8-P-100, Photo Collection, Presidents and Chancellors, Anderson Library Archives and Area Research, Anderson Library, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, Whitewater, WI.
On August 17th, 1876, the Whitewater Register published a series of letters that praised a man named William F. Phelps.[1] These letters were published only a short time after President Arey, the school’s first President, unexpectedly retired from his role in June.[2] Prior to the 17th, the Normal School had announced their decision of hiring Professor Phelps to fill the role made available by President Arey. The letters showed that Professor Phelps had a stunning reputation and seemed like the perfect candidate to fill the school’s recently vacated position. Phelps had previous experience in the presidential role at the Normal schools in Winona, Minnesota, and Trenton, New Jersey.[3] Everything seemed to be falling into place for President Phelps, but things quickly changed.
Unfortunately for Phelps, the Board of Regents would call for his resignation before he could even complete his second year as acting president.[4] The strong attitude and fierce determination that landed Phelps the job also ultimately lead to his removal. After only one year as president, many of the students became dissatisfied with the way Phelps managed the school. They grew so dissatisfied that the entire junior class of 1876-1877, as well as some underclassmen, decided not to return to Whitewater the next year. Fortunately, long-time members of the faculty were able to convince the students to stay.[5] However, the issues did not stop there.
8-P-101, Photo Collection, Presidents and Chancellors, Anderson Library Archives and Area Research, Anderson Library, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, Whitewater, WI.
By January of 1878, more issues had arisen. First, the students began to again consider leaving the school for other opportunities. Then the faculty began to express concern with Phelps’ style of administration. Eventually, the teachers and staff began looking for new openings or asking for transfers to other institutions. Thus, the Board of Regents was forced to act. On January 30th, the board passed a resolution that called for all ties to be cut with President Phelps at the conclusion of the school year.[6] However, the Normal School quickly recovered and was ready to start anew under the leadership of J.W. Stearns.[7] Fortunately, the school returned to normal and continued to grow into the University seen today.
[1] “President Phelps,” Whitewater Register (Whitewater, WI.), August 17, 1876.
[2] Albert Salisbury, Historical Sketches of The First Quarter-Century of The State Normal School At Whitewater, Wisconsin With A Catalogue of Its Graduates And A Record of Their Work: 1868-1893,(Madison: Tracy, Gibbs & Co, 1893) https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AFMLJNVST2GMHT85/pages/A4Y246BY6D5TQG9D.
[3] “New President of Whitewater Normal School,” Whitewater Register (Whitewater, WI.), August 10, 1876.
[4] Albert Salisbury, Historical Sketches of The First Quarter-Century of The State Normal School At Whitewater, Wisconsin With A Catalogue of Its Graduates And A Record of Their Work: 1868-1893,(Madison: Tracy, Gibbs & Co, 1893) https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AFMLJNVST2GMHT85/pages/A4Y246BY6D5TQG9D.
[5] “Regent Chandler Reviews the Normal School Case,” Whitewater Register (Whitewater, WI.), August 8, 1878.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.