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Full listing > Accession MC2006/13: File Folder Case - State Official Letters
Accession #MC2006/13: File Folder Case - State Official Letters
TopicWinger, Otho: State Official Letters,
TitleOtho Winger - State Official Letters
SubtitlePresident's Attic
LocationLarge Box Section 176
CitationOtho Winger - State Official Letters, MC2006/13: File Folder Case - State Official Letters, Archives and Brethren Historical Collection, Funderburg Library, Manchester University, North Manchester, Indiana.
AccessResearchers are responsible for determining copyright status of archived materials where this is relevant to their intended use of the materials.
ProvenanceCollection of the Archives, MC2006/13, From the President's Attic
Scope and Content

Special Note: - These small descriptions of individual pieces of correspondence do not contain all of the subject material presented in each letter.  Descriptions are intended to give the researcher a feel for the era and some of the pressing topics at hand.

 

MC2006/13 - File Folder Case: State Official Letters – Folder #1

1911 – University of Michigan

-          28 July letter from the University of Michigan answering the question, “Does the University of Michigan accept credits earned by students from Manchester College?”

-          Blank application form intended to be used by MC student thinking about transferring to the University of Michigan.

 

1913 – Michigan Department of Public Instruction answering Otho Winger’s question regarding life certificates.

 

29 May 1914 letter signed by E. N. Stone, Ladoga, Indiana.  Question about policy of Chicago University -  does Chicago U. give full credit for M. C. work?

 

15 January 1916 – a letter regarding G. Bollinger apparently authoring the acceptance of credits from Manchester College at the Central College, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

 

MC2006/13 - File Folder Case: State Official Letters – Folder #2

1917 – Letter from Dean Alfred Vivian, of The Ohio State University, to Otho Winger, in which Dean Vivian outlines the courses and credit hours a student at Manchester would need to acquire in order to transfer and complete the agricultural program at Ohio State.

 

14 February 1917 -  Letter to Otho Winger from I. J. Sollenberger (professor of agriculture) desiring to have Manchester College associate with the Ohio State agriculture program.

 

1917 – I. J. Sollenberger letter to Otho Winger with suggestions for new department of Rural Economics and a description of what this would entail.

 

MC2006/13 - File Folder Case: State Official Letters – Folder #3

Questions involving certification of MC teaching graduates to be certified in other states.

1914 – Studebaker –regarding acceptance of teacher certification in Pennsylvania.

1915 – F. Miller, Columbus, Ohio, Superintendent.  MC to meet “Normal” requirements of Ohio.

1915 – Working things out with Ohio for Teaching and Agriculture – cross certification between states.

1916 – Regarding Minnich in Ohio.

1922 – Regarding Brenner – two four year diplomas – One in piano and one in vocal for one year of work.  From Hengsteler in Ohio, Clerk-Treasurer of The DeGraff Village School District.

 

MC2006/13 - File Folder Case: State Official Letters – Folder #4

1909, March - Letter to Mr. Cotton, State Superintendent, Indiana from President E. M. Crouch,

regarding a special inspecting committee and hopes for recommendation that Manchester College be accredited for class “C.”

 

1909, April – Response from State of Indiana Department of Public Instruction – accreditation for Class C granted.

 

1909, February – Letter with embossed seal from E. J. Springer of Chester Township to Dr. Robert Kelly, President of Earlham College, Richmand, Indiana – in support of Manchester’s request for Class C accreditation.

1911, June – Letter from Charles Greathouse, Superintendent, State of Indiana Department of Public Instruction regarding the type of evidence a college student needs to prove he/she has completed coursework in a commissioned or certified high school.

 

1912, May – President Otho Winger to Charles Greathouse – A favorable report of Manchester College and continued accreditation of classes A, B, and C for teachers, with some comments, eg. “The college is not a standard college but 36 credits are required for graduation, in addition to the commissioned high school.  The committee recommends, however, that the record of individual graduates be investigated, whenever such request is made, as some of their men are known to be strong men.”

 

1913 May – Charles Greathouse to President Winger regarding certification of teachers with training in special fields, such as in music and drawing.

 

1913, June – Letter from Charles Greathouse in connection with the amendment to the teachers’ qualification and minimum wage law and regulations for designated teachers certified for Class A, Class B, and Class C.

