The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-06-27
LIFE BEFORE THEM.


Monday closed a most successful year.
1t is an institution worthy of patronage
by young men and women, and especial
7y by those who wish to prepare them
selves for mechanical and agricultural
pursuits or for home duties. Fiftyone
graduates for the year and very large
classes in the other three years of the
course shows that the institution is being
appreciated, and it is expected that the
college will open next fall with greatly
increased attendance.
Fifty-one young men and women step
out from college life to enter upon prac-
tical duties-to become men and women
in the busy world. They have had a
splendid opportunity to fit themselves for
earning a livelihood. It is presumed
that they have not neglected this oppor-
tunity or else they would not have
received the diplomas that are mark of
their mastery of the prescribed course of
studies. It Is a matter of self-congratu-
1ation to them that their application and
studiousness have won for them the COW
Seted prize. They should be grateful to
the institution that has made possible
this acquisition of knowledge at such a
small cost. Many of the graduates came
to Corvallis practically without funds,
but the institution is 80 managed that
any energetic young man or woman who
has ability and willingness to learn need
have no fear of not getting through if
they keep their health, though their
finances be exceedingly low. These
graduates owe it to the college to help it
in every way possible, and there is no
doubt that they will do so. They ought
also to remember that the federal gov
ernment has made it possible for them
to obtain their education at nominal
cost, and In appreciation of this it
becomes especially incumbent upon the
graduates, as citizens, to be at all times
true and loyal, ready at any time to sac
rifce their personal interests for those of
their country and the perpetuity of its
grand and ennobling principles.
A college graduating class may prop
erly be divided into two parts. One, as
q result of having finished four-year
course, believes that it knows it all; the
other, the thoughtful, careful part. real
izes that it knows but little, and has yet
much to learn. For the former there is
little hope of advancement; for the lat
ter, every hope. On leaving college, il
he has been attentive to his work, the
graduate has acquired a smattering OF
knowledge that will be of benefit to him;
but of infinitely more worth to him is
the habit of method in study that he has
become accustomed to while pursuing a
prescribed course. If the graduate has
formed the habit of attention to detail,
of always being sure Of solid ground to
stand upon as base for further advance
in 1ife's battle, he will be we'll repaid for
the time and expense of his course.
Another valuable result of college life
has been the social and civic lessons that
he has learned He has found it to be a
social world in itself, and, before gradua-
tion, has learned that no one lives entire
ly to himself. During his college course
consideration for others, public spirit,
magnanimity and other civil virtues,
should have had full and hearty devel-
opment, else his college training has to
a great extent been failure.
The class of 'e5 with its twenty-five
young men and twenty-six young women
carry with it the best wishes of the citi-
zens of this city. In it are some splendid
specimens of the strength and intelli-
gence of the American youth, and we
hope that all may, and feel assured that
some of them at least will, attain position
and eminence, and that they will become
honest, loyal American citizens.