Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-06-14
ALMA COLLEGE
COMMENCEMENT
Fine Exercises Marked the Thir-
tieth Annual Commencement
of the Presbyterian School.
TWENTY-FIVE ARE GRADUATED
Announcement Made that Bible Chair
Has Been Endowed and Another
Made on Endowment.

The thirtieth commencement week
at Alma college opened Sunday even
ing with the baccalaureate address at
the Presbyterian church and closed
yesterday with the commencement ad-
dress and the graduation of twenty
two young men and ladies from the
college and fifteen from the kinder
garten department of the college. Fa-
vorable weather during the week drew
large crowds/to all of thee exercises,
which were exceptionally good this
year.
The Presbyterian church, where the
baccalaureate address was given Sun
day evening, was packed, when the
faculty, seniors and members of the
finished kindergarten class wended
their va to the front Of the church
tc the Seats which had been reserved
fol them. Following several selec-
tions of special music by the choir,
President Harry Means Crooks, Ii.
d.. gave the baccalaureate address
The address was based upon the
text, Behold, the Nations Are as a
Drop From the Bucket" and was fill
ed with good advise for those who
have just departed from their college
life to go out into the world, at Il
time when the world is facing condi-
tions which it has never before had
to contend with, and when their coun-
try is so greatly in need of brave
souls in every walk of life.
In part, DR.. Crooks told those about
tc leave college, that ideas were un-
dergoing remarkable changes in this
period, that now the question was.
how one could best serve the state,
not how they could best serve the in
dividual, and that business was not
conducted for the individual prosper
ity, but for the prosperity of the ma
ton. Continuing, he said that food
was prescribed for the nation, that
individuality had surrendered to ma
tionality.
He asked that the graduates be 10y
al to the United States, as the nation
was one of the Lords best, called to
work righteousness, and that it was
0IliuSltu Will kltdI
Ii helped France from decadance to
unheard of heroism, it brought liberty
to despotic Russia.
He also said that the government
which counts itself master of the peo-
pie must go down to the scrape heap,
and called attention to the empires
of the past, and in closing said that
the nation which best serves human
ity shall continue until earth's pur-
pose is fulfilled.
His message to the graduates could
readily be summed up in few words
be Americans, doing an Americans
duty.
Monday morning, President and
Mrs. Crooks entertained the seniors at
breakfast.
In the afternoon, the class day ex-
ercises of the kindergarten training
department were held on the lawn,
and were thoroughly enjoyed by a
good sized audience. The exercises
were perhaps the best that have been
given in years by the X. G. girls.
Miss Harriet Vittum of Chicago, who
has made speciality of settlement
work, and is widely known through
out the United States, gave "A fine adj
dress, which held the close attention
of the entire audience.
The annual commencement recital
by the pupils of the college depart
ment of music was given in the even
ing in the chapel and greatly enjoy
ed by those present. The recital con-
sisted of twenty numbers by various
students, who have been under the
instruction Of Professor Reese Far
rington Veatch and Mrs. Bonnie Baird
Replogle.
Immediately after the recital the
senior class day exercises were given.
The program consisted of a charm
ing take off on Alma college, and the
entire faculty was represented in the
sketch by members of the class. The
first act showed the deans Office al
Wright Hall, and gave glimpse OF
the social life at the hall. The sec
ond act presented one of those confer.
cnces often seen at the college, this
ODt Dtl0R DtlWttf fTOltSSOI
and Miss Ballou. Act three gave q
screaming presentation of college
faculty meeting, and was by far the
biggest hit of the three-act sketch
( Tuesday evening, the annual senior
promenade was held, at which time
the departing college students mad,
their farewells to the various struc
tGres of the college, to the grove anc
10 the athletic field. A large crowc
was present at the affair and great,
enjoyed it. Most of them afterwards
attended the presidents reception
given at the home of President anC
Mrs. II. VI. Crooks.
The commencement exercises an'
address were held yesterday morning
in the college chapel, following th'
academic procession from Wrigh
Hall. The invocation was offered b!
former President August F. Bruske
ID. d., of Alma college and was fol
(Continued on aaOa fourl