Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-06-26
The First Commencement.
A Red Letter Day I'm the History
Of Alma College:

more than usual interest ut Alma Col
lege this last week, The College, after
four years of work, graduated its first
class.
The exercises Of commencement
week opened June 9, with the Junior
Exhibition. The Glass of '02, consisting
of Mary IL. Cook, Kate C. Slater, Ralph
Ely and f. w. Eply, had prepared a
very pleasing program which was
listened TO 10y 4 large and attentive au-
dience. The Source of Social and Po-
litical Energy was the title of the first
Grafton by Miss Cook.
Mr.. Ely talked of William Cullen
Bryant, Americas First Great Poet
and was followed by Miss Slater who,
in short essay entitled "A Character
Study from Thackery," analysed the
character of Becky Sharp. The final
Grafton was 10y Mr.. Eply on the question,
Is Society for Man or Man for Society?
Choice music added very much to
the entertainment of the evening.
Thursday and Friday was taken up
with the examinations, those "horrid
grinds" which frequently try the
souls Of students and professors but
Friday evening came the graduating
exercises of the Training Department.
The falsity of old superstition about
thirteen being an unlucky number was
well proven by the class which consisted
of that number of young ladies. The
stage was tastefully decorated with
flowers and PLANTS while the class motto,
Learn to Live occupied conspicu-
Gus position. The program was eX'
cellent and well carried out. Lack of
space forbids giving it. Nearly all the
graduates have been engaged for the
coming year, Il fact which speaks well
for the reputation of the department.
On Sunday Dr. Hunting preached the
BaccalauTeate sermon at the presbyter-
ian church before a large audience of
students and citizens, taking as his text
Matt 23:S, BE We not called Rabbi; for
one is your master, even Christ; and all
ye are brethren. The sermon which
followed was one Of exceeding interest
and his closing remarks TO the gradual
ing class Will long be remembered.
Glass Day exercises were set for Mon
day, June 18th, and were mingling OF
mirth and seriousness. The class was
introduced by the class president Miss
Bernice Hunting and her frequent al
lusions to events in class history
brought ready applause from the audi
ence. Her advice to the Juniors was
timely and doubtless will be kept well
in mind.
Pratt's farewell TO the books and
Miss Trask's presentation of a clover
plant, whose leaf the class had chosen
as an emblem embodying their good
qualities, closed the program and
the class marched out followed by a
hearty college yell.
Tuesday was day of unusual IN
terest for then was the new president
a. I. Bruske to be inaugurated. The
event drew large audience. Upon
the platform sat the Hon. n. j.. Bradley
of Bay City, Chairman of the Board of
Trustees and by the new president, Rev.
DR.. McCorkle, Rev. DR.. Clarke, Rev
Dr. Oxtoby, Rev DR.. Hunting, the re-
firing president and a. w. Wright.
The exercises consisted of a brief
history ALMA College by DR.. Nc
Corkle, 4 Short address by Chairman
Bradley, the reading of letters of greet
ing from the StaS University and Olivet
and Kalamazoo Colleges and the inaug-
ural address. 1t would be well to in
clude the musicffor a number of fine
selections were rendered byNembers
Of the College in a most admirable
manner. The presidents address was
listened to with attention and produced
marked effect. Pres ident Bruske be-
gins his new work with the best wishes
of all friends Of the college and without
doubt it will prosper under his manage
ment.
a resolution of thanks to DR.. Hunt
ing for his untiring efforts in behalf Of
the college was voted, the students
leaving no doubt as to how they voted
on it.
The afternoon was occupied with the
exercises of the preparatory
department. The class consists of |
eight members who will enter the reg.
ular college course next year. The ex-
ercises were interesting and showed
great amount of careful preparation.
Three members of the class, Miss
Booth and Messrs Caple and Ireland |
are residents Of Alma.
In the evening the Annual Concert
of the music department was held in
College Chapel and was largely attended
hv not only our otyu paopIa hut hv oit;-