Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1898 [PAGE 65]

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1897.]

PKOOEEDINGS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

65

I nominate for Dean of the Woman's Department, and Assistant Professor of the English Language and Literature, Miss Violet D. Jayne, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Miss Jayne graduated from the University of Michigan,* taking the degree of A. B., in 1887. She made a specialty of English Literature during her under graduate course. In 1887-88 she was assistant principal of the high school at Crookston, Minnesota. In 1888-89 she spent her time at Ann Arbor in study. In 1889-91 she had charge of the English de-' partment at the^ State Normal School, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. 1891-92 was spent' in Europe, passing two semesters at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, where she made a specialty of German literature. Her travels in Europe took her to Holland, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. In 1892-3 she had charge of the English department at Wheaton Seminary, Norton, Massachusetts. From 1893-96 she had charge of the English department in the State Normal School at San Jose, California. In 1896, after passing the required examination, she received the degree of A. M. from the University of Michigan, having studied for the same in absentia. The present year she has been studying for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University, of Minnesota, specializing in English Literature, She expects to receive her degree there another year upon presentation of a thesis and by passing the required examinations. I have communicated with the principal of the State Normal College at San Jose, California, and I have seen the principal of the State Normal School of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the presidents of the universities ot Michigan and Minnesota, in reference to Miss Jayne, and have received from them the warmest commendations of her qualities. She is a woman of attractive appearance, quick intelligence, strong scholarship, greatly devoted to the interests of young women, and apparently possessing an ability to accomplish what she undertakes. She is thirty years of age, which is perhaps an immature age for so weighty a responsibility. Moreover she has never filled an independent administrative position, but she is very ambitious to do so and is confident of success; and with her thorough intellectual discipline and entire familiarity with university operations, I am led to have that confidence also. She is possessed of the spirit and is intensely interested in the work of State universities, and I think that fact is of consequence in connection with the position under consideration. She is to sail in May and pass the summer in visiting and studying the places in England which have become historic as the birth-places of the masterpieces of English literature. After the most painstaking investigation of all candidates giving any reasonable indication of meeting our demands, I have become convinced that Miss Jayne gives more promise of filling the position to our advantage than any other. I s recommend her with an appreciation of how much is involved, but with much confidence that her appointment is a wise step for us to take.

A. S. DRAPER,

President. T h e B o a r d concurred in t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s , on m o tion of Mr. A r m s t r o n g , and a p p o i n t e d Miss Violet D . J a y n e D e a n of t h e W o m a n ' s D e p a r t m e n t , a n d A s s i s t a n t Professor of t h e E n g l i s h L a n g u a g e and L i t e r a t u r e at a salary of $1,500 a year, t h e term of service to begin S e p t e m b e r 1, 1897.

INSTRUCTOR IN RHETORIC.

lo the Board of Trustees. Miss Helen Butterfield has advised me that she does not desire re-appointment to her presentposition for another'year. I respectfully recommend for appointment to the instructorship in rhetoric Miss Gertrude Buck, of Indianapolis, Indiana, at a salary of $70 per month for ten months commencing

—5 U. I.