Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-06-20
COMMENCEMENT At
St. M|CAAEL'S COLLEGE
Exercises Of Informal Nature
Because Of War Conditions
Address by the Rev. p. J. Long
of M0ntpelier-Graduates and
Prize Winners

Tho annual commencement exercises at
st. Michaers College were held Thursday
at high noon in tho presence Of the fac
ulty. student body ana friends Of the
graduates. Owing to the present condi-
ton OF anairs and the absence of many
OF the collegiate and high school students
who have answered the call Of their coun-
try. the exercises were only Of an infor-
maj nature. These exercises took place at
the banquet given by the faculty to the
graduates. The dining hall was beauti-
fully decorated for the occasion with
bunting, college pennants, and American
nags, while over the head table the st.
Michael's service flag of, Is stars held the
prominent place.
Inc Kew. Father Total, acting as toast
master, after few words Of welcome
to the parents Of the graduates, extended
his congratulations to the members of the
lslS class who, having completed their
course with great credit, were now about
to receive their well-earned diplomas.
He then called upon Ralph Beauregard,
who had been chosen to deliver the saluta-
tory.
Mr.. Beauregard held tho attention Of
MS hearers while he related the history
OF 81. Michaeels students who are now on
AmOnR
other things he said, he emphasized the
fact that there were four things prevalent
In the minds Of the graduates to-day
namely. their gratitude to the faculty.
the friendship Of the students. their love
Tor their Alma Mater and their devotion
and loyalty to their country.
The valedictory was delivered by Frank
L. Keyser. who took as his theme the
class motto "Nomen 0erere" (Be a Char
acter), stating that this was the first time
In the history Of the college that the az
ercises were confined to the high.schooI
students. He then painted what a char
acter really meant for graduates and
ended his address by saying From our
parents we have received an honorable
name-from our country a glorious name
from our church divine name. We
were. we are, and we wish, to remain
men of honor. Americans for life, and
always faithful to our duties" His dis
course touched the hearts Of everyone,
present and we'll merited the applause
which his theme earned.
The Rev P. J. Long of Montpelier, be-
fore the comforting Of diplomas, delivered
an eloquent address to the graduates. The
speaker divided his lecture into three
parts. namely; what We must drop In our
journey through life. what we must cling
to. and our trials and sorrows. He laid
great emphasis on the fact that It Is the
duty Of all graduates to drop hypocrisy
worry, discomfort and selfshness from
their lives. BY so doing we can prove
beneficial not only to ourselves but also
to those with whom we come in contact
Father Long then exhorted the graduates
to obtain. first OF all. the friendship Of
God and afterwards that Of men Of the
world. He also insisted on tho ways Of
making good use Of time. In developing
this last he assured the graduates that
while everything can be restored by means
Of labor and money. It Is impossible to
cali back a day misspent. after the sun
has set. Work being no disgrace, no asked
them to Immediately become engaged in
some honorable pursuit. assuring them
that many graduates maintain the idea
that when they have left college a. grad
yates the world owes them livelihood.
This. indeed, Is q mistake and a false
idea. Consequently he requested them not
to be deluded by this erroneous notion but
70 begin at once tho duties which will at
them for honorable places IN tho world.
In concluding his lecture he told them
that in their journey through life they
must not expect that their path will Al
ways be strewn with roses. but as they
thorns in the shape of disappointments.
adversely and sorrow. On the other hand
he pictured to them how these thorns
may be avoided by manly and noble con-
duct as demonstrated In the lives Of great
men who, although bssieged by these dim
| cuities have risen to highest positions in
life.
THE GRADUATES.
Academic oourse-Harold c. Barrett.
Ralph A. Beauregard, George z. Gin
gras. Leo p. Granger. Francis H. Hale,
John P. Harry, John p. Keenan,. Frank
L. Keyser. wilfred J. Penders.
Commercial Course-Franois G. Ryan.
PRIZES AWARDED.
Prise for apolosetics. presented by
the Rt. Rev J. ]. Rice. d. D., awarded
to James H. Petty of Portland. Me-.
honorable mention, J. p. Walsh.
Gold medal for elocution. presented
| by the Rev. p. J. Barrett. awarded 70
John M. Lynch of st. Adams; honora-
BILE mention. J. J. Clarke. J. p. Welsh.
Silver medal for> Junior eiooution.
presented by the Rev. w. p. Crosby.
awarded to George q. Gingras Of Mont
pelier; honorable mention. r. A.
Beauregard. r. H. Lavigne.
Prize for proficiency in French. pre-
sented by the Rev. r. Pariseau. awarded
to Frank l.. Keyser Of Montpelier; hon
orable mention. W. ]. Penders.
Prize for American history. presented
by the Rev. u. c. Drouin. p. r.. award
ed to Frank L. Ksyser of Montpelier;
honorable mention. H. c. Barrett.
Prise for English, presented by the
Rev. ]. B. McGarry. awarded to william
7. Cassidy of Burlington.
| Prize for Christian doctrine. present.
ed by the Rev. A. F. Fourier. awarded
to Daniel p. Lyons of Brattleboro;
honorable mention. A. P. McCue.
Prize for grammar course. presented
by the Rev. r. ID. Blais. awarded ia
Raphael H. Beauduy Of New York city;
honorable mention. j. L. Bessette.