The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-06-25

Il
what will be done in years to come.
| The class presentations were made
by Miss Reba Breisch and Thomas
Francis. The prizes were very ap-
propriate and created much amuse-
ment. One of the most interesting
features of this part of the program
was a short address in the German
and Italian languages by Francesca
Petrilli.
The exercises ended with a class
song by the Senior class. the words of
the song having been written by Miss
Agnes Burke, a member of the class.
COMMENCEMENT.
All the exercises incident to Com
mencement week had been successful
ly carried out during the preceding
days as arranged, and despite the
sweltering weather an audience which
nearly filled the large auditorium as
sembled yesterday morning to wit
ness what was to be the last of
the public exercises and hear the
Commencement address which was to
be delivered by President G. STAN
ley Hall, of Clark University, one
of the most prominent educators in
the country, and an orator and public
speaker of recognized ability.
The disconcertment of DR.. Waller,
president of the school, can be i'm
agined when about an hour previous
to the time fixed for the opening of
the exercises he received telephone
communication from President Hall
stating that he had missed train con-
nections and was stranded at Wilkes
Barre ard could not possibly get
here before 1890 p. M, which
would mean that it would be one
O'Clock before he would be able to
get to the school. To keep the large
audience waiting all his time under
present weather conditions was simp-
| ly out of the question, and hence it
was decided, after telephone commun-
ication with several of the ministers
and consultation with trustees to go
on with the exercises, and the result
proved that it was a wise decision, as
it was the concensus of the opinion of
those who have been attending these
exercises that it was one of the most
successful and helpful and entertain
| ing in the thirty-nine years ofthe life
of the school.
The graduates entered the auditor
'um to music rendered by the Nor
NAL School orchestra and took seats
Immediately in front Of the stage.
Prayer was offered by Rev. w.
M. Tinker, who with Rev. Heming-
way, Hickman, Byers, Bailey and
the trustees, occupied seats upon the
stage.
After an overture ,"Spring Song, "
by the orchestra, DR.. Waller stated
that the school was so endeared to
the hearts of the people of the COM
munity that no emergency had ever
arisen but that there were friends
ready to respond to the need of the
hour. He then informed the audience
of the fact that President Hall would
| not be present to deliver the Com
mencement address as expected, and
also the cause of his not being here,
but that several of the ministers of
the town had kindly came to his as
sistance and rescue. Before present.
ing the graduates with their diplomas
he explained in brief and clear
manner the law of the state govern
ing the issuance of the same which
was copied from the laws of England.
The certificate which is given the
graduates is license to teachfor two
years. At the expiration of that time
the teachers present certificate sign
ed by the school board by whom they
have been employed certifying as
to their moral character and the
fact that they are proficient teach
ers. This is signed by the county su-
perintendent, endorsed by the state
board of examiners and a certificate
is issued which gives them the right
to teach without any further exam
ination. Seventy-nine such certifi-
Gates were issued to former gradu-
ates of the school yesterday who
had taught two full annual terms.
DR.. Waller also stated that when the
school was first organized it was as a
literary institute. Subsequently it
was changed to Normal school, its
offerings differing from many others,
however, in that other departments,
College Preparatory, Commercial
and Music, were added to the stud
les of which diplomas were awarded
when they had completed the course.
After the diplomas had been given
to the graduates of the different de-
partments DR.. Waller called upon
Rev f. II Railev postor Of tbo