Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-23

and did not fail to enjoy every moment
of the time. The feature of the fore
noon was the procession from the
chapel to the church where the eXer-
Cises were held. This procession, head
ed by the band and the graduating
class III cap and gown. was made up
Of the classes in point Of seniority and
the "old grads" always make a happy
occasion Of it. 1t was a remarka BILE
sight to see among those marching
down the shaded campus paths Hon.
James w. Bradbury. the classmate
Of Longfellow. Hawthorne, Abbott.
Cheever, and Cilley, bearing lightly the
burden Of his 81 years Bowdoin has
no more loyal son living than Mr.
Bradbury. At the church were the
graduation exercises, the award of the
diplomas and degrees, and the an
nouncement Of the prizes. Then the
long procession reformed and marched
to the gymnasium where the alumni
dinner was served ana jollity and col
lege enthusiasm reicned amid the
experimenting all the afternoon. The
Sray-haired diGnitarieS who sat on the
pla tfOrm We're boys again and chcered
with the loudcst as the story Of Bow
doin's athletic Victories WAS told In
the evening came the class reunions Of
the recent classes and the farewell
blow OUT Of the seniors. Commence
ment day is busy and eventful day
but for real enjoyment the Undergrad
yates prefer class day, two days
earlier. with its beautiful ceremonies
under the historic Thorndikc oak and
the dance on the green in the evening.
one Of the occasions Of BOWdon's
commencement Of which bare mention
is made in the papers but which holds
a prominent place in the hearts Of both
graduates and undergraduates. is the
alumni reunion Of the various fra
ternities in their respective chapter
halls, late Wednesday evening. after
the presidents reception. The college
fraternity ties are very strong. and
when the old members get together on
these occasions they are all boys again
and they make the night one to be re-
membered. Fraternity life plays an
| important part in the college course.
confars untold social ana scholastic
benefits, establishes the closest friend
ships that earth knows. and gives q
member the key to a select and noble
! brotherhood with branch chapters all
over the land. The loyalty of the grad
uate members to their fraternity is
wonderful, and their presence at these
| reunions is a great inspiration ana help
| to the active members. At one of these
reunions, Wednesday night. not one Of
/ all the scores present was more active
and happy than a venerable judge who
was made a member when he entered
! college, 30 years ago. He enjoyed the
| singing. passed around the grip with
all the boys, and made an inspiring
! speech. blimful Of fraternity loyalty
and enthusiasm. rejoicing over the
many college honors captured by the
chapter. and pointing to a still more
brilliant future for it. No wonder a
man with a heart as young and strong
as that is honored and loved and
| trusted in his community. And his
was not an exceptional case for many
others were present who graduated 80
and 40 and 30 and 90 years ago. men
from all professions ana from distant
Estates. all as young in spirit as those
graduates Of year ago. The fra
ternity man who misses the commence
ment week reunion Of his old society
robs himself Of great pleasure.
i A sad incident of Bowdon's COM
mencement was the fact that the
father Of Edward Blanchard Chamber
lain of Bristol who ranked first in the
class Of IS men, died only last week.
Mr.. Chamberlain, senior. was a gradu-
ate of the college in the class Of '68
rand had promised his son to be present
lat his graduation. The second highest
Drew Bert Hall OF Brunswick and
Francis Wayland Briggs of PittsfeId
lranked third.
The honorary scholarship society.
Phi Beta Kappa, to which are annually
elected the first fourth Of the gradual
ing class, had a burlesque rival appear
at Bowdoin, this year. in the guise of
Kappa Beta Phi to which only those
were eligible whose rank placed them
near the foot of the class. These
choice spirits. full of joy at having
safely passed the final examinations
gathered upon the roof of the GYM
naSlum. Wednesday forenoon. and in
all mock seriousness conducted their
imitation ceremonies, while the crowd
mellow laughed and cheered. The mem
beers Wore immense tin badges for tho
rest Of the day
rTS.