Evening star., 1909-06-04
THRONG SEES CEREMONY
Georgetown University Graduating
Exercises Last Night.
MANY PRIZES ARE AWARDED
Former Governor Higgins Delivers
the Address to the Recipients
of Diplomas.

course at Georgetown nNersitS ldst
night and received the degree OF bachelor
of arts at the ninety-second annual COM
mencement of the institution. held in
CASTOR Hall. Besides the young gradu-
ates two distinguished alumni of the uni
vers.ty, former Gov. James H. Higgins OF
Rhode Island and Henry Walters of Bal
timore, had conferred upon them the hon-
orary degrees of doctors of law.
The commencement exercises were pre-
sided over by Cardinal Gibbons, who con-
ferred first the honorary degrees and then
the degrees upon the young graduates.
Large Gathering Present.
Despite the pouring rain many persons
availed themselves of the opportunity 10
witness the commencement exercises-al-
ways a noteworthy event in the educa-
tional circles of Washington. The lower
floor of CASTOR Hall and the galleries
were filed when the cardinal, the faculty
of the university. the distinguished guests
and the young graduates filed in and took
their positions on the platform.
Cardinal Gibbons, clothed in the red OF
prince of the church, was seated in the
center of the first line on the platform.
ftanked either side by Rev. Joseph
Himmel. S. j.. president of the univer-
sitv' the recipients of the honorary de-
srees and the young graduates. To the
were seated the university faculty,
including the deans of the schools OF law
medicine and dentistry.
The exercises were preceded by num-
ber of musical selections rendered by Sc
lected orchestra. under the direction OF
Sol Minister. located to the left of the
platform and almost hidden by massive
banks Of potted plants and cut flowers.
The me decorations extended across the
rear Of the platform and on TIE opposite
side.
After the graduates had taken their
seats the second and third honor men
delivered their orations without the for
mality of an Introduction. The second ora
ton was delivered by Francis Joseph
Hartnett of the District of Columbia and
the third oration by John Baptiste Ed
mund La Plante of Indiana. The young
men chose their subjects Education
and the Family and Education and the
State" respectively.
Following the oraton of Mr.. La
Plante. the honorary degrees were con-
ferred upon former Gov. Higgins and
Mr.. Walters. A short eulogium upon both
gentlemen was delivered by Rev. Charles
Nacksey S. J.. prefect of studies of the
university. who presented the robes of the
degree to Cardinal Gibbons. who con-
ferred them upon the men honored. After
the presentation of these two degrees
Cardinal Gibbons. assisted by President
Himmel, conferred the bachelor of art de-
grees on the graduating cl@ss. AS each
of the graduates responded to the calling
of his name he advanced to where the
cardinal seated. kissed the ring and
received his degree. the robe being placed
about the young mans neck by President
Himmel.
The Graduating Glass.
The list of the graduates follows:
Joseph Emmet Boland. Pennsylvania;
Thomas Morris Boyle, Pennsylvania: |
Vincent Augustine Corcoran, Illinois; VIII
liam Purcell Culkin. Illinois; Joseph Rus
sell Daily, New York, James AlphonsrS
Hilkes. Pennsylvania: John William
Eckenrode, Pennsylvania Edmund Fitz-
gerald. jr., New York; Francis Percival
Fitzpatrick Massachusetts; Paul Emmett
Golden. Pennsylvania; Francis Joseph
Hartnett. District of Columbia; John
Baptist Edmund La Plante. Indiana
Thomas Eugene Lavelle. Montana; An
thony Vincent Lynch, New York; Francis
Thomas Marsden. District of Columbia;
Joseph West Montgomery. Louisiana:
George Holland Mullins. Washington;
Herbert Nicholas Munhall, Pennsylvania.
Laurence Dick Smith. Illinois.
The valed.Ctory address, which was also
a continuation of the second and third
orationS. was delivered by Joseph West
Montgomery of Louisiana. Mr. West
subject was Education and the Church,
in which he emphasized the fact that the
divine duty of the parent was the educa-
ton Of the child. who in turn should be
under the guidance of the church.
with an eloquent tribute 10 Georgetown
and a formal farewell To alma mater on
behalf Of his class.
The awards of prizes for the best work
&c the wear were announced by Rev.
Father Macksey. and they were presented
by President Hmmel. AS each of the
young honor men received his reward for
his years la bors he enthusiastically
cheered and applauded by the fellow STU
dents and the audience.
Award of Prizes.
The following were the awards:
Gold medal for excellence in rational
philosophy. founded by Miss Mary A
Ryan and Miss Theresa F. c. Ryan in
memory of their brother. Dennis Francis
Ryan S j. awarded TO Joseph West
Monteom Of the graduating class.
The philosophy prize awarded TO Francis
Joseph Hartnett of the graduating class.
Mallory gold medal prize. founded by
Stephen r Mallory. open TO competition
TO all departments OF the university,
awarded 10 Earl John Mohn Of Pennsyl-
vania, 1910 law school
Christian doctrine medal prize awarded
TO John D Foley of l912.
Dixon elocution medal. founded by Mrs
William Writ Dixon in memory of her
son, William Writ Dixon. jr. of the class
of 1905 awarded to Daniel Bradley Muir
ray Of New York. 1910
Merrick debating medal, founded by
l.
West Montgomery OF the graduating
class
The Father Murphy memorial medal,
awarded TO Joseph Davis McNuty, 1910
The Martin r Morris historical medal.
awarded to Edwin Quinton Carr 1910
President Himmel Al this stage of the
exercises. availed himself of the oppor-
tunity 70 speak OF the condition of the
university We are carrying grace
fully as We can our large debt" he de-
clared. and. all in all the institution is
progressing exceedingly well. l want to
take this opportunity 70 thank the per
sens who have generously made IL pos
sible 10 increase our hospital capacity
and cur library. Our greatest asset is
our devoted band of fathers who com
prise he faculty. and the learned profess
Siona men who have made the excellence
If the law, medicine and dentistry schools
what they are now. These young grad
yates are our reward, and very
Z = 4 e x x e Z: Z. Z; 4 4 e e * !; K K * *
:.