William Thomas
Bawden chronicles the contributions of Dr. O.P. Dellinger to Pittsburg State in
Chapter 8 of A History of Kansas State Teacher’s College; 1903-1949. The
chapter is repeated below, formatted for the web.
CHAPTER VIII
THE ADMINISTRATION OF O. P. DELLINGER
THE next year, November 1, 1940, to June 30, 1941, was the period covered by
the administration of Oris Polk Dellinger, as acting president; but it is to be
noted that his most significant contribution to the development of Kansas State
Teachers College was made during the years preceding 1940. The death of
President Brandenburg, on October 29, 1940, removed a dynamic leader at a
critical time when the new school year was just getting under way. For
understandable reasons it was not an opportune moment for the selection of a
successor. To fill so important a post it was imperative that the board of
regents take time for counsel, and for deliberate and thorough consideration of
policies, programs, and personalities. It was decided to appoint an acting
president, and then to take whatever time might be necessary to arrive at
permanent decisions.
Because of his long years of distinguished service; his familiarity with the
early history, the traditions, and the accomplishments of the institution; his
unmatched acquaintance among the alumni and the citizens of Kansas; his
outstanding record of scholarly achievement; and his proven leadership
attainments—Dr. Dellinger was the logical, unanimous, and universally accepted
choice of the board for the momentous task of guiding the College through this
critical period. It is appropriate at this point to examine briefly his
qualifications for this assignment.
Training and Experience
First, he came to the Manual Training Normal School with a background of more
than seven years of successful teaching experience in four institutions of
higher learning, including two universities and a State Teachers College. A
graduate of Indiana State University, he was for two years, 1901-1903,
instructor of biology at the State Teachers College, Terre Haute, Indiana; four
years, 1904-1908, at Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts; and one year,
1908-1909, at Winona College, Winona Lake, Indiana. During this period he served
also as instructor of biology for seven summer quarters, 1902-1908, at the
Biological Laboratory of Indiana State University, at Winona Lake. In addition,
he spent one year, 1900-1901, at the University of Chicago, doing special work
in botany under Bradley Moore Davis, a noted botanist of that day.
More significant, however, than this basis of practical teaching experience,
in preparing him for the service he was to render at the Manual Training Normal
School, was the prestige he had acquired, and was to augment still further with
the passing of the years, as an original investigator and creative thinker in
his chosen field of the biological sciences. During the years spent in research
and teaching at the Biological Laboratory maintained by Indiana State
University, and during the four years of graduate study and teaching at dark
University, which culminated in the award of the Ph. D. degree at the latter in
June, 1907, Dr. Dellinger had attracted the attention of the scientific world by
the published reports of studies made by graduate students under his
supervision, of studies made by scientists with whom he collaborated, and of his
own investigations.
An Authority in His Field
The two reports which probably contributed the most to focus attention upon
Dr. Dellinger, and hence upon the Manual Training Normal School, to which he
transferred his activities in September, 1909, were his Doctor's dissertation,
which was on epoch-making study of "the structure of contractile protoplasm,"1 and the report of an earlier and related study of the vital processes of the
amoeba.2
The second of these studies won the admiration and esteem of fellow
scientists particularly because of certain original laboratory techniques, and
unique methods of observing and recording "the events in the daily life of Amoeba proteus" one of the simplest forms of animal life, "consisting of a
microscopic nucleated mass of protoplasm, perpetually changing its shape by
protruding portions of its body, and nourishing itself by enveloping minute
organisms and fragments of food."
By employing certain novel methods of mounting the specimens for microscopic
observation, and by working in relays. Dr. Dellinger and two associates
conducted the investigation "by watching continuously for six days and five
nights several amoebas and keeping careful records of their activities. One
amoeba was followed with special care, while several others under various
conditions as to feed were also observed continuously during this period, and
daily for several weeks following." In addition to photographs, and diagrammatic
sketches, the report reproduced a graph of the hourly movements recorded during
the six days and nights of observation, accompanied by explanatory comments on
the activities noted.
Referring to the activities of search for food and the rhythm of work and
rest which are basic throughout all known animal life, the authors of this study
attempted to determine whether "this rhythm is necessary or is exhibited in the
life of the protozoa. The answer to this question is very important in its
physiological bearings." The investigation "showed very definitely that Amoeba proteus does have periods of activity and of rest as reactions connected with
search for and attainment of food. These periods apparently have nothing to do
with light or darkness, day or night." Without going into the details of methods
or conclusions of a highly technical and involved study, it is sufficient to say
that the authors were able to establish the validity of certain biological
conceptions concerning which there had been serious doubts and questionings, and
they dispelled certain beliefs which had been based upon insufficient evidence.
