The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1910-06-09
STATE NORMAL COLLEGE.
Echoes from the Annual Commence
ment-Best In History of the lnsti.
tutiOn-Large Attendance of Former
0raduates-Progress OF the Loan
Fund 7ovement.

The eighteenth annual commencement
OF the State Normal College at Green's
boro, held during the last week in May,
was pronounced by students, visiting
Alumnae and friends, and by the Green's
boro people as well the "best in the his
tory OF the Institution" Asidefrom the
usual features incident to all commence
ment occasions, the one thing that made
this one a success was the fact that so
many OF the former students returned to
do honor to their Alma Mater. The Col
lege authorities appreciated this evidence
OF loyalty on the part OF nearly hun
dred OF its Alumnae-more than have
ever come home before at any COM
meneement occasion perhaps-and out
did themselves in hospitable attentions.
Saturday was union Day" for the
"green and white classes and much was
done in honor OF the graduating class
and their predecessors OF the green and
white" Between the hours OF FIVE and
seven on Saturday afternoon. the Adel-
phlan Society entertained the visitors on
the College campus, giving various Folk
Dances, ending with the May Pole Dance.
The scene on the lawn was very similar to
fete occasions given at the large Colleges
for women in the North and West.
Saturday night the annual reunion
meetings OF the two literary societies
were held. Delightful entertainments
were provided at each meeting, where
new" and sold" girls met and greeted
one another.
The exercises on Sunday were marked
by a quietness and restfulness that was
apparent to all. The annual sermon to
the graduating class was preached by
Rev. John Simon, ID. D., OF Manchester,
England. 1t was one of the albes5 ser
mons ever delivered at the Institution.
DIR. Simon had been in attendance upon
the General Conference of the Methodist
church in Asheville, as Fraternal Delegate
from England. 1t was a rare privilege
to hear him. On Sunday evening the fare
well service of the Young Women's Chris
tian Association was held-it was an I'M
usually impressive service. held in the
great out-of-doors in the College Park.
Dr.ELynch, of Durham, preached a ser
mon OF great power to the graduating
class and to the great assembly OF stu
dents gathered there under the stars.
Monday morning was set apart for the
Alumnae and this year the meeting of
the Association was exceptionally en-
thusiastic. 1t was our first meeting since
we have been duly incorporated under
the laws of North Carolina The bust
ness status of the Association has been
wonderfully strengthened as was evident
from the various reports. The annual
address was delivered by Miss Lewis
Dull, OF the class of 80. Itwas most in
spring and was enthusiastically received.
She emphasized the fact that every great
movement is the result of vision in the
mind of its instigator. She spoke OF the
great need OF men and women OF vision.
These are needed to solve the great social
and Industrial problems that confront
us.
In this connection she said:
North Carolina has had her share of
men and women OF vision; even from the
day OF her first little colony Of seekers
after peace. 1t is to her Davie, Swain,
Vance, Aycock, Joyner, McIver and the
Others of her great ones who have mold
ed her that she owes her present pros
perity. The great public institutions OF
the State are the result of the ideals OF
these men.
"The State Normal and Industrial Col.
lege stood forth complete in the mind OF
it's great founder before even one stone
was placed upon another. Those who
saw its small beginning looked upon the
vision with smile of incredulity yet DR.
McIver's faith was firm. 1t was so with
every work begun here. the Association
for the Betterment of Public Schools, the
Students Building, the local organiza.
ton OF the alumnae, all so small in their
beginning, were to his eyes full grown in
usefulness
''This institution was DIR. McIver's
vision. The people OF the State have
given their help to make it a reality. Il