” during the regular school year. Crocker stated positively, “We stand ready to do anything that we can to help at this time.”

When the executive board of the alumni association met in the spring of 1943 Mr. David Garceau moved that alumni day be “postponed indefinitely until the war is over.” The board agreed especially considering “transportation as it was.” The association then voted to publish a Newsette to provide the alumni with the information usually conveyed during alumni day. Scott Ramsay, president of the association, told his fellow alumni, “Due to food and gas shortage this year we are omitting the usual alumni exercises and banquet.” He further expressed “Good wishes and good luck to all who serve, both on the home front and in the battle zones.” The Newsette contained a list of alumni then known to be serving in “Uncle Sam’s Forces.” Eighty-four names appeared on that list. The Bangor Daily News singled out the activities of another alumna, Mattie Pinette, class of 1920, who was one of the first WAACS assigned duty overseas on the African front. In fact the ship carrying Miss Pinette to this assignment was torpedoed by a German submarine in the Atlantic. Later officer Pinette was attached to General Eisenhower’s headquarters, and she was one of five WAACS present at the ten day military conference held at Casablanca. John Barry, Leslie Caron, Howard Cousins and Vaughn Allen visited their alma mater while home on furlough.

Principal Crocker made a “direct appeal” to the alumni, telling them that the school was “facing a crisis in education,” and that there was “every likelihood” that many schools in Maine would not open in the fall, “unless teachers now in the profession realize and accept their full responsibilities.” Even those teachers, and the “limited number” of normal school and college graduates, would not be sufficient to “take up the slack in the profession.” The difference could be made up with “patriotic citizens not now in the classrooms.” He was sure that “many of you (alumni not teaching) could secure the renewal of your. certificates without too much trouble.” He viewed the situation as “all but desperate.” He climaxed his appeal with these emotional words.’ “Let us see to it that no schools in Madawaska Territory fail to open next fall. Let us resolve that no child is handicapped by losing his education opportunities even for a short period of time. The challenge is thrown squarely into our laps. We must not fail our youth in this their time of need.” There was an immediate response from Mrs. Dolores Marquis Powell, who first graduated in 1932 and was also a member of the class of 1943. “This year I felt it my duty to aid in this emergency because of the need for teachers. When many of my fellow alumni are at the front fighting, I can also do my bit by teaching children of this section.”

Appropriately the class colors in 1943 were the “Red, White and Blue.” The class motto was “Wisdom, Justice, Moderation,” and the class flower was the “Poppy.” Honor parts were given to Harriet Goodbloed, valedictorian; Elisabeth Leidy, salutatorian; Geraldine Pelletier, honor essayist; Theresa Deschaines, French essayist; Sister Mary Patrick and Sister Mary John. The music provided at the graduation ceremonies also reflected the fact that a war was going on. For example, one of the selections sung by the Normal Chorus was “Sing! Democracy Shall Never Fail.” Other graduates receiving diplomas from Harry V. Gilson were Jeanne Albert, Mary Jane Baker, Hope Crocker, Mary Furlong, Oriene Jacques, Rita Labrie, Laurette Madore, Violette Michaud, Mildred Ouellette, Priscilla Ouellette, Mabel Pelletier, Pearl Pelletier, Marcella Picard, Dolores Powell.

The war also brought about changes in the teaching staff in 1942-1943 and 1943-1944. Crocker and Powell were the only males out of twelve teachers at M.T.S. and M.M.S. in the former year, and the teaching staff, including critic teachers, was further reduced to ten positions in the latter year, including four new faces, Bernadette Nadeau (English, physical education), Maxine Page (French, art), Frances Worthly (grades five and six) and Dawn S. Moirs (grades seven and eight).

There was one positive note reflected in Mr. Crocker’s biennial report covering the school years 1942-1943 and 1943-1944. The “gradual decline” in enrollment seemed to have “hit bottom.” He cautiously observed, “The trend slight as it is, seems at this time to be definitely upward.” One of the reasons for this was that “Other jobs are less attractive than formerly.” Other reasons were “increased salaries, better teaching conditions, and the prospect that these conditions will persist.” The summer session that he suggested for 1943 was held, and he personally taught the psychology course. Floyd Powell taught social studies, and the other summer session faculty and the courses they taught were: Waneta Blake (English), Yvonne Daigle (Methods), Angeline Michaud (Art) and Edward Mc-Monagle (Education). Crocker was pleased with the results. Attendance was good “considering conditions and the enrollments at other institutions.” He even suggested that “work of this nature should be offered every other year, and oftener, if there is sufficient demand.”

Crocker also sensed a “growing demand” for extension courses in the area, and he preferred extension work to correspondence courses, although many older teachers had been able to renew their certificates or obtain temporary permits through a combination of summer school and correspondence courses. A new approach, the use of “Cadet teachers,” had made “a splendid contribution during this emergency.” He praised these cadet teachers for their efforts. “They have been unselfish and untiring in their efforts and have been appreciated in the various communities in which they have served.” Here was a variation of student teaching that might be adapted into the curriculum on a permanent basis, for, as Crocker noted, “perhaps it would be worthwhile to salvage and build over at least part of this program when the emergency has ceased to exist.”

Principal Crocker foresaw one of the effects of the ending of the war. “With the ending of hostilities and the functioning of the GI Bill® all institutions of higher learning are likely to be taxed to capacity.” The second and third floors of Dickey Hall, the boy’s dormitory, were not then being used. The dorm was badly in need of repair, very little having been done to it since its completion on January 1, 1916. What Crocker was implying was that the legislature should provide funds for repairs in anticipation of increased enrollment in the post-war period. A greater need, in Crocker’s mind, however, was to add “another year of work at the earliest possible date and to follow this with a fourth year as soon as possible.” Being “out of line” with the other Normal Schools created “curriculum difficulties which are serious and detrimental to the best interests of teacher training.”

The teaching faculty remained unchanged in 1944-1945, but there were some additions to the support staff. Tinette B. Theriault was advanced from secretary to bursar, Dolores Powell was hired as dining hall manager. Beatrice Bouchard served as her assistant. Earnest Daigle was head janitor and his assistant was Edwin Bouchard. Daigle left in January, 1946, and Bouchard was joined by his brother Philip Bouchard.

Crocker was disappointed about “lower than usual” enrollment figures for the 1944-1945 and the 1945-1946 school years. Total enrollment was down one-third from a maximum of 150 students. “Economics is still playing an important role,” he said, that is, teachers salaries were not attractive enough to draw students. “It is difficult to compete with other lines of endeavor, where salaries are so much more attractive.” True, he admitted, salaries were “better than formerly,” but he shared the “general feeling that they will be reduced as soon as the present boom comes to an end.” Needless to say, “Anything that will tend to discourage this attitude would be very helpful.”

In Crocker’s view it was the “splendid devotion of the alumni” that had helped ease the teacher shortage in Madawaska Territory. He again credited the cadet teachers for their “wonderful contribution when the shortage was at its worst.” After all, they had “volunteered 100 percent for this service,” displayed a “splendid” attitude and “done a much better job than expected.” Although “some difficulties” had been encountered in the program, he assured the Commissioner that “many of them were eliminated and the others could have been in time.” “Some valuable lessons had been learned,” and these would be “of great value in the years to come.”

M.T.S. had tried to add a third year of Normal training in the fall of 1945, but had failed because “the need for teachers was so great that it was impossible to find students enough to justify the added expense.” But, Crocker was still insistent that a third, and then a fourth year, of training would come in time. “It is hoped that the school will be able to offer four years of elementary teacher-training opportunities in the very near future. I believe that it will be both possible and practical to do this just as soon as the teacher shortage is less acute.”

One interesting side effect of the war was the development of M.T.S’ equivalent of a Victory garden. Crocker recalled, “The farm …has been a great help to us during this period. It has enabled us to serve adequate amounts of nutritious food, where many of these items were extremely difficult or impossible to secure in the market.” By providing a large part of its own food the school was able to keep boarding costs down, “thereby allowing more students to get an education.” And, what was just as important, “these operations have produced good profits each year.” Because the athletic field was not used during the war years, costs of maintenance had been little, and it was estimated that it could he “put in shape.., at very little expense.” Additional income could be raised through extension courses, the demand for which Crocker expected to increase because of the “inability of the University of Maine to meet all of the requests, plus the great distances in the state….”

Seventy-two students attended the 1945 summer school, and their general reaction was that the offerings were “practical and helpful.” Besides the traditional summer school offerings, work was offered to help teachers with “permits and sanctions.” Because the number of faculty involved was small, and some of these did not have to be paid out of M.T.S. funds, the per pupil cost was kept “within reason.” Crocker, Powell and Blake were the only members of the regular faculty who taught that summer. Three associates of the Bureau of Health in Augusta (Margaret Dizney, Alonzo H. Garcelon and Dorothy Bryant); Elizabeth Patterson, State Nutritionist, Augusta; Lucy W. Bull, State Department of Education; Francis Woodburn, American Red Cross; James A. Hamlin; Alton Tozier; a Daughter of Wisdom from St. Agatha and Phylis Rolfe of Washington State Normal School were visiting instructors.

The M.T.S. library, the size and quality of which had been of concern to Vital Cyr and Mary Nowland, as well as to Mr. Crocker, had grown to 3800 volumes, exclusive of pamphlets and magazine and periodical subscriptions, by 1945-1946. Housed on the second floor of the administration building, it was now an official repository for U.S. government documents. Students had open shelf privileges. The library was open 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. school days, and student aides were on duty from 2:30 to 4:30 in the afternoon. The library served as a study and a reading hall, capable of seating fifty students. A make-shift card catalog needed replacement. Exhibits of interest to special classes or work done as classroom projects were often held in the library. Other specific needs, outside of the library, were communicated in a separate report to the State Department of Education.

The alumni orchestra played the graduation march for the class of 1946. The Normal Chorus sang “Life is a Song” and Montez Toujours,” and Normal II, “Waltz of the Flowers” and the class ode. Hilda Dumont delivered the salutatory and Shirley Goodblood the valedictory. Esther Michaud was scheduled to deliver the French essay, and Theresa Chamberland prepared the honor essay. First honors also went to Sr. Alphonse-Marie, Sr. Marie Theresa and Sr. Marie-Rita. The class motto was a widely-used one, “Excelsior.” The class colors were “Cerise and Gold,” and the class flowers were the “American Beauty and Yellow Rose.” Harry V. Gilson addressed the graduates and conferred their diplomas. Others in the sixteen member class were Patricia Charette, Donaldine Cyr, Hilda Dumont, Bernadette Gagnier, Phoebe Goodblood, Cecilia Jacques, Bonnie Jones, Harvey Lacombe, Laurette Lebel and Amber Savage.

The alumni supper-banquet was scheduled to be held at Camille’s Place in 1949. Guests had a choice of turkey or lobster at $1.50 a plate. Miss Lilian R. Michaud of the faculty was in charge of entertainment. The opening number was a piano solo by Josette Bourgoin. Clarence Labbe followed with a solo, “Slumber on My Little Gypsey Sweetheart.” Other soloists were Dolores Bouchard, Norman Labhe, James Powell and Theresa Bourgoin. “Sweethearts” was sung as a duet by Theresa Bourgoin and James Powell. Fred T. Bouchard, president of the alumni association, greeted the group and introduced the master of ceremonies, Mr. David Garceau. Principal Crocker greeted the audience in behalf of the M.T.S. faculty and staff, and Mr. Norman Labbe, president of the class of 1949, offered the response. The Mary Nowland Memorial Tablet was presented by Mr. Bouchard. Mr. Harland Ladd, Commissioner of Education delivered the major address of, the evening. At the business meeting Mr. Crocker read the names of alumni who gave their lives for their country during World War II: Raoul Bourgoin, class of 1935; Eudo Thibodeau, class of 1939; Wellington Jamieson, class of 1942; Robert Leidy, M.M.S.; Carrol Labbe, M.M.S.; Omer Lozier, sophomore in 1922-1923; Docite Nadeau, special student in 1940-1941; and Dorius Labbe.

A special report by members of the Board of Education who visited Fort Kent in 1949-1950 indicated the neglect of maintenance during the war years. The visitors were “shocked by the disgraceful, run-down condition of the buildings.” One of them observed, “They are not in fit condition to be used for school purposes.” It would take an estimated $100,000 to put the buildings back in proper shape. The Board was “appreciative of the devoted personal and educational leadership at the Madawaska Training School” and did not feel that the “management” of M.T.S. was “entirely responsible for this condition.” Instead, they said, it was “due largely to the failure of the state to appropriate necessary funds over the years for maintenance and personnel.” An exception, and the “bright spot,” was the Domestic Science Department, which had been “equipped by the state” over the past three years. The Board members said the “problem must be faced and settled promptly” because it was a “disgrace to the state to attempt to continue this school in its present run down condition.”

