The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-21
THE new M. DIS.
TWenty-four Graduated from
Washburn Medical School.
Chancellor Frank Strong De-
livers an Address.
DEGREES CONFERRED.
President Norman Plass Per-
formed This Function.
Dean J. E. Minney Announces
His Resignation.

Washburn college graduated its
drst medical students last night.
Twenty-four received the degree from
President Norman Plass in Washburn
chapel, where the exercises were held.
A year ago the Kansas Medical college
merged itself with Washburn, and the
union bore fruits with a larger enroll
ment Throughout the exercises last
night, the benefits of the afhliation
We're commented upon and almost
everyone interested shook hands with
himself that the step had been taken.
The class which received its NJ. DIS
last night was not the largest in the
history of the school-twenty-s
We're graduated in 1900. It holds,
however, the record for second place
in point of size In the number of
women, it has eight, almost twice as
many as any previous class
The class of 1904 has also another
distinction. It is the first one to have
served out the seven months a year
schedule, instead of six called for pre-
viously in the curriculum. The Kan
sas Medical college belongs to the
American Medical association and
when that organization declared IN
favor of lengthening the school year
one month, it Joined in the process
sion.
The exercises last night were note
worthy for the brief time in which the
long programme was given. There
were four set addresses, but none oc-
cupied more than 3 minutes. Dr.
Plass dispensed with the usual cere-
mony of cum laudum" and the rest
of the Latin usually employed to Off
cially stamp a degree upon man
finishing his collegiate or professional
studies. The WaShburn Quartette was
given a big share of the programme,
but even that was not enough. The
audience recalled them again and
again and their responses were liberal.
Wash burn has the best quartette 1t
ever had, and without doubt the best
college Quartette ever produced in the
state, not even excepting the famous
Jayhawkers of 80 and 80 at Kansas
Both faculty and graduates sat on
the rOstrum. There were almost as
many professors as candidates for de-
grees- In fact, about half the doctors
in Topeka are associated with the
Kansas Medical college and this in
large measure explains its wonderful
progress within the past few years.
With President Plass sat Chancellor
Strong of the State university. he
made the address of the evening
DR.. J. E. Minney had charge of the
programme. He is a postmaster in
handling ceremonies at functions sim
liar to the one held last night. But
he did one thing which the audience,
the doctors and the friends of the
Medical college were loath to hear
he resigned as dean of the school For
fifteen years he has held the place,
and his energies he has given without
stint to construct a good institution.
He offered the kind of a reason that
made his friends like him all the
Ynore-''A younger man is needed at
the helm" If the Kansas Medical
college or Washburn ever institutes
Hall of Fame, DR.. Mfnney's work
should be among the first to be
The Rev. ]. A. Renwick opened the
exercises with the invocation. He was
followed by the Washburn quarterte,
which sang Tom. Tom, the Pipei''s
Son. and followed this with an en-
core.
DIR. BIinney's Address.
Dr. Minney then gave the history of
the college from its inception. He told
of the hard work at the beginning, al
most is years ago, how the course be-
gan with dissection, the calling in of
local doctors to lecture and in that
way find out which ones were best fit
ted for the work. The first session,
proper, began in 1890 with "A pupils in
the entire school. The next year there
were 3S, in 1892 there were 81. That
year two We're graduated, the first ones
to receive degree. Forty-four en-
rolled in 1898, ten graduating; So en-
rolled in 1894. seven graduating; So en-
rolled in 1895, eight graduating; rs en-
rolled in 1896, ten graduating; % en-
rolled in 1897, % graduating; Is en-
rolled IN 1898, 10 SIaQua IlnSs 50 en-
rolled in 1899, "A graduating; 100 en-
rolled in 1900, q graduating. No diplo-
mas We're issued in 1900 due to the fact
that the course We're increased from
three to four years. In 1902, 101 stud
ents We're enrolled, Is graduating. in
1904, 1c4 enrolled and "A received de-
grees.
This shows the past year to have been
the largest and the most prosperous in
the history of the institution. Doubt
lessly the extra prestige and influence
which the merging with Washburn col
lege will bring to bear within the next
few years, viii lift the extent of the
school to a plane even beyond the
hopes of it's organizers.
DR. Minney spoke at length upon the
innate value of the school and some of
the men who have helped in the build
ing. He cOmplimented both parties, in
the efhiation of Washburn and the
Medical college. In speaking of this
he said.
The kansas Medical college and
Washburn college have now entered in
to the full fruition. Tt is a happy I'M
ion so far. On the part of the Medical
college, its name is perpetuated. 1t
assures an alma mater for her chill
dren. 1t affords a better opportunity
for the broader medical education OF
her children. It meets the medical re-
uufrements of the age Coming in such
close touch with a leading literary in
stitution and forming a part of it, not
only meets, but anticipates, the trend
of the higher medical education. The
day of the Independent medical college
is passing.
This evening. for the first time. the
Kansas Medical college takes her place
publicly as q member of the Washburn
college family She is pleased to sit at
the table with the schools which form
the college family. She may not be as
aesthetic as some of her sisters, but
she will always keep some meat in her
1arder She is not much given to mag
snarv or pyrotechnic displays. She will
not parade her shortcomings before her
sisters and the world to distress and