The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-28
CLASS OF 'O8 GETSD DIPLOMAS University Commence
 ment Closes. SENIORS PLANT THE IVY Dr. MacLean of Iowa Orator of
 Occasion. Presidenx Abercrombie Makes Awards to Students and Announces
 the Pri.s' and the Win
BY FRANK P. GLASS, JR.


 Tuscaloosa. May 27.-The senors took the stage today in their final exercises as the graduation class of 1908 of the State University. bringing to a close one of the most successful years the University has ever known.
 Natalie Thornton. of Montgomery read the poem at the planting of the ivy of the senior class, custom which is not so many years old, but which has taken a deep hold upon the hearts of the students. The little spring was planted in front of Clark Hall, with the whole of the senior class in their caps and gowns standing about in circle with their guests making still larger circle behind them.
 At 9:30 o'clock the Board of Trustees of the University met in the presidents office to pass formally upon the recoIn- mendations of the president for the re- ceiving of degrees. The haeeting wss a short one and of the most formal na- ture. The business session was post poned until o'clock this afternoon.
 Dr. MacLean speaks.
 pr. George E. MacLean, president of the State University of Iowa, was late in arriving at the University grounds, and his commencemen oration was not begun until 10:S0 o'clock instead of 10 o'clock as printed upon the program. pr. MacLean arrived in Tuscaloosa last night and spent the night at the McLester Hotel as the guest of the University. During the night he was received among callers in the pariors of the hotel.
 pr. MacLean is one of the best known educators of the country and his coming to the University com unencement added another star to the brilliant list of speakers arranged on. the program. He is q forceful speaker and his oration was received with fre-t duent cheers
 aThe Mission of the state' was the. subject chosen by the eminent eduea- tor for his oEation. .disregarding the manuscript which he had prepared.
 pr. Abercrombie. the president of the University introduced pr. MacLean, saying that he was a speaker and edu- cator whose reputation extended to every university in the United States. We were fortunate in having pr. vahDyke with us on Sunday, Governor Johnson of Minnesota, on Tuesday, and today we are equally fortunate in having this noted educator to address us."
 Dr. MacLean thanked President Ah- ercrombie for his high prases in intro ducing him, and placing a roll of man uscript upon the table, said that while he had prepared his oration President Abercrombie had requested him to dis card 1t and speak from the shoulder.
 In the beginning of his speech Dr. MacLean took a shot at the interna- tional marriages of American girls with titles saying that I've laugh at this importation of antiques and ex- portation of fools.
 In the body of his speech the posi- tion of State University with regard to religion. morality and knowledge was discussed. The subject of politics in the University was discussed in brief outline, the speaker declaring that the time would soon come when politicians would learn, through selfish reasons if no other, to keep hands of State Uni Wersity, and that the institution would soon have Board of Trustees non-par- tisan. and with but one idea in view the advancement of the prestige of the University in learning.
 The University in war was touched upon as showing the patriotism taught students within it's walls.
 The Awards Are Made
 After pr. MacLean's oration President Abercrombie delivered the prizes and awarded the honors won during the past academic year. Two students re- ceived the degree of Masters of Arts.
 The awards were as follows:
 Masters of Arts-Lelia. Wood Harris A. B.. 1906. Tuscaloosa; Thesis: Byron's Dramas Myrtle Merrill. A. B., 1906, Hefin; Thesis: Byrons Childe Harold A Study in Style.
 Master of Science-Benjamin Frank lin Cafrey B. S.. 1907, Haynevil1e; The sis: The Histology and Chemistry of the Blood
 and after each announcement the re- cipient was loudly cheered.
 At the close of each collegiate year. special honors designated as highest honors are conferred in accordance with the following regulationS
 l. All students in regular courses in the Academic Department of the Uni versity who shall have obtained the highest grade (grade Al in each study pursued during the year. shall be en- titled to the highest honors of the Uni versity.
 2. All students of the Law Depart ment of the University who shall have obtained an average grade of s5 per cent or more In all the studies em- braced in the two years law course. shall be entitled to the highest honors of the University.
 The list this year is as follows:
 In the Academic Department (sen- iors)-Houston Carlisle Chambers, George Clarke Marlette, Jerome Meyer (also for session of 19067). Balpha Lonnie Noojn, Stella Palmer, Morgan Estes. Snedecor. Natalie Thornton, Hell en Judith Vickers.
 Juniors-William Harris Slaughter.
 Soph homores-Wilkes Coleman Banks. Henry Addison Feel.
 Freshmen-Burney Edward Jones.
 Law Department (Seniors)-James Burris BuFgin, Jelks Henry Cabaniss, John Vernon Denson, John Edward De- Ioney, Jr.. DeVotie Glover Ewing, Good man Grifith Griffin, William Arthur Jenkins, Maud McLure Kelly, Benjamin Leader. James Leonidas Murphy, John McDufie. Carl Waterman McAIahon, Jr.. Joseph Earnest Robinson, Thomas How ard Seay Benjamin Dickinson Turner. Jr., Perry Williams Turner.
 Juniors-Clement Van Bureon Her rem, Morton McAllister Hutehens, Hans ford MackDonner Killcrease. Edward Jenkins Vincent Bernard McAleer, Jen- HinRa Duncan Ratcltffe.