The state of Pennsylvania granted monies to colleges to assist them in the preparation of young men to become qualified and competent teachers. The granted monies were a direct result of the Pennsylvania Free School Act of 1834 which paved the way for the monumental Normal School Act of 1857.

Photograph property of LHUP Archive.
Picture of the rooftop of the original Sullivan Hall. Praeco, 1927, p. 10.

Teacher preparation in the early 1800's was considered unnecessary. Consequently, many teachers from this period were unqualified—many did not even possess their high school diploma. Thankfully, "educators and statesmen were taking an interest in a better preparation for teachers" (Wisor, 12) and today, teacher competency has improved drastically since its lamentable beginnings.
Photograph property of LHUP Archive.
Praeco, 1977, p. 123.