The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-27
A LIST OF
GRADUATES;
Interesting Address Of the Presi-
dent Of Richmond
College.
M. a. DEGREE AWARDED TO SO
The Graduates Of the College
Have All Attained Honor
able Positions in Life.

-l.l'ho custom was innuguratcd at Rich
mond College, this session of having
special exercises OIL "Wednesday mornings.
the usual hour Of chapel exercises. All
students attend. and tho meetings con-
tribute much to the instruction and in
!. terest OF college life. Among those who
have spoken on these occasions have been
4 DR. W. r. Jones. DR.. w. T.. Mathews, Or.
George B. Taylor aud professors of the
college. Last Wednesday morning Presi-
dent Boatwrght spoke briefly on the
Masters of Arts Of Richmond College.
In his opening remarks, DR.. Boatwrlght
said that formerly great emphasis had
been laid on department diplomas, and
1iat this fact, together with low entrance
requirements and unusually high gradun-
ton requirmcnts, and kept down the
number of degree graduates. While
Richmond College counts nearly two thou
sand alumni including as such all who
Lave graduated IN any school OF the
college, there have been only about five
hundred degree graduates. At this time
he proposed to speak only OF those who
had won the highest college honor-the
NJ a. degree. There are this session SIX
candidates for this degree.
FIRST M. a. DEGREE.
@"Only ninety eight persons have re-
ceivcd the Master of Arts degree from
richmond College. The degree was first
conferred in 1861 at that commenceme nt
two young minister's, John NJ. Pitcher
and William II. Williams, both of Rich
mond, won the new college honor. Tho
former now lives in Petersburg, VA, and
III General Superintendent Of the Baptist
Sunday School and Bible Board. Tho
latter died several years ago in ST. Louis
where for many years he had been editor
of the Central Baptist.
The first fact that impresscs one who
reads this roll of graduates Is that all
have attained honorable positions in life
Not all have been equally successful, but
not one has dishonored his Alma Mater CT
failed to justify the value Of sound learn
ing.
Another striking fact Is that so largo
n proportion of these degree men are now
living. The period covered Is forty-two
years, yet only twelve Of the ninety-eight
nre known to have passed away. No one
can doubt that these men were hard stu
dents, but close application seems not
prejudicial to longevity.
II note further that none of these men
have made fortunes. Doubtless some or
them could have accumulated large sums
OF money, but most of them seem to have
lad a different aim In life. SIX ell
tered the world of business, and only
one of these became a banker. Preachers
and teachers predominant. and these have
always been the most mpecunious of
mortBls.
MINISTER'S AND LAWYERS.
With the exception of one editor, two
farmers. and tho six business men, I find
that theology, teaching, law and medicine
claim the entire list. There are thirty
tive ministers Of the gospel. an equal
number Of teachers and college professors.
seventeen lawyers, and four physicians.
No Masters Of Arts have entered the en-
cheering profession, and in recent years
only one has studied law and one has
taken Il medical course. Nowadays tho
requirements of professional education arc
50 severe that most students who look
forward to law, medicine Or engineering
content themselves with the bachelors
degree. or stop short even of this.
Prior to 1896 the candidate for NJ. a.
was required to complete the full course
OF study offered in the college. About
this time. however. came a notable en-
largement in several departments, and 1t
WAS deemed unwise to attempt, TO hold
students long enough for them to conf
pass the eNpanded+ curriculum. Tho new
requirements admitted as candidates 10
the degree only those students who had
previously won the degree OF Bachelor
of Arts, and required of these the COM
pletion of four additional senior classes
and thesis which should show at least
the power of original work. Under the
new regulations the number Of masters
has increased and 1t is believed that
their scholarship has improved rather than
detcriorated.
LIVING DEGREE MEN.
Calling attention only to tho living, ]
may mention among the lawyers, J. H.
Miller. OF San Francisco, W, NJ. Turpln.
William Ellyson, and Sol, Cutchins. Of
Richmond; Howard r. Baync, Of New
York: c. w. Coleman, of Portsmouth:
Armistead II. Long, of Lynchburg: and
John w. Snyder, of Kansas City. Nearly
all the ministers are living, and all have
been widely useful. Some of those who
arc best known are j. NJ. PMher, d. D..
III Petersburg; W. C.. Biting. d. D., OF
New York; !, M. Mercer, ID. D. of Rich