City churches with recreational facilities. By 1898 he had added instruction in gymnastics for freshmen and sophomores to the courses already offered, and introduced medical examinations which were given on entrance to college and at the end of the second year.
The Academy underwent several changes in the 1890’s to improve the quality of its instruction and its standing. John Greene, ’73, a former principal of Peddie Institute in New Jersey, attempted to bring about innovations during the four years of his principalship immediately prior to his transfer to the College in 1893 as Professor of Latin. The Trustees frankly admitted that they had impeded his efforts since they felt the College had first claim on the University’s resources as the division which made the greater contribution to the University’s reputation. By 1893, however, they adopted an aggressive policy under new leadership. Charles H. Thurber, an instructor at Cornell, his Alma Mater, who had studied at Haverford and in Dresden, Germany, was brought in at a generous salary to be principal. He was also made Professor of Pedagogy in the College and authorized to establish an Education Department. His vigorous and progressive approach quickly made itself evident. The Academy curriculum was strengthened; a gymnasium constructed on the top floor of the building, a physical education .instructor employed and athletics encouraged; a paper, The Daily Academe, published; the Taylor house acquired and fitted up for the four Academy fraternities; and a Founder’s Day established to commemorate James B. Colgate’s birthday. Professor Thurber also introduced two “cottage dormitories”
to provide living facilities for the Academes, separate from the other University students, an experiment which very soon proved unsuccessful because of the expense and unsatisfactory boarding arrangements.
As Professor of Pedagogy, Thurber offered courses in the history of education; educational psychology and philosophy; and administration methods; and arranged for practice teaching in the Academy. A room was set aside in the Library for magazines and books in education and the Laurie Club, named for S. S. Laurie, an educator at the University of Edinburgh, was organized to promote discussion of pedagogical ideas with membership open to students, faculty, the clergy, and teachers of the village and neighboring communities. Professor Thurber had been a founder of a Cornell-sponsored educational journal
begun in 1893, The School Review, and continued to serve on its board.