The Board of Education hoped to have some “definite recommendations” to make regarding the future of M.T.S. by the time the next legislature met. In the meantime Board members considered three possibilities. First, appropriate up to $100,000 to “paint, repair and properly equip” the buildings for “continued operation of the school.” Second, tear down some of the oldest buildings, stop the farm operations, close the dormitories, and run the school on a “day basis.” It was unrealistically suggested that there were dormitory facilities available, “within a reasonable distance,” at A.S.N.S. in Presque Isle. The third alternative was even more drastic, as the Board was even considering closing M.T.S. completely as a state operated school, selling it to the tow, of Fort Kent, “or to any group of interested citizens at a reasonable price,” and operate it as a town school – or “for some other worthy purpose.” The members of the Board seemed more interested in cost per student statistics than in the quality of education being offered at Fort Kent. The 1949-1950 enrollment at Fort Kent was 73, which meant the net cost to the state of Maine was $750 per student. The average per student cost over the previous eight years was even higher, $972.14. However, a “substantial proportion” of the cost per pupil was being spent on the high school curriculum, then in the process of being phased out.

The M.T.S. alumni association was apparently aware of the above report because it set up a new “Legislations Committee,” composed of David Garceau, Peter Paul Dufour, Vital Daigle, Robert Marquis, Mrs. Roland Page and Mrs. Nellie Foucher. “Lil” Michaud was again-responsible for the entertainment for the supper-banquet at Camille’s Place. Josette Bourgoin and Bernard St. Peter each had a solo, and they joined their talents in the duet “You are Free” from Friml’s opera Appleblossoms. Doris Boucher and Dora Jean Jacques also had vocal solos, and Fernande Cyr performed a piano solo. Fred T. Bouchard introduced Mr. Bertrand Daigle as master of ceremonies. Principal Crocker made his annual remarks, and Majorie Anderson responded as president of the graduating class of 1950, and Mr. David Garceau, a member of the association’s legislations committee, then addressed the alumni and their guests.

Two days later a class of twenty-five received their diplomas from Leah C. Anderson. According to the 1950 graduation program the class motto was “Labor Conquers All Things,” the class colors were “Forest Green and Silver,” and the class flower was the “Daffodil.” The glee club sang Handel’s “Largo.” Fernande Cyr repeated her piano solo. Ermo Scott, Deputy Commissioner of Education and future president of Farmington State Teachers College, was the graduation speaker. The graduates had to wait for the glee club to sing Schubert’s “Ave Maria” before marching up to receive their diplomas. Members of the class of 1950 follow: Marjorie Anderson, Rajeanne Banville, Doris Boucher, Donaldine Cyr, Fernande Cyr, Gloria Cyr, Annette Daigle, Pauline Daigle, Rachel Daigle, Ruth Daigle, Anne Marie Dufour, Hilda Dumont, Clarence Labbe, Albina Marquis, George Martin, Joyce Mertes, Bernice Michaud, Lillian Michaud, Sue Ellen Morris, Patricia Nadeau, Laurette Pelletier, Louella Rioux, Priscilla Rioux, Louise Robichaud, Sr. M. Gabriel.

Finances were evidently a problem for the M.T.S. alumni association in 1951. Programs were mimeographed rather than printed to save money, and the banquet was replaced by a bring-your-own picnic. Mr. Crocker did agree to provide coffee and beans. Arrangements were made to move into the gymnasium in case the weather did not cooperate. Lilian Michaud, now vice-president of the alumni association, and Mr. Crocker greeted old and new alumni on the appointed day. Carol Thompson made the response for the graduating class. For entertainment Bernard St. Peter, Elmer Lizotte and Dora Jean Jacques sang solos. Louis Daigle played a saxophone solo and Romeo Nadeau performed “Valse Impromptu.” Graduation was on June 18, 1951, and each diploma was signed by Mr. Crocker and H. A. Ladd, Commissioner of Education.

“Open Hearts; Open Hands” was the motto of the class of 1951. The class colors chosen were “Crimson and Gold,” and the class selected the “Gladiola” as its flower . Bernard St. Peter’s fine voice was featured in a graduation solo. Dora Jean Jacques, Rinette Raymond, Alvia Charette and Nina Morrison were selected for the double duet “Panis Angelicas.” Fred R. Dingley of Lee Academy and the State Board of Education gave the graduation address, and Leah Emerson passed out diplomas to Azelie Ardenski, Alvia Charette, Dora Jean Jacques, Ronald Jacques, Ernest LaFrance, Nina Morrison, Patsy Ouellette Gilbert Powell, Rinette Raymond, Theresa Sylvain, Carrol Thompson and Bernard St. Peter.

The 1952 Acadian was dedicated to Miss Waneta Blake “in appreciation of her untiring efforts and assistance in our behalf.” The small but dedicated faculty of the Training School was composed of Mr. Crocker, Coach Powell, Miss Michaud (then serving as Director of Training), the two Gladys (Gould and Sylvester), and, of course, Miss Blake. The critic teachers were Frances E. Worthley, Theresa Marquis, Mrs. Mary Picard, Mrs. Dawn Moirs and Marion Pinette.

Seven of the twelve men on the M.T.S. varsity basketball squad were from Caribou: Roger Jacques, Bill Malloy, Lewis Wyman and Ervine Churchill (all veterans) and freshmen Mike Pelletier, Ted Thibodeau and Lee Wyman. Other veterans were Elmer Lizotte, Val Plourde, Cliff McLaughlin and Shellie Lauritson. Two more freshmen completed the roster of the team which compiled a 115 record, including four wins over A.S.N.S. and a well played loss to the Maine Frosh in a preliminary played before the Bowdoin-Orono game. Leading scorers for the year were Ted Thibodeau, Bill Malloy and Lew Wyman. The “small but mighty” M.T.S. girls’ squad, referred to by coach Red Powell as the “Jets,” were led by captain Joan Roberta Pelletier. The schedule included three games with Madawaska High, two with Ashland, a game with the M.T.S. alumni and a single game with the Edmundston Atomettes. M.T.S. finished the season with a 3-4 record. Squad members were Aurella Dubois, Joan R. Pelletier, Lucille Jandreau, May Ellen Bourgoin Simone Babin, Joan Damond, Delores Desjardins, Cirlaine Foster, Laurette Dubois, Lorette Bouchard and Roberta Michaud. Bernice Cyr was the manager and Rita Dubois the assistant manager.

Student organizations in 1952 included the student council, the glee club, the Sartadam (Outing Club) and the Cyr-Crocker Chapter of the F.T.A. There was an activities council, and the Sons and Daughters of M.T.S. was reactivated. Class officers in 1952 were Patrick Babin, president; Roger Jacques, vice-president; and Audrey Hafford, secretary-treasurer. The class colors, flower and motto, in that order were “Maroon and White,” “Rose: nocturnal and ivory,” and “From each according to his abilities To each according to his Needs.” The alumni banquet was re-instated and was presided over by alumni president Lillian R. Michaud, who introduced Mr. Eloi Daigle, principal of M.H.S., as master of ceremonies. Mr. Patrick Babin, class president and co-valedictorian, responded to Mr. Crocker’s greetings. Guest speaker was Mr. David Garceau, ex-faculty member of M.T.S. and by then president of the First National Bank of Fort Kent. Theresa Long, Elmer Lizotte and the graduating class literally sang for their supper. At the business meeting Mr. Garceau gave an “impressive report” on the efforts of Representative George Emile Morneault at the last session of the legislature and credited Morneault with obtaining state monies for the “maintenance and repair of the institution.” Garceau went on to discuss the “urgent need (for) the Madawaska Training School in the St. John Valley and the splendid work it had accomplished. Among the older alumni returning were Sophie Brown (1894), Theodule Albert (1898), Mrs. Laura Picard (1899), Thomas Dufour (1902), Mrs. Emily B. Michaud (1905) and Joseph Theriault (1905).

Louis Daigle composed the graduation march for the class of 1952. The graduates sang two songs at their own exercises. Leah C. Emerson brought greetings from the State Board of Education. The graduation address was delivered by Ermo H. Scott, Deputy Commissioner of Education. A certificate of merit was conferred in absentia to Dr. Edward E. Roderick by Principal Crocker. The principal personally conferred diplomas on Patrick Babin, Mary Ellen Bourgoin, Cora Mae Daigle, Louise Alphonse Daigle (salutatorian), Charles Bayfield Gillis, Audrey H. Hafford, Beatrice Patricia Jacques, Roger Patrick Jacques, Lorraine Jalbert, Elmer J. Lizotte, Theresa D. Long, William E. Malloy, Clifton D. McLaughlin, Nellie Pelletier, Valere R. Plourde, Louis A. Wyman.

Representatives of the State Board of Education visited the Fort Kent campus again in 1952 and found “great improvement in the buildings and general classroom appearance in comparison with their condition two years ago.” Still, “much remains to be done, especially in outside repair to the buildings.” Two of their previous recommendations had been carried out: farm operations had ceased, and the dormitories had been closed. They claimed the change from a boarding school to a day school had been “well received,” pointing out that “Students apparently have had no difficulty in securing board and lodging in private families.” Plans were made to have the three year course at M.T.S. “so arranged” that the fourth year could be finished by transferring to Aroostook State or one of the other teachers colleges. Enrollment had dropped from seventy-five in 1950-1951 to fifty-three in 1951-1952, which raised the cost per student figures for the same two years from $754.03 to $878.01. No further recommendations, however, were made by the visiting team at that time, and the legislative appropriation did increase from $48,203 in 1952-1953 to $53,454 in 1953-1954. But, in turn, the fall enrollment decreased from forty-eight to forty-one the same two years, thereby raising the per student cost once again from $970.80 to $1,253.85.

With money “realized through the last summer session group” and donations from the alumni a sign was erected on Pleasant Street in honor of the school’s seventy-fifth birthday. In the alumni newsletter Mr. Crocker made a plea for further donations for scholarships: Th legislature had increased the amount available for scholarships from $25,000 to $50,000 for the biennium (1953-1954), and this money was available to be used at Madawaska Training School as well as the other teachers colleges. These scholarships were awarded to “promising prospects and according to need,” but could not exceed $200. It was the feeling of the State Board that it was better to meet the threats of rising costs with scholarships rather than by “reduction of, or elimination of tuition.”

Even more money was needed for scholarships, Crocker argued. “It is most unfortunate that there are many excellent teacher prospects in the State of Maine who cannot enter the field of education because of the lack of finances.” This was “equally true” in the St. John Valley, he said. “It is not only unfortunate for the individuals, but most unfortunate for the State of Maine during this critical shortage. The situation is tragic from every angle.” The M.T.S. alumni, Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club and the B.P.W. all subsequently provided funds for, or granted, scholarships. The class of 1953 singing “In a Monestary Garden” and group singing provided the entertainment at the alumni day ceremonies held at Camille’s Place. L. R. Michaud gave the opening greetings, and Mr. James Hoyt served as master of ceremonies. One of the things Principal Crocker may have made reference to in his welcoming remarks was the fact that the money appropriated by the legislature for special projects at the teachers colleges included $13,900 for laboratory equipment at M.T.S. The legislature had also set a new minimum salary schedule for teachers and that might help attract students. Joan Roberta Pelletier responded for the class of 1953.

Joan Rhona Pelletier wrote the words for the1953 class ode, set to the tune “No Other Love.” The first stanza was indicative of the loyalty felt toward the institution. “Hail M.T.S. We honor you, to you our school so loyal, fair and true. Holding always in our hearts high ideals, That you did impart, every day, every way.” At the Friday evening commencement exercises Carolyn Labbe played the graduation march, and a special commencement chorus sang “I’ll Walk Beside You.” A familiar figure, Leah C. Emerson, brought the greetings of the State Beard. A second selection by the chorus, “The Rosary,” preceded the graduation address by Senator Lloyd T. Dunham. The hall was decorated in the class colors, blue and gold, and the class flower, the yellow rose. The class had selected “We Finish to Begin” as their motto, Cirlaine Louise Fortin was valedictorian, and Doris Helen Michaud was the 1953 salutatorian. Other graduates receiving diplomas from Mr. Crocker were; Claudette J. Beaulieu, Jeanine J. Bouchard, Caroline Cyr, Rena Mae Dubois, Lucille Anna Jandreau, Sheldon Louis Lauritson, Fernande Mary Arm Lebel, Joan Rhona Pelletier, Joan Roberta Pelletier, Solange Ringuette, Marie Therese Tardif and Lorraine N. Warman.