 

1914, January – Letter from Charles Greathouse to Otho Winger regarding accredited institutions in Indiana accepting work done in institutions outside of Indiana.

 

1914, February – Letter from Greathouse stating the continuation of accreditment of Manchester College for Classes A, B, and C.

 

1914, March – Letter from Greathouse to President Otho Winger regarding a supply of blank training certificates and a reply to Winger’s question as to who are eligible to hold high school commissions?

 

1914 October – W. Book, Vocational Division, Department of Public Instruction, State of Indiana to Otho Winger regarding the training of teachers for work in the practical arts, such as in the areas of industrial arts and domestic science.

 

1914, November – Copy of Report of Inspection of Manchester College.

 

1915, May – Charles Greathouse to Otho Winger regarding the length of summer terms.

 

The Vesey Law of 1915 – the Teacher Training Law – with ammendments.   It is unknown in what year that the ammendments were made.

 

1916, January – H. G. Brown, Superintendent of Lebanon City Schools , to Otho Winger explaining what financial resources would count as an “endowment.”  In order to qualify as a standard college the state Board of Education required the institution to have a $200,000 endowment. Accompanying the letter is a large post card asking supporters to nominate Henry Grant Brown as Candidate for Republican Nomination for State Superintendent of Public Schools.

 

1916 March –Signed  letter from Charles Greathouse to Otho Winger that accompanied the report of the Inspection Committee for Manchester College granting continuation of accreditment of Manchester College for the training of teachers in Classes A, B, and C.

1916, March – Charles Greathouse to President Winger – copy of letter above – not signed.

 

1916, May – Letter from Charles Greathouse to Otho Winger announcing the State Department of Public Instruction’s report to the General Assembly and the Governor of Indiana.  Being centennial year, the department is making a brief history of the state’s school system as part of the report.  Since Manchester is accredited by the State Board of Education as a normal department, a report of the history of Manchester College is requested.

1916, June – Letter from Greathouse to Winger asking for a photograph of a main campus building to accompany report.

 

1916, June – Letter from (probably Otho Winger) to Greathouse.  Winger states that due to lack of endowment, Manchester College cannot be classed as a standard college, yet each graduate who presented credentials, should have them examined and passed separately. Winger makes the case for the work of N. M. Shideler who is coming before the board for consideration on 20 June 1916.

 

MC2006/13 - File Folder Case: State Official Letters – Folder #5

1917, October – Copy of Letter –from Otho Winger to State High School Inspector,  Oscar Williams, regarding Williams’ (unannounced)? visit to the school, which Winger missed. Winger talks about transfer students, the organization of the high school [Academy] and college  segments of the institution, the licensing of teachers, and students who would like to take work in both college and academic (probably the high school/Acdemy).

 

1917, October – Letter from Oscar Williams, High School Inspector,  to President Winger expressing disappointment about not seeing Winger at recent visit.  Williams states why he was pleased with the school and appreciates Winger’s attitude of cooperation.

 

1919, June – Letter from Charles Williams to Otho Winger – stating that Manchester College was recognized as a standard college at the last Board meeting.  Charles Williams writes, “I wish to say that I was really surprised that you had not been given this rating a long time ago, but I wish to assure you that in my visits over the state to different colleges, I am free to say that I consider yours one of the best.”

 

1919, July – Benjamin Burris, Assistant State Superintendent – “Upon recommendation of the committee of the State Board of Education designated to inspect Manchester College, your institution has been added to the list of standard colleges in Indiana.”

1919 copy of Benjamin Burris’ letter.

 

1919 July – Horace Hoffman, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Indiana University to Otho Winger.  Congratulatory letter – “…am pleased to learn that you have succeeded in raising your endowment* and that the State Board has placed Manchester College in the list of standard colleges.”

Note:  This letter supports the idea that Manchester was not recognized as a standard college due to lack of a sufficient endowment.  * This would be the $200,000 requirement.  Just when Winger might have taken a breath of relief – the standards were changed – he had to procure a $500,000 endowment by 1 September 1921. See upcoming letters.

 

1919, August – Selatie Stout, Assistant Dean, College of Liberal Arts, Indiana University to Otho Winger  regarding entrance requirements.

