A major shift in the approach to science teaching at Indiana Asbury took place in 1879. In that year Tingley, whose frequent absences from campus on the lecture circuit may have lost him favor with the trustees, was summarily dismissed along with three other professors. His successor was John M. Mansfield, a graduate of Iowa Wesleyan who had taught natural sciences at his alma mater for 13 years and had recently traveled in Europe to study laboratory methods there. In the 1880 catalog he inserted the notice that "each student does his own experimentation for himself in all the laboratories." There is also an extensive listing of apparatus fabricated by students in the labs and shops, including a "Torsion Apparatus", "Atwood's Machine with Electro Magnets", and "Borda's Pendulum."  In the next year's catalog Mansfield set forth instructions for organizing student lab reports along with a list of laboratory reference manuals such as Edward C. Pickering's Elements of Physical Manipulation.

Increasing specialization brought about division of the chair of natural sciences into its various components. In 1881 Mansfield's title was changed to professor of physics and biology and the following year to professor of biology. Appointed to the new professorship in physics in 1882 was Asbury graduate John B. DeMotte, formerly principal of the preparatory department and an instructor in both mathematics and Latin. A man of many talents, DeMotte played the pipe organ, conducted the university orchestra, and earned one of the four pro merito Ph.D. degrees awarded by his alma mater. He led the new physics department through the period of transition from Indiana Asbury to DePauw University with great distinction, but resigned suddenly in 1891. Joining the Slayton Lyceum Bureau, he filled over 3000 lecture engagements in the United States and Europe over the next 25 years, speaking on such topics as "Electricity, Its Nature and Possibilities" and "The Princes of the Realm of Tone."          

As the first full-time professor of physics at the university, DeMotte was responsible for developing the departmental curriculum, continuing the emphasis on laboratory experimentation begun by Mansfield. A basic one- semester course in physics was required of all students except those in the classical course, where it was an elective. Advanced courses in such topics as light, electricity and magnetism, and acoustics were also available, as well as a course in the theory of sound for music students.

With the introduction of a full elective system under the direction of President John P.D. John in 1890, a major and a minor in physics was created. The minor consisted of two courses in the fundamentals of physics and one course of general laboratory; the major added to these another semester of general laboratory plus either a laboratory course in electricity and magnetism or a more general course aimed at aspiring teachers. Students majoring in physics were expected to have a working knowledge of calculus, although no specific course requirements were established.

It is interesting to note that at this time the theoretical course in mechanics (today one of the core courses for physics majors) was taught in the mathematics department. DeMotte also employed student assistants in his courses in physics, the first being Cora Lloyd and William Stanton in 1884-85.

Back to Preface	Previous Page	Next Page