River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-06-26
Normal Graduating
Exercises.
TWenty-One Deliver Theses and
Receive Diplomas on
Thursday.
Many Home Gradu-
ates; Some Expert
enced Teachers.
Pres. Brier'S Address To Glass.

their diplomas at the hands of
President Brier on Thursday, when
the twenty-seventh annual COM
mencement exercises of the State
Normal School were celebrated with
much grace and dignity at the
Methodist church. The program for
the occasion which included thirty
numbers, was divided into fore
noon and an afternoon session.
Each of the graduates delivered a
thesis on some educational subject
within the range Of his professional
studies; and in addition to the in
vocation and the Presidents pre-
sentation of the diplomas there
were several musical selections
that gave charm and distinction to
the program.
A full chorus under Mrs. That
cher's direction, opened the pro-
gram with the sprightly Spring
Time" Like all the choral numbers
for the day, this was in perfect
harmony with the occasion and
gave a joyous touch to the cere-
monies. Themusic, throughout, was
particularly pleasing and refined.
Four numbers were given by the
full chorus, reaching a climax IN
the fascinating mazes of the Mill
er's Wooing" which closed the after
noon session. The Ladies Chorus
also sang pleasing selection in
Billiards. up Sailor Boy" while
the orchestra gave Gruenwald' S
Dancing Sunbeam" and Misses
Ena Newman and Eva Henderson
sang Kuchen's duet, "Barcarolle, "
with charming effect. Altogether,
the musical part of the program was
of a distinctly high tone, and, best
of all, it was furnished almost ex-
c1usively by the students.
After the opening chorus, Rev. H.
P. Waldron, of the class of '89, gave
the invocation, following which the
theses were taken up in the order
that correspondent to the alphabet
ica1 arrangement of the names of
the graduates. 1t would be inter
esting to comment on the perform
ance of each of the students as they
came up in turn and presented their
ideas on some topic that had en-
gagged their special study; but such
comment would be beyond the scope
of this article. Nearly all the sub
jects; however, were fresh and time
w, and if some of the old friends of
earlier commandments were found
Oh this program also, they were
given a new dress or a novel turn of
meaning that made them di stinctly
welcome. And there was ample
evidence in theNtheseS to show that
the graduates had been introduced
to all the brighter phases of the new
education.
The presentation of the theses,
too, was worthy of much praise.
For they we're given with grace, and
point, and sincerity. All manu-
scripts and notes were laid aside,
and the student took the platform
free of all props and aids-free to
throw himself into his subject and
upon the sympathy of his audience.
Though there were few slips in
memory, these were more than
counterbalanced by the simple di-
rectness of all the speeches; while
every now and then a passage was
given with such real enthusiasm as
TO carry instant conviction and lift
the audience into the heights of
pure oratory. The girls seemed
quite as able to reach and hold their
audience as the boys, and some of
the strongest impressions were
created by the younger members of
the class.
Certain general features with re-
gard to this class are worthy of
attention here. With the exception
of the class of two years ago this is
the largest graduating class in the
history of the Normal. 1t was
plain to anyone acquainted with
Normal classes that the graduates
who confronted the throng at the
Methodist church on Thursday were
peculiarly accomplished and self
possessed. Half of them have
taught before, averaging three or
four years of experience; over half
of them belong to homes in the city,
some having lived here all their
lives, others having come here with
their families for the sake of the
Normal education. Many are music
ally accomplished, few having
very conspicuous talents in both
vocal and instrumental music.
Such reflections as these were
brought home to the audience as
they listened 10 each succeeding