River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1909-06-24
The Normal Commencement

wednesday noon, June TO- the
wheels of the Normal school for the
thirty-fourth time came to their an.
nual standstill. 1t had been q
strenuous year and the bearings
were smoking and the oil cups
were hot. President Brier, who for
twenty years had been at or near
the throttle, stepped down and took
his leave amid cries of well DONE
and many tokens of appreciation.
Wednesday afternoon was spent
in making and receiving reports for
the work of the spring term and in
preparing for the class play at
night. phe players were trained
under the direction of Mrs. Trues-
dell, and like everything that she
directs, it was a pleasing success.
The commencement exercises
proper began in the Congregational
church Thursday morning at nine
thirty. The beginning half hour
earlier was an innovation that met
with hearty approval. Prominent
among the beautiful decorations
was a portrait photograph of Pres
ident Brier, which was hung above
the platform. This was presented
by the Senior class to the Normal
school. A large chorus rendered
Gounod's "Soldiers Chorus" Rev.
w. A. Ward led in prayer. The
first address was given by Miss
Ruby Chinook, her subject being,
"The Model School of the Twentieth
Century, The Ladies Chorus
then sang Marshall's "Bugle Song"
and Billiards. Hush! Hush!"
These were followed by an address
THE Falling Leaf" by Miss
Hanna Hong; and another-"The
Importance of IDEALS" by Miss
Jennie U. Johnson. After the
chorus had sung "The Crusaders"
Fred Lamson gave "The Potency
of the Why" and Oscar Weberg,
gave "The Universal Aim in Teach
ing"
The diplomas were presented by
President Brier, who addressed the
class briefly but feelingly. A fine
set of Stoddard's lectures were then
presented to President Brier by the
four classes in the Normal school.
John Cunning of the Junior class
made the presentation address.
The faculty had already presented
Mr., Brier a beautiful watch fob.
In the afternoon the base ball
team of the school crossed bats
with the Alumni. There was more
visiting than playing and after a
slow game Professor Ames an
nounced that the school had defeat
ed the Alumni by a score of 6 to 3.
Thursday evening at seven O'Clock
the doors of the gymnasium were
opened by the ladies of the Congre-
gational church and the Alumni sat
down to their annual banquet. One
hundred thirty-two tickets were
sold at fifty cents each. The toast
master of the evening was Prof.
Welles. He introduced Miss Con-
stance Norseng, who gave piano
solo. Miss Irma Armstrong gave
the address of welcome to the class
es Of 1909. Oscar J. Weberg re-
sponded on behalf of the fu1l-course
students and Rolla Mcmahon on be-
half of the Elementary class. Miss
Willet sang to the delight of all and
President Wilson responded to the
toast, Loyalty" He urged the
necessity of loyalty to some cause
in general and the Normal school
in particular. Professor Clark then
spoke on the Influence of the
Alumni" He showed how much
the reputation of the school depend
ed on the Alumni. The next address
was by Alumnus Farnsworth, who
was a student during the first year
of the r. F. N. S. He gave his ex-
periences since, first as principal of
the schools here in River Falls, and
later as principal for many years of
one of the schools in st. Paul. Miss
Campbell rendered one of her pleas
ing solos, after which Miss Alice
Shultes spoke in a feeling way of
the achievements, the worth and
the character of the retiring presi-
dent, Mr.. Brier. At the close OF her
remarks the Alumni arose and
drank to the health of President
Brier, who responded with few
words. It was sad moment to
many hearts when they realized
that with these few words the SER
vices of one who had done SO much
for them and for the school would
terminate. After solo by Profess