 

 

1920 – Oscar Williams to Otho Winger regarding student transferring from one college to another when the student failed to pass work at the first institution.

 

See Also:  

1920 - Department of the Interior Bureau of Education, Washington, Private High Schools and Academies Report for the Scholastic Year Ending June, 1920. MC2006/13 – File Folder Case: Reports, State, Church, General – Folder #5.

 

5 February 1921, Indiana State Department of Public Instruction Circular of Information, Teacher Training Series, Number 10.

 

1921, March – Oscar Williams to Otho Winger regarding Williams’report to the training board on the inspection of Manchester College.

 

1921, March – Oscar Williams to Otho Winger regarding the Leer Bill carrying the Brown amendment and the Ahlgren amendment.  Standard colleges all must meet the full requirement of $500,000 endowment by 1 September 1921.  An equivalent in a yearly income of $25,000 is acceptable, however the $25,000 must be from invested or permanent sources and may not include student fees. A training school for demonstration purposes for observation of school teaching is required for at least six weeks during the summer session.

 

1921, March – Copy of Otho Winger’s letter to Oscar Williams in which Otho is asking for clarification whether the state board is somewhat at liberty to accept a reasonable substitution for the endowment requirement?  “It would seem to me that there is a way by which the board could yet give the schools a living chance, if they have the “Financial support or contributed services equivalent in value to the endowment.”  “Suppose the school now in campaign for funds would be able to reach the amount in cash and interest bearing notes by Sept. 1.  Would the latter be accepted as fixed income?”

 

1921, March – L. N. Hines, State Superintendent, responds to Winger’s letter to Williams.  Hines states that he cannot change the regulations touching the matter of what is required of an institution to be rated as a standard college or normal school.  Hines gives assurance that his office will do everything it can to soften requirements for institutions needing help.

 

1921, April 16 – Letter from Oscar Williams to Otho Winger regarding the interpretation of the $500,000 endowment requirement.  Oscar assures Winger that the board wishes nothing but a spirit of friendly cooperation with the colleges in meeting the requirements.  There is the question of what the board’s legal powers are under the amended law.

 

1921, April 20 – Oscar Williams writes Otho Winger about the subsequent action of the state board of education on the matter of the endowment requirement of standard colleges.  The board did include for the present emergency, short term sustentation notes which may be offered instead of fixed annual income to tide the colleges over in emergency. 

 

1921, May 3 – Oscar Williams writes Otho Winger explaining  howf short time sustenance notes can be used to make up an institution’s deficiency of income so that the school can meet the requirements as a “standard college.” Williams requests a complete analysis of Manchester College’s endowment and income for the current year.

 

1921 – Summer enrollment statistics.

 

1921, July 14 – Letter from Oscar Williams to President Winger assuring Winger that the efforts being made on behalf of Manchester College will make a financial showing that is satisfactory to the board, but keep working and push the campaign to the utmost before September 1, 1921.

 

1921, July 30 – Oscar Williams to Otho Winger showing how H. Lewellen can receive a Class C certificate prior to graduation.  Williams clarifies how a certificate can be issued before a diploma and the significance to each.  Transcript of H. Lewellen.

 

1921, September 1 – Copy of letter written by Otho Winger to Oscar Williams.  This letter accompanied the financial statement from the college’s treasurer. President Winger explains some aspects of the financial statement and his efforts to raise appropriate funds.  Winger also talks about the second requirement for standardization – a library.  He writes, “We have made large purchase of books this summer, and when these come from the publishers, we shall have this requirement met also.”

 

1921, October 26 – Letter from Oscar Williams to “My dear President Winger.”   Williams writes, “The 1921-22 edition of the college bulleting has just come to my attention.  I wish in a special way to commend the splendid progress made in the internal organization of the college a registered to this bulletin.  I am not a little gratified to find that you have carried out practically all of the suggestions made by this department the last year. Your new department of education instead of the old ‘normal’ department is a real advance and your outline of the requirements for the various college curriculums is clearly defined and accurate……I am greatly interested in watching the development of the college and believe you have before you the best year in the history of the college.”

