The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-06
Closing Of Great Educational
Institution Forerunner, of
Larger Work
MANY PAY TRIBUTE
TO GREAT CAREER
Five Thousand Girls Trained
Through One Man Efforts.
Statesmen Join in Praise.
Final Exercises

With the final exercises of the Wo-
mans College at the Academy OF Mu-
sic last night, the educational career
of Rev. James Nelson, u. D, for
twenty-four years president of the in
stitution, came to d close. 1t was not
an occasion tor tears, but was an event
in which congratulations were show
cred upon the disting uished Baptist
minister and educator of young wo-
men.
DR.. Nelson, himself of the famous
Nelson family of Virginia historical
fame, concluded the evening with a
spirited talk. in which he briefly told
OF his lifes work and of his pleas
ure in knowing that the closing of
the Woman's College meant more
extended work for the cause of edu-
cation and the church he represented
through means of the co-educational
college at Westhampton.
Seated in the center of a bevy of
nearly fifty pretty girls attired in
graduation robes and college caps.
each carrying a bouquet Of Jonuqils
tied with ribbons representing the
college coiors. the president of the
woman's College smiled out upon the
audience in full appreciation OF this
his final graduation class--a class that
for numbers and accomplishment
stands equal to any In the history OF
the college. The young women rep
resented four or Ave States, including
Virginia. South Carolina. Pennsyi-
vania Georgia, West Virginia and
others.
DIR. Pitt Assists In Program.
Rev r. Fl. Pitt. d. D.. editor OF the
Religious Herald, assisted DIR. Nelson
In the program. taking charge of the
exe1 cises after the delivery OF awards.
interpreting the various numbers
with clever introductions of other
speakers.
Rev Russell Cecil. pastor OF the
Second Presbyterian Church, opened
the exercises with prayer. DR.. Nell
son paid a tribute TO the late DR..
Moses D. Hoge. for years the pastor
OF DR. Cecil
At the conclusion of the opening
prayer the orchestra played "a Per-
feet Day" the significance of the
words of that beautiful hymn. II
have come to the close OF a perfect
day" bringing tears to the eyes of
many in the audience who associated
the peace of its promise with the clos
ing of the college and the splendid
career of it's aged president
DR.. W. c. James, pastor OF Grove
Avenue fbapfl~t NsAuTfft, pESSthtt0 ltAr
two medals offered for the best writer
and the best expressionist in the col
lese. DIR. James referred to the
power Of oratory and OF the pen. pre-
senting the medal for writing to Miss
Julia L. Spratley. and that for express
sion to Miss Bernice Turner. The
writer's medal was awarded through
Hon. John Garland Pollard. attorney
general of Virginia, while the express
sionist's medal was awarded through
James D. Crump.
Dean r. W. Durrett presented al
plomas and certificates OF proficiency.
DR.. Nelson the president. assisted
by Dean Durrett. made awards OF de-
grees to the young women who took
graduation honors.
Letters Honor DR.. Nelson.
Following this part CT the program
Dr. r. H. Pitt took charge of the ex-
ercises. paying tribute 10 the college
and the retiring president. A large
number Of letters were read from va
rious sections of the country honor
ing DR. Nelson and the work of the
college.
Christopher Garnett, executive as
sistant of State Tax Board. followed
the reading OF the letters In a tribute
to DR. Nelson in behalf of the gradu-
alton classes of this year and the past
year. Mr.. Garnett was for three years
the dean of the Woman's College. He
concluded his address by the presen-
tation Of a loving cup from the young
women of the classes. OF 1915 and
1916. DIR. Nelson received the gift
with emotion. and. retiring to his seat.
was handed a magnificent bouquet
OF red roses from the graduation class
Of the year just closing. The gift was
made by a dainty little maiden, who
came from behind the wings and dis
appeared before the surprised presi-
dent could realize from whence the
gift had come. Once more DIR. Nell
son expressed his thanks.
At the conclusion of this part of the
CONTINUED on Second Pagel