Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-03
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
The Columbian Glass of the Normal
Department.
DIPLOMAS AND DEGREES
Interesting Exercises by the Graduates -
Creditsble Orations Delivered Rev. DR..
Rankin's kemarks-Degrees Conferred by
tho Trustees Of the University.

The Columbian class Of the normal depart
ment Of Howard University most satisfactorily
proved to their friends who attended the COM
mencement exercises last night that the faculty
of the department had not misjudged their
qualifications to give to others the benefits OF
the education they had received. A brighter,
smarter class Of young ladies and gentlemen
upon whom were conferred diplomas no col
ored institution ever graduated. The exercises
were held in the First Congregational Church
and their character reflected to the credit Of
the normal department. There were four ora
lions by members Of the class, and in each Of
them the results Of careful training and earnest
application we're apparent.
The church had the appearance Of . May
festival, so brightly was it decorated. The stage
was almost hid in vari-colored flags and from
bunting hung to the gallery. whose sides were
also covered with the flags Of all nations. On
the platform we're the faculty Of the depart
ment, the trustees. the members Of the gradu-
atng class and Weber's Orchestra, which fur
nished the musical portion Of the program. A
reception committee was most successful in
seating the large crowd that was present and
looking after all the details Of the exercises.
The committee consisted Of Lula Gibson,
chairman; Daisy Beckley, Katie Wright, Retha
billiard, Chas. NJ. Butler, Geo. Seaton, T. N.
Jackson, ". W. Jones, Peyton Taylor, Margie
Gregory, Bessie Clay, Marveline Philips, Jesse
]. Madden, J. R. C. Madella, R. L. Dade, ]. W.
Mcdowell, Geo. Dereefe, JAMIE johnson, Lily
Sayles, Isabel Sidney, Emma BronauRh, Geo.
Walton, W. A bayfield,, W. o. Bundy, R c.
Kelly.
THE zxERcIsEs.
Three members Of the reception committee
escorted the graduates to the platform. One
Of them carried at the head Of the column q
flag. on which was painted Think, decide,
act" the motto Of the class. and another
similar flag, which was inscribed Columbian
class, '9S, normal department, Howard Uni
versity." When they were seated DR.. Rankin
arose and said that he was very glad to see SO
many friends OF the graduates present and he
was pleased to welcome them. He then pre-
sented Principal George William Cook, who
presided over the exercises. The invocation
was delivered by Prof. Isaac Cook, who asked
the Divine blessing on the graduates and the
institution Which educated them.
The four orations were delivered by Mr..
Alice Carroll, who chose as her subject lite
One Thing Needful:" Oliver Arnold who spoke
on business Men," Miss Lucy Moreland, on
Empire Of Silence" and Walter jackson, an
athletically inclined young man, who took tie
subject Of Foot Ball" Each Of these ai-
dresses WAS of unusual excellence in material
matter and in the style Of delivery. Between
the orations Miss Clara Reynolds, one Of the
graduates. sang "Changeless" with good effect
The address to the class was made by Rev. W.
V. Tunnel. His remarks were in the line Of
useful advice to the members of the class and
were supplemented by his congratulations to
them upon the success they had obtained
DIR. RANKINs REMARKs
Previous to the presentation Of the diplomas
by DR.. Rankin he made a short address upon
the needful characteristics of men and women
In order that they may obtain the highest fruits
Of this world and the next.
He urged them to. first, try to make the
school room attractive. A school teacher shows
her character by the way in which she takes care
of her school room. Get flowers and pictures
and talk about them. Second-Interest the
parents in your work. d. C. Potts of last years
college class writes from Mississippi: ~ had
first TO educate the parents" Save some of the
best of the pupils, as the farmer saves his seed
corn, for Howard University. Third-Do not be
unjust to your pupils. If they are penitent
for doing wrong, forgive them. II you do
wrong, confess that. Show them that you are
after truth in them and in yourself Encourage
truth even at the expense Of apparent scholar
ship. Truth is better than mark. Fourth
Magnify your Office. 1t is a great Office. Money