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a vice president in 1891. Professor Gladwin continued his sketching in
all the spare time at his command. He made water color pictures of
many sections of the campus, of the New England hills and shores. In
1891 he published a book of sketches that was purchased by many
students and alumni. Professor Kimball, when his health permitted,
carried on much research in the field of Physics and in the developing
field of Electrical Engineering. Also, in 1885, he was lecturer in
Physics at Mount Holyoke College. Dr. Kinnicutt continued his studies
in the field of sanitation, soon becoming recognized as an authority
on sewage treatment. As early as 1887 he proposed the method of
chemical precipitation for Worcester sewage, and was retained by the
city to direct the installation of the first plant using this method
in America.
At the beginning of the second administration, 1882, there were seven
professors and three instructors; at the end, 1894, there were
thirteen professors and eleven instructors. Of the five courses, each
of three to three and one-half years' duration, at the beginning of
the period, Physics and Design were discontinued. Courses in General
Science and Electrical Engineering were added, and all courses were
increased to four years. Enrollment more than doubled during the
twelve years. To provide for and administer these changes required
much of the faculty's time.
A question of paramount importance was whether or not to adopt a
four-year plan of instruction. To do so meant the abandoning of a
unique feature, the six-months' apprentice period in the shops, and a
complete rearrangement of courses. On the other hand, the faculty
realized that such a course would increase efficiency in higher
practical work, and relieve students of excessive
pressure. Comparative studies were made between courses at Cornell,
M.I.T. and Worcester. They indicated that Worcester students spent
more time in classroom and in practice than was required in either of
these four-year schools. The studies also showed that W.P.I. was
giving too little time to Mechanics and Design.
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