Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1901-08-21
THE DEBORAH INSTITUTE
A GRADUATING CLASS OF SIX
Commencement Exercises at the lusti
tute Building Friday Evening.
A Large Attendance.

The capacity of the audience room of
the DecOrah Institute was taxed to its
utmost capacity on Friday evening, the
occasion being the annual commence
ment exercises of the institution. Many
old students of the school were present
from all parts of the northwest, and
many of the local friends of the school.
The program opened with selection
by Marsh's orchestra, followed by invo-
cation by Rev. M. Willett. The first
oration of the evening was entitled "In-
dustrial GROWTH by Norval Enger,
who demonstrated very clearly and in
a pleasing manner that the United
States is rapidly changing from an ag-
ricultural to a manufacturing nation.
Miss Grace Blodgett then presented a
well prepared oration upon the subject
"Woman, Mans Complement" Be-
gining with the origin of the earth wo-
man was created as mans companion
and helpmaIe, and has ever since as
sumed place in the world, but more
recently is proving her ability to cope
with man in nearly every phase of
life's duties, burdens and responsible
ties. After pleasing overture by
Marsh's orchestra Gilbert Holtan de-
livered an oration, subject, "Our Com
monwealth" being an instructive his
torical and statistical sketch of the
state of Iowa. This was followed by
an oration by Miss Flora Gass, entitled
"The Worlds Queen" in which she
eulogized the life and reign of the late
Queen Victoria, of England. Another
selection by the orchestra, waltz, and
Knut P. Nappen gave the last grafton
of the evening, subject, probabilities
of the Twentieth Century," being a
very interesting prophesy of the indus
trial and business world of the future.
The sixth graduate, Joseph Weihr,
did not present an oration.
The principal, Mrs. j. Breckenridge,
then addressed the graduates, present
ing them with the diplomas of the in
stifttion which they were leaving, and
the kindly words of interest in their
welfare and advice for the future were
listened to with the closest attention.
The exercises closed with selection
by the orchestra.
After the commencement exercises a
reception was given at the home of
Mrs. Breckenridge attended by the
students and visitors.
The splendid work of this instution
of learning during the past year is a
criterion of the future that the high
standard which this school has attain
ed during its past years of usefulness
will be upheld. 1t has always done a
noble work, calling from the farm and
workshop and home those whose OPP
portunities for obtaining an education
were limited, and by diligent, careful
application and personal supervision
over its students has for years been
sending out into the world young men
and women with foundation which
has been proving of inestimable value
to them through life. Without extrav-
agant pretentions, it has quietly but
thoroughly performed the work it set
out to do, and as result there is scarce
ly a county in Iowa, Minnesota, Wis
consin or the Dakotas that does not
contain some one who can point with
pride and honor to his alma mater, as
the place where he received the funda-
mental principles which started him
right in life. May the Decorah Insti-
tute continue to grow in numbers and
usefulness, and the largest anticipa-
tions of its proprietors be realized.