The M.T.S. biennial bulletin for 1954-55 depicted the new science laboratory equipped with state funds “in answer to the growing demand for elementary science and nature study in the grades.” Courses were offered in biology and the physical sciences, with the “greater emphasis on the biological field because of the nature of the other curriculum offerings.” The chemistry and physic benches were piped for hot and cold water and gas. The microscope benches were set up for use by individual students. Another area emphasized in the bulletin was the student teaching program. There had been significant changes in the laboratory school since it was built in 1909 and Miss Nellie Teed (Mrs. Thomas Pinkham) and Miss Alice Buckman were the first critic teachers.

In 1954 there were 170 instructional days divided into two semesters. A semester hour credit was given for a course meeting one fifty-five minute period per week for seventeen weeks. Student teaching usually took place at the third year level and lasted for eighteen weeks. Teaching experience at all grade levels was required and was supervised by the Director of Training as well as critic teachers Miss Fernande Cyr, Miss Irene Babin, Mrs. Mary Picard and Mrs. Dawn Moirs.

The 1954-1955 bulletin also contained course descriptions, and a list of courses offered provides some insight into the philosophy of the school and the background of the instructors. Richard Crocker taught Elementary Psychology, Child and Adolescent Psychology and “the Sciences.” Miss Blake was responsible for English Fundamentals, Childrens Literature and Teaching of English, Masterpieces of Literature, Principles of Education, Introduction to Teaching and Maine. Miss Michaud, Director of Training, divided her interests between The Child and Curriculum I and II, Principles and Techniques of Guidance and Art I and II. Mr. Powell’s courses included Mathematics Methods, Recent History, American History -Pre-Civil War, American History Since 1865, American National Government, Elements of Geography, Principles of Economics and Principles of Sociology. Miss Gould taught Home Economics I and II as two semester courses. Home Economics III was a one semester course. Beth Economics II and III were open to the boys. A new instructor to replace Mrs. Sylvester and teach Music Methods I and II had not been hired before the bulletin was published.

Mrs. Gilbert Picard presided over the alumni day program in 1954, and “Pop” Hoyt repeated as master of ceremonies. Lloyd Soderberg responded for the graduating class. An original -poem was read by “a member” of the class of 1898. Entertainment consisted of class odes of past classes, and Norman Labbe led the group singing. Janice Johnston was pianist for the graduation program. The Normal Chorus performed “Whispering Hope” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” The annual greetings from the State Board of Education were offered by Fred R. Dingley, and the graduates were addressed by Howard L. Bowen, Associate Deputy Commissioner for Elementary Education. Bernice Cyr, Norma Levesque and Mrs. Gladys Sylvester wrote the words for the class ode, to the music of “Red Sails in the Sunset.” As tradition class motto (Dies Diem Docat), class colors (Maroon and White) and class flower (Red Rose) were pre-selected. Graduates receiving diplomas were: Normande May Albert, Laurence Joseph Audibert, Simonne Babin, Laurette Bouchard, Bernice F. Cyr (salutatorian), Celina C. Cyr, Aurella Arm Dubois, Rita E. Dubois, Norma Joan Levesque, Elizabeth Gage Michaud, Dorilla Mae Rose Ouellette, Howard Albert Paradis, Christine P. Pelletier, June D. Roy, Barbara Arm Small, Lloyd Ralph Soderberg, Ted Thibodeau (valedictorian) and Lee Henry Wyman.

The year 1955 was a pivotal one in the history of the Madawaska Training School. First, a fire caused by a short circuit in the electrical wiring leveled fifty-eight year old Nowland Hall, which presented the State Board of Education, in face of declining enrollments, with the decision to either close the school or expend large sums of money to rebuild and expand the school in anticipation of attracting new students. Second, Mr. Richard F. Crocker retired after forty-one years of service, twenty-nine as principal.

Mr. Roger Paradis, presently professor of history and author of the history of the campus, was editor of the 1955 Acadian, and appropriately the yearbook was dedicated to Mr. Crocker as a “man of high vision and generous heart who through his endearing efforts has instilled in us the realization of the importance of education in the moulding of the future.” Just as appropriate, considering the fire, was part of Crocker’s advice for the future. “There can be no shirking of responsibility.”

There were two new appointments in 1955. Antonia M. Ezzy of Van Bnren, a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, was hired as Director of Musical Activities. Mary Labbe joined Irene Babin, Fernande Cyr and Dawn Moirs on the laboratory school staff.

Miss Ezzy started a cheerleading squad, and uniforms were purchased out of the girls’ athletic fund. An athletic council had been established in part to allot funds collected under the athletic fee. The M.T.S. quintet opened their 19541955 season against the “powerful” House of David team from East Lansing, Michigan. A full Northeast College Conference schedule featured a 76-72 win over the University of New Brunswick. Returning veterans R. Smith, C. Albert, F. Beal and Leon Hale formed the nucleus of the team. Other squad members were A. Pelletier, Cliff Madore, P. Campbell, A. Cousins, and E. Paradis, manager. Powell’s “tiny” girls’ team opened the season with five wins in a row. Team members were Joan Dumond, Florence Dionne, Stella Michaud, Ralphine Furrow, Florence Roy, Constance Murray, Janice Johnston, Ellen Pinette and Joan Bouchard, manager. Florence Roy was crowned campus queen as well.

In early February the Bangor Daily News ran a picture of Miss Mary Picard and some of her model school students (Bonnie White, Norman Marquis, Leila Drake, Sandra Atkins and Doris Jalbert) recording poetry to be played back for English correction. Two weeks later fire broke out in Nowland Hall shortly after noon. Fortunately, only two people were in the building at the time. Crocker could not give an on the spot estimate of the loss, but he indicated that it was covered by insurance. Personal effects of faculty members (Blake, Gould, Michaud, Ezzy and Moirs), however, were only partially covered by insurance. Fort Kent firemen managed to confine the blaze to the one building, although some damage was done to the model school when a burning wall collapsed outward. Ironically, the Hall had been refurnished only five years before and Roused much of the domestic science equipment. Subsequently, the Bangor Daily News ran a picture of the campus showing the gap between the model school and the classroom building and accompanied by the following caption, “Residents throughout Aroostook are currently interested in the fate of Madawaska Training School. The State Legislature is considering whether or not to close the school which trains northern Maine students to teach.”

As to be expected, the alumni association quickly come to the defense of their alma mater. At a meeting of the executive board of the association Mr. Crocker and Mr. Powell “came in and discussed possible ways of encouraging enrollment at the M.T.S.” A week later alumni president Maxine Page suggested that the chamber of commerce be invited to the annual banquet for giving “so much of their time and effort to promote the interests of the M. Training School.” The alumni newsletter started with an appeal for support. “Well M.T.S. needs our aid–and as soon as possible. All alumni can help by attending the alumni banquet and by taking an active part in the school’s recruitment program.” About ninety had attended the banquet the year before, and they hoped to exceed one hundred in this crucial year.

Recruitment was the key to the future. “It appears that the enrollment of our alma mater must be increased and fast if this seventy-six year old institution is to survive.” The newsletter editor shared the thoughts of many when he wrote a prophetic statement, “It would be tragic to see this northern Aroostook school of higher learning die when not even a century old.” Even though “the chips have been down,” the editor felt confident that with help the future of the institution could be assured. “Are we going to let a “FRIEND” down? We can help by becoming recruiters for M.T.S.” He set a goal of seventy-five students for the following fall, and thought this was realistic seeing that preregistration for the summer session was at an all time high of ninety. Moreover, “Increases during the next two years would certainly be conducive toward the eventual establishment of a four year college at Fort Kent.” And, in a final plea, “Let us remove this dark cloud that hovers over M.T.S. every legislative year. If we don’t do anything now, surely we are letting a friend down.”

Alumni officers for that decisive year were Maxine Page, president; Patrick Babin, vice-president; Nellie Pelletier, secretary; and Alvey Dubois, treasurer. Floyd Powell was master of ceremonies at the banquet, and outgoing Principal Richard Crocker addressed the alumni one last time in his official capacity. The response was made by Armand Pelletier, vice-president of the class of 1955. Mr. Vaughn Currier gave a report as chairman of the chamber of commerce education committee. David Garceau spoke concerning alumni recruitment. The meeting ended on a positive note with Norman Labbe leading the large crowd in group singing.

There were only eleven graduates in the class of 1955. The other two class officers were Leon Hale, president and Joan Bouchard, secretary-treasurer. Also graduating were Camille Albert, Sarah Bouchard, Gilberte Cyr, Janice Johnston, Lola Lamare, Florence Roy, Dora Rutherford. Irene D. Baker was also a member of this class.

A special assembly was held at the end of the 1955 summer session in honor of Mr. Crocker. Velma Daigle photographed Alvy Dubois presenting a gift to “his Principal” and the photo appeared in the Bangor Daily News shortly thereafter. Dick Hennessy, reporter for the same paper, Maine’s largest daily, interviewed Mr. Crocker the following fall and prepared an illustrated feature article on the state’s northernmost institution of higher learning. As he reported about ninety-five percent of the elementary teachers in northern Aroostook had been trained at the Pleasant Street location, and yet “only an aggressive fight” by-the chamber of commerce had saved the institution when the legislature was seriously considering closing it down the previous March. The legislature considered seventy-five a minimum enrollment. The average enrollment of the past five years was only forty-nine, and only fifty-one had enrolled for the fall of 1956. Still, the legislature had approved of a change in name to Fort Kent State Normal School and promised a four year program if the enrollment could be increased to ninety.

Why save “old M.T.S.?” Hennessey provides us with the classic arguments that were to be repeated many times in the future. There were “some advantages” to going to a small school, he wrote. “With less than twenty in each of the three classes, individual classes were small.” Besides, tuition was low, $100, and those within commuting distance could go to college in Fort Kent “for much less than if they had to live away from home.” To Hennessey it was “obvious” that if the school was closed down the elementary schools in the St. John Valley would be “hard pressed for teachers in a few years.” He accurately observed a trend in education then in evidence throughout Maine. “While young graduate instructors may be willing to come to northern Maine to teach for a few years to gain valuable experience, most of them soon move on to jobs nearer home.” Crocker must have impressed the following on Hennessey’s mind: “Local citizens feel that the school’s true value will be realized only after it has been closed and education in other parts of the state find out what residents of this area long have known.”

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A mild-mannered approach to success

The “new man at the helm” at Fort Kent State Normal School in the fall of 1956 was Joseph Fox of Lewiston, formerly of Fort Kent. In his message to the graduating class of 1956 Fox indicated his philosophy of education. “Teaching is a sacred trust. The minds, souls and bodies of our youth are in my hands. The common denominator then, is, to me, called Dedication.” In this respect he shared an attribute of his predecessor Richard Crocker, who was tendered still another recognition dinner, this time by the Fort Kent Chamber of Commerce. About one hundred and fifty guests were on hand when Deputy Commissioner of Education Kermit Nickerson presented Crocker with a plaque honoring his “outstanding service as a teacher for forty-one years.” Principal Fox hoped that his administration would be as long and as rewarding.

It was also science instructor Ray Fournier’s first year at Fort Kent. Fournier replaced Floyd Powell as basketball coach. R. Derosier led all scorers with 273 points for the year. Home and away games were played against A.S.T.S., W.S.T.C., U.N.B., Ricker and the Caribou A.A. They also played a home game against the Madawaska A.A. and went to the conference tournament at Houlton. Other team members were A. Cousins, D. Wharton, P. Campbell, J. Daigle, R. McLaughlin, H. Meader and seniors Fred Beal and George Trusty. Powell still coached the girls’ team, which was composed of one-year veterans R. Murrow, C. Murray, J. Dumond, S. Michaud, B. Jalbert and first-timers V. Ouellette, C. Desjardins and R. LeBoeuf.

Some physical changes were evident at F.K.S.N.S. by the end of 1956. A new sign, necessitated by the school’s change in name, was painted by Miss Michaud. Dickey Hall was being “completely renovated” for use as a girls’ dormitory. One observer, commenting on the color schemes, said, ‘”…well, just wait till you see it all!” The “new” dining hall was ready for Homecoming and Open House Day. The Third Normal students sponsored a dance following the Homecoming Banquet.