 

1921, November 14 – Letter from S. LeRoy Scole, Assistant State School Inspector written to Otho Winger reporting on a recent building inspection performed recently on the academy. The department recommends the plan to abandon the academy and have practice teaching done in public high school.

 

1921, December 3 – Letter from Oscar Williams to Professor Vernon Schwalm refusing a Class A certificate for N. B. Wine due to inadequate course work and/or recording.

1921, December 6 -  Letter from Otho Winger to Professor Oscar Williams supporting Schwalm and Wine in their bid for a class A certificate. 

1921, December 10 – Letter from Wililams to Winger explaining the regulations for issuing class A and B certificates.

1921, December 12 – Copy of letter from Winger – possibly feigning acceptance of the regulations while pointing out how ludicrous Winger feels the 12 week time restriction to be.

 

1921, December 6 – Letter from Oscar Williams to President Winger answering Winger’s question whether the academy may not be formally accredited as a training school for observation and supervised teaching on part of the student teachers?  Williams states that academies may not be approved for supervised teaching or observation work and gives reasons why.  He goes on to make recommendations for Manchester.  Included is the suggestion that the college and the public schools of North Manchester cooperate so that the public schools can be used for training purposes.  Included with  the letter is a list of students in the academy, their ages, and  whether they are a Freshman, Sophomores, Junior or Senior.

 

1921, December 14 – Letter from Oscar Williams to Otho Winger answering Winger’s letter of 12 December 1921.  Basically, the twelve weeks’ class A and B courses are unit courses and may not be split or given credit in part. Credit is earned in toto, it at all. This does not hold with the one year college course. This letter contains the Class A Certificate of N. Wine that had been applied for, with 12 week courses and credits on verso.

1921, December 19 – Copy of letter from Winger to Williams once again requesting certification for N. Wine, and also requesting certification for another student.

1921, December 22 – Copy of letter from President Winger to Williams explaining Wine’s credits and terms in school.  He clarifies the record of another individual requesting certification. 

1921, December22 – Copy of Winger’s letter to Williams – a draft? Of the letter above?

1921, December 21 – Letter from Williams to Winger granting certification to Wine and responding to the request of the second individual.

1921, December 24 – Letter from Williams to Winger concluding the Wine certification case.

 

 

MC2006/13 - File Folder Case: State Official Letters – Folder #6

 

1922, January 2 – Copy of letter from Winger to Williams regarding the conclusion of the Wine certification case and the promise to conform certifications to state standards.   Winger states that Professor Peters will visit Williams in Indianapolis to talk about practice teaching situations in the academy.  Winger goes on to explain the situation of the students in the academy – what appears to be their older ages and the nature of their work.  Winger reflects upon Williams’ suggestions to give up the academy and states the pros and cons.  He talks about the student body, the population of the township, and financial considerations within the town.   Winger complains about the limited vision of people.  Williams had spoken of a “North Ward Training School” and Supt. Humke would like to have this. Winger questions the possibility of such a school.

 

1922, January 30 – Letter from Oscar Williams to President Winger announcing that the state department is sending copies of Boone’s “History of Education in Indiana.” Williams writes that the books constitute the last remaining copies of the only edition ever published. Also, the State Department of Public Instruction is gathering names of all students graduating from commissioned high schools in 1922. These names can be obtained by colleges and normal schools at a nominal expense.

 

1922, January 31 – Winger thanks Williams for the Boone books (three copies received), talks about gathering student lists, and speaks of a report given by Professor Peters about the educational survey made in Daviss County.

 

State of Indiana Department of Public Instruction, Circular of Information, Division of Teacher Training, Number 18, 31 May 1922.

 

State Superintendent Burris Explains Increase in School Revenues --- Cost of Public Education in Indiana Since 1915.

 

Indiana Higher Educations Institutions, Student and Faculty Statistics, 1922, by Benj. J. Burris, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Indianapolis.

 

Teachers’ License Bill, Senate Bill, No. 185, House Bill, No. 183, 1923.

 

1923, April 21 – Letter from George Becht, Depty Superintendent, to Otho Winger writes to advise that at a meeting of the State council of Education, held on April 17, 1923, Manchester College was placed on the accredited list of Colleges for this state so that graduates completing regular courses therein may be certified to teach in the public schools of the State.

