The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-06-28
HoNoRs HIS NIECE.
Visits Mt Holyoke College and Receives
Degree-speaks on the influence OF
Educated Womanhood.

The president Of the United States
last Wednesday presented diplomas ID
graduating class of young women
among whom was his niece, Miss Grace
Mckinley.
sCommencement day at Mt Holyoke
college. at South Hadley. Mass, was
made national event by the partici-
patton of President Mckinley, who
with Mrs. Mckinley, Assistant Secre1
tary of the Navy Allen and members
of his official family, had come to witt
ness the graduation of Miss Grace Mc-
kinley, the presidents niece. Govl
Roger Wolcott and Mrs. Wolcott and,
others of political and social promi-|
nence also attended the exercises. Pre-I
sident Mckinley presented the grad
uating class with their diplomas and
degrees
The town was crowded with visitorsI
early In the day. The college groundsI
We're thronged some time before theI
hour scheduled for the beginning Of theI
days program.
The president and his party reached
the college at 10 o'clock. Rev. ]. L. r.
Trask and Rev. DIR. Judson Smith oil
the board of trustees of Mt. HolyokeI
college were waiting for them at the|
entrance to the college grounds. TheI
and as the president, leaning on the|
arm of DIR. Smith, appeared at thc|
entrance the audience arose.
The president and the gentlemen|
who accompanied him were given seats
on the platform. Mrs. Mckinley Mrs.
Wolcott and the other ladies OF the
party sat at the right in the auditorium.
The seniors occupied the front rows.
After devotional exercises DIR. Smith
read an address. his subject being "A
Plea for the Humanities." In closing
he welcomed the guests and introduced
GOV. Wolcott, who spoke at some
length.
Then, while the chorus was singing.
President Mckinley was escorted to
the front of the platform by Mrs. Mead.
president of the college. Upon table
near at hand lay the diplomas. AS the
music ceased the president raised one
of the rolls, and the name II bore was
that of his niece, Miss Grace Mckinley.
The young lady advanced, received the
diploma and shook hands with the pre-
sldent. This was the only demonstra-
tion made by the graduates aside from
the usual bow and expression OF
thanks.
As the last diploma was presented.
and the president was about to resume
his seat. DIR. Trask arose. and address
sing President Mckinley, announced
confer upon him the degree Of doctor
of civil laws.
President Mckinley said In part:
MT. Holyoke Is more than go years
old to-day, and the influence Of this In
stitution In molding and shaping the
citizens of the nation can never be told.
/ am glad that we are demonstrating
In the United States to-day that the
boy shall have no more advantages
than the girl and Mt Holyoke and
Smith and the half dozen other insti-
tutions Of the land are demonstrating
that fact. An educated womanhood Is
an open school for citizenship every
day of the year, and the home Is the
training school for the mother, the SOL
dier and the statesman. I wish for this
graduating class all good things. and
want you to be assured that all good
things wait upon pure and noble
woman"
At the close of the presidents de-
liverance OF the degrees beautiful
purple banner inscribed mt Holyoke
99," was presented to him by the grad
uatlng class.