Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-25
THE SESSIONS DONE.
CLOSING EXERCISES At RICHMOND
COLLEGE LAST NIGHT.
DEGREES, MEDALS, And DISTINCTIONS
Portraits of Prof. Harris, Rev. A..
baptist, and Mrs. Schmelz Pre-
Thomas Lecture Course.

of the most interesting and successful
sessions in the history of that institu-
ton. 1t has been remarkable, not only
for the high general average of the work
done in the various schools, but for its
general tone, the progress of the Athletic
Association, and most of all, from the fact
that no single case OF violation of the
college rules has occurred.
Last night fourteen students passed
from the halls of their Alma Mater car
'rying with them the honorable degrees
that she confers, which are recognized
everywhere as the badges Of sound learn
ing and high scholarship. Many gradu-
ates were presented with diplomas in the
schools through which they have passed
towards the goal of their ambition. and
numerous proficients received the honors
for which they had worked so faithfully
and so well.
Distinctions in the sub-junior. junior,
and intermediate classes were presented
at noon, The exercises were quite in
formal and attended only by few of the
members OF the faculty and some stu
dents and friends who were particularly
interested.
The trustees announced, through DIR.
Owen, that they would be unable 20 at
tend through stress of business. Presi-
dent Boatwrisht presented the distinc-
tions.
THE COMMENCEMENT PROPER.
Tne commencement exercises proper
took place i'm the college chapel at $3.50.
There was a large and brilliant audience
present. Promptly at the hour named
the trustees entered the chapel, followed
by President Boatwrlght, the faculty of
the college and the degree men. They
were loudly applauded as they took their
seats upon the rostrum and the front
benches.
Rev. DR.. Bagby, of Powhatan county,
opened the proceedings with prayer.
President Boatwright said that the pro-
gramme was so long and so interesting
that he would not do more than explain
that the school diplomas and graduates
diplomas had to be obtained before a
degree could be conferred, and that in
order TO win these diplomas, il was neces-
sary to obtain 50 per cent of the
full marks. In addition TO presenting the
school and graduate diplomas he would
award the certificates of proficiency in
French and German. A number of the
pupils, he said would not be present to
receive their diplomas. as two excursions
had recently left the college-the one for
Europe and the other. three days ago,
for Knoxville. to attend the Summer
Bible Institute now being held at that
place.
PRIZE AND MEDALS.
After the awards had been made in
| the French. German, experimental
/
prize for mathematics was presented.
The announcement of the successful con-
| testant came at the end of a very fine
| presentation speech delivered by Pro-
| fessor John =. Mcclure. Mr.. Benjamin
o. Hutchson of Prince William, was
| the winner. and his name was received
with a storm of cheering. The prize was
| a $40 gold-piece. President Boatwright
| explained to the general public that the
contest had been bravely fought out be-
| tween Mr. Hutchison and Mr.. Henry
Martin. of Caroline. and that 1t was only
| at the extra examinations held yester-
| day that Professor Gaines had been able
| finally to decide the matter, so exceed
| inglv close had the contest been.
| Rev. DR.. Kerr presented the 'Woods"
| and steele" medals for defamation
and reading to Mr.. Samuel =. De Vault,
1
bv saving that in conjunction with all
| other good Baptlsts. he desired to ex-
press his great pride in Richmond Col
| lege. What has been. he said, is but a
| promise OF greater things TO come. Il
| desire too" he said. Ito pay my most
respectful homage to the distinguished
president. under whose labors these re-
| suits have been obtained" In present
| ing the medals, he spoke OF the great
| beauty and the power of oratory. which,
| he said was the mistress OF all the arts.
President Boatwright next awarded the
school diplomas. In presenting Them 10
| the School OF Latin. he expressed re-
| eret at the absence of Professor Mitchell,
who was I'm London, but had not for
| gotten his class, and had sent his greet
| ings by cable. a full list of the gradu-
| ates has already appeared in the Dis
| patch.
Next came the presentation Of the Tan
rer medal for Greek. This medal is
given annually by Colonel William f..
| Tanner. in memory of his parents. 1t
| was won this year by Mr.. Robert H..
| Loving. of Fluvanna county. a Bachelor
! of Arts of the college, who is taking
| the NJ. 4. course. The presentation was
made by Rev DR.. Calisch. The eloquent
rabbi prefaced his remarks with a very
| hearty tribute to the college and its
president. A distinguished French writer
| had said that there We're only three his
| tories worth studynS-the Greek, Ro-
man and Judean. Comparatively speak
| ing II might be said that the
Greek history was one of intellect the
Roman of muscle. but the history Of
Tudea was of the heart. The Tanner
| the lesson of filial affection and re-
verence and serves to Illustrate that
| that which comes from the heart is ever
| lasting, and that coming from without
| has seeds OF destruction.
PRESENTATION OF PORTRAITS.
very interesting point in the pro.
ceedines was then reached. Visitors had
I noticed upon entering the chapel three
| oil portraits One of them contained the
| familiar features OF the face of Profess
| sor Harris. another presented a gentle
man I'm the dress of the early part Of
| this century and the third was that
| OF a lady. whose face was familiar to
| few. DIR. Cooper presented that of Rev.
Edward Baptist, and in so doing said
| in part:
every day we find our Indebtedness
TO the father who was a founder OF the
Christian institute cannot be discharged
by us. Rev. Edward Baptist wealthy.
eloquent. and cultured Christian minis
ter. who lived in the county OF Powhatan,
had small school for young men pre-
pairing for the ministry. between 1880 and
1899. He was the founder OF Richmond Col
lege. We have known that this picture
was in existence, and have tried TO get IT,.
II mas at length come to us from a rela-
tive of Dr. Baptist's. In Corinth, Miss.
and l ask the college TO accept 1t. and
trust that IL may prove an inspiration 10
culture and higher ideals"
TILE HARRIS P0RTRA AIT