The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-15
COLUMBIA'S 1887 DEGREES,
WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS MADE
A DOCTOR OF LAWS.
Greatest Number Of HOnors the University
Has Ever Awarded-The Barnard
Medal Goes to Henri BecQuerel
for His Discoveries in Radio Activity.

At the commencement exercises of CO.
lumbia University yesterday l.l37 degrees
and diplomas we're conferred, the greatest
number in he history of the institution.
The academic procession formed about
1890 O'Clock in the corridors and reading
room of the library and marched thence
across the campus to the gymnasium,
where he formal exercises took place.
The candidates for degrees led tie pro-
cession. followed by the facult Y. the trust ees
and members Of the university council,
the candidates for honorary degrees and
finally the president of the university.
The class of graduates was much larger
than usual. and 40 also was the crowd OF
friends and relatives that gat hered to hear
the addresses in the gymnasium and see the
degrees awarded So many persons ap-
peared. In fact, that the large gymnasium
was filled to Overlooking, and several hum
bred were unable to gain admission. When
not even standing room remained the
entrance to the gymnasium was roped on ,
Several times the crowd swept through
the barrier and past the guards, onlyto find
that there was not room tor anothe person
within the building.
After a short prayer by the acting chap
lain President Butler delivered his address,
saying in part
The university is to train men and women
this means in part TO think for themselves
to make their Thinking for tRemseIves worth
SHtf and feH hat uSi erum Is the eommon ap.
prehension and comprehension of the lessons
Of past human experience. particularly as
tions Of civilization. The world and human
society cannot now be bull. over Just as i, Il
ln,I al :
formed which must be taken as the basis
Tor society reformed II is from this year
who is TO think for himself must take his de-
parture The university must in so far train
It's students 10 think like other people this
much assured, II must then train its students
to think for themselves
The formal presentation OF degrees fol.
lowed. the students rising by schools and
being presented to the president by an
officer Of the school.
Honorary degrees were then conferred as
follows:
Robert Simpson Woodward. president Of
the Carnegie Institution. doctor Of science
the Rev lnv Of
theology; Edwin Anderson Alderman. Presi-
dent of the University of Nlrsln!a: doctor
of laws William Tufts Brigham. director
of the Pauahl Bishop Museum Of Ethn3loGy
Honolulu. doctor OF science. ana Heorge ran,
at Columbia. and Frederick Arthur Goetze.
superintendent Of buildings at Columbia
masters OF science.
In presenting William Dean Howells, Prof
Harry Thurston Peck said in part:
MIR President. II is most fitting that
our university. which nearly three-aua-,ers
of a century ago Inscribed upon its roll q
have continued to manifest. from time to
time its high appreciation o! creative EFFORT
in the sphere OF letters and of art. ] make
sure. sir that Of all the distinguished men
who have received the honor of this recoE-
honor have conferred it, there has been nom,
more worthy than he who comes TO-DAY, II
may so describe him. a. the ambassado o'
ture and learning are so happily exemplted.
A feature of the exercises was the award
Of the Barnard Medal to Henri Becquerel, a
member of the Institute OF France, for his
important discoveries in the field Of radio
activity and for his discovery of the dark
rays from uranium.