The news & observer., 1905-06-08
Closing of Greatest Year
in Trinity's History.
SIXTEEN GRADUATES
Mastery Commencement Address BY
Prof. Peabody, OF Harvard. Degree
Of D. D. Conferred Upon Rev.
Mr.. Wilkerson. Alumni
Elect Officers.
(Special 10 News and Observer.l }

Especial to News and Observer
Durham, N. c., June with ;he
ringing Of the sunset bell this evening
at 7:10 o'clock, during which time the
faculty, students and college commun-
ity stood with bowed and uncovered
heads, the flag in front of the Memo
rial Hall was lowered and the college
year at Trinity came to close. 1t
marked the ending of the greatest year
in Trinity's history. President Kilgo
said this morning that it had been a
year of great work and great accom-
plishments for the college.
At the graduating exercises this
mo! ming gifts amounting TO something
more than $4,000 were announced 1t
was announced that Mr.. b. N. Duke
had recently given $4,000 with which
to erect new dormitory for the Trim
ity Park school and to make improve
ments in the main building at that
school. 1t Was also announced that
Mr. B. n. Duke and brother j. b.
Duke, had paid to the college officials
the interest on 100000 for one year,
this being for the support of the Law
Department. Mr.. G. w. Toms, of this
city, has endowed a scholarship, this
being announced today for the first
time.
At the conclusion of the awarding
of diplomas and announcement of col
lege honors one of the most pleasant
features of the commencement occa-
sion was enacted. Rev. Richard VIII
kerson, of New Orleans. who yesterday
thrilled large audience When the
commencement sermon was preached,
was given the honorary degree of
Doctor of Divinity The degree was
conferred by the Board of Trustees at
the final meeting held this morning.
1t came as a surprise When President
kilgo announced that this honorary
degree had been conferred there was
prolonged applause. Rev. Mr.. Wilker-
son arose to receive the high honor
and it was several minutes before DIR.
l<ilgo could proceed. During that time
the new Doctor of Divinity stood with
bowed head. DR.. Wilkerson lis an
Englishman by birth and is now pas
tor of Rayne Memorial church. New
Orleans During his stay in this city
he has greatly endeared himself to
the people of Durham.
The ringing of the sunset bell which
sounded tonight ut 7:1O O'Clock is
feature that was inaugurated six years
ago. President Kilgo told of the new
custom this morning and explained
that at the ringing of the sunset bell
the flag was to be lowered by MEM
used again unless by the class or by
the college in honor of the class. While
the flag is being lowered, said DR..
Kilgo, every one of the college COM
munity, from the highest to the low
est, is expected to stand with uncoV-
cred head sufficiently long for the flag
to be lowered. This was done.
This afternoon the annual meeting
of the alumni association was held. In
this connection q dinner was given.
Rev. G.. T. Rowe, Of Concord, was the
speaker of the occasion Quite a
large number of the alumni were pres
ent. Dinner was served in the banquet
hall in the new dormitory building.
The annual session of the Alumni
Association was held this afternoon,
the dinner beginning soon after the
graduating exercises were over. The
dinner was served by Dughi, of Raj
eigh who also served refreshments at
the annual reception to the graduating
class tonight Rev. G. 7. Rowe, of
Concord was the principal speaker or
| the day. Several others responded to
| toasts. among them being DR.. j. Z.
| kilgo, Prof Jerome Dowd, of the Wis
consin University; Hon. j. II. McRary,
of Lexington, and DR. Richard Wilk-
erson. of New Orleans.
The following officers were elected
for the ensuing year: Dr. w. u.
Bradshaw, High Point. president; X.
L. Durham, Charlotte, first vice-presi-
dent: Rev. G.. T. Rowe, Concord, sec
ond vice-president: DR.. ]. S. Bassete.
Trinity, secretary and treasurer, and
Prof. C. w Edwards, Trinity. chair
man of the executive committee.
The reception to the graduating
class tonight was largely attended.
This was held in the Duke building,
which was appropriately decorated.
and refreshments were served. me
entire lower floor, with the exception
of a few offices, was thrown open TO
the guests, among whom were num-
Der of out of town people.
Graduating Exercises.
The exercises of this morning began
with the singing of the college hymn,
"From all that dwell beneath the
skies" etc, after which Rev. Richard
Wilkerson, of New Orleans. led i'm
prayer Then came the commence
ment address, which was delivered by
Prof Francis Greenwood Peabody, of
Harvard.
Diplomas were then presented to
sixteen graduates-thirtecn of these
being young men and three young Ia
dies. The announcement Of the action
of the trustees in comforting the de-
grees was made by DR.. w. p. Few,
dean of the college, and the degrees
Kigo. Each of the graduates re-
ceived diploma. Bible, and cluster
Continued on Page Seven.)