The times., 1899-06-07
GRADUATES ENTER
PROFESSIONAL LIFE
The National University Con-
fers Diplomas.
Glasses of the Medical and Dental
Departments.
Prof. Milinrd L. Thompson Delivers
the Address 10 the Studcnts-J.
Kcu 1Iunroc the NnIedictorian.

The fifteenth annual commencement of
the medical and dental departments Of the
National University was held last night
at the New National Theatre. Two ladies
and two gentlemen received diplomas to
practice medicine and ten gentlemen were
made dentists. The names of the grad
yates follow:
Graduates in medicine-Seneca B. Balm,
d. d. S, Texas; Clara X. Bartlett, Penn
sylvania: Edith Lyall Maddren. District
of Columbia; Alex Donald Mckenzie, Dis
trict of Columbia.
Graduates in dentistry-James Robert
Armstrong New York: Thomas Francis
Baxter Connecticut; Charles p. Cullen,
Georgia; John p. Devlin, New York; Zach
ariah Eugene House. Maryland; NJ Fran
els Kirwan. New York; John Kell Nun
roe, Georgia; J. Beverly North, Canada;
William Byers Todd, West Virginia: Lii
burn Everett Ward. Virginia.
The ceremonies were impressive. The
theatre was blaze of light, and the stage
settings presented a cooling and comfort
able aspect to the many friends of the
graduates. who had gathered to witness
their entrance into professional life. The
stage was a bower of flowers and foliage,
stirred into motion by many electric fans.
Hanging overhead was beautiful ban
ner. representing the Stars and Stripes in
red, white and blue immortelles, with
broad white scroll across the centre, on
which was the legend, IN. L., 1S99-M.
D.-D. ID. S" An attractive feature of
the evening was the excellent orchestral
music which interspersed the oratorical
part OF the programme.
When the graduates and faculty made
their appearance at $50, robed in black
and wearing the regulation mortar board
on their heads. they were greeted with a
hearty and enthusiastic welcome by the
| audience. Mr.. B. L. Taylor directed the
exercises and presented the Rev. Free
man B. Anderson, who pronounced an in
| vocation and besought the blessing Of
\ heaven on the future life of those depart
ing from their alma mater.
| Prof. Miilard F. Thompson. d. D. s..
NJ. D.. addressed the graduates in behalf
of the faculty. He praised them for their
| past labors and counseled them to continue
in untiring energy. that they might cast
credit alike on their professions and on
| their alma mater.
Tonight We celebrate the fifteenth an
nual commencement Of the National Uni
versity," began DR.. Thompson. Addressing
the students. he said: You are on the
| beach about to launch on the great sea
| of the world and the university wishes
iudl you your SdllS SO as 10 Cdlc0
| every wind of success.
Il cannot recall one unpleasant event in
your course. and as the past forecasts the
future l predict for you success. But do
not make the mistake of many by think
ing you know it all. You have still much
/ 10 learn
DR.. Thompson enlarged on this thought
and gave amusing anecdotes of oyercon-
| fident graduates.
| .Io t,a "a
| its final examinations. Heretofore the
students had prepared for the quiz. but in
| the future they were TO answer to the COM
munity.
He drew parallel of the difficulty of OBJ
tanning a medical education in the past
and now. 1t was once crime to dissect
the human body. and other branches OF
the study presented difficulty. Diphtheria
and the introduction of anti-toxine was
an illustration of improved methods. This
disease had been in the past one of the
most dreaded but now it was confidently
handled and cured. He explained in de-
tail the diagnosis and treatment of diph.
iberia with anti-toxine.
He then asked the students what they
would do if they were detailed to the bat
tlefield. and cited the gallant deed of
graduate of the university in the CubaI
campaign in saving an officers life at tn,
l
to the courage needed in the yellow feye
epidemics in the South. You are 10 b.
ready at all times to sacrifice your Owl
self and comfort; you are the bulwark
against the ravage of disease, and yol
must not leave your post. We leave Vol
in his omnipotent hands and may h
guide you over life's tempestuous sea-
After Mr.. Thompson's address the di
plomas were presented to the graduates b.
Matthew G. Emery and enthusiastic ap
plause was accorded each graduate.
J. Kell Munroe, ID. D. s.. delivered tn
valedictory address for the class. H
called attention to the solemnity of tn
occasion. 1t was their entrance upo
solemn responsibilities. and although III
past had presented arduous labors, th
future was no less difficult-for some sue
cess would doubtless come. but perhap
. not for all. The petty rivalries and 1eal
ousies of student life were now to be for
gotten. and unity and fraternity were {
be cultivated. DR.. Munroe greeted tn
/ faculty on behalf of the class with war;
words of appreciation for their untirin
and ever kindly attention and indulgence
The faculty prizes, consisting Of tw
gold medals. were awarded to Clara X
Bartlett. of Pennsylvania, of the medics
/ department, and Lilburn Everett Ward, {
| Virginia, of the dental department. Th
| programme concluded with benedictioI