Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-06-13
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.
Shepherd College Closes Unusually
Successful Year.

Successful Year.
The annual commencement exercises
of Shepherd College State Normal School
were held Tuesday morning in the audi
forum in the presence of a great audience
of students, patrons and friends of the
school that entirely filled the large room.
The exercises were in charge of Princi-
pal Thos. c. Miller, who presided, while
the members of the graduating class, the
faculty, officials, guests and prominent
citizens occupied the stage. The address
of the occasion was delivered by DR.. E.
H. VickerS, of the West Virginia Univer-
sity, graduate Of Shepherd College and
for some year professor in the Univer-
sity of Tokyo, in Japan. DR.. Vickers'
address was an earnest and thoughtful
one. in which he spoke of present condi-
tons and opportunities and OF the duties
of young men and women in their rela-
ton to the home, the church and the State.
His address was enjoyed and appreciated.
Hon. M. P. Shawkey, State Superinten-
dent of Schools, presented the diplomas
to the graduating class, and in doing so
made one of his characteristic speeches,
optimistic and encouraging to the young
men and women in the graduating class
and pleasing to the audience. The award
ing of the medals was feature in which
everybody was interested. and the great
crowd was in eager anticipation of the
announcements when Principal Miller
came to this partofthe programme. Oscar
L. Snyder, of Hampshire county, had
awarded to him the gold medal for the
best all-around student, and his good for
tune was rapturously applauded by his
friends. Miss Helen M. Babb, OF Miner
al county, received the DR.. H. N. Leavell
gold medal for greatest proficiency in
chemistry Miss Edith Gardner, of this
vicinity, was given the medal represent
ing the Senior Class honors; and Marvin
H. Porterfield had presented to him the
gold medal awarded to the beSt-drilled
cadet. The happy recipients were all
vigorously applauded. Geo. M. Beltz-
hoover, ESQ.,, one OF the original promo
lers of Shepherd College and who was
active in its formation in 1872, was called
upon by Prof. Miller, and he spoke in
terestingly OF the forty years history OF
the institution and the various epochs and
crises in that time that the people here
had to meet and which were always met
successfully. He referred 10 the growth
OF the school and its Development along
various lines, and spoke hopefully OF its
future, appealing for the support and in
terest of every person in this community.
Hon. c. M. Wetzel, member of the Leg
islature from Jefferson county, made a
few pertinent remarks concerning the
school and his interest in its work. The
music consisted of two piano number
by Misses Edith Gardner and Lula Win
tiers and vocal solo by Miss Louise
Welshans. After the benediction by Rev.
Mr.. Edwards, the graduates were con-
graduated by their friends and received
the beautiful flowers and other gifts sent
them by their well-wiSherS.
The exercises were enjoyable through
out, and the interest and appreciation OF
the hundreds of patrons Of the school and
OF the people generally was most gratify-
ing to the school officials. 1t was pleas
ing, too, to have so many former students
return for the alumni exercises and the
commencement. More the old students
were present this year than ever before,
it is believed, and they showed much
enthusiasm in the exercises and in their
reunion with mutual friends. The wealth
er all the week was perfect-cool and
bright and invigorating, and no unpleas-
ant incident OF any sort marred the en-
ioyment of the close OF school year OF
more than ordinary satisfaction.
The address before the literary socie-
ties was delivered last Friday night by
Hon. John ]. Cornwell, OF Romney, W..
Va. Mr.. Cornwell was student'at this
school number of years ago, and he
has always had warm spot for it in his
heart, as our people remember him with
favor. His address was an interesting
and impressive one, and was a study OF
the Aryan race and its progress, as world
movement, through Asia to Europe, and
its effect upon the peoples OF the earth.
II was most thoughtful address, and the
audience was sorry that Mr.. Cornwell
made it so brief.
The field-day events were held last
Saturday, and the following were the
winners lOO-yard dash, Crigler, Il sec
onds; l2O-yard hurdles, Rollins, II l-5
seconds; mile run, Staley, minutes IS
seconds; 10O-yard dash girls, Bessie
Williamson, Is seconds; base-running
girls, Linda Sheppard, q seconds;
shot-put, Alvey, AZ feet 4inches; running
broad jump, Crigler, II feet 7 inches I;
standing broad jump, Staley, 9 feet liz
inches high jump, LAMBERT feet6 inches;
high kick, Lambert, 6 feet 10 IL inches !;
22O-yard dash, Crigler, 81 seconds.
The competitive cadet drill on Saturday
afternoon attracted much interest. The
Judges were Capt. Geo. L. Fisher, OF Ha-
gerstown, and William Hines, OF this
place. There were many spectators at
the drill which was held ON the CAMPUS.