State Teachers College Era
J. Linwood Eisenberg
Becoming the third principal of then Slippery Rock State Normal School on Saturday, September 22nd, 1917, J. Linwood Eisenberg helped place steppingstones for the school to become what it is today. Under his administration the college went from “Slippery Rock State Normal School” to “Slippery Rock State Teachers College.” With this, enrollment grew, and programs expanded until he left in 1934. He is also known as the namesake to the Eisenberg Classroom Building that is currently on campus.
Construction
During his time at the college, Eisenberg took on some construction projects that helped build the campus in order to impress potential new students. This included ambitions such as creating better roads to connect to the railroad station (which was likely the Keisters “Hickory Mills” Railroad Station and the Redmond Station), installation of an electric light plant, improvement of many different rooms and science laboratories, and even a brand-new pipe organ for the Chapel. These are only a few of many things that Eisenberg did to improve the campus during his administration.
Improvement of Roads
One of Eisenberg’s ambitions was to increase the school enrollment. One way he decided to achieve this is by making the school more accessible. In 1917, at the beginning of Eisenberg’s administration, the school was only accessible through railroad and the dirt roads that connected the stations to Slippery Rock. However, by 1934, Slippery Rock became more reachable by being at a crossroad of two new major highways in Western Pennsylvania. So, at this point, incoming students relied less on railroads and could travel to the school by bus, car, or even an airplane.
Electric Light Plant
Before 1919, the school used natural gas to heat most of the buildings, which Eisenberg and his affiliates realized was a major fire hazard. So, in 1919, the natural gas with electric lights and had all of the old building wired to accommodate the new upgrade. In the years following they made additions of using generators to which they had hoped would “give ample power for years to come.”
Chapel Pipe Organ
Along with other renovations and additions to the Chapel on campus, Eisenberg seemed to be the most proud of the new Moeller Pipe Organ that had been a gift from four classes, faculty, and alumni.
The Great Depression
J. Linwood Eisenberg Archival Collection
Charles Miller
Full Exhibit Coming Soon!
High academic standards for students and faculty were constant goals for Charles Miller, who believed that Slippery Rock State Teachers College should serve as the educational “lighthouse” for its service area, “furnishing service to its schools and teachers” and leading “in research and demonstration of modern methods and thought.” In 1937 important curricular changes were made in the elementary and secondary education programs requiring students to take a basic liberal arts curriculum the first two years. Miller expanded student activities and established a student life division. To assist first semester freshman in adjusting to college life, the staff of the new division conducted weekly orientation and guidance sessions for them. Miller earned his bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College, his master’s from the University of Pittsburgh and his doctorate from New York University.
Short biographical excerpt from “Principals and Presidents of Slippery Rock University.”
Lewis Wagenhorst
Exhibit Coming Soon!
Dale McMaster
Dale McMaster served as President during the short period of August 1st, 1940, to about November 4th, 1941. He received his undergraduate degree at Grove City College and obtained his master’s from the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, he was given an honorary Doctor of Laws from Grove City College.
During his time, he saw the enrollment drop to about 445 students due to the ever-approaching involvement of the United States in World War II. Because of this, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives discussed a bill that would force Slippery Rock State Teachers College to shut down. However, it was planned that if such events were to happen then it would later be reopened as a place for vocational training in defense work. McMaster opposed this idea and expressed his concern by describing how educated teachers are a foundational backbone to the success of the nation. Sadly, his time at Slippery Rock State Teachers College was cut short due to his abrupt death in 1941. The cause was determined to be suicide but the motive as to why was never specifically known.
“Teaching is a noble profession…you must have, in your addition to training, within you the ability to think clearly on all problems, and a desire to serve society in making sure your pupils a continuance of the American way of life.” – President McMaster, commencement, 1941
If you or someone you know needs emotional support, reach out to some of these resources for help:
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Text or Call “988” for help
Languages: English, Spanish
Hours: 24/7
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1.800.273.TALK (8255)
Slippery Rock University Student Support Link
Slippery Rock University Student Counseling Center Link
Dale McMaster Archives Collection Information
John Entz
John A. Entz, who was previously Dean of Instruction at Slippery Rock State Teachers College, began his presidency while enrollment continued to decline after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. By fall of 1943, only 189 students were enrolled and SRSTC began to explore ways in which its educational resources could be used to promote the nation’s war effort. By the next spring, the first Army flight-training cadets arrived, and the campus became an Army Air Force Technical Center. The college achieved a significant milestone in 1943 when it was awarded full accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. With the end of the war in Europe, enrollment began to improve. The roots of the school’s nursing program were planted in 1945 when the college became a center of government-sponsored training program for cadet nurses. That same year Entz resigned explaining “…at this time it is wise to yield the post to a younger and more vigorous man.” Entz was a graduate of Albright College and had a master’s from New York University, where he also pursued a doctorate.
Dale Houk
Full Exhibit Coming Soon!
Dale Houk, a native of Butler County, entered Slippery Rock in 1919 when it was still a normal school and eventually became superintendent of schools in Allegheny County before being named president of SRSTC. With the G.I. Bill providing tuition and subsistence benefits, enrollment at the college soared to reach 920 by 1955. The teaching curriculum continued to become more rigorous. Students planning to teach in the secondary schools were required to have at least 30 semester hours of credit in the fields of biological science, physical science, general science, history, social science and English. During this time, SRSTC became one of the first to offer credit for courses taken over the Pittsburgh Educational Television Station, WQED. Houk resigned his presidency to join WQED as director of community relations. He graduated from Park College in Missouri and earned his master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh.
Short biographical excerpt from “Principals and Presidents of Slippery Rock University.”