Lucien Ouellette was class marshal in 1956. The Ezzy ensemble played for the academic procession. Three selections were sung by the glee club. George Rich, a Ricker College instructor, addressed the graduates. Stella Michaud “and classmates” wrote the words for the class ode, set to the musical air, “Its Almost Tomorrow.” Maroon and White, the Rose, and “Tomorrow” were the class colors, flower and motto, respectively. Principal Fox presented the diplomas for his first time to Glenwood Wilcox (president), Roger Paradis (vice-president); Constance Murray (secretary-treasurer); Frederick Beal, Joan Dumond, Ralphine Dow, Catherine Martin, Stella Michaud, Patricia Nadeau, Lucien Ouellette, Ellen Pinette, Vennette Plourde, Florence Dionne Trusty, George Trusty. Also to receive diplomas were Leona Bellefleur, Fern Pelletier and Cecile Pozzuto.

Fortunately for the future of F.K.S.N.S. the State Board of Education had come to the conclusion in 1956 that “One of the foremost problems facing education today (was) the method of providing sufficient teachers to meet ever increasing demands.” Accordingly, the Board made a study of potential enrollments and facilities to take care of increased student numbers. Fort Kent, with an estimated capacity of 100, had an enrollment of sixty in 1956. Its projected enrollment was 150, or an increase of 150 percent. Among the major projects the Board had under consideration was an administration-classroom-library building at F.K.S.N.S. The insurance settlement for the 1955 fire amounted to $64,907, and $30,000 of this had been used to make the improvements in Dickey Hall mentioned above. The Governor and Council also approved spending $10,000 of the insurance money on a principal’s residence. Some of the remaining funds were expended on a fire escape and sprinkler system for Dickey Hall and a new roof and other repairs at the Model School. The Board’s biennial report showed that thirty-six state and three other scholarships had been awarded at Fort Kent. There were also sixteen students employed by the college in the fall semester 1955-1956.

Ludger N. Michaud was master of ceremonies at the alumni banquet held in the newly renovated dining room at Dickey Hall in 1956. Mrs. Maxine Page, alumni president, welcomed the group and introduced Principal Fox, who referred to Bernard Devoto’s best selling book, The Year of Decision, 1846 and compared its theme with what was happening to F.K.S.N.S. “As we sit here at this moment and as our thoughts center on this group of buildings known as Fort Kent State Normal School, it might be said that IT IS IN ITS YEAR OF DECISION – 1956.” Like the history of the United States, he continued, it would be “the small decisions and events of this year that could well determine the future of this institution for the next hundred years.” Three questions had to be settled in the next three months. “I . Will the institution continue to exist? 2. Will it become a four year teachers college? 3. Will it have the buildings, library, labs, instructional staff, etc. that will make it a college in fact as well as in name?”

The “actions” of three groups, the State Board of Education, the next legislature, and “most important, our actions,” said Principal Fox, “will be the things that shape the destiny of Fort Kent State Normal School.” The Board could act to provide the fourth year, and the legislature could provide the monies for the new campus that was already in the planning stage. But, he emphasized, “in the last analysis it will be Our actions in this year of decision 1956 that will tell the State Board of Education and the Legislature which way to act.” Fox agreed with previous spokesmen for the school that increased enrollment was a necessity. “Fort Kent’s place in the teacher training picture.., would show a need for a student body of 150 students, and he argued, “These people have to be trained somewhere and if we can supply that number in a four year course we will have demonstrated to the interested parties that we have a real need for a school here.” But, first things first. “TO GAIN THE FOURTH YEAR WE NEED SEVENTY-FIVE (75) STUDENTS NEXT FALL. He challenged the alumni to provide twenty of that number. The editor of the alumni newsletter relayed the challenge, “What do you say alumni? Ready to pitch in?

The following fall the F.K.S.N.S. faculty was strengthened by the hiring of three new instructors, Mr. Gerald Pouzol, a graduate of the Northern Conservatory of Music; Mr. Hubert Thibodeau, who had earned his master’s degree at the University of Maine; and Dr. Verne D. Morey, holder of a doctoral degree from Harvard, Mr. Powell was on sabbatical leave in California. However, there were only three critic teachers at the Model School: Mary R. Picard, Yvonne D. Garceau and Vennette Plourde. Key people in the support staff were Doris Voisine, registrar-bursar; Mrs. Cecile Michaud, “the best cook in the county;” Mrs. Albertine Pincombe, house mother; and Philip and Edwin Bouchard, janitors. The graduating class of 1957 would dedicate its yearbook to Edwin Bouchard, in part for “bits of advice and for being the personal friend of our class.”

The 1956-1957 F.K.S.N.S. basketball team played a full Northeast College Conference schedule, including the conference tournament held at Fredericton, New Brunswick, plus games with Van Buren, Madawaska and Caribou A.A. Veterans on the squad were seniors Allen Cousins and Paul Campbell and sophomores Roger Derosier, Donnie Wharton and Ronnie McLaughlin. Also on the squad were sophomore Phil Bourgoin and freshmen Dee Tilley, Tom Lapointe, Don Gagnon, Dana Robinson, Bert Bosse and Dwight Thiel. Wharton and Derosier were the only players to score over two hundred points for the year.

One of the special features of the 1957 Acadian was a section honoring the fifty year class, the class of 1907. Velma Daigle, daughter of Arthur Daigle a member of the class being honored, provided pictures of Anna Guy Audibert, Anastasia Daigle Cyr, Edee Cyr, Marie Michaud Cyr, Arthur Daigle, Marie Daigle Hafford, Flavie Cyr Martin and Lucie Cyr Parent. “Mary” Hafford, a close friend of Miss Blake of the faculty, repeated one of Miss Nowland’s favorite quotes for the benefit of the class of 1957, “Let us cherish our public schools as the looms, our teachers as the weavers who weave the wondrous destiny of the nations.” At the alumni banquet David Garceau and Emery Labbe, editor-in-chief of the 1957 Acadian greeted the class of 1907. Mr. Arthur R. Daigle responded for the 1907 class, and Mrs. Dorothy Dow, president of the class of 1957, responded for the current graduates.

The following Friday eight members of the class of 1957 received diplomas from Principal Joseph M. Fox. The Ezzy ensemble and the glee club provided the music. The familiar figure of Mrs. Emerson brought the greetings of the State Board, and Dr. Warren G. Hill, Commissioner of Education, was the graduation speaker. The eight graduates listed on the program were Paul Martin Campbell, Gilman Richard Charette, Allan Edward Cousins, Dorothy Scott Dow, Elizabeth Jeanne Jalbert, Joyce Francis Pelletier, Jane Jacqueline Plourde and Raynold Theriault. The class motto was “Fostered Knowledge Serves Nations Successfully.”

The class of 1958 dedicated its yearbook to Principal Fox, a man “mild in manner, but firm in reality….” Doris Voisine resigned as registrar-bursar to get married and was replaced by Mrs. Lucille Pelletier. Mrs. Lillian, Sudall, whose husband Arthur D. Sudall joined the faculty as the new director of music, was added to the office staff in a secretarial position. Red Powell was back from California. At the Pleasant Street school the staff included Mr. Ludger N. Michaud (principal), Elsie S. Dow, Celina Cyr and Vennette Plourde.

The alumni put out a special newsletter in January, 1958 to convey some good news. The State Board had appropriated money for the construction of a new administration building. Actual work on the building was supposed to start in the spring. “Our dreams have finally been realized,” the editor said, through the “untiring efforts” of the alumni and the “persistent efforts” of Principal Fox. The newsletter also reported progress on the pledge to raise $1,000 for an Alumni Memorial Field.

“Outside the classroom he is known to all his students as ‘coach,’ “and to others he was “The Little Man with the Big Heart.” To those who had the pleasure of teaching with him or listening to him singing and playing “The Hair upon the Billy Goat,” he was simply “Ray,” and Ray Fournier sincerely believed “Sports helped to build the man.” Despite the support of cheerleaders P. O. Ouellette, Joan Pelletier, S. Pelletier, D. Michaud, R. Dube and Jeannine Pelletier, Coach Fournier’s 1957-1958 basketball squad “met with a lot of hard luck” and only won two of twelve games, going 0-10 in the conference. Only D. Wharton scored over two hundred points for the season. On the team roster, in the order of points scored, were D. Wharton, R. Derosier, D. Gagnon, F. Plissey, Pi Ouellette, D. Tilly, R. McLaughlin, R. Lapointe, S. Collin, D. Robinson, R. Bosse, D. Phillips and T. Lapointe. “Red” Powell’s girls’ squad played a “number of games with outside teams,” but the team was handicapped by a lack of bench strength, with only seven girls on the team (C. Lizotte, I. Cyr, M. Jalbert, J. Pelletier, V. Morin, M. Beaulieu, M. Labonte).

The classes of 1908 and 1933 were honored at the annual alumni banquet. Mrs. Agnes Long Beaulieu (1908) and Theodore Brown (1933) responded for their respective classes. Principal Fox gave “The Year in Review,” and Claude Charette, president of the outgoing class, spoke for the graduates. Mrs. Doris P. Lyons, President of the Maine Congress of Parents and Teachers, presented a scholarship to Theresa O’Neil, class of 1960. (Joseph Albert, the first to receive this scholarship in 1956, was also present) Rachel Dube received the Richard F. Crocker scholarship, and the Gladys Sylvester scholarship went to Theresa O’Neil of Caribou. Joseph Albert served as song leader, and Mrs. Lillian Sudall was his accompanist. Members of the class of 1908 posing for a publicity picture were Mrs. Catherine O’Clair (Auburn), Mrs. Lizzie McClellan (Fort Kent), Mrs. Agnes Long Beaulieu (Caribou), Edmond Cyr (Saco), Joseph Nadeau (Fort Kent) and Rex Dow (Presque Isle).

Edmund S. Muskie, Governor of the State of Maine, was the featured speaker at the graduation exercises in 1958. Mr. B. V. Allen brought the customary greetings from the State Board. Mrs. Sudall played Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” and Governor Mnskie addressed the following graduates: Claude Charette (president), Roger Derosier (vice-president), Reno Deschaine, Marilyn Jalbert, Rose Marie LeBoeuf (secretary), Sr. Mary Bertrand, Ronald McLaughlin, Dolores M. Michaud (treasurer), Norma Ouellette, Doris T. Saucier and Donald L. R. Wharton. The class motto was a reflection on the times: “Freedom, Knowledge, Science – National Security.

From the vantage point of the State Board five things had been accomplished at Fort Kent by the end of the 1957-1958 academic year. Construction had started on the new ad-ministration-classroom-library building, designed to replace Cyr Hall. A curriculum study had been initiated, and entrance requirements were still being studied to see what correlation there was between these exams and “college success.” An instructor in physical education was approved of for the coming fall, and the enrollment ha increased by twenty-two percent from fifty-four in 1956195′ to sixty-seven in 1957-1958. And, knowing the attitude of the Board members, a favorable sign was the accompanying reduction of the cost per student during the biennium from $1,834.14 to $1,416.73.

Mr. William Oliver, a graduate of the University of Maine, joined the faculty of F.K.S.N.S. in the fall of 1958 to teach physical education and coach varsity basketball. Oliver had to work with a squad that was small in size and number. The seven members of the squad were Gerry Lapointe, Bob Lapointe, Dave Gagnon, Paul Ouellette, Spike Collin, Eddie Hamblin and Mel Labbe. There was more “woman-power” on Powell’s girls’ squad. On the roster were L. Pelletier, B. Love, “Gabby” LeBoeuf, M. Beaulieu, G. Theriault, I. Cyr, Susan Pelletier, Bernette Plourde, P. L. Ouellette, Lorraine Gervais and Jackie Derosier. For the non-athletic Mr. Sudall’s chorus attracted large numbers. Sudall also directed the “Ensemble,” and, for the first time in the school’s history, a brass quartet (Romeo Marquis, first trumpet; Lyn Cyr, second trumpet; George Ezzy, E flat horn; and Richard Woodbury, baritone ). A chapter of S .E.A .M. was active, and Dr. Morey was adviser to the literary club.

