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Keystone Gazette March 14 1902, page 1
Prof. J. P. Hughes Resigns
"Tuesday afternoon was the time set for the meeting of the trustees of the Bellefonte Academy, but as there was no quorum an adjourned meeting was held in the law office of J. M. Dale on Wednesday afternoon. At this meeting Prof. James P. Hughes, who for nearly forty years has been principal of this famed and historic institution, handed in his resignation. It was a little surprising to the trustees and before acting upon it they referred it to a committee of five to consider it and report later. This committee is composed of James A. Beaver, Ellis L. Orvis, J. W. Gephart, John Shugert and John Blanchard. The last four members of the committee were all students of Prof. Hughes.
This reminds us that time is passing very rapidly. To-day students and tomorrow receiving the resignation of their preceptor.
In the withdrawal from the Academy of Prof. Hughes the institution will lose one of the beet educators in the State. From under his instruction have gone forth men who have enlightened the world, some of whom have climbed high on the ladder of fame and fortune. It is very likely that Prof. Hughes has come to the conclusion as far as being principal of so large a school and having its responsibilities are concerned, his work is done and he wants a rest.
Keystone Gazette March 28 1902, page 1
JAMES R. HUGHES
Elected as Successor of His Father as Principal of the Academy
"Last week we stated that Rev. James P. Hughes had handed in his resignation as principal of the Bellefonte Academy after holding that position for over thirty-two years. Saturday afternoon the trustees held a meeting and accepted the resignation At the instigation of Gen. Beaver a committee was appointed composed of Gen. James A. Beaver, Ellis L. Orvis, J. W. Gephart, John M. Shugert and John Blanchard to draft appropriate resolutions. This the committee did in words of high praise of the retiring Principal as a gentleman and a thorough educator. Before completing the business of the afternoon the trustees did the right thing by electing James R. Hughes the successor of his father.
It is a significant fact that in the year 1850 Rev. James P. Hughes graduated from Princeton College and then passed successfully through the Theological Seminary, and since that time has been principal of a number of acadamies in this and other states. He came here in 1860 and since then be has been a wonderful factor in giving to the world good and true men. In 1885 his son, James R. Hughes, graduated from the same institution with honor and since that time has been a potent factor in building up the Bellefonte Academy. It is a fact that in all the large colleges the graduates of the Bellefonte Academy have many of the prominent honors and prizes. This is because Rev. Hughes has always made thoroughness one of the predominant features of this institution.
We are sorry to cut this notice short because we could give an interesting history of the life of the retiring principal and his successor, but this week we have to limit our space. The resignation of Rev. Hughes will not take effect until next June, the close of the academical year. If he keeps his health he will still be identified with the institution as an instructor."
Keystone Gazette April 25 1902, page 8
An Interesting Debate
"Several years ago the Alumni Association of the Bellefonte Academy originated what they termed a prize debate, offering $10.00 as a first prize and $5.00 as the second prize. Last Friday afternoon the debate for this year took place before a large and appreciative audience. All who took part did admirably well. The question for debate was
"Resolved, That it is inexpedient as matter of public policy to provide separate class rooms for t he colored children."
The afirmative was taken by Pratt of Unionville, Hoy of Bellefonte and Cromer of McGee's Mills. For the negative Munson of Bellefonte, Free of DuBois and Caldwell of Marion. The judges were Burgess Edmund Blanchard, Harry Keller, Esq., and Geo. R. Meek. The question was decided in favor of the negative. The first prize of ten dollars was awarded to Ed ward Free of DuBois and the second prize of five dollars was carried off by Randolph Hoy of Bellefonte."
Democratic Watchman May 23 1902, page 4
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE ACADEMY
"It will be of interest to the friends of the Academy to learn that the principals are arranging to add another mathematical instructor to the faculty next year. The rapid growth of this institution in its several departments has made this improvement necessary. There will probably be nine teachers doing the work of the excellent institution when the addition above mentioned is made. Mr. James Hughes visited Princeton University recently and secured a gentleman by the name of C. S. Sincerbeaux to succeed Mr. Killen in the coming year. This gentleman had considerable experience in teaching before entering College and has tutored during his entire university course. He was highly recommended to Mr. Hughes, both by the faculty, and the members of the senior class. He has been an honorman in scholarship and strong and popular in athletic life. - He will organize classes in the study of Spanish, thus extending to the students of our town a privilege that ought to be appreciated. The extra mathematical instructor has not yet been chosen, though several strong applications for the position have been sent to the principals. With Rev. J. P. Hughes and his able assistants in charge of the mathematics and science the Academy is as strong in this most important department as any school in the country. Miss Overton, Miss Hill and Miss Davis will return to continue their worthy share in the successful work of the Academy. Every citizen in this community who is financially able to do so should encourage in every possible way the Messrs Hughes in their efforts to maintain an Academy here in Bellefonte that is second to none in thorough work done. And they are certainly sparing no expense, to provide educated and experienced teachers and to furnish the best modern equipments for successful teaching. Without experienced teachers and - suitable apparatus attempts at education are a mere pretense."
Democratic Watchman August 22 1902, page 8
"The annual announcement of the Bellefonte Academy, which appears in this issue, shows that that growing institution is growing still more. The corps of instructors has been increased, which means that closer attention can be given to the various branches of work and the scholars brought under the direct training of educational specialists, so to speak. The Academy always has been noted for the thoroughness of its work, but of late years it has attained a degree of eminence that is bringing it scores of students from a distance. The hours of recitation, lecture and practicum are arranged with special reference to schedules of trains running in and out of Bellefonte, so that those living along the lines of railroad are afforded the same advantage that resident students have. The same educational opportunities are extended to few communities as they are to this one and there is nothing that is of as great advantage, particularly to the country boy or girl, as daily contact with teachers and students in such a school as the Academy. It gives them a polish without which all the education possible would appear to disadvantage and better equips them for the daily contact the world than any other institution they may be able to secure."
Democratic Watchman September 19 1902, page 8
"The Academy is ranking not only first in efficiency and thoroughness, as it has for years, but now the time has come when it could boast, if it was so disposed, of the number of scholars it is sending out, as well as their fitness. This fall it is sending out John Munson to Yale, Harold Lingle to Trinity college in Hartford, Edward Free to Cornell, Alex Cromer, John and George McGee, Don Mahaffey, Morris Carson, John Mahaffey, Robert Mothersbaugh and Ed ward Keichline to State, Helen and Roxy Mingle to the Womans college at Frederick, Md., Mary Crider to Miss Shipleys, Kate Brisbin and Margaret Thomas to Wilson, Sarah Potter to Washington, Elizabeth Gephart to Waterbury, Conn., Eleanor Harris to the Woman's college at Baltimore, Thomazine Potter to a school near that city, Edmund P. Hayes to Staunton Va., and Walter Reynolds to a business college in Philadelphia."
Bellefonte Republican October 30 1902, page 4
"A new system of tests and examinations has been introduced at the Academy this fall which meets with great favor among the students and promises the best possible results in their scholarship.
The system places a premium on the most faithful and thorough study each day and thereby precludes the necessity of cramming for examinations. It further frees the pupil of nervous and worrying temperaments from the trying ordeal of rigid semi-annual examinations. Whatever system promotes the most thorough daily study produces the highest type of scholarship and the Academy faculty think that they have developed that desirable system. The system is this every four or five weeks a thorough test is given in every study upon the amount of work done in that time and all students who make an average term and test grade of 90 are exempt from the semi-annual examinations. One test has already teen given and the result shows that the new system is inciting the boys and girl generally to the very best effort possible.
We congratulate the Academy on its successful work."
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