Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-07-05
For the indicator.

ROANOKE COLLEGE CoMMENoEMENT.-The late
commencement of Roanoke College was one of
more than usual interest. The exercises opened
Sabbath morning June 18th, ybysa sermon to the
graduating class from F.'W. Conrad, D. D., Ed
itor of the Lutheran Observer" Philadelphia.
At night discourse was pronounced before
the Y. NJ. Christian Association by DR.. Dabney,
author of the LIFE OF SToNEwALL JACKSON, and
a Professor of Theology in the Union Theolog-
ical Seminary of Prince Edward Co., Va. se5
Monday night the contest for the medal in
Oratory took place. This was spirited affair,
and excited much interest among the spectators.
Two young men of old Augusta were among
the competitors, who, while neither of them
gained the medal reflected no little credit on
their native county. They have only to culti-
vate the talent they possess in the way of orato-
~, to write their names among the first in the
list of Virginia's eloquent sons. J. W. Stephr
enson of Highland Co., Va, was awarded the
medal, four of the six judges selected to decide,
voting in his favor. tn s,
because of the inability of the speaker elect to
be present. DR.. Conrad, however, acted as
substitute, and delivered an address, which
could not, in any particular, well be surpassed.
At the same hour medal was presented, with
few appropriate remarks, by Rev. il. Miller
of your city. to N. M. Hargrove for proficiency
in Logic and Metaphysics. At night OF the
same day (Tuesday,) Gen. Bradley 7. johnson
of Richmond, addressed the Literary Societies Of
College. On Wednesday the commencement ex-
ercises proper took place and we're of an exceed
ingly interesting character. The young men,
nine in number of the graduating class, ac.
quilted themselves in such way az to cause q
feeling of pride to fill the breasts, both of their
immediate friends and of the friends of the In
stitnti0p at large. aA.g ~
The following were the graduates G, C..
M phaj1 Misc r Nrahtraa Va W r..
Craig, Augusta, Go. Va, D. B. Floyd, Ind, !.
L. Gleeves, Va, NJ. NJ. Hargroye Va g. W.
Koner Augusta Co. Va, 1. S. Motter, Nd, and
J. W. Stephenson, Va.
The death of the lamented A.. A Price of
your county during the session, was the more
to be regretted because he was In the senior
Glass; and would have been one of its brightest
ornaments. ...4=sstl l4F .la -ts-a"1
Another of the class, who had passed his final,
examination, but who rated himself greatly
above what others did, took umbrage that none
of the honors Of the class were eonterred upon
him, and left college. When attrition with this
matter of fact world rubs off some OF his vanity
he will repent of his presumption and ,rashness
Two others of the class did not, in their final
examination, reach the standard required in or
der to receive diploma. One of these, we learn
has sought to justify bis failure on the ground.
of his being Presby terian. The edge OF this
defense however is very much blunted when "
is known that the other one whotalled Is not on
ly member of the Lutheran church, buta cam
didate for her ministry Then further rebutting
testimony is furnished in the fact that two Of
the graduates are members Of the Presbyterian
church, and the young gentleman Whp took the
highest honors of the class is a member Of the
Baptist church. This disappointed applicant fog
graduation says, we are informed, that he had
received more than the minimum required for q
diploma. This is true. But when it was AFTER
wards demonstrated to the satisfaction OF the
entire faculty that in his final examination be
had copied from the papers of another student
in two important studies, they felt that common
Justice required that his diploma be withheld.
We make these remarks With no feeling against
the unfortunate young man, for we do not know
him, but in simple justice to the excellent instl.
tuition he would thus injure. While we can but
sympathige with any who may De thus dlsap'
pointed in their losses, we yet rejoice that !!
cannot be said of Roanoke, that to SECURE al
ploma, it only requires that the candldate pas!
| through the prescribed curriculum. Her standard
of scholarship is high, and young men who De
sire the honors Of said college must fairly VII
them. GttH
She is discriminating and sparing of her distinc
tons, also in the way of manufacturing Masters
Of Art and D. p's.
At her late comm ncement the honorary dis
tinction Of D. D. was conferred upon ReF. D
| B. Ewing of Hebron, (Presby terrain church, q
| Augusta Co. w., and that of A. M. upon Prof
| Salyards Of the Polytechnic lnstitpte, New MAJ
| ket Va, both Of whom, We believe, are entirely
| deserving of these h9nors. 81 8.
| But we viii not weary you nor your reaoet
by extending this article Let it be enough =
say in conclusion that Roanoke College deserve
tional institutions Of our State: a,o