The 1959 Acadian was dedicated to Mr. Ray Fournier. Miss Michaud and Mr. Thibodeau were the class advisers. Class officers were Fred Dana Robinson, president; Joseph Albert, vice-president; Sr. Marie Rodrique, secretary; and Velma Morin, treasurer. Also graduating were Sr. Marie Marcellina, Berthier Bosse, Claudette Bouchard, Claudette Coulombe, Rachel Dube, Donald Gagnon, Mrs. Joan Hafford, Jeannine Pelletier, Joan Pelletier. Two encouraging signs for the future were the projected enrollment for the fall, perhaps over one hundred, and the upcoming bond issue, which included a forty-bed women’s :dormitory for Fort Kent.

The enrollment in 1958-1959 was ninety-three, and when the final figures were in for 1959-1960 it was over the one hundred mark as predicted, 108. Cyr Hall, the new administration and classroom building was dedicated on June ninth and “opened its doors to greet the undergraduates” on September 28, 1959. The alumni association and the Student Education Association branch on campus scheduled an open house for December eighth. The bond referendum was scheduled for October twelfth. The editor of the alumni newsletter pleaded, “Let’s encourage our friends to exercise their voting privilege on that date. After all, a $221,900 dormitory is at stake.” “The least we can do, in support of Principal Fox’s far-reaching program,” the newsletter read, “is to give our full hearted assistance.” The bond referendum passed.

Coach Oliver’s 1959-1960 basketball squad included Carleton Dubois, R. Levesque, Mike St. John, K. Wyman, J. Powell, Gerry Lapointe, Ken Pelletier, R. Marquis, R. Martin, Allen Ouellette and Nelson St. Amant. Cheerleaders that year were M. Bouchard, S. Brown, B. Ouellette, P. Ouellette, S. Daigle, G. Theriault and E. Dee. There was no mention of a girls’ squad in the 1960 Acadian.

The class of 1960 differed from its predecessors in that it chose a different set of officers for each semester. Carol Bouchard was president the first semester, and his successor in the spring was George Ezzy. Vinton Pelletier succeeded P. Ouellette as vice-president. Sr. Virginia was replaced by Pat Michaud as secretary, and M. Beaulieu and H. Berube took turns as treasurer. The student council representative in the fall was Bernette Plourde. In the spring Teresa O’Neil was elected to the same pest. George Ezzy gave the response for his class at the alumni banquet in May. Three members of the class of 1910, Mrs. Catherine Morneault, Mrs. Evina Daigle and Mrs. Hedgwidge Pelletier proudly posed for their picture after the banquet. Mrs. Sudall accompanied a new song leader, Mr. Ray Fournier. Besides the officers mentioned earlier, the graduates in 1960 were Philip Blanchette, Imelda Cyr, Laurel Daigle, Paul E. Dubois, Wilfred R. Dumont, Roger Furlong, Kathleen Hart, Gabrielle LeBoeuf, Rosaire Martin, Patricia Michaud, Theresa O’Neil, Leopold Ouellette, Lester Ouellette, Patricia Ouellette, Joseph C. Pelletier, Richard Pelletier, Susan Pelletier, Vinton Pelletier, Bernette Plourde, Jeanita Plourde, Rena Sutherland, Wayne Stedt. Josephine Cyr was also in this class. The graduates dedicated their yearbook to Mr. Powell, now Dean of Instruction.

Mr. Irenee Cyr of Fort Kent introduced a bill before the one hundredth legislature which would give the Fort Kent campus a fourth year and a change of title to Fort Kent State Teachers College. The obvious benefits were pointed out in the February alumni newsletter. “This addition of the fourth year would increase both the quantity and quality of course work and enable students to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree.” Available statistics seemed to show that there were plenty of potential students. It was estimated that sixty-five percent of the teachers in the immediate area had completed the three year program then being offered. In the whole St. John Valley only nine percent had completed bachelor degree requirements, and less than two percent had completed graduate work. This meant that upwards of two hundred elementary teachers could benefit directly from the addition of a fourth year. One alumnus who fully realized the importance of this bill put it this way: “We must support this proposal by sending letters to our legislators in Augusta. The earlier the better! Let’s do it today. The same writer reported progress on the women’s dorm, contracted by Quigley and Son of Fort Kent. Target completion date was June. A committee of faculty members, alumni and students met in the spring to go over names suggested for the new dormitory.

There were a number of changes or additions in both the F.K.S.N.S. faculty and critic teacher roster in 1960-1961. Mr. Donald G. Rith replaced Mr. Oliver as instructor in physical education and director of intramurals and athletics. A graduate of Colgate University, Rith was also assigned classes in geography. Henry Karl Baker, a graduate of U.N.H., New England Conservatory of Music, Mechelin Carillon School, replaced Mr. Sudall as .music supervisor. Although there were no changes in the Medel School staff, Mrs. Irene D. Baker, Laurence Roy, Mrs. Frances B. Pinette and Leonard Sutherland were hired as critic teachers at Market Street school. Mrs. Claire Dubois replaced Mrs. Sudall as clerk-typist on campus.

Student activities during the year included a “sociography” trip by the Maine History class that included stops in Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, and Eastpert, Maine and St. Stephens and St. Andrews, New Brunswick. The Barn Dance and Beatnik Party drew large crowds, as did an expanded intramural athletic program. The S.E.A.M. chapter was active, both in recruitment and in support of the fourth year bill. Its adviser, Mr. Thibodeau, was recognized for his leadership in these activities by the 1961 class, who dedicated their yearbook to him. Allen Ouellette said “Mr. T” was “Not merely a teacher of teachers, but a teachers’ teacher….”

For the alumni association, 1960-1961 was a year “when strong support and backing of the Alumni was encouraging and heartening to all of us on the “firing line.” About thirty “old graduates and friends” made “a very impressive appeal” before the Legislative Education Committee on March ninth for the addition of the fourth year. One of those present wrote, “Letters and telegrams from all over the country made a tremendous impression on the committee. All of us there that day felt that a whole host of supporters stood behind us and it was a wonderful feeling.” A larger enrollment would help the four year cause, and the projection for fall indicated the entering freshman class would “run about normal-from 30 to 35,” and at the same time both W.S.T.C. and A.S.T.C. had over 100 applications in hand. This spurred Mr. Thibodeau and S.E.A.M. members to visit the local high schools. Although the bill was “favorably received” by the Education Committee, the final results were not in before the alumni newsletter went out announcing the June 4, 1961 annual meeting.

Sr. Mary Albert, class of 1911, came all the way from San Diego, California to attend her fiftieth reunion. Other members of her class attending were salutatorian Donne Bourgoin (Edmundston), Mr. Camilla Cyr Bouchard (Madawaska), Mrs. Laura Sarah Martin (Frenchville), and Mrs. Isabella Bouchard (Sinclair), who was completing her fiftieth year of teaching. The twenty-five year class was very well represented. Posing for a picture of the class of 1936 were Mrs. Thomas Langlais Cyr, Mrs. Carmen Cyr St. Jean, Mrs. Agathe Cyr Cyr, Mrs. Anne Parent Tardif, Mrs. Juliette Chasse Plourde, Mrs. Simone Dufour Gagnon, Mrs. Lorraine Dufour Cyr, Reynaldo Dufour, Mrs. Alphena Daigle Ayotte, Mrs. Lorette Soucy Ezzy, Mrs. Ron Daigle Cyr, Mrs. Rose O’Clair Jandreau, Mrs. Anita Babin Ouellette, Mrs. Blanche St. Germaine Michaud, Mrs. Bernadine Jalbert Dumont, Albina Y. Marquis and Austin Wylie. New alumni officers elected were Laurence Roy, president; Bernard St. Peter, vice-president; Mary Picard, secretary; and Emery Labbe, treasurer, Mr. Ludger Michaud, chairman of the alumni fund committee, announced that enough money had either been collected or state aid provided to start work on the alumni playground. Mr. Kenneth Wyman gave the response of the 1961 graduating class, and Henry Karl Baker served as pianist for Bernard St. Peter, who resumed his post as song leader.

Crocker Hall was dedicated in honor of Richard F. Crocker, third principal, 1914-1955, on October 30, 1961. Clifford O.T. Weiden, President of Aroostook State Teachers College presided over the ceremonies. The prayer of invocation was offered by Very Rev. Adrian H. Palardy, Dean. Official greetings were presented by Hayden L. V. Anderson, Executive Director Division of Professional Services of the State Department of Education; Lincoln A. Sennett, President of Washington State Teachers College, for the Administrative Board; Dr. Harland Abbott, Dean of Instruction at Farmington State Teachers College, for the faculties; and Gabriel Ezzy for student government. Dedicatory remarks were made by David Garceau, member of the Governor’s School District Commission. Mrs. Leah Emerson, Chairman of the State Board of Education officially presented Crocker Hall, and Joseph M. Fox, now officially titled President of Fort Kent State Teachers College accepted the building on behalf of alumni, faculty, staff and students. Laurence Roy presented the alumni gift. Dr. Kenneth T. H. Brooks, President of Gorham State Teachers College and a personal friend of Mr. Fox, delivered the major address. The ceremonies were followed by an open house and tea.

Class officers for the fall of 1960 were Joseph Daigle, president; James Johnston, vice-president; Claudette Cote, secretary; and Gaetane Theriault, treasurer. Officers for spring, 1961 were Kenneth Wyman, president; Melvin Labbe, vice-president; Theola Ezzy, secretary; and Rita Pelletier, treasurer. “One Day Teaches The Other” was the class motto, and the class colors were “Red and White.” The “Red Rose” was popular choice for class flower. Paul Morin served as organist at commencement. Dean Mark Shibles of the University of Maine was graduation speaker, and Principal Fox and Dean Powell conferred diplomas. Also graduating in 1961 were Marilyn Bouchard, Sandra Brown, Maxine Frenette, Lorraine Gervais, Edward Hamblin, Beatrice Love, Beatrice Ouellette, O’Neil Paradis, Normand Parent, Bernard Pelletier, Louise Pelletier, Richard Philips, Norman Soucie, Theresa Thibeault and Elizabeth West.

Enrollment at Fort Kent in 1961-1962 was 107, and a goal of 150 was set for 1970. Alumni day was set for June third at Pat’s Place in Fort Kent Mills. An open house and tea were to be held on campus for the alumni with Miss Michaud in charge. Outdoor activities for the day were the responsibility of Emery”Legs”Labbe. The classes of 1912,1937 and 1952 were honored at the banquet. Speaking of GROWTH, CHANGE, President Fox told the alumni that the staff had given “much time and study” to the fourth year which would be added in the fall. Six new positions were funded to cover the expanded curriculum. Three had already been filled (Mr. Edward Boynton, music; Mr. Joseph Hallee, French; Mr. Roger Grindle, history).

By the time school opened in the fall Miss Patricia Martin (English), Mr. Lowell Osgood (physical education), and Mr. Presley Peek (mathematics) had signed teaching contracts. An unexpected bonus was the hiring of Mrs. Sharon Peek (now Mrs. Zimmer-Boucher) to teach biology I and II. Alumnus Patrick Babin was now assisting Mr. Thibodeau in the education department. Donna Waddell was added to the Laboratory School staff. Support personnel included Cecile Michaud, cook; Edwidge Daigle, food service worker; Marie St. John, domestic worker; Albertine Pincombe, housemother Crocker Hall; Cecile “Ma” Savage, housemother Dickey Hall; Philip Bouchard, building maintenance supervisor; Hector “Babe” Dubois, custodial worker; and Doreen Pike, clerk typist.

The junior class started a school newspaper, The Tatler, in the fall of 1962. The new instructors were introduced in its columns. Coach Lowell “Ozzie” Osgood indicated to its editors that he intended to put the Fort Kent “Bengals” on the map and proceeded to upset perennial Northeast College Conference powerhouse Ricker in the opening game of the 1962-1963 season. F.K.S.T.C. won close games over Maine Maritime Academy and W.S.T.C. before losing to the Bombers from Loring Air Force Base. Over the rest of the season Osgood’s squad won three games over Edmundston’s semi-pro team, split with the Millinocket Pills, A.S.T.C., U.N.B., lost two conference games with Ricker, were beaten by two of Canada’s strongest teams Mt. Allison and St. Francis Xavier, and beat another Canadian squad, Memorial University, decisively in the last game of the season. Members of Coach Osgood’s first Bengal squad were Paul Wheeler, Gary Eldridge, Peter Pierce, Ronald Grover, Charles Hill, Marc Michaud, Larry Violette, Michael St. John, Charles Holmes, James Monk, Bob Dubuc and Bernard “Bunny” LaPlante. Only Michaud, Violette and St. John were from the St. John Valley. Coach Osgood’s coaching record at Greenville and Old Town had attracted outside talent. At the athletics awards banquet Ursula Gervais and Bernard LaPlante received outstanding athlete awards.

