Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-24

| Waterville, Me, June 23.-(SpeciaD.
The 9th annual Commencement ex-
ercises of Colby College passed into
history Wednesday, with the gradua-
ton in the Baptist church in the morn
| ing. and the Commencement dinner at
the gymnasium in the afternoon.
Threatening clouds shrouded the sun
that had been so kind on the two pre-
ceding days. but there was not enough
bad weather to in any way interfere
with the program. In almost the cell
fury Of progress that Colby has en-
joyed there has never been larger
or more appreciative audience than
filled the Baptist church, Wednesday
morning. Crowded even before the
procession had started from the cam
pus, it was necessary to turn away
hundreds after the graduating class
had been seated.
Procession to Church
DR.. George T. Parmenter, who served
most efficiently this year, for the first
sion of black gowned scholars, who
marched two by two down the east
side of College avenue to The Elm
wood, thence across to the west side
to the church. The class, dignified and
cognizant of the solemnity of the oc
casion, moved slowly to the tunes of
the playing band. The trustees came
next in line, and close behind was the
faculty. Golden tassels on the mortar
board hats, hoods. symboizing their
degrees. relieved the eye against the
somber black of the preceding march
ers Alumni and alumnae. old and
young, stretched out the long process
sion for another hundred yards. When
the church was reached, the class
parted their ranks to make way for
the trustees, faculty and candidates
for the honorary degrees, who were
first to enter the church.
Graduating Exercises
It was some few moments before
the crowd had been placed in every
| available space. Heads were thrust
through windows in hope that there
might be chance to crowd in. From
behind a huge American flag that re-
placed the dormer window at the rear
Of the platform, the commencement
| orchestra played selection. President
Roberts asked Rev. Woodman Brad
bury of the class of 81 for the open
| ing prayer 1t was expressive, appro-
pirate and BETTING such an important
occasion. The orchestra again played
and the first word Of Miss Aldine
Clark Gilman of Guilford made one
realize that it was the beginning of
the end.
Taking for her theme, THE Vision
Of the Ideal College Woman" Miss
Gilman built remarkable composition
that cannot help linger long in the
ears Of her hearers. She characterized
the American woman as the ideal
woman Of the world, one to whom
every nation turns for the expression
Of all that is good and just. The Amer
lean woman should be healthy in mind
and body. for the body expresses it
self through the character. The college
woman Is the one to breed the germ
Of comradeship and to Danish sin and
jealousy. She is the one to lead others
into larger and more useful fields of
endeavor, and to inculcate deeper ap-
probation and sympathetic under
standing.
Robert H. Williams of Houlton was
the second speaker. Basing his address
on Cocktails Gorgas" he reviewed the
construction Of the Panama canal. the
greatest engineering feat of the world,
and paid deep tribute to both Colonel
Goethals and Colonel Gorgas, who bat
tied successfully against tremendous
odds to overcome not only obstacles
Of the earth. but those of the air
germs and disease. He included a
brief history Of the attempts made by
other nations to make this isthmus
navigable, and concluding by describ-
ing it as an accomplishment that will
benefit mankind as long as the world
exists.
"The New American Drama" a re-
markable construction Of English, sim
pie and plain, was given by Miss Ethel
G. Chamberlain of Fort Fairfield. It
dealt chiefly with the typical drama
Of today. apart, separate and distinct
from that Of other periods In the
American drama. Miss Chamberlain
said that no one could be considered
typical. Some elements are made up
Of the large number Of popular plays