The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1888-06-15
CLOSING EXERCISES.
Of Weaverville College--A Brilliant
commencement.

Possibly the largest and best ats
tendance ever present at Weaver
vile College was had at its annual
commencement this year. The oc-
casion was one of more than oro1
nary enjoyment, and the exercises,
in every particular, were Of higher
character than ever. before
The exercises began Tuesday
morning, and long before the hour
for the beginning of the programme
the hall was crowded with visitors,
parents of students and friends of
the school. The declamations were
begun with at ten O'Clock, and fif-
teen young men entered as contest
ants for the medal, which was fi,
nally awarded to Mr.. G.. L. Morgan,
Hominy Creek. All of the speak
ers did exceedingly well, and all de-
served medal, but unfortunate for
them there was only one. Tuesday
night the vocal and instrumental
concert by the young ladies took
place, followed by select readings
and recitations. The students tax
ing part in this portion of the pro-
gramme evinced much talent and
knowledge. This department is
under the management of Misses
Bessie Vandiver and Jennie Nelson,
! the latter experimenting the nIusi-
cal branch, and the former giving
her attention to instruction in elo-
cution. The programme reflected
much credit upon these young Ia
| dies, and the concert YVES most
| brilliant success.
Wednesday morning the oratori-
cal contest for the Oratory medal
took place, seven young gentlemen
contesting for the prize. Mr.. F.
Faraday Reeves was awarded the
medal after much deliberation by
the committee. All of the speeches
were exceptionally fine, and cred
liable alike to the students and the
institution. The department medal
was won by Mr.. Willie Lee Baird,
son of our countyman [. Y. Baird.
Mr.. Haywood Morris, of Henderson
county, was also awarded a medal
for department.
The Nichols essayist medal was
awarded to Miss Vaughtie Carroll,
whose subject, Music" was ably,
eloquently and exhaustively treated.
Miss Maggie Morris, of Henderson
county, was also awarded a medal
for the second best essay, by the
Faculty.
The improvement medal was
awarded by the Cliosophic Society
to Mr.. J. F. Abel, of Haywood.
Another medal by the same society,
for the same purpose, was awarded
Mr.. Hoke Morris, of Henderson
county. Wednesday afternoon, the
address before the literary societies
of the institution wAs delivered by
Rev. DR.. G. G. Rankin, of this city.
1t was able, instructive, and full of
sound advice to young men, and
their duties in life. At the conclu-
sion of DR.. Rankin's address quite a
number of those present repaired to
the parlors of the st. Clair Hotel,
where Mr.. Walter ". Vandiver, of
this city, gave readings and recita-
tions from Mark Twain and other
humorous authors, much to editica-
ton and pleasure ofthose assembled.
President S. r. Trawick, of
Weaverville College, deserves no
little credit for the energy and
ability with which be has presided
over the destinies of that institution
during the past year. A teacher for
nearly a quarter of a century, he
has devoted himself with assiduity
10 his profession.
We wish WeaverviIle College, its
president and faculty, much success
and prosperity in their labors in the
future.