The guest speaker at the 1963 alumni association banquet was Howard L. Cousins, Jr. Vice President for Marketing, Bangor and Aroostook Railroad. Later in the program Guy Baker presented Mr. Cousins with the outstanding alumni award. In turn Cousins presented an honorary life membership in the alumni association to Miss Waneta (Blakie) Blake, one of his former instructors who was retiring at the end of the school year. In his remarks to the alumni President Fox reminded them that the following week the first degrees would be conferred at commencement exercises. He observed, “This rather simple act will culminate months of hard work by a great number of interested people,” and he could not help recalling, “A few short years ago, the chief concern was getting enough students to fill the available space. Next fall the problem will be to find enough space to house and provide meals for the students who plan to attend.” He hoped that the legislature then in session would appropriate funds for a men’s dorm, a women’s dorm and a central dining facility. Reflecting on the past year, he said, “The complications which arose due to the addition of the fourth year were much more numerous and complex than expected.” He did indicate that “the additional staff members have proved to be very valuable assets to the program.” He could have added, as was mentioned in the State Board of Education’s biennial report, the conferring of bachelor of science degrees on forty-four members of the class of 1963 marked “the end of the public normal school era in New England.”

Officers of the first four year class were Allen Ouellette, president; Normande Parent, vice-president; Rita Pelletier, secretary; Roland “Red” St. Pierre, treasurer. Richard “Douce” Doucette and Sylvia Collin were the student government representatives. The S.E.A.M. representatives were Lillian “Sis” McManus and Lorraine Gervais, and two proven athletes, Ursula Gervais and Michael St. John, served on the athletic council. The complete graduation list follows: Patricia N. Albert, Irene D. Baker, Therese Beaupre, Sylvia Collin, Claudette Coulombe, Jeannine B. Cyr, Jeannette Cyr, Lorilla Deprey, Jeanita Desiderio, Richard Doucette, Lorraine Gervais, Ursula Gervais, Imelda Cyr Holeton, Kathleen Hartt, Philip Jardine, Juliette Labby, Sr. Mary Marcellina, Dorothy Marquis, Lillian McManus, Patricia Michaud, Allen Ouellette, Gregory Ouellette, Lester Ouellette, Ayrella D. Paradis, Normande Parent, Annette Pelletier, Bernard Pelletier, Rita Pelletier, Janet Plourde, Bernadette Roy, Michael St. John, Roland St. Pierre, Norman P. Soucie, Philip Blanchette, Marion J. Browne, Bernice F. Cyr, Cora T. Daigle, Rena Mae Dubois, Leon Hale, Claudette B. McNeil, Nellie Pelletier, Wayne Stedt, Lee H. Wyman. At the graduation ceremonies Father Long delivered the invocation. Edward Boynton directed the college choir. Vernon Johnston brought the greetings of the State Board of Education, and Dr. Kenneth Woodbury, former Deputy Commissioner of Education, State of New Jersey addressed the graduates. Miss Blake was designated Professor Emeritus.

The enrollment at F.K.S.T.C. rose to 160 in 1963-1964, higher than the goal set for 1970 by the State Board of Education. Consequently the 1970 enrollment goal was revised upwards to 300. Part of the increase in enrollment had resulted from the introduction of French as an undergraduate elective. This made Fort Kent “the first of the teachers colleges to add a modern foreign language to its liberal arts offerings.” More students meant more student organizations and activities. Vets Club jackets were seen all over campus. A Newman club was activated. The sophomores sponsored a box social and Halloween dance. Major banquets were held at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The freshmen put on a Mardi Gras dance. The winter carnival broke up the long winter with classes competing in skits, snow sculptures and a variety of indoor and outdoor sports. Wayne. Joler and Johanna Rudnicki were crowned carnival king and queen. Two joint concerts were held by the F.K.S.T.C. choir and the St. Louis-Bathurst choirs. White dinner jackets and formal gowns dotted the gym floor at the May Ball.

Soccer was added as a varsity sport, and Bunny LaPlante and Charles “Chuck” Hill were co-captains of the 1963-1964 squad. Ron “Crazy Legs” Brown led the ten with ten goals. Home games were played on the “flat” between Cyr Hall and the gym. The first non-conference team compiled a 42 record, beating St. Louis University of Edmundston twice and splitting matches with A.S.T.C. and Ricker. Other squad members were Roger Wood, Paul Baker, Gary Osgood, Bob Dubuc, Lee Albert, Lloyd Thibodeau, Lionel Tracey, Daryl Peary, Gerry Roy, Bob Roy, Mike Kelly, Larry Newall, Lloyd Soucy, Mike Pelky, David Chevalier, Fran “Allah” Fournier, Larry Violette, Ron Webber, Louis ‘Mauler” Moreau, and manager Dave LeBreck.

There were three lettermen on the 1963-1964 basketball tram, Ron Grover of Old Orchard, Bunny LaPlante of Old Town and Captain Larry Violette of Van Buren. The only senior on the squad was Marc Michaud of St. Agatha. The rest of the squad was made up of freshmen: Roger Wood (Solon), Wayne Joler (Oakland), Daryl Peary (Howland), Mike Pelky (Washburn), Lionel Tracey (Newport), Roger Crowley (Greene), Stephen Nicholas (Westbrook), and Gary Osgood (Old Town). LaPlante led all scorers with a 19 points per game average and was named to the all conference team. Peary and Wood were also among the top ten scorers in the conference. Fort Kent had dual wins over W.S.T.C., M.M.A. and Thomas College, won one and tied one with U.N.B., and split four games with A.S.T.C. Osgood’s quintet suffered twin losses to Ricker, Loring and Husson, and a single game with Woodstock. Cheerleaders were Caryl McCallum, Vi Martin, Rita “Reet” Sherman, Muriel “Peanut” Roy, Ann Perreault, Claudette Roy, Marje Cyr and Dolores “Dodo” Martin.

There were several new faces on the staff. Mrs. Virginia Osgood became secretary to the Dean. Mrs. Bernice Collin became assistant librarian. Anita Grindie became critic teacher in grades three and four at the “Campus School.” Other new personnel were Mrs. Ida Daigle, food service worker; Henrietta Dubois, housemother Crocker Hall; Lola St. Peter and Arm Perrault, clerical aides; and Patricia Picard, typist.

Over 150 alumni, faculty and friends attended the alumni banquet in 1964. Laurel Daigle, president of the association presided. Rev. Amedee Proulx gave the invocation, and Patrick Babin acted as master of ceremonies. Members of the fifty year class attending were Miss Victoria Bouthot (East Orange, N.J.), Mrs. Gertrude Michaud Lauritson (Limestone), Mrs. Mary Roy Picard (Fort Kent), Mrs. Delia Charette Pinette (Fort Kent); Mrs. Theresa Saucier Labbe (Wallagrass) Miss Cecile Bouchard (Sinclair), George Martin (Eagle Lake), Louis Cyr (St. David). Members of the twenty-five year class attending were Theodore Brown (Eagle Lake, Mrs. Bernice Bourgoin Michaud (Fort Kent), Mrs. Constance Sirois Cote (Limestone), and Mrs. Atherline Theriault Paradis (Presque Isle). Babin also recognized Theodule Albert, class of 1898, and Thomas Dufour, class of 1902. Leroy Martin introduced members of his outgoing class. In his “Year in Review” speech President Fox indicated that a new boys dorm would be built and ready for occupancy in the fall of 1965. Future plans called for converting the gym into a library and building a central dining hall. On a positive note, Fox reported the past year’s enrollment was 177 and the next fall’s enrollment would have to be limited “due to space and faculty.” Pop Hoyt then presented the outstanding alumni award to Ann Marie Cyr Atwell of Rye, New York.

Rev. Proulx also gave the invocation at the graduation ceremonies in 1964, and Vernon Johnston again brought the greetings of the State Board of Education Gwilym R. Roberts, Professor of History at F.S.T.C. was the graduation speaker. The 1964 class had revived the practice of electing officers for each semester, but the president, Leroy Martin, and the treasurer, Leola Ouellette, remained the same. Lillian Ann Parent replaced Muriel Thibeault as secretary in the second semester, and William B. Wark replaced Marc Emile Michaud as vice-president during the second semester. The graduating seniors were Sister Bertrand, Mary Pat Crosby, Joseph Daigle, Bernadine Dubay, Guy Dubay, Jacqueline Dubay, Carol Dufour, Patricia Dufour, Wilfred Dumont, Lewellyn Deprey, Vera Gibson, Joyce Hebort, Linda Holmquist, James Johnston, Jeremiah Lagasse, Relda Landry, Daniel Madore, Leroy Martin, John Paul Michaud, Marc E. Michaud, Leola Ouellette , Lucien “Shorty” Ouellette, Claudette Parent, Lillian Arm Parent, Maurice Pelletier, Omer Picard, Clayton Pinette, Cecile Pozzuto, Rita Stadig, Viola St. Jarre, Ann Theriault, Muriel Thiboault, Theresa Thibeault, Raynold Thibodeau, David Todd, William Wark.

“Peanuts” was the winning snow sculpture according to the judges for the 1964-1965 winter carnival. “Joe and Gert” Fox crowned Roger Wood and Paula Collin at the winter carnival ball. The bridge club met weekly in the student lounge in Cyr Hall. Mr. Thibodeau was accused of falling asleep at the annual Beatnik Dance. Needless to say, Mel Pelletier and Norm Fournier vied for the “biggest lie” as members of the Big Buck Club. The Vets Club continued to expand its membership, although some felt ex-marine Lyn Chasse was not the ideal sergeant-at-arms. Mr. Boynton was unable to induce any more of the vets to sing in the F.K.S.T.C. chorus, which lacked male voices.

The Fort Kent soccer team tied for the championship of their conference with Husson College in its first year as a conference team. After winning two and losing one contest against St. Louis University, co-captains Dave Chevalier and Bunny LaPlante and leading scorer Ron Brown, led the team to 2-1 and 2-0 victories over Ricker and 6-2 and 4-2 wins over A.S.T.C. before bowing 4-0 to Husson at Bangor.

Members of the co-championship squad were: Ron Brown, Conrad Cyr, Bunny LaPlante, John Corrow, Bob Dubuc, Gerry Roy, Gil Albert, Louis Moreau, Ron Pratt. Roger Damboise, Gary Osgood, Paul Baker, Lloyd Soucie, Darly Peary, Bill Breton, John Sanfacon, Dave Chevalier, A. Corriveau, Larry Violette, “Joe” Hatch, Carl Chamberlain and managers Roger Dechene and Ken Longly.

Roger Wood led all scorers on the 1964-1965 Bengals’ basketball team with 337 points, and set a school record when he scored 53 points against W.S.T.C. After a slow start, losing to M.M.A. by two and then by one point, the Fort Kent combine won nine of its last eleven games. The Bengals scored over one hundred points in five games. Larry Violette and Bunny LaPlante were co-captains. Other squad members were: Roger Crowley, Gary Osgood, Jim Davenport, Charlie Hammond, Terry Drown, Bill Breton, John Prescott, Daryl Peary and A. Corriveau.

Alumni day was set for June 6, 1965, and the classes of 1915, 1940 and 1965 were to be honored. The Cyr and Nowland Windows from the old administration building were in the possession of the alumni, and they planned to use them and the bell, which had also been saved, in the new library. A special fund for these projects and for providing furniture for the alumni room in the new men’s dorm had been started. The dorm had been under construction since the previous summer and would be about ninety percent complete on alumni day. Governor John Reed had recommended three Fort Kent projects to the legislature: 1. the conversion of the gymnasium to a library building, 2. construction of a central dining hall, 3. a campus sewerage system.

