True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-07-25
Commencement of Avery College.

We clip the following from the Pitts
burgh Dispatch of the 18th inst:
We had the pleasure, on Thursday af-
ternoon, of attending the first annual COM
mencement of the Avery College. an In
stitution which, as many of our readers are
aware, was founded about four years since
by Rev. Charles Avery, for tho purpose
of atfording to persons Of color, of both
sexes, the means Of obtaining liberal ed
ucation. TO this end he made donation
of large and aligibly located lot Of ground,
at the coFnet of Avery and North streets,
in the city of Allegheny, and caused to be
erected there large and elegant brick
building which answers the double purpose
of church for the colored people Of that
portion e the city, and of class rooms fCR
tho students Of the college.
The Institution is governed by a Board
of Trustees, and is under the charge, as
teachers, of Professor Philotus Dean, o
literally educated white man, and Psufes-
sor Martin II. Freeman-a colored man Of
excellent requirements, and fine capacity
as teacher. An admirably selected libra
ry Of about five hundred volumes belongs
to the college.
During the session which has just clos
ed, tire number of students has been forty
five. The graduating class consisted of
but three members, all young ladies, who
performed their parts in manner in the
highest degree crcditable to themselves
and their teachers.
The exercises of the occasion commenc-
ed with music, which was succeeded by an
eloquent and appropriate prayer by Rev.
Mr.. Robinson of Birmingham.
After another piece of music, ola Sal
utation," au original address in French,
was pronounced by Miss. E. L. Waters, of
Eric, Pa. The address was well and clear.
ly delivered, and the young lady's pronun-
citation of the French language would have
put to shame many damsel with fairer
skin, and education "6uished" at an aris-
tocratic seminary.
After music again, dissertation was
read by Miss. L. j. Woodson, Of Pittsburg.
"The End and Aim of our Being" The
essay was carefully and elegantly compos'
ed and we'll delivered.
This was succeeded by another dissera-
tion upon "American Institutions" by
Miss. Il. L, Waters, in which the "pecu
liar institution" received some well dcser.
we'd and unanswerable hits
Miss u. j. Woodson then read French
Philosophical dissertation upon the Imagi
nation. 1t was we'll read and well pro
nounced.
Miss Caroline Woodson, of Pittsburgh
closed the exercises on the part of the stu
dents BY a disseration-subject, "The Tru
ly Free," which was elquently written
showing thought, originality, Oud o vel
trained mind, This concluded, she deliv
cred the valedictory remarks, addressed tc
tho founder Of the college, its trustees and
teachers, her fcllow.students ard the audi
cnce, in style and language and with
feeling, the exhibition of which, on this oc
casion, was interesting to all, and mus
have deeply touched the sensibilities of hin
through whose enlarged philanthropy ant
quiet, unostcntatious beneyolence, this In
stitution had its origin.
The performances OF these thfoe young
ladies' would have done credit to any thre
of similar ages in the land.
The degrees were then conferred by MI
Dean, after which Bishop Payne, Of tn
colored M. E. Church, pronounced the ber
ediction, and the assembly adjourned
partake of collation. of cakes, fruits an
ice-crcam, furnished by the trustees.
A large audience, composed Of bot
white and colorsd persons, was in altent
ance, and oil appeared to be in the bighel
, degree pleased.
Mr.. Avery is q highly respectable mil
istef Of the Methodist Protestant Churcl
and one of the most benevolent christia
: gentlemen with whom it has ever been OF
{ privilege to be acquainted.