 

1923, July 10 – Letter from Oscar Williams to Otho Winger –“…hasten to assure you that this department has full cognizance of your willingness to respond promptly to the new teacher training program.  This has always been the spirit of Manchester College…”

 

1923, July 30 – Copy of the letter written by the Indiana Inspector of Teacher Training to Superintendent Isabel Eckles, Department of Public Instruction, Sante Fe, New Mexico – “…(Manchester College) is recognized by the Indiana State Board of Education as a standard college and that it is fully accredited for giving both 2 year elementary teachers’ courses and 4 year courses for high school teachers.  This institution does high grade work both in the regular academic field and in the more professional curriculum for teachers.”

 

1923, July 23 – Letter from D. A. Rothrock, College of Arts and Sciences, Office of the Deans, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana to Otho Winger regarding the positive standing of Manchester College.

 

State of Indiana Department of Public Instruction Circular of Information, Teacher Training Series, Number 22, 16 August 1923.

 

1923, September 19 – Letter from Oscar Williams, Inspector of Teacher Training, to Otho Winger requesting the report for summer school enrollment.  A handwritten tabulation is attached.

 

1923, October 9 – Copy of letter from Otho Winger to Oscar Williams with summer school report and explanation.  He encloses a list of classes at the different periods of the day.*  Winger also reports on raising funds for the endowment, explaining that “Since our people are an agricultural people, we were a little hesitant to push hard for the endowment drive during the time of financial stress.” 

*Included, behind letter, is a “Schedule of Classes” that shows classes at different times of day – which even though is undated – and unattached to the letter -  the archivist is assuming went with the letter of October 9.

 

Unknown date – perhaps 1923? – Inquiry Blank for Extension Teachers, College Extension Courses in Monthly Township Institutes. Questionnaire that appears to have been filled out by Otho Winger.

 

State of Indiana Department of Public Instruction Circular of Information, Teacher Training Series, Number 23, 15 December 1923. (2 copies).

 

1924, March 26 –  Letter from Oscar Williams to President Winger reminding Winger of the resolutions made by the President’s Conference regarding elementary teacher training.  He goes on to mention Winger’s life license, stating that “it should be offered in exchange at the earliest possible time, as all of the old licenses will be outlawed after this year.”

 

1924, June 24 – Copy of letter from Otho Winger to Robert Devricks, State Department of Education, Indianapolis, Indiana regarding a ruling about the second grad principal’s license. 

 

1928, June 20 – What appears to be a copy of an original letter dated 20 June 1919 (MU2006/13, Folder Case: State Official Letters, Folder #5) and signed in ink by Charles O. Williams, Superintendent of Schools, Wayne County.  It is unknown why the date of 1928 is on this unsigned copy of the original?

 

Undated - Report of Inspection of Manchester College that gives high acclaim and recommends that the institution be accredited for classes A, B, and C for the one-year, two year elementary, and four-year high school certificate courses.  Note: After reading first sentence, one wonders if this report might have been made in 1921?

 

Undated  - report of Inspection from the State Department of Public Instruction of Indiana that describes the enrollment, some of the professors and their programs, and a Library containing 5,000 volumes.  Accreditation for A, B, and C will be continued.

 

See Also:

1927 Annual Report of Universities, Colleges, Normal Schools and Special Schools to State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana – located in MC2006/13 – File Folder Case: Reports, State, Church, General – Folder #4.

Date of Accession11 September 2013
Bio History Note

President Winger's correspondence with the State of Indiana as he strives to certify Manchester as a "standard college." This involves heavy financial requirements. As Winger manages to achieve a $200,000 endowment to meet "standard college" requirements, the State changes its rules. Winger now must establish a $500,000 endowment. These letters also deal with State of Indiana requirements for teaching certifications and how Manchester made changes to make the teacher education program even stronger than the highly respected program of the past. The story behind the abandoning of the Academy. Corresondence 1917 - 1928.

Archivist NotePrior to July and August 2013 the materials from the "President's Attic" had only been described in a general fashion [see original accession page MC2006/13]. During the summer of 2013 the Archivist was able to explore and describe the contents of these boxes. Description prepared 11 September 2013 by Jeanine M. Wine
 


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