Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1904-06-17
SIX ARE GRADUATED
Dallas College Closes Successful Years
Work With Interesting
Exercises.

The commencement exercises OF
Dallas College, held in the college
chapel this week, bring to a close
another highly successful year Of
school work. The attendance of
students for the session of 10000 has
far exceeded that of any former year,
and the college is now firmly estab-
lished on solid and lasting founda-
tion. A large percentage OF this years
students have expressed their inten-
tion Of returning next Fall, and an
active canvass for new students will
be made throughout the counties Of
Western Oregon by the members Of
the faculty during the Summer vaca-
ton. The already strong course Of
study Will be improved and strength
ened, needed building improvements
will be made, necessary apparatus
supplied, and everything gotten in
readiness for still more thorough
work when school opens next Sep
tember.
The commencement exercises began
last Thursday night with an interest
ing entertainment by members Of the
Sorosis Literary Society. The young
ladies gave an excellent program. On
Friday night, the Philadelphian
Literary Society held it's annual re-
union, followed by a banquet at the
Hotel Gail. An elaborate menu was
discussed, after which there were
toasts by President G. G. Polling, Prof.
d. M. Metzger, Harrison Barendrick,
Dean Collins, Dan Polling and Chester
Gates. Alex VanOrsdel presided as
postmaster. On Saturday evening,
the students gave an open-air recep-
ton to President Polling in the City
Park. An enjoyable impromptu pro-
gram was given, and all gathered
around a bonfire and made merry un-
til late hour.
The baccalaureate sermon was
preached in the M. E. Church, Sunday
morning, at II o'clock. The church
was crowded with friends of the
graduating class, and the masterful
discourse by DR.. Polling was deeply
appreciated and enjoyed by all. At 8
o'clock in the afternoon, the Christian
Associations held their farewell meet,
ings, and at o'clock in the evening
listened to sermon by Rev. E. Cur
ran, of Hillsboro. The lecture before
the literary societies on Monday eve
ming by DR.. W. @. Kantner. of Salem,
was one of the rare treats of COM
mencement week Dr. Kantner hASl
few equals as lecturer on the Pacific
Coast, -aRd his talk Monday night was
entertaining and instructive in the
highest degree. The annual program
Of the Musical Department was given
on Tuesday evening and was under
the direction Of @. W. Kantner,
musical director of the College, In
vocal and instrumental work, the
students all showed great proficiency
the result Of being taught and
trained by master musician.
The field meet scheduled to take
place Tuesday afternoon was aban-
doned at the last moment and in it's
place lively game of baseball was
played by the college team and a
picked nine from among the town
boys. The college team won by a
score of Is to 9. Prof. W. I. Reynolds,
principal of the Dallas public school,
acted as umpire.
The commencement exercises were
held in the chapel on Wednesday.
The stage was beautifully decorated
with flowers and the college colors
were everywhere in evidence. The
graduating class wore the regulation
caps and gowns. Miss Ethel Polling,
a graduate from the Musical Depart
ment, delightfully."- rendered three
piano solos during the morning-a
waltz by Durand, Farewell to the
Piano." by Beethoven, and the "Mel-
ody in F." by Rubenstein. Miss Inez
Allen, of Rickreall, graduate from
the Academic course, had for the sub
ject of her oration Builders of State"
The young lady spoke in well-mod-
lulated voice, was graceful in every
move, and her Grafton gave evidence
Of deep thought and a thorough
understanding of her subject. Miss
Bertha Allen, also a graduate from
the Academic Department, held the
closest attention of the large audience
for twenty minutes by the delivery of
an excellent oration entitled DECAY
of the Races" Daniel A. Polling, one
Of Oregon's brightest young men and |
the first student to finish the Classical
Course in Dallas College, took for the
subject of his theme the simple word |
"Service." ;" His Grafton, unlike those
OF many college graduates, was prac-
tical and full Of everyday common
sense. In bringing out the thought
that nothing Of real value can be
gained without honest, earnest effort,
and that faithful service ends
only at the close Of life, the young
man charmed his hearers with his
matchless eloquence The Grafton
was highly creditable to the orator
and to Dallas College. The address
to the class was delivered by the
President of the college.
The exercises came to a close with
the annual reunion and banquet of
the Alumni Association on Wednesday