The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-06-03

Awarding diplomas to one OF the larg-
est classes in its history the George
Washington University held its COM
mencement exercises at the Belasco
Theater this morning. in the presence
Of many distinguished guests.
Promptly at 1880 the procession OF %
graduates entered the theater taking
seats in the center Of the auditorium de
Tectly fronting the stage. Upon the
stage and surrounded by cut flowers,
palms and college colors sat the faculty
and the trustees Of the university. The
fOOtllghts were completely submerged
in banks OF choice. flowers sent by ad-
mirers of the various graduates. From
every box hung the college cOlOrs and
United States flags. The Marine Band
occupied the orchestra chairs and played
several selections during the exercises
The theater was packed TO the doors,
the attendance being such that fire reg
ulatiOns were strictly enforced and long
before the hour Of the exercises arrived
persons were being turned away and
admission refused except to the gal
leries.
The presentation OF the degree OF
bachelor Of arts, conferred upon a class
OF fifteen, OF which ten were girls, was
one Of the interesting events OF the
morning. These graduates, including
several from the District, were as fol-
lows.
Grace Evelyn Barbour. Missouri:
Bertha BirJWel, Pennsylvania with
distinction); Lulu Elizabeth Conner.
District OF Columbia; Roi De Lancy,
Ohio; john Howard Dellinger. Ohio;
Helen Marie Evans, District OF Column
bla (Nlth Distinction, Ruth GcuevieVe
Field, Wisconsin; Edward Percy Gates.
Arkansas Catharine Agatha McAvOy,
District of Columbia with distinctiOn);
Jane Mahan, West Virginia; Pearl
ketCham Merritt. Minnesota, Jennie
Meyer District OF Columbia; OgIe Ri
D-l4 3 fs.-
Jessauline Eliza Swartwout, District OF
Columbia; William Cabeu Van Week
with Distinction District Of Columbia
In addition TO the presentation Of the
prescribed degrees, the honorary degree
OF doctor OF laws was conferred upon
Frederick James Volney Skin, director
OF the Field Museum OF Natural History,
and Willis S. Paine, president Of the
Consolidated National Bank Of New
President Charles ". Needham ad-
dressed the graduating class. beginning
with a resume Of the foundation,
growth ana influence OF the university
during It's cighty-seVen years existence.
Mr. Needham's Address.
In part he said.
Costly structures. rich endowments.
well-flled libraries. thoroughly equipped
laboratories are great factors. but the
center and heart and life Of a university
is the presence and inspiring spirit of
great teachers and fine scholars.
When, one year ago, We were COIN
PEELED To choose between using the
available funds OF the university for
site or putting so much of the funds
which could be thus properly used into
additional teachers and maintaining the
policy of advance IN educational work
which had been adopted. we chose men
and the maintenance Of our new educa-
tioHal life This choice and the results
OF the policies adopted four years ago
have bean justified.
THE new site IS stiu undetermined.
while the need for # and for new build
inss has greatly increased. our build
lngs and laboratory facilities are over
crowded and inadequate. Our annual
expenses. occasioned BIZ the increase In
the quality and methods Of instruction,
nave increased over one hundred thou
sand dollars. EudoWments 10 meet
these demands and TO sustain the life
of the institution are inDeratively de-
manded. Poverty is not a shome but
with 50 much 10 do IL is an incon-
venience- We shall not turn back. how
ever from doing the higher and better
work"