"Our Loved Banner Blue and Gold"

1904 – Workers laying the walkway in front of the first Administration Building.

1915 – Transport wagon greeting students at the train.

The purpose of the Normal School at Kearney was to prepare teachers to work in both primary and secondary schools. In the first decade of the 20th century, Americans became more interested in not only the subject matter taught in schools, but more importantly, the methods of teaching. Normal Schools, established throughout the United States, were devoted to these educational methods in order to create better-qualified teachers.

On June 19, 1905, the Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney offered its first classes. Unfortunately for the students and faculty, construction on the campus forced the first classes to be held in the Kearney High School. In September, classes moved to the Normal School campus. At this time, campus consisted of only a former hotel, converted into student housing, and a new, grand Founders Hall, which housed classes as well as administrative offices. By December, 400 students were enrolled at the institution. Students at the Normal School worked toward a two-year degree and were instructed not only in teaching methods, but also mathematics, geography, English and psychology as well. Elective courses offered ranged from the sciences, such as zoology and chemistry, to the arts, including drawing and music. In the early years of the Normal School, students and faculty endured the growing pains of the institution. Classes were often held in rooms with no heat, and the school soon found its single academic building was not enough to house all of its classes. Despite these constraints, enrollment continued to climb throughout the decade.