Martin Daigle was master of ceremonies on alumni day. Fr. Roger Labrecque gave the invocation and alumni president Guy Michaud welcomed the special classes. Members of the fifty year class who returned for the reunion were Anne Bellefieur Albert (Madawaska), Madeline Benn Libby (Miami, Florida), Alice Cyr Ouellette (Fort Kent), Laura W. Pelletier (Fort Kent), Emily Dionne Ouellette (Van Buren), Elizabeth Brown Daigle (Presque Isle) and Francis Long (Edmundston, N.B.). The class of 1940 was introduced by Guy Baker: Bertha Dube Baker (Fort Kent), Luthar Bubar (Mars Hill), Ludger Ouellet (Fort Kent), Alice Labrie Murphy (Madawaska), Ludger Michaud (Fort Kent), Cecile Dufour Pozzuto (Madawaska) Leonette Dube Michaud (Eagle Lake), Rita Dufour Collins (St. Agatha), Bernice Nicknair Ouellette (Fort Kent), Lorraine Pelletier Chamberlain (Frenchville), Claire Roy Beuchard (Caribou), June Deschaine Voisine (Fort Kent), Alfreda Thibodeau Fournier (Keegan). Members of the class of 1965 were introduced by its president, Gordon Kilgore. The class of 1965 donated a large mirror to be put in the alumni room in the new men’s dorm, and the association voted to purchase wall to wall carpeting for the room. Fred T. Bouchard presented the outstanding alumni award to Mrs. Gladys Gardiner of Allagash. Milton Bailey, president of the Maine Congree of Parents and Teachers presented a plaque and a $200 scholarship to Miss Nancy Burkett. The usual group singing was led by Ludger Ouellet with Jane Baker at the piano.

Father Labrecque gave the invocation at commencement. Vernon Johnston was once again on hand to bring the greetings of the State Board. Mr. William T. Logan, Maine’s Commissioner of Education, was the featured speaker. Miss Michaud and Mr. Thibodeau were still senior class advisers. Class officers aiding President Kilgore were Rodney Madore, vice-president; Thelma Landry, secretary; and Charles Hill, treasurer. The remaining graduates were Roland Collins, Lyn Cyr, Francis Fournier, Robert Guimond, Duska Hemingway, Rebecca Hunt, Tim Kelly, Joseph Gerald Lapoint, Joseph Robert Lapointe, Kenneth David Lord, Keith Lord, Dolores Martin Dumont, Viola Martin, Robert B. Mealey, Vivian M. Morin, Larry H. Ouellette, Arm Perrault, Gilda Plourde, Jean St. Peter, Larry St. Peter, Rita Sherman, Reynold Tardif, Philip Theriault.

Students returning to the campus in the fall of 1966 had to adjust to still another new name – Fort Kent State College. Mr. Paul Girodet, a graduate of Boston University, joined the faculty as an assistant professor of French. Alumni day was scheduled to coincide with the dedication of the new men’s dorm – Powell Hall. A new category was added to the classes honored on alumni day, the Wishbone, or Fifty-Year-Plus, member. Dave Garceau, State Bank Commissioner, presented the outstanding alumni award to Mrs. Catherine Ouellette Morneault of Fort Kent. Vocal solos by Ann Collin and Urbain Lausier helped vary the usual graduation program. Lincoln Sennett, President of Washington State College delivered the graduation address, and President Fox and Dean Powell conferred degrees on thirty-seven seniors.

The Waneta Blake Library was dedicated on October 30, 1966. New members of the Fort Kent State “family” attending the ceremonies were Nathaniel Crowley, who joined the administrative staff; Marcel Pittet, new head librarian; Roland Burns, hired to teach English and literature courses; Sami Malak, contracted to teach in the math-science department; Verna Daigle, bookkeeper; and Mrs. Eastman, house mother at Dickey Hall. New organizations included the French Club and Kappa Delta Phi fraternity. The soccer team posted a 7-2 record, and finished second to A.S.T.C. in the conference. Dave Chevalier and Gerry Roy were co-captains. Gary Osgood and Darryl Peary were co-captains of the Bongals basketball team that closed the season with a 12-11 record. President Fox commented on the growth of the institution. “The size and nature of the enrollment has brought about a different atmosphere. The close ‘family’ feeling which existed when the enrollment was small and of a local level has changed.” Senator Edmund S. Muskie was the 1967 graduation speaker.

Miss Emma Lauberte, a University of Latvia graduate, joined the F.K.S.C. language department in 1968. Celina Cyr moved from the lab school to Cyr Hall to teach reading and help supervise student teaching. Valarina Jandreau was a welcome addition to the secretarial pool. Mrs. Nathaniel Crowley took over the position of dining room manager. Through the efforts of Roland Burns a drama club was formed and plays staged in the corner of Dickey Hall dining room would become a thing of the past. Mr. Burns also initiated the literary magazine, The Maze. A Fine Arts Council brought Kathryn Foley and Rabbi David Barent to campus. An Interfraternity Council represented the interests of the two male fraternities. The Bengal soccer team had a disappointing 3-6 record. Barry Davis served as assistant coach, and John Corrow and Wally Litchfield were co-captains. Dick Dudzic was named most valuable player by his teammates and was elected to the all conference team as well. The basketball team was 16-7 overall, and 9-3 in the conference, god enough for a second-place conference finish. Sterling LeBlanc and Bill Breton were co-captains. LeBlanc, Rick McAvoy and John Libby “shattered” three individual school records, and Libby and LeBlanc were named to the all conference team.

President Fox’s message to the alumni in 1968 started with a brief commentary on the self-evaluation study of the college done by the faculty. He considered the study “a very complete examination of where we stand at the present time.” The first section of the evaluation report contained a short history which reminded Fox that 1968 was the institution’s ninetieth birthday. And, on May twenty-sixth another milestone would be reached, for on that date Fort Kent State College would join the “newly created University of Maine,” which would then consist of the University of Maine in Orono, its branch campuses in Augusta and Portland, and the five state colleges. Fox again reviewed the years successes for the benefit of the alumni. Maine’s Governor Kenneth M. Curtis addressed the graduates, and President Fox and Dean Powell conferred degrees on fifty-one members of the class of 1968.

A new wooden sign at the right of the entrance road to campus read Fort Kent State College of the University of Maine. A picture of the sign appeared on the new college brochure, which described the four year curriculum of the Fort Kent branch. “The first two years are made up of course work in the fine arts, humanities and social sciences. At the junior and senior levels, additional elective courses are available in the fields of French, English, History and Mathematics. New faculty members would be hired to cover the expanded curriculum. Professor Roger Paradis, whose field was history, arrived on campus in the fall of 1968. Gerard J. Tardif, a familiar face throughout the St. John Valley was hired as Director of Admissions Registrar. Students and faculty watched the soccer team win their last seven games to post a 7-2 record and finish second in the Northeast College Conference. The Bengals’ basketball team won the conference championship and various team and individual honors. John Libby and Steve York were named to the all conference soccer team, and Libby, Burce Hanken and Sterling LeBlanc were named to the all conference basketball squad.

“The name of Mary Nowland will once again be given to a building on the campus which she served so well,” President Fox told the alumni. He was referring to the naming of the new dining facility. He continued, “Another name which will figure prominently at the Alumni Day functions will be that of Floyd Powell.” “The Dean” would officially rehire at the end of the 1968-1969 academic year after thirty-four years with the institution. As Fox indicated, “lie will be missed not only by the present student body, but by former graduates and all of us who have spent some of those years with him.” Howard Cousins spoke in honor of Red Powell at the alumni banquet, and James Hoyt presented the retiring Dean of Instruction with appropriate gifts. Also honored at the banquet were Adrian O. Jacques, outstanding alumni, and Elizabeth Bellefieur, who received the gold cane award as the oldest (95) living alumnus, class of 1892. Glenwood Wolcox, president of the alumni association, had presented a colored portrait of Miss Nowland at the formal dedication of the dining facility on May 27, 1969, and the portrait was on display at the meeting. Dr. Herbert Ross Brown, Professor at Bowdoin College, addressed the graduating class headed by James Tracey, president; Gabriel Ezzy, vice-president; Cynthia Thibodeau, secretary; and Judith Johnson, treasurer.

The Progress Report of the Higher Education Planning Commission, familiarly known as the H.E.P. Commission report, was officially conveyed to Chancellor Donald R. McNeil on November 11, 1969. Based in part on the earlier (1967) Coles report, the II.E.P. Commission report clearly indicated that the commission had seriously considered closing the Fort Kent campus and transferring its functions to another institution “of more efficient size.” But, after considering “the special needs of the St. John Valley area for higher education opportunity,” the commission concluded that “the college should not be closed.” Subsequently, Bernard Pelletier, president of the alumni, reported, “enthusiasm and gaiety is at an all time high.” But, he said, “One can’t help but think what the spirit of the Alumni Association and the college would be like if the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees had decided differently regarding the fate of Fort Kent State.” He praised the association for writing letters “to your influential friends and the Trustees urging that Fort Kent State remain a four year degree granting institution.” President Fox, likewise, thanked the alumni, saying, “It was a heartwarming experience to witness alumni support not only at the local level, but from areas far distant from the campus.” But, he continued, “that’s not the end of the tale.” The Board of Trustees had voted that April to rename the campus one more time, and as of the following July the campus would be known as the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK). He could not help adding, “It’s a standing joke on campus that whenever the college sign needs painting, there’s a new name ready for use.” Looking ahead, a bond issue was going before the voters on June 15, 1969, and it included $862,000 for a new gymnasium for Fort Kent. Given the events of the past year, Fox said, “it is going to take the best effort of all concerned to gain passage for this bond issue.”

The growth in faculty and other personnel during the 1969-1970 academic year belied the attack from outside. Dr. William II. Knight was the new Dean of Instruction, o Academic Affairs. Thomas McCormick “came on line” as business manager. Dr. Normand Dube joined the French staff. Dr. Benjamin Liles brought his Texas drawl and long scarf to the science labs. Pipe-smoking Lawrence Workman added strength to the math department. Scott Chisholm was hired as an instructor in English, while Roland ‘Burns was away at the University of Utah finishing his doctorate. Part-time instructors in psychology (Laurel Daigle) and anthropology (Lowell Daigle) completed the list of new faces on the faculty. Students and faculty shared in the major events of the year, including the hearing on Fort Kent’s four year status, an environmental teach-in, the armory sit-in and presentations of the “Heart of Macbeth” and Ionesco’s “Les Chaises.”

Miss Mattie Pinette was the recipient of the outstanding alumni award for 1970. The classes of 1920, 1945, 1970 and Fifty-Year-Plus were also honored. Mr. William T. Logan, Commissioner of Education and by now an old friend of the institution, returned as graduation speaker. Officers of the outgoing class were Robert Lemiux, president; Paul Martin, vice-president; Angle Gagnon, secretary; and Thomas Tetu, treasurer. Fifty-four received degrees.

Miss Anne Dymski was hired to teach English and speech in the fall of 1970. Other new faculty hired at that time were Dr. Richard Kressel, history; Dr. Charles Noxon, geography; and Doctors John and Kathy Olson, both chemists. Mrs. Judith Workman was assisting Mr. Boynton with the expanded offerings in music. Sister Vivian Bond, assistant librarian was deluged with book requests from Dr. Kressel and Dr. Noxon. Noxon was methodically preparing for his annual European tour, which eventually would carry U.M.F.K. credit and become one of the popular additions to the curriculum.

The 1969-1970 yearbook was dedicated to the memory of Terry Drown, basketball center and sensitive artist, who was killed in Vietnam. The 1970-1971 yearbook was especially dedicated to the memory of Mr. Ray Fournler. One of the special attractions of the year recorded in the Acadian was the appearance of Don McLean in concert. The Maine String Quartet also performed. Miss Dymski directed performances of “Barefoot in the Park” and “Summer-Tree.” Steve York and Brian Albert co-captained the soccer team, and Rick Mcavoy, who scored over 1500 points in his four year career, was captain of the basketball squad. Fort Kent’s “budding scientists” went on an ecology trip that included Mt. Desert Island. A search committee was established to seek a replacement for President Fox, who had announced his planned retirement.

Committee members were: Dean Knight; Sharon Peek, Roger Paradis, Hubert Thibodeau, Dr. Morey, faculty members; Clan Beaulieu, Wayne Wilbur, students; Bernard Pelletier, alumni; Randy Pinkham, townspeople.

“Barney” Pelletier informed the alumni association of President Fox’s impending retirement, effective August 31, 1971. He expressed the feelings of all the alumni in saying, “This year, the departure of President Fox – A Very Sad Event for the University of Maine at Fort Kent…The University…is not only losing a great president, but Fort Kent is losing a great man. We’re really heartbroke to see our president, our friend, leave the valley.” He wished the Fox family “the very best wherever they go.” Dr. Lawrence Cutler, Chairman of the Board from Fort Kent, agreed saying, “Those of us in the St. John Valley who know Joe Fox are delighted that the award is being made as a tribute from the University to our friend, neighbor and education leader.” It was symbolic of the Fox administration that a self-evaluation study had been completed in his last year as President in preparation for the visit from the college accreditation team. Accreditation would be one of the capstones of Joseph M. Fox’s “mild mannered approach to success.”

