The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-06-07
THE CLOSING
EXERCISES At
STATE COLLEGE
EXCEPTIONALLY FINE AND IN
SPRING ADDRESS Is DELlV-
Erred BY DR.. A, A. MURPHREE,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVER-
SITY OF FLORIDA.
snseIaI TO The Journal.

Tallahassee, June 6.-The largest au-
dience yet attending the sixth annual
| commencement of the Florida State
College for Women was present at the
baccalaureate address and graduation
of the GLASSES of the college of arts
and sciences, the normal school and
the kindergarten department The dis
tinctive feature of the occasion was
the exceptionally fine and inspiring
address by DIR. Albert Alexander Muir
phree, of the University Of Florida
the greatly esteemed former president
serving in that capacity for the first
four years of its history. Upon being
| introduced by President Conradi, the
speaker was accorded prolonged ap-
/ plause
DR.. Murphree began his remarks
with pleasant and happy references to
the lack of feeling at home" in the
magnificent building and commodious
auditorium where his address was to
be delivered.
The speakers broad acquaintance
with the various sections, communities
and counties of Florida led him to en-
phasize at the outset the grand pos
sibilities of this splendid state and the
need of the developing the youth of the
state so as to be able to take fullest
advantage of the unexpected resources
! of the commonwealth.
/ DR.. Murphree. however, stated that
it was not his purpose to stress the
| practical side Of education. though he
| would aIlude to IT later, bat his mes
| sage was one that concerned the De
! yelopment OF Character and Citizen
| ship" He termed state education the
! greatest and most important thing
among all the interests of the state.
1 A college education was irn prsSsive-
w shown to pay. Statistics proved
/ this clearly. OF the niRety-four
United states senators, fifty -four are
college graduates; Of the presidents
! nom 1slS to 1898. ffty-five per cent
were thus educated; fifty four per
| cent of the vice presfdents; sixty
| eight per cent of all supreme court
! tudxes are college men, and of the
! several chief justices eighty-five per
! cent were of college training.
+: In certain state and county there
were thirty three college graduates,
| twenty five men and eight women;
! eight men became clergymen. three
! col1ege presidents, others lawyers, doc
tors and farmers; of the women, one
became a missionary, one a college
AL lifted high above the others with
out this education, though not becom-
ing wealthy or great, perhaps.
DIR. Murphree here made an inter
esting statement about the founding
and growth of state universities, in
Guiding experiment stations and agri-
cultural facilities. Most of the states
have steadily supported and developed
these institutions. Jefferson, Lincoln,
Benjamin Harrison, Cleveland, Roose
welt have lent direct influence along
this line.
Gladstone was quoted as tracing
English progress as a nation to her
university influence. Our nation needs
educational development. We are
called an intelligent democracy. We
must look to our colleges and univer-
stiles for men Of culture and vigorous
leadership, who can distinguish be-
tween true and false patriotism. Man
kind is not far on the road to the mel
lenium, so peculiar Is human nature.
If a college education gives greater
efficiency and leads to success, If our
national welfare depends on education,
everything the state can do toward
this end is a fine investment.
What is said of young men," re-
marked DR.. Murphree, applies largely
to young woman. They help to shape
the nations character. So it is that
the state of Florida has provided them
also with high advantages, Thorough
ness and deep culture and develop
ment of power are objects of the State
College for women
81 am glad" said he, this college is
not limiting woman's sphere. A wom-
ans sphere is what woman can best
do. Education brings refinement
Woman's burdens have been lifted.
No sex in work. But woman is the
great keeper of the home. Education
should not be consciously directed to-
ward marriage; nor should 1t lead
to public duties"
young women, the state expects of
you service. 1t does not expect none
tary remuneration, but it does expect
greater efficiency. You have here been
trained to high ideals, to do your work,
to prepare to increase the worlds hap
piness. May you do your work
wherever is your place. Like Paul,
press on to your high calling. AS he
was crowned at last, so may you be
crowned"
President Murphree made a pro-
found impression by his eloquent and
forceful address. Its effect will be far
reaching.
At this stage of the program, Hon.
Frank P. Fleming, of the board Of con-
troll, after felicitating the college on
it's excellent faculty and fine student
body and successful year, announced
the following winners Of the three
medals annually awarded:
Junior oration-Miss Ethel burst,
Gainesville, Fla
Senior oration-Miss Estelle Roege.
Tallahassee, Fla
Most efficient work in domestic art
and science-Nriss Sarah Davis, Of
Quincy, Fla
Governor Gflchrist, in his generous.
whole souled manner, presented each
of the graduates with beautiful souve-
Mrs, which will not only serve as re-
minders of the happy occasion, but
will always recall that the governor Of
the state felt a strong loyal interest in
the graduates Of the institution. At
the conclusion OF his remarks the
sophomore and sub-freshman classes
marched in and delivered the flowers
to the respective graduates, after
which the closing song was sung, and
the benediction was pronounced by
Rev. Mr.. Pruitt.
On the stage were seated, besides
the graduates, the governor, board of
control, state board of education and
the faculty.