Evening star., 1899-02-02
Columbian College Graduates Speak
in Praise Of the Institution.
ANNUAL MEETINGI OF THE ALUMNI
Reception Of Reports, Several Ad-
dresses andta Banquet.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS

and reception of the alumni association of
Columbian University, held in the lecture
hall of that institution, at the corner of
18th and Fl streets northwest. The love of
the alma mater was expressed in many
| ways. The sense of the gathering was that
this love might best be shown in active
work for the welfare of the varsity, and
all present left with the determination to
do all in their power to advance the inter
ests of Columbian.
When the meeting in the lecture hall was
called to order, shortly after 8 o'clock,
there were present about 200 of the alumni.
Mr.. A. B. Duvall, president of the associa-
ton, presided. Seated on the stage were
Dr. B. L. Whitman, president of the Co
lumbian University: Rev. j. E. Grammer
ID. d. of Baltimore: Mr.. E. B. Hay of this
inc association, all graduates of Columbian
Matters of routine business occupied the
opening minutes of the meeting.
Statistical Showing.
The report of the secretary, Mr.. Hodg-
kins, showed that the mailing list of the
alumni association contains the names of
more than 200 graduates and officers of
the institution. 1t has been the policy of
the alumni association from the beginning
to keep In touch with all graduates by
sending them notices of the meetings and
consequence of this each year number of
graduates of many years standing join the
association, and, furthermore, states the
secretary, many students come to the uni
versity each year at the suggestion of alum
nj whose interest has been stimula ted by
circulars sent by this association. The re-
port further states that at the commence
ment of Columbian last June 211 degrees
were conferred, ia of which We're given
to persons who had not received previously
a degree from the institution. This makes
the total number of degrees conferred by
the university 4,507, and the number of
persons receiving these degrees is 3.671.
The secretary reported thirty deaths among
the membership of the alumni association
during the year past.
The report of the treasurer, Mr.. John 3.
Larner, was read by Secretary Hodgkins.
1t shows the association has funds invested
to the amount of 81 $50. After paying the
current expenses for dinners, etc, there is
a balance of S94.5S in the treasury. The
two reports were received and approved.
President DuvaH's Address.
President Duvan then addressed the as
sociation, speaking, did those who fol-
lowed him, in a personal vein, telling anec-
dotes of the old days of the college and
reciting amusing incidents in the career
at school. Mr.. Duvall spoke Interestingly
of the time when Columbian College, as it
was then known occupied the beautiful
site on the hill at the termination of 14th
street. He was proud to be one oil the
green hill boys''-one of the hill horses
He spoke also of the growth of the alma
mater since that time, the Expansion all
her alumni so loved TO see. The university
has many needs, he declared. which the
graduates should do something to meet.
After a number of pleasant stanies Mr.. Du-
val introduced Dr. Il. l.. Whitman, preSi-
dent of the university.
Indications of Health.
DR.. Whitman, said it was no disparage-
ment to the university to say that she
wanted more money, more buildings, more
scholars. This thirst and appetite denoted
a healthy and larger life. The man who
no longer Graves food is in a dangerous
condition and must soon perish, not from
any lack of food, but from want of appe-
tite. So it is with institutions, and long
as Columbian seeks more money it shows
clearly there IS active life; that the uni
versity is not dead. DR.. Whitman said he
doubted not that the alumni would show
their appreciation of the varsity in the
right way. The only pledge Columbian
could give in return for such action would
be the word duty" DR.. Whitman asked
the alumni to think of the struggling un-
dergraduates; to look back upon those days
of training all had experienced, and to do
all they could to make this training easier
and more thorough in providing the facii-
ties. DR.. Whitman also spoke reminis-
Gently and told many amusing stories.
The Olden Days.
DR.. ]. E. Grammer was introduced as
"one of the college mon of the olden days"
He was one of the early graduates of CO.
lumbar. L treasure most jealously my
memories connected with Columbian Uni
versity," said he. Dr. Grammer then gave
several reasons for his regard for the
varsity. First, he said at Columbian the
study of the classic was not entirely done
away with to make room for technical
studies, such is the case of a number
of institutions. The classics give the man
culture, politeness that can never be
attained by purely technical education.
He liked Columbian for her benefactions
to students who were unable to educate
themselves. Columbian University was in
peculiar position. 1t had no state pa
tronage and must depend upon its own re-
sources and endoWments for its very ex-
istence.
In the days of our old debating society,""
continued DR.. Grammer, we would dis
cuss and decide in a single night great po-
litical problems that had worried the peo-
pie for half a century. l wish we might
hear such a debate tonight-a debate on eX-
pansion-the expansion of the university.
We must help her to expand and grow.
We must spread ourselves in her behalf"
DR.. Grammer was warmly greeted and
loudly appauded upon the conclusion Of
his vigorous and loyal speech
College Hill.
Mr. Hay was the next speaker. taking
the platform after a very fattering intro
duction by Mr.. DuvaH Like his predeces-
sors, his remarks were in a reminiscent
vein. He spoke of the college hill days
and the growth of the university from that
time down to the present, when the insti-
tuition has a scholarship of some 200 in
the various branches. Mr.. Hay spoke of
the refining influence of the ladies' and said
the university under such conditions must
surely prosper. Pertinent and nointed
throughout, Mr.. Hays address was listened
to with no small amount of appreciative
attention.
Election of Omcers
The election of officers was next an
nounced, and the ticket decided upon by
the nominating committee was elected
unanimously. 1t was as follows: Presi-
dent, DR.. D. Kerfoot shute Of the medi-
cal school, vice presidents, Charles l..
Sturtevant (corege), DR.. D. Olin Leech
medicaD Walter c. Clephane 0aw). Err
nest L. Thurston tscfentific), DR.. J. r Ha-
gan (dentaD, E. Hilton Jackson (graduate)
The secretary, Mr.. H. L. Hodgkins, and
the treasurer, Mr.. John B. Larner. were
reelected by unanimous ballot
DR.. Shute, the new president. was es-
corted to the chair. In his inaugural ad
dress he spoke of the needs of Columbian