Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-07
Degrees Conferred on Graduates of
Catholic University of America.
EXERCISES HELD IN M'MAHON HALL
Addresses Delivered by High Dig
nitaries of the Church.
THE CROSS AND THE FLAG

ing dignitaries of the church in this coun-
try as well representatives or educa-
tional institutions of several foreign gov
ernmerts-
Cardinal Gibbons the chancellor of the
university who conferred the degrees. clad
in his Respondent scarlet robes and wear
ing the beretta, sat in the center OF the
stage with Right Rev. Mgr. Conaty. rector
of tn, university at his right. and Rev.
Dr. Garrigan. vice rector, at his left oth-
ers on the stage were Archbishop Mart-
nelli. the papal delegate, and Drs. Rocker
and Marchetti of the papal legation; Bishop
Foley of Detroit the Spanish and Haitian
ministers Baron Ambrozy of the Austrian
legation. representatives of the German
embassy and Chinese legation. Mr.. Gerald
Inwther of the British embassy. President
Whitney and DIR. Faust of Georgetown
University Rev. DR.. Fink of GonZaga Col
lege Dr. Charles Clinton SwiSher OF the
Columbian University, Senator Magnnis OF
Montana. Mr.. James j. Power of New
York and Mr.. Loefer of Pittsburg-
MOnsignOr CoRaty's Address.
Monsisnor Conaty opened the exercises
with Introductory remarks. in which he be-
gan by reviewing the work of the year.
which was the beginning of the second dec
ade of the existence of the institution as
a university. The attendance Of students
had been larger than ever before. Con-
tinuing Mgr. COnaty said:
The university has been encouraged in
its financial efforts during the year by the
magnanimous action of Archbishop keane,
my worthy predecessor. With a single
mindedeness and devotedness which have
never been surpassed. or, l may say.
equaled he has accepted the burden of la
boring for the completion of the endowment
fund the foundations of which he so sue
cesSfully laid several years before.
The organization of the university Is now
a very vast one. its work very complicated.
the burdens of every day demanding close
attention from those in charge of the adj
ADMINISTRATION. To complete the organization,
to perfect it in matters of detail, to watch
and care for Its Improvement and develop
ment, demands the close attention of the
rector and II Is truthful to say that in its
present condition 1t may be satisfactorily
compared with any other institution. Be
fore passing from the financial outlook, l
may mention that among the features of
the years work figures the gift of $4,000
by Mr.. Michael Cudahy of Chicago. a men,
ment by New England of the Archbishop
Williams chair. and by st. Louis of the
Archbishop Kenrick chair. each intending
to be gift of $4,000. Besides these. sew
eral individual gifts of $1,000. and several
for smaller amounts, have been received by
Archbishop Keane for the general endow-
ment. Following the example set by the
Total Abstinence Union of America and the
Ancient Order of Hibernians. the Knights
of Columbus about to endow chair of
American history. and the Catholic Knights
o.
a similar sum. This gives brief outline
of the financial effort made by the uni
yersity during the year.
Realizing Its Ideals.
ct is not necessary for me to emphasize
how successfully the university has at
tempted to realize its ideals. In the mind
OF the great pontif. Who gave to it the au-
thority of the church it, its constitutions 1t
was destined to be q ce-tcr Of educa uonal
force along the lircs of higher studies in
al the fields Of knowledge 1t was to build
itself upon The truth, as made known to us
through the church of God. 1t was to be
Il teacher of sound doctrine, thoroughly
loyal to the best traditions of the church.
unfiinchng and unUavcriaS in its fidelity
10 Catholic doctrine, ard Steadfast in its
devotion TO the holy sec. 1t has aimed at
the building up of a body of learned priests
and learned laymen who. in church and
state, would be prepared TO defend the in
tereSts of truth. 1t has not only offered
the opportunities for specialization which
the age demands in scholarship, but it also
seeks for that result by which the church
may not be lost in the seeker after minu-
tiae. The university should stand for that
scholarship which is expressed in the gen
eral culture which forms the gentleman
and the scholar. This culture is not merely
TO be found in a specialist. but which, as
has recently been said. is the foundation
upon which specia,ism is to be built. The
well-tritined faculties of a university give
the students the advantages which come
through the scholarly teachers, who will
develop i'll them their tastes for higher
study.
Loyalty to God and to Country.
This institution prides itself in the fact
that it offers the basis of Its instruc-
ton a sound philosophy with nothing I'M
certain and no vagaries," said Mgr. Conaty
in conclusion. Here is taught Christian
philosophy, which makes all sciences real
lie that they are built upon the truth,
linking all sciences together as a part Of
the harmonious whole, showing the rela-
tons Of all things with the great center
truth Of God. The world of scholarship
today outside the church. is suffering from
the lack Of sound philosophy. 1t has lost
the meaning % soul and immortality. it
has removed Itself from all ideas of the
supernatural, it, salvation Is In the re-
turn of the truth made known to us
through Christ. This university, this
Catholic University. looks TO the great st.
Thomas as its instructor in sound philpso-
ply. II Drides itself in being associated
with the best traditions of educational life
In the great university systems of the past.
II stands on the hilltop Of highest en-
deavOr. its doors open to all men who,
with character and ability. seek knowl-
edge. The cross Is its illumination, the
church its mother Christian scholarship its
teachers and truth lis goal Here in the
capital of the nation il gives forth its les
sons of light and life to mind and heart,
believing that truth which illumines in
telect will also purify heart. and that 10y
atty to God that there may be loyalty TO
country. The cross and the flag symbolic
in Its life devotion to church and country;
the cross of Christ and the flag of the
tons aspirations"
When the rector concluded. the applause.
which had frequently interrupted him, was
generous and continued.
The Graduates.
Prof. D. W. Shea, director of the School
OF archaeological Sciences. then presented
candidates for degrees in technology, and
as each came forward he knelt before
Cardinal Gibbons and kissed the latters
ring. Vice Rector COnaty then handed the
diploma TO the cardinal. who in. turn pre-
scented il to the graduate, with his bless
ing. one Of the graduates was a young
Colored man. Francis De Sales Smith Of
this city. and when he went forward TO re-
ceive his diploma master of science the
entire asSemhage broke into enthusiastic
applause. The others who received degrees
in this school Were:
Civil enrineer-John Peter Murray. r. 9.
(Catholic University of American. Of Chi
cago III: dissertation. Van Buren, Street
Approach over Bypass" George Vincent
Powers b. S. catholic University OF