The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-06-08
18th COMMENCEMENT
OF BLUE RIDGE COLLEGE-BEST
SEASON In HISTORY OF SCHOOL.

Blue R1Qge OOlleSe, New NlnQSOT, ,
Md, celebrated its 18TH annual COM
mencement from Friday, June 1, to
Wednesday, June G. In many ways this |
commencement season has been the
best in the history of the school. The |
nice weather, the interesting pro-
grams, and the large number of grad
yates drew to college hill the largest
crowd of friends and patrons ever in
attendance at the college. During the
entire week the college campus was
the scene of joyous mingling of stu
dents and friends. If the commence
ment enthusiasm and attendance are
any indication of the conditions of
the school, then surely Blue Ridge
College has a bright and happy future.
The exercises opened on Friday
night with a program given by the
three literary societies. 1t was a
program OF interest reminiScenCe and
literary merit.
The program of Saturday evening
was a concert rendered by the music
department under the supervision of
| Professor Fletcher. The merit of the
program is telling advertisement for
the music department which we now
| recommend as one of the strongest
departments of our school.
The Sunday services consisted of
| Sunday school, followed by an ad
dress to the II graduates from the
| College Mission Study Glass. Elder
| G. D. Bonsack gave the address and
presented the diplomas to these grad
yates. At o'clock the college seniors
held their Glass Prayer meeting. The
Baccalaureate sermon was preached
by President Paul H. Bowman. His
discourse was a stirring message con-
cerning Religion as Life Asset"
At o'clock p. m. on Monday the
Athletic Association entertained the
faculty and students at a banquet held
in the college dining room. At 8
o'clock the college seniors gave play
entitled Jerry, the Outcast." The pro-
! ceeds of this play will be used as a
memorial for the college.
The yearly Oratorical Recitation
contest was held on Friday morning.
The prizes of this contest were won
by Misses Evelyn Davis, Evelyn Win
gate, Edna Horst and Julia Carter.
4 The remainder of the day was devoted
to the interests of the Alumni AssO-
citation of Blue Ridge and New Wind
sor Colleges. The business meetings
were held at | p. m. At the joint AL
umni program of the evening, Rev
Samuel Steckel. of Philadelphia, and
Honorable John Cornell, of Baltimore
REPRESENTED the New Windsor College
while Professor |. c. Keller. of Col
umbia University, spoke in the inter
ests of Blue Ridge College. The Al
umni banquet Immediately followed
] ] this program.
On Wednesday morning at 1870 the
! commencement exercises were held
At this time the large auditorium was
filled to its utmost capacity. The fol-
lowing program was rendered: lnvo-
cation, Grande POlonaise Brillante
Kucken, by Misses Shryock and
Berry; grafton, The Enemy Within
,, Our Gates, Miss Bertha Rowe; ora
ton, Should America Maintain her
] National Honor" Mr.. Foster Gross
nickle; Allegro Maestoso, 9th COncer-
to, de Beriot, Mr. Essers; address, DR.
j. P Lichtenberger, Professor of So
GEOLOGY, University of Pennsylvania
presentation of diplomas and award
ing of honors by President Bowman;
I benediction.
J The most interesting feature of the
j IIOSI dill WdS Ilc anu pI az
| tical address of Dr. J. P Lichtenberg-
J er, of the University of Pennsylvania
Besides the awarding of the diplomas
to the graduates, of whom are col
lege graduates, academic, Z busi-
! ness, art, l sewing, expression, 2
music. DR.. Fraser conferred upon
! Rev Samuel Steckel. a New Windsor
Alumnus, who is now a pastor at
] Philadelphia. the honorary degree OF
Doctor of Divinity President Bow
man then conferred upon our we'll
known friends and teacher, Professor
John j. John. the degree of Master of
Arts in recognition of his intelligence
and faithful service as manifested to-
ward Blue Ridge College.