At the alumni banquet Floyd Powell presented the outstanding alumni award to Ludger N. Michaud. President Fox presented the gold cane to Mrs. Town Brown, oldest living alumnus. Fox in turn was presented with a gift from the alumni. At the business meeting the association donated $100 to the Ray Fournier Memorial Fund. The 1971 class was addressed by Dr. Donald R. McNeil, Chancellor of the University of Maine. McNeil and Vaughn Currier presented Dr. Fox with his honorary degree. President Fox then delivered an emotion-filled charge to the assembled graduates. Officers of the 1971 class were Gregory W. French, president; Bertrand Raymond Poulin, vice-president; Leah A. Thiboutot, secretary; and Ruth H. Pelletier, treasurer. Sixty-three candidates received degrees, making it the largest class since the inception of the four year program.

A call to greatness

In his first meeting with the faculty and staff of the University of Maine at Fort Kent in the fall of 1971, Dr. Spath, the University’s second president, challenged his audience to aspire to “greatness.” Now was not the time to rest on laurels achieved, but it was the proper time to seek other and higher goals. This speech set the tone of his administration.

President Spath, a classicist by training (John Carroll, MA; St. Louis University, Phd), would work closely with Dean John Ryan and then Dean George T. Prigmore (1973) in providing administrative leadership for the 1970’s. Barbara K. Spath also joined the staff in 1971 as Director of Testing and Counseling. The new president was visible at major school functions, such as plays (“The Fantastiks” and “The Private Ear”), the invitational basketball tournament, performances of the brass choir and chorus, the Newman Christmas party, the dance marathon and the Winter Carnival. Although many had been contacted individually throughout the year the alumni met President Spath for the first time as a group in May, 1972, and Dr. Spath conferred his first degrees the following week. Rev. Roger Chabot, Chaplain, Newman Apostolate gave the invocation. Mr. Vaughn Currier brought the greetings of the Board of Trustees, and the graduation address was delivered by the Hon. Peter N. Kyros, U.S. Representative, First District Maine. The benediction was offered by Rev. Donald Osborn, Pastor Christ Church. There were fifty-six graduates in the class of 1972, four of whom, Paul William Kerwock, Leola Lagasse, Robert A. Paul, and George E. Roy, Jr. graduated maximum cum laude, indicating an increased emphasis on academics as one means of achieving the greatness the President had referred to the previous fall.

A new sign marked Alumni Memorial Field in the fall of 1972-1973. Women’s field hockey, women’s basketball and men’s cross country were added as varsity sports, and a ski club was formed. Kappa Rho, a girls’ sorority was organized. “Enemy of the people” and “Mary Mary” were the two major dramatic productions. Allen Ouellette, an alumnus, took on duties as a part-time recruiter and efforts were made to advertise U.M.F.K.’s programs on a more systematic basis.

At commencement in 1973 distinguished service awards went to Mary Picard and Dean Emeritus Floyd Powell. Dr. Winthrop C. Libby, President of the University of Maine at Orono, was the graduation speaker. Philip R. Cyr, Benita M. Harvey, Beverly A. Madore, and Anne Marie Plourde graduated magna cum laude. Sixty-eight received bachelor of science degrees, and the first five associate of arts degrees were conferred. Another twelve had earned their degrees between May of 1972 and the formal 1973 ceremonies.

A Projected Growth Study was conducted in 1972-1973, and it focused on four central issues: 1. What will the institution do? 2. For whom will the institution do it? 3. How. will the institution do it? 4. What will the institution need to do it? The resulting Projected Growth Study Preliminary Report was accepted by the University Assembly as a working paper for three kinds of planning: 1. A long range plan looking ten years into the future. 2. A shorter range plan, considering the next three to five years. 3. A plan looking at the next year and matters that had to be dealt with first. President Spath created a Task Force for New Directions in November, 1973, and it was this committee that did the work which changed the University of Maine at Fort Kent from a single purpose to a multi-purpose institution. The first fruits of this effort took the form of a geography minor approved as an option within the bachelor of science degree, and in the bachelor of arts degree when it became operative at the start of the first semester, 1974-1975.

Allen Ouellette was designated as the official University Recruiter for the 1973-1974 school year. Susan Wishkoshki arrived as the new Head Resident. Dr. Vishnu Jtunani brought his computer expertise to the math department. Wendy Kindred, author of children’s books, became the new art instructor, replacing Miss Lillian R. Michaud. Dr. James Mehorter, given a contract to cover the psychology courses on a full time basis, unfortunately died shortly after joining the U.M.F.K. faculty. Dr. William D. Covell was hired to cover the sociology courses and implement an Introduction to Human Services program in cooperation with the Portland-Gorham campus, one of many transfer programs arranged while Dr. Prigmore was Dean of Academic Affairs. Dr. Ray Ownbey, a graduate of the University of Utah, augmented the English department. Mrs. Joan Sylvain was hired as a lecturer in education. At that time sixty-three per cent of the faculty held terminal degrees. The new faculty were needed as the 1973-1974 day enrollment was at an all-time high of 475. Some of the increase represented U.M.F.K. becoming a member of the National Student Exchange in 1971, and the approval of the Canadian-American Studies minor the following year. Increased enrollment and an enlarged staff led to increasing demands on the library, the holdings of which reached 26,676 volumes as of July l, 1973.

New trustee Robert Jalbert brought the greetings of the University of Maine Board of Trustees to the graduating class of 1974. The address to the graduates was given by Hon. Elmer H. Violette, Superior Court Justice. Magna cum laude honors went to Francis N. Boynton, Karen A. Daigle, Louise M. Lapointe, and Judy A. Villette. Fifty-five received bachelor of science degrees on the day of graduation. Another five had qualified for their degrees between the last graduation and the second semester. Eight associate of arts degrees had been awarded between formal graduations, and another twelve qualified for the May, 1974 commencement exercises.

A new position, Director of External Programs and Services, was filled by Raymond Dumais in the fall of 1974. Charles Hechter replaced Dr. Covell in sociology. Dr. Walter Lichtenstein, professor of French, brought his boundless energy to Fort Kent at the same time. Dr. Judith Pusey became the second full time member of the education department, and Michael T. Ruggere joined the faculty as instructor in theater and English. These faculty additions were necessitated by still more changes in the curriculum. The bachelor of arts, with majors in biology, English, French and history, and minors in art, art music, English, French, music, biology, mathematics, Canadian-American studies, geography and history went into effect that first semester. The bachelor of science in environmental studies program, a tri-campus consortium involving U.M.M., U.M.P.I. and U.M.F.K., went into effect at the same time, and it soon proved to be the most popular of the recent curriculum changes. The bachelor of university studies, which allowed the student to pursue his own particular interests, would go into effect January 1, 1975. Other options and aids open to the students were cooperative education, advanced placement, independent study, CLEP, a basic skills center and educational assistance courses.

The Hon. John L. Martin, Speaker of the House, Maine State Legislature, addressed the graduating seniors in 1975. Three of the first seven graduates to receive bachelor of arts degrees graduated cum laude, Charles A. Nadeau, Daria Leigh Woodruff and David Wylie. Recipients of bachelor of science degrees Linda A. Lavoie, Timothy McNamee, Jeannine Rita Lizotte Michaud, Lester J. Michaud, David Richard Raymond, Sharon Lou Shearer and Rena Mae Bouchard Sirois all graduated magna cum laude, and Robert John Pinette and Donald Maurice Raymond graduated summa cum laude. Jeanne Chamberland was the first to graduate with a bachelor of university studies.

Starting in the fall of 1975 a number of new faculty members and other personnel have arrived on campus. Professor Roger Cooke has intrigued his sociology classes with his British accent. Professor T. Franklin Grady is still testing his repertoire of jokes on psychology students and towns people alike. Professor Steve Selva brought his quiet but scholarly approach to the math-science department, as did Dr. Eberhard Thiele, new Director of the Environmental Science Program. Professor Joan Wildman’s brief stay at U.M.F.K. as instructor in music could not be matched for its enthusiasm. Professor James Gibson, her successor, has brought an equal professional competence in his chosen field of music. Charles Closser, director of the theater arts program, has reached out into the community to cast his plays and offer voice training. In an attempt to upgrade women’s athletics, Mrs. Mary Allison was hired to develop varsity teams in field hockey, volleyball and basketball. Her replacement this fall is Miss Leueen Pelletier, Don Raymond, an honors graduate of U.M.F.K., has replaced Mr. Ed Chambers as registrar. Mr. William Morrison, an experienced professional, is presently director of admissions. Mr. Timothy Brooks has proven to be an energetic Dean of Students. Don Honeman will be leaving his position in the boy’s dorm to become full-time financial aid officer. Miss Joyce Harvey, another alumnus, has proven to be a very capable director of the Franco-American gerontology program and the new Program I. Dr. Roland Burns, who replaced Ray Dumais as Director of External Programs and Services, is now sitting in the chair of the Dean of Academic Affairs. Because of the resignation of Dr. Richard Kressel, the first semester retirement of Coach Lowell Osgood, and the end of the academic year retirement of “Joe” Hallee, search committees have been instituted to uncover the best possible candidates for history, French and athletic-recreation positions. It is hoped that these positions will be filled by the fall of 1978.

Patrick E. McCarthy, the University of Maine’s second Chancellor, was commencement speaker in 1976. Raymond Joseph Bouchard and Robin G. Osgood graduated summa cum laude, and Edwin A. Boynton, Cliff Chasse, George A. I’talien, Cathy Prey, Philip Roy and Panela Hope Winsby graduated magna cum laude. The following year Senator Edmund S. Muskie returned to address the class of 1977. Those graduating magna cum laude were Mae M. Madore, Jacinte Geoffrey, Lyneta K. Heilsberg and Debra Lou Daigle Kavenaugh. The 1978 graduates will go into the record books of the future.

In this our Centennial year, launched so auspiciously with the Mass of Thanksgiving conducted by Archbishop Jadot, it is only appropriate that we reflect on the vision of the people like Vetal Cyr, Mary G. Nowland, Richard F. Crocker, Joseph M. Fox and Richard J. Spath which has led to the development of what stands today as the University of Maine at Fort Kent and all that it symbolizes to all who have, or will, enter its doors and leave the richer for the experience. Or, as President Spath has more aptly expressed it, “If the past is but prologue to the future then UMFK looks forward to its Second Century with a treasured confidence rooted in the intellectual endowment of all those who served it so nobly in its first 100 years.”

An extraordinary event

Fort Kent residents and friends of the University of Maine at Fort Kent may forget the date but the event will live on for many, many years to come.

For who could forget that cold February day when the Pope’s personal ambassador to the United States visited the St. John Valley on a two-fold mission to bless a people and to honor a University which had lived and taught those people for 100 years.

The event was the Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving of which the Archbishop Jean Jadot was the principal celebrant, and Academic Convocation address which the Archbishop delivered in French.

Diocesan officials lauded the event as “extraordinary and a momentous occasion in the life of the Church in Maine.”

And it was that and more for a community and its college.

Fewer scenes of as much pomp, dignity and reverence have occurred in the past century in the Valley as the procession of priests, professors, bishops and the Archbishop toward the altar which had been arranged in the UMFK gymnasium – – the only building large enough to hold the faithful which had gathered to witness the event.

Over 1,000 people gathered at the University to participate in the celebration of the Mass of Thanksgiving.

Bishop Edward C. O’Leary and Auxiliary Bishop Emedee Proulx, of the Diocese of Portland, and Bishop Fernand Lacroix of the Diocese of Edmundston, co-celebrated the Mass.

Sitting among the people were state officials which included the Governor James Longley, University of Maine Chancellor Patrick Carfhy, the president of the Maine Senate, the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives and other state, local and University officials, too numerous to mention.

The Archbishop’s address called for the very best efforts of mankind to feel the responsibility of the right of education for all the world’s people.

It was an extraordinary event. Mrs. Lucille Pelletier of the UMFK staff spent hundreds of hours in planning the occasion with UMFK president Richard Spath.

It was a momentous day- – meaningful for a Valley and its people and for a University and ifs century of life.

Over the next five pages we hope some of the moments may come to life again for you as you look over a few of the hundreds of photographs which now commemorate the event and lock it within local history forever.

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