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Milner Library

Arnold Tompkins

Served as President 1899-1900

Arnold Tompkins

Portrait Details

Artist

Chas. A. Jackson

Canvas Size

23 3/4" x 29 3/4"

Creation Date

1899

See all Presidents

Though the portrait itself is in good shape, the frame surrounding Tompkins portrait has been damaged over the years.

Arnold Tompkins Portrait

Though the portrait itself is in good shape, the frame surrounding Tompkins portrait has been damaged over the years.

Tompkins painting gives viewers one of the clearest looks at our fifth president. Not seen in photographs, the artist details both youth and age in the president. Salt and pepper hair surround soft crinkles in the corners of Tompkins' eyes.

Arnold Tompkins Portrait Detail

Tompkins painting gives viewers one of the clearest looks at our fifth president. Not seen in photographs, the artist details both youth and age in the president. Salt and pepper hair surround soft crinkles in the corners of Tompkins' eyes.

In this letter, Tompkins asked second ISNU president, Richard Edwards, to return to campus for a lecture.

Arnold Tompkins Letter

In this letter, Tompkins asked second ISNU president, Richard Edwards, to return to campus for a lecture.

Because Tompkins was president for a short amount of time, Archives has very little pertaining to his tenure. Of the few images retained, Tompkins is always wearing a buttoned-up vest and wry smile.

Arnold Tompkins

Because Tompkins was president for a short amount of time, Archives has very little pertaining to his tenure. Of the few images retained, Tompkins is always wearing a buttoned-up vest and wry smile.

Biography

The Educator

Arnold Tompkins (1849-1905) was ISNU's fifth president. Born in Edgar County, Illinois, to a farming family, Tompkins attended the University of Indiana and graduated with honors. Tompkins taught secondary school English and served as a school superintendent before teaching literature at Indiana State Normal School and pedagogy (method and practice of teaching) at DePauw University. Tompkins then moved back to Illinois where he taught pedagogy at the University of Illinois. Tompkins was also a well-known lecturer among educators, discussing philosophical teaching principles with his audiences.

The President

In 1899, Tompkins was chosen to be ISNU’s fifth president. However, Tompkins only served ten months before resigning the presidency in June 1900 to take the position of president at the Chicago Normal School (now Chicago State University). Tompkins’s time at Chicago Normal was incredibly tumultuous. Though he did implement several continuing education programs aimed at helping immigrants and working teachers, faculty constantly criticized his administration of the school. At the request of his doctor, Tompkins took a vacation to escape the stress of his presidency. However, Tompkins died on August 14, 1905 while in Menlo, Georgia with his family. Arnold Tompkins was buried at Alpine Community Church Cemetery in Menlo, Georgia.

Continued Research

  • Arnold Tompkins Presidential Papers Finding Aid

    See Finding Aid

  • “Arnold Tompkins” in Development of the Teachers College in the United States, with special reference to the Illinois State Normal University by Charles A. Harper

    Teaching development book

Additional Links