"This study seems to show that the amoeba can no longer be considered as a bit
of but slightly differentiated protoplasm, but must take its place in the true
animal series with the rudiments at least of true animal behavior."
In due time certain conclusions of Dr. Dellinger's studies found their way
into the leading and authoritative textbooks, one in England and three in the
United States, and for a number of years he was the only American biologist
whose findings appeared among the "classics" in the field of the biological
sciences.
Prestige in the Scientific World
One of the significant factors in establishing Dr. Dellinger's place in the
scientific world, and in enhancing the prestige of the Manual Training Normal
School as an institution of higher learning hospitable to the concept of
scientific study, research, and teaching, was his nationwide acquaintance among
the leading scientists of his day. His wide acquaintance was explained in part
by his contributions to the literature of his field, of which two notable
examples have been cited.
But even more decisive was his extensive personal contacts, which were
traceable to two sources in particular: (1) his work in the summer quarters at
the Biological Laboratory of Indiana State University, where he was associated
directly over considerable periods of time with other important research
workers; and (2) his regular attendance for more than 30 years at the annual
conferences of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the
American Academy of Science, the Kansas Academy of Science, and other important
meetings. Through these contacts he formed and maintained through the years the
acquaintance of, not to say intimacy with, many of the outstanding leaders of
the scientific world. As one illustrious example may be cited his close
friendship with the late Hugo De Vries, 1848-1935, the eminent Dutch botanist,
who was recognized as one of the immortal trio of protagonists of the theories
of organic evolution.3
One practical and objective manifestation of the professional standing which
the Manual Training Normal School attained as the direct result of these
relationships was the inspiration imparted to students who majored in the
biological sciences, and the recognition given to graduates who applied for
advanced study in other institutions. Very soon after Dr. Dellinger became head
of the department of biology, 1909, he began encouraging some of the more
promising men and women to continue their studies elsewhere after graduation,
and because of his personal connections he was instrumental in securing for them
favorable consideration for appointments to fellowships and assistantships.
It is all the more remarkable that some of these appointments, and this type
of recognition, antedated by several years the application by the Normal School
for "approval" by the accrediting agencies, and undoubtedly the achievements of
graduates and former students of the Normal School in the graduate schools of
important colleges and universities were a very real factor in securing official
recognition.
Not until at least ten or twelve years after biology majors began to make
their mark in the eastern graduate schools did graduates of other departments of
the Normal School secure similar recognition. By 1935, the number of
institutions in which graduate fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships
were awarded to former students of Kansas State Teachers College had grown to
eighteen, and included: 4
Johns Hopkins University Brown University Washington University, St. Louis
Indiana State University University of Nebraska University of Kansas University
of Arkansas University of Illinois Kansas State College, Manhattan Ohio State
University University of Iowa University of Minnesota University of California,
Berkeley University of Wisconsin University of New Mexico Columbia University
Duke University St. Louis University
Many graduates of the College, including majors from practically all
departments, have gone on to distinguished achievement, and have reflected great
honor upon their Alma Mater. Doctor Dellinger must be credited with a definitive
part in initiating and influencing this movement. Scholarly Influence
Another circumstance worthy of note is that Doctor Dellinger was the first
university-trained man to be added to the faculty of the Manual Training Normal
School, and for fourteen years, 1909-1923, he was the only member of the faculty
to hold the Ph. D. degree, with the exception of three persons, none of whom
remained long enough to exert notable influence upon the progress and
achievements of the institution: John H. Bowers, Ph. D., Associate Professor of
History, 1919-1922, three years. Charles F. Lee, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology,
1909-1913, four years. George Edmund Myers, Principal, 1911-1913, two years.
In addition, two other members of the faculty held the Ped. D. degree: Jessie
Craig, Ped. D., Critic Teacher, 1909-1910, one year. Frank Deerwester, Ped. D.,
Associate Professor of Education, 1919-1924, five years.
Because of his scholarship, leadership qualities, professional standing, and
long tenure. Doctor Dellinger exercised a potent, lasting, and unsurpassed
influence upon the formulation of policies, the establishment of standards, and
the creation of the spirit of the school, during more than thirty years of the
formative period of the institution.
