SG STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



term Mr. Carl McAlvay was employed to iustruct the classes which 

 were still in excess of the number which three teachers could find time 

 to meet, Mr. McAlvay is a graduate from the State University, has 

 had much experience as a teacher, and extreme good luck enabled this 

 department to secure his assistance. He was entitled by the State 

 Board, Instructor in Historv and Economics. 



The competency of the department to meet its purposes has been in- 

 creased in every way by the assignment to it this year of permanent 

 class rooms, and of adequate office accommodations. At the beginning 

 of the year the withdrawal of certain engineering departments from 

 College Hall left vacant the large class room at the south end of this 

 building with the connected suite of offices and a class room upon 

 the third floor. These were assigned to this department and were 

 promptly occupied. The loss of time through having to hunt for class 

 rooms at the beginning of each term, as well as the waste of going 

 frequently to distant buildings to hold classes and the unnecessary wear 

 and tear upon departmental accessories, maps, reference books, etc., 

 are now all obviated through having permanent and convenient class 

 rooms. The gains to departmental efficiency, also through having suit- 

 able offices in which students may consult with their teachers at any 

 time are benefits not easily over-estimated. 



The science courses in this department have been voted recently by 

 the faculty to be suitable subjects for "majors'' to students needing 

 ]jost-graduate work. This action is especially timely since there seems 

 to be a now well developed field of knowledge, adapted particularly to 

 agricultural students comprised within Avhat is known as Agricultural 

 Economics. It is believed that advanced students might work very 

 ])rofltably in this new area of study and the hope is expressed here 

 that opportunities in this sort of work may soon be offered by this 

 college. 



The members of the department have done their full duty, it is be- 

 lieved, toward the extra class room obligations such as attending 

 teachers, faculty, and committee meetings, which constitute no snuill 

 part of college management. The first assistant in the department, 

 Mr. Ryder, has had a peculiarly arduous and responsible position as 

 class officer for the freshmen and, during a part of the year, for the 

 sub-freshmen classes. The large size of these classes as well as the 

 constantly increasing amount of supervision which is expected from 

 the class officer, makes the office one of no little care. Much time has 

 been required from the head of the department too, through the ad- 

 ministrative work required from him as chairman of the social com- 

 mittee. The supervision of the book store management also has taken 

 time and given responsibility. 



In reviewing the Avork of this very busy year for the department of 

 History and Economics, I am urged again to express my appreciation 

 of the faithfulness and ability Avith which my assistants, ]\Ir, Ryder, 

 Mrs. Hendrick, and Mr. McAlvay, have rendered every service which 

 Avould minister properly to the students who have come under their 

 care. 



Very respectfully, 



WILBUR O. HEDRK^K, 



rroCessor of History and Economics. 

 East Lansing, Juue 30, 11)08. 



