DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 181 



them more intelligent as to rnral affairs in the pursuance of their work 

 as well as to increase their enthusiasm for the life and work in the 

 rural community. 



The participants in the program were individuals who had achieved 

 in some field which enabled them to speak with confidence and authority. 

 Rarely has any gathering upon this campus been characterized by a 

 greater degree of genuine enthusiasm, and real interest in the subjects 

 presented than has been the case in this gathering. These individuals 

 will return to their homes with an intensified interest in their labors 

 and with a warm place in their hearts for this College whose royal 

 treatment brought forth their emphatic appreciation. Thus has the Col- 

 lege had an opportunity to cultivate the friendship of representatives 

 of the rural communities who are in positions to cooperate with the 

 College in its efforts for community betterment. The spirit of this 

 gathering may be judged from the fact that this body asked for a con- 

 tinuance of this conference next summer with a request that the program 

 shall consist partly of courses of study in the various phases of agri- 

 culture and home economics through a period of two weeks. 



A second annual conference of Boys' and Girls' Club Leaders was 

 held July 9-14 witli an attendance of one hundred and fifty-two. Last 

 year this gathering drew one hundred to the campus. The program was 

 designed as a training school for the club leaders of the state, and 

 consisted partly of periods Jor discussion while other periods were de- 

 voted to demonstrations. Like its predecessor of last year, this gather- 

 ing was full of genuine interest and enthusiasm. 



In closing I desire to express my appreciation for the universally 

 splendid spirit of cooperation which has prevailed both on the part 

 of teachers and of pupils. 



I believe the efforts of our teachers are bringing forth desirable results 

 in that they are demonstrating beyond question the value of this session 

 by making it clear that there is work Avell worth while for the College 

 at this period of the year. Two things need to be kept in mind at this 

 time, it seems to me. The present session has suffered in attendance as 

 might have been expected, since it opened at a time of very great stress 

 on account of the war. As a result the expense of the session is pro- 

 portionately higher, although the total cost is less than that of last year. 

 The terms of the regular year will suffer in the same way but no one 

 will assume to judge the merits of the College by results at such a 

 period. In brief, the factor of very great concern is whether the insti- 

 tution is performing an important service to the commonwealth or not. 

 This should be judged in the light of existing conditions. In the second 

 place, I would note that the work of the summer is of a distinctive 

 character such as is not found elsewhere in any summer school in Michi- 

 gan. Furthermore, this work being of a different character, the value 

 of it is not appreciated over the state, nor is it an easy matter to ac- 

 quaint individuals with the peculiar merits of our courses. With the 

 tendencies in e<lucai:ion so a]ii)aront today, it would seem a reasonable 

 supposition that the opportunities of this tyi)e of schooling will be more 

 and more appreciated and that the College will find its Summer Session, 

 as well as its other sessions, of rapidly increasing value. 



Respectfully submitted, 



E. H. RYDER, 



East Lansing, Michigan, June 30, 1917. Director Summer Session, 



>r> 