The Graduate Division
One of the conspicuous contributions of Doctor Dellinger was his leadership
and direction of the Graduate Division. In January, 1929, the board of regents
authorized the Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg to confer the Master
of Science degree. In April of that year, President Brandenburg appointed a
Graduate Council to organize and administer the work of the Graduate Division.
Doctor Dellinger was named Chairman of the Graduate Council, and served in this
capacity for ten years, 1929-1939; then as Dean of the College and Graduate
School for six years, 1939-1945; except for one year's leave of absence,
1933-1934, and one year as acting president, 1940-1941.
During the first of these one-year intervals. Dr. Charles Bertram Pyle served
as Chairman of the Graduate Council, and during the second as Acting Dean of the
College and Graduate School. Doctor Pyle was appointed professor of psychology,
1924-1927; served as head of the Department of Psychology and Educational
Philosophy, 1927-1942; and professor of education and psychology, 1942-1947.
Nationwide Study
In the fall of 1933, Doctor Dellinger requested leave of absence, and devoted
the year to travel, visiting colleges, universities, and teachers colleges in
all sections of the United States, and making a special study of Graduate
Schools, including problems of admission, qualifications of faculty personnel,
curricula, costs of maintenance, organization and administration, and
requirements for the higher degrees. To him must be given much of the credit for
establishing and maintaining the standards of graduate study at Kansas State
Teachers College, which later were found acceptable by the examining and
accrediting committees of the North Central Association of Colleges and
Secondary Schools, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education,
and the Association of American Universities.
Dr. Dellinger's long standing friendship for Dr. Fernandus Payne, Dean of the
Graduate School, Indiana State University, who inspected the College for the
Association of American Universities, was an important factor in the acceptance
of the institution by the accrediting agencies, through the latter's friendly
counsel, advice, and practical suggestions.
Not only through his writings, and addresses at professional meetings, but
personally. Dr. Dellinger was more widely known in all parts of Kansas and
throughout the nation than any other member of the faculty of his day. He was
among the first to carry extension courses to teachers in the communities within
reach of the College, and in this way he came to know many teachers, principals,
and superintendents of schools.
Personal Relationships
It is difficult to describe the vital and far-reaching influence exercised by
Dr. Dellinger through his close personal relationships with members of the
faculty, students, and alumni. He was always a real confidante and personal
friend of hosts of students. He understood the problems of students, and
contributed in many ways to their solution. He made a significant contribution
to the life of the school, by participating in all student and faculty
undertakings. He regularly attended as many meetings of the alumni as possible,
and never failed to be called upon for the latest news from the campus.
The Critical Year
Dr. Dellinger's administration as acting president, 1940-1941, was a fitting
climax to a long and fruitful association on the campus. Closer than anyone else
to the problems, the policies, and the inner workings of the affairs of the
College, he was able to take over the administration at a critical juncture
without hesitation, uncertainty or confusion. The circumstances called for the
management of a going concern, with all the details of which he was familiar,
and in all departments of which he inspired confidence and good will.
The situation did not demand the inauguration of new policies or radical
changes; indeed, these would have been inappropriate, if not impossible. The
acting president was given a mandate to keep the institution under way, at full
speed ahead, toward recognized goals, with a minimum of friction, lost motion,
or unrest. All this he accomplished with consummate skill.
On July 1, 1941, Dr. Dellinger relinquished the insignia of office to the new
president, Rees H. Hughes, and this narrative ends with the latter's accession.
1 O. P. Dellinger: The Cilium as a Key to the Structure of Contractile
Protoplasm. A contribution from the Biological Laboratory of Clark University. The Journal of Morphology, Vol. 20, No. 2, July, 1909, pages 172-209. This study
was carried on under the direct supervision of the late Dr. G. Stanley Hall, and
Dr. Clifton F. Hodge.
2 David Gibbs and O. P. Dellinger; The Daily Life of Amoeba Proteus. Report
of an investigation made in the Biological Laboratory of Clark University,
1905-1906. American Journal of Psychology, Vol. 19, 1908, pages 232-241
3 The others: Jean Baptiste de Lamarck, 1744-1829, French zoologist; and
Charles Robert Darwin, 1809-1882, English naturalist, and author of The Origin
of Species.
