Early School Administrators
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The helm of Uni High has been held by some 21 administrators over the past three-quarters of a century. The first two lasted eleven years each. The third served the longest, enduring fourteen years. Since that time, administrations of shorter duration have led the school.
The first Principal in Uni High’s relatively short line of “chief executives” was Lewis W. Williams, who served as Principal from 1921 to 1932. In the 1921 yearbook, he stated the purpose of the school as being threefold:
• First, to serve as a laboratory for the College of Education;
• Second, to offer opportunities for observation and training to University seniors expecting to teach;
• Third, to offer high school training to young people.
Williams’ 11-year administration contributed much to the building of solid foundations and meaningful traditions. The legend of the school seal selected by the first graduating class was “Unity of Spirit,” a goal that describes the Williams’ administration at its best.
The fall of 1932 saw a new administration led by Charles W. Sanford who served as Principal from 1932 to 1943. His administration had an auspicious beginning due to the addition of the subfreshman class in September 1932 and was characterized by an enormous amount of extracurricular activity.
In fact, the demand and interest became so great that in 1938 one hour was set aside each week for participation in activities such as the radio, industrial arts, handiwork, typing, checkers, and book clubs. This period also was characterized by the reputedly marvelous marionette shows for which Uni High became well known. Sanford reportedly encouraged students to buy war stamps and join the First Aid Club, War Discussion, Camouflage Club, and Red Cross. In 1943, Sanford left Uni to become Associate Dean in the College of Education.
Uni’s third administration was its longest, lasting from 1943 to 1957 under the direction of Charles M. Allen. During this period, Uni not only continued the programs of the preceding years but undertook a systematic and steady modernization and improvement in preparation for the big leap forward of the late 1950s. Many more extracurricular activities and academic projects were available, and the administration cooperated in establishing a football team while presiding over the most successful period of competitive athletics in Uni’s history. These years were characterized by a period of innovations designed to meet the challenges of postwar society head-on and set the stage for the advent of Uni’s most impressive years.
The period of 1957 to 1966 has been dubbed Uni’s “Golden Era” by many. The school was under the direction of Dr. David M. Jackson and the entire curriculum laboratory project directed by Dr. Max Beberman came into full swing with Math, English, and Social Studies projects leading the way.
At this time, Uni students were well aware of the history that they were helping to create. In fact, the 1964 yearbook stated: “Uni High has long been known as one of the two national demonstration centers of experimental projects in Illinois and the spearhead of the program.”
The Jackson administration was receptive to changing views in regard to national priorities and interests and the expanding world. This resulted in curriculum revisions to reflect these changes, including the addition of Russian to the program of instruction and the development of the cultural areas curriculum to include Japan, the Soviet Union, and Africa.
Also, in the period during which science and mathematics reigned supreme, Jackson presided over the birth of “The New Math,” product of the genius of Beberman and cradled at Uni. At the time, contemporary sources referred to Uni as “the center of the most exciting experimentation in education today.”
Succeeding Jackson, who became Associate Dean of the College of Education, was Dr. Wilfred L. Shoemaker who for many years had been Director of Guidance at Uni. Shoemaker served as Acting Principal from 1964 to 1966 and was named Principal from 1966-67, when he resigned for reasons of health.
Shoemaker was followed by Robert Carlier from 1967-68. This year was a period of consolidation and assessment of goals, perhaps in anticipation of the national changes at the end of the 1960s.
In 1968, Uni’s sixth administration took hold under the direction of Dr. Anthony F. Gregoric. In the presence of the past failures to secure new quarters, Gregoric undertook a face-lifting building program from which today’s students continue to profit. In addition to building improvements, his five-year plan included changes in staffing and curriculum. The naming of executive teachers in each of the major programs of study is one of his most successful innovative ideas that continues today.
Dr. Robert E. Boyd assumed the reins of the school in 1971, assisted by Principal Russell Zwoyer. Dr. Robert B. Davis served as both Principal and Director in 1975-76, followed by Dr. James Raths who was Principal in 1976.
Next, former Uni journalism teacher Warren Royer became Principal and Dr. Alan C. Purves assumed the duties of Director in 1977. Their tenure was marked by a financial crisis that almost resulted in the closing of the school when the U of I College of Education withdrew financial support. In early 1983, the Illinois State Board of Education approved funding guidelines for laboratory schools and opened the door to state support for Uni as a public laboratory school. It previously had been funded as a research unit of the College of Education.
In spring 1983, a committee studying University Laboratory High School recommended “fundamental changes” in the organizational structure of the school so that it could function as “an active center for research and curriculum development,” as “an outstanding college preparatory school” and as “a resource for the secondary school teachers of our state and nation.”
The committee recommended that Uni report jointly to the U of I Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the Vice-Chancellor of Research as of July 1, 1983. The school was later reassigned solely to the auspices of the office of the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, who also holds the title of Provost, in 1995.