The Washington herald., 1917-02-19
'G. v. U. GRADUATES
Hold BACCALAUREATE
First Mid-Year Exercises in History of
University.

Baccalaureate exercises of the mid
year graduating class of George Wash
ington University were held yesterday
afternoon in New York Avenue Presby-
terian Church. 1t was the occasion for
a general convocation of all students and
faculty members of the university
The exercises were impressive The
students assembled in class units in front
of the Medical School Building. The
march across the street and into the
church was headed by Senior Marshal
Bertram Groesbeck, of the Medical
School, and two assistant marshals, d.
H. Cannon. of the Law School, and John
S. Bixler of Columbia College, all of
whom were recently elected by the senior
class.
All Wear Cap and Gown.
Following the marshals in the process
sion were members of the faculty in
caps and gowns Then came the mem
bers of the mid-year and spring gradu-
ating classes, also wearing caps and
gowns. The girls of the nurses class
wore the regulation nurses uniform. Fol-
lowing them marched the different stu
dent bodies in the order of their classes
To the strains of the church organ the
long procession filed up the aisles of
the church to the center section of pews
which had been reserved. The border
ing pews and those in the balconies were
filled with relatives and friends of the
students and faculty members.
1t was the fist time in the history of
George Washington University that the
exercises were held at this time of the
year. Heretofore, baccalaureate exer-
cises have been held only in the spring.
Admiral stockton Presides.
The exercises were presided over by
Rear Admiral Charles Herbert Stockton,
U. s. N, retired, president of the uni
versity. Rev. DR.. Wallace Radcliffe, pas
tor of the church, offered the invoca-
ton and pronounced the benediction. The
church choir rendered special music
The baccalaureate sermon was deliver
ed by Rev. DR.. c. A. Barbour, president
OF Rochester Theological Seminary and
president of the Northern Baptist Con-
venton.
His theme was THE Masters Defini-
ton of Life" based upon the text from
John l7:3 In the course of his sermon,
DR.. Barbour gave advice to the gradu-
ates. He declared that most people have
a "hazy and misty conception of relig-
ious phraseology Because of this he be-
lieven that there were many misinterpre-
tations of the scriptures He said that
the definitions Jesus gave of life are
very ueep ana clear, and not muddy,
as some persons are inclined to view
them
Or. Barbour's concluding anvice was:
know God and know Christ-that is
eternal life"
Will Graduate Thursday.
Midwinter graduation exercises will take
place at II o'clock Thursday morning
George Washington's Birthday, in the as
sembly hall Of the Arts and Sciences De-
partment Administration Building. 9O23 G
street northwest Degrees will be con-
ferred upon fifteen students
President Stockton will preside and will
make a brief address to the graduates.
The invocation will be offered by Rev.
H. W. o. Mllington. The principal ad-
dress will be delivered by DR.. William
Allen Wilbur dean OF Columbian College
and head OF the English department, who
will speak on Main Currents in the
Shakespeare Plays" A stringed orchestra
will give a special musical program.