The Colorado statesman., 1912-07-20
COMMENCEMENT AT
WESTERN UNIVERSITY
Thousands Witness Best Exer-
CiseS Schools History.
MUSIC, SONG AND oRAToRY AN
NoUNcED THE DEBUT OF THE
SEVERAL BOYS AND GIRLS
INTO THE WORLD OF ACTIVITY
ARMED WITH TRADES AND
PROFESSIONS, ARE AMPLY
ABLE TO WIN IN THE RUGGED
BATTLE OF LIFE.

nual commencement of Western uni
yersity occurred and was by far the
best in the schools history, both in
point of attendance and intellectual
advancement
The Western university of today
and that of 16 years ago, are as differ
ent as daylight and darkness. The
Institution has kept abreast of the
times and now stands well up in the
ranks of the country's foremost insti-
tutions of learning, and a leader among
schools of its kind. Western univer-
sity is strictly Kansas homegrown
product that has made a reputation in
the nations educational life Each
year scores of boys and girls are sent
out into the world, ably fitted to meet
every demand along all lines. They
are sending forth teachers, preachers
and mechanics of all kinds who are
an honor and credit to themselves,
and to the race to which they belong.
They are contributing much to So
ciety, and convincing the world that
the negro needs only a chance. At
the appointed hour the procession
formed, headed by the university
band and the school officials, fol-
lowed by the students and visitors,
marched to a large tent that had
been pitched on the campus, where
the exercises were held.
Thirty-five hundred eager souls
packed the tent and after listening
to an overture, The Sky Pilot"
DR.. Coleman of Ohio offered the in
vocation and the exercises proper
begun. Lifting the Veil" salutatory
oration by Aurelia Hayden (nor-
maD, Kirkwood, Mo-, was a gem,
sparkling with wit and good, whole
some advice. 1t showed careful
study of conditions and that her
time had been well applied. Miss
Effie Grant in "O'er Forest, Ger
Mountain" was fine. Supported by
splendid chorus, she delighted the
large audience with her rich voice.
Truly Miss Grant is a sweet singer,
and from the hearty applause of her
hearers, she made good James Bates
commercially, Lansing, cared for
himself admirably and his Grafton,
What knowledge Is of Most
Worth?" was well received and
made a good impression. His pres
entation, diction and grammar
plainly told that he had been a good
student and, above all. close OBJ
server of conditions. He will make
good If he continues to pursue his
present course. The Nurse of To
day and the Nurse of Yesterday"
was ably discussed by Ida May Jones
nurse training), Olathe. Her COM
parison of the old way of caring for
the afflicted proved that she knew
whereof she spoke, and that she haG
grasped every point pertaining to
this most needed of all professions
among the colored people. Her
conception is clear and the ease and
grace with which she presents
matter commands the closest atten-
ton. Clarence Parker rendered
piano solo that was very entertain
ing.
Edna May Smith commercially,
Kansas City, Kan, told How to
Learn by Doing" 1t was a well told
story, proving the advantages of
practice over theory. She is very
intelligent and will make a mark in
life
The valedictory Grafton fell to
Mary Beatrice Wood (normaD =,
Carthage, Mo. She told of "Rela-
tions of Home and School," and con-
vinced her hearers that she was
thoroughly familiar with the subject
and her Grafton was well rendered
and highly instructive.
The address to graduates was de
livered by State Superintendent h.
T. Fairchild, and 1t can be truth
fully said that it was the most high
ly instructive and contained more
good, wholesome food for thought
than any ever before delivered to
the student body of the institution.
1t was far from the usual stereo-
typed talk employed by the average
white man when addressing colored
people. He impressed upon them
that they had a place TO fill in the
world, not as colored people, but as
men and women, that he longed for
the day when Justice would be meted
out to all alike and blacks would be
measured according to their ability
and moral worth. He said that
Kansas spent $1O,0OO,OO0 yearly for
education-two and one-half of which
went to Kansas university, EN-
poria State Normal and the State
Agricultural college in which bene-
fits all citizens shared alike. Mr.
Fairchild is one of the squarest
and best men in all Kansas. As
state superintendent of public in
struction he has elevated the schools
of the state and placed them on a
higher standard than ever He has
advanced ideas on education and
1t is a pity that Kansas is so wrap
ped up in politics that a good man
like Mr.. Fairchild cannot remain at
the head of our schools for a num-
har of vears and straightan all the