The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-06-05
THE CLOSING EXERCISES.

THE CLOSING EXERCISES.
A Brilliant and Attractive Program at
Virginia College Last Night
The commencement exercises at Vir-
GINA College for Young Ladies closed
last night under the most fattering
auspices. Although this was only the
second session, the college, under the
efficient direction of DR.. w. A. Harris,
the president, already occupies place
in the front rank among the educational
institutions of Virginia and the South
as WAS attested by the large number OF
pupils enrolled and the evidences of d
thorough course of instruction afforded
in the exercises just closed.
One hundred and ninety-six Pupils
from seventeen different States were on
the rolls OF the institution during the
season of 1S94-95, and there were seven
full graduates, two who received the
degree OF A. B., and four graduates in
instrumental music, on all OF whom
diplomas were conferred last night.
The exercises took place in the col
lege chapel, which WAS packed with
rilliant audience who were delighted
with evidences Of substantial progress
and the completeness Of the course Of
education as was shown in the exercises
OF the evening. The program was ad
mirably arranged and was carried out in
a faultleSs manner. 1t consisted of
vocal and instrumental music, announc-
ing distinc tons, awarding diplomas
in separate schools, comforting degrees,
comforting diplomas, an able aud elo-
quent address by Judge William Cor
dan Robertson, of Roanoke, to the
graduating class.
Only two medals were conferred, one
for neatness awarded Miss Lee Hardy,
OF Mississippi. and the good conduct
medal to Miss Gertrude Kerns, of
Southern Virginia.
Misses Josephine HATTIE, Annie Butt,
Edna MeachRm. AMMO Craig and Lulu
Ward, " ere each presented with hand
some book for punctuality and scholar
ship.
After the diplomas had been delivered
to the four full graduates Judge Will
liam Gordon Robertson made en- elo-
quent and beautiful address to them, OF
which lack OF space permits only a
synopsis. He spoke as follows:
II am not so far advanced in the vsle
of years as to have lost my sympathy
for the young. I doubt very much II
anything l say can add to the signifi
canoe OF this occasion. But 1t has oc-
Cured to me that there are some as
poets of it that you have not fully con-
sidered, upon which I may venture 10
say few words.
"You, young ladies. stand here
crowned with the we'll won reward Of
laborious days and nigets spent in
study, persistent self denying efforts to
| reach the desired goal. That you have
keen willing to make such efforts, that
you have reached such attainments.
prove that you at least have not failed
I'D - 10
ton.
81 donbt not that the complete course
Of studies provided here, the system
and order with which they are pursued.
have not only furnished your mind
with more useful knowledge, but what
is greatly more important, have trained
them in the habits OF accurate thinking.
THE corps Of able, learned and de-
voted teachers, who have labored for
you and with you through all these
months are doubtless not only them.
selves fully abreast with the require
ments OF modern education, but have
brought you up TO the highest standard
OF excellence in their various depart
ments. You who are graduates are the
best representatives OF what this nsti.
tuition OF learning is doing for the cause
OF woman's education in the South.
The future Of our civilization in the
Southern States, from which most of
you come, depends upon you, the edu-
Gated young women, | do not hesitate
to say, more than it does upon the edu-.
Gated young men.
"As has often been said the very
name OF these exercises implies that
when your school days end your educa-
ton is not ended. This is commence
| ment, as we'll as an ending. School life
| now ends, but real life begins. How>
| ever much you now know, every day
| you will find that there is still much to
learn. But the knowledge acquired
here will necessarily enable you to bet
ter meet and solve the real problems of
| life, with which all Of US are sooner or
later confronted.
Then, If with widening knowledge
and increasing mental power and vision,
you will always hold that moral ideal
undimmed before your eyes, your lives
must be our influence for good, which
will broaden with the process Of the
sums. | bid you then q Godspeed on
your several pathways through life"
School of instrumental Music-High
est honor awarded in any separate
schoo!-Leila sHoward, Louisiana; Dora
Carr, North Carolina Bessie Stewart,
Georgia; Myrtle HALL, West Virginia.
b. A. Degrees-Second honor-Ffan-
ces Jones, Missouri; Amanda NOVEL;,
North Carolina.
M. A Full Observation-Disclosures honor
conferred by this college
Kerns, Virginia; Mae Childs, Georgia;