The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-03-28
new PRESIDENT FOR COKER.
E. w. SKIES INAUGURATED AS
HARTSVILLE COLLEGE
HEAD.
Impressive Ceremonies Held and Oc-
casiOn is One of Most NotewOrthy
In History of Institution.

Hartsville, March 22.-The inaugu-
alton exercises at Coker college au-
today were truly educational
and inspirational.
. Promptly at IL o'clock, hundreds OF
and patrons having been seat
ed. the professional, 20 Coker Fair"
words by Miss Mary Gladys Bell Of
the class Of 10. Carl Jean Tolman.
of music. at the organ. was
sung by the student body as it march
ed in. At the head Of the procession
following were the members of the
faculty. the trustees and the distin.
guished visitors who were to take part
In the ceremonies. Seated on the
roster besides the new president, DR..
e. w. Skies were Judge G. A. Woods
of Marion. DR.. s. G. Gardner OF the
Southern Theological seminary. Louis
Vile; Gov. Thomas W. Beckett OF
North Carolina, DR.. z. T. Cody. editor
Of The Baptist Courier of 1reenville;
j. e. Swearingen. State. superinten-
dent of education; Lieut.. Gov. Andrew
J. Bethea, DR.. 8. G. Byrd. president
Of Chicora college, Columbia; DR.. e.
v. Baldy. a member of the faculty
of Coker college and pastor Of the
First Baptist church Of Hartsville. and
others. The Coker college Glee club.
q score Uf the best musical talent
among the student body, also occupied
the stage.
After all were seated the audience
arose and sang the choral invocation,
20 Heavenly Father" i
Judge Woods acted as chairman
and proceeded with the programme
requesting DIR. Byrd to pronounce the
invocation.
Judge Woods then explained the
purpose Of the occasion. He spoke OF
the growth Of Coker college, of Its
value to South Carolina and the ma.
tion and paid a high tribute to the
founder. Maj. ]. L. Coker. He intro.
duced DR.. Gardner. who spoke On
Education"
DR.. Gardner was broad and prac,
tical in his treatment Of his big sub.
jcct. The education of women, its
importance and woman's part in the
Affairs Of yesterday, today and to.
morrow. received special emphasis
Coker college. its founder. the new
president and the faculty and studen,
body were referred to in most com.
rlimentary terms 1.-THE Recessional'
(Reginald DeKoven), was sung by the
slee club in pleasing style. Following
this was an address by DR.. Enoch
Walter Skies. the new president.
DR.. Skies divided his subject into
two parts: First, education; second
democracy. The address was full of
sound logic and good and helpful
thoughts.
DR.. Cody made few remarks, hav.
ing been asked to respond in the
place OF Maj. T. T. Hyde of Charles
ton. who could not be present.
Mr.. Bethea, in the absence of Gov.
Manning. brought greetings in behalf
of South Carolina and made a good
talk. He also paid a tribute to the
founder and spoke of the great work
and worth of Coker college.
Mr.. Swearingen praised the college
and its founder and spoke interest.
ingly along educational lines.
Gov. Beckett, an old colieRer~ate Of
DR.. Skies. filled his appointme. at here
to be with his old friend instead Of
going to Greensboro, to be present
as chairman Of the League to En-
force Peace which meets in that CITY
tonight. He said ex-President Taft
was to be there but nothing could
Keep him away from Skies. He gave
IT. skies credit for making him gov.
ernor and spoke wittily of loss to
North Carolina and gain to South
Carolina. He was overnowins with
fun and provoked much laughter and
applause. He paid a tribute to Mai
Coker saying he was known and his
great work to humanity recognized
beyond the limits Of his own State.
Following Gov. Bickett's address the
student body sang. with much zest
the Alma Mater" After this came
the benediction. .l'
This evening at $3.50 an elaborate
banquet took place at the college
dining room. Delightful and humor.
Gus were the toasts and responses
This day. beautiful and sunshiny
radiant with glory in the beginning
or the spring time, will 20 down as