The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-05
COLUMBIA DIPLOMAS
ARE GIVEN TO1,926
Commencement Has q Military
Air, Many Service Men
Among Graduates.
HONORARY DEGREES TO 8
Edward P. Mitchell, Editor of
"The Sum-" Is Made q
Doctor of Letters.

p"y uresseo woman, gray OF hair,
stood in the broiling sun yesterday morn
ing on the plaza below the great steps
leading to the library OF Columbia Uni
vsrsity. her eyes glued to the entrance
through which her son would presently
issue on his way to the gymnasium.
there to receive his diploma for his four
years work There were 1874 other
graduates. youths Of both sexes. also
coming out, along with members of the
faculty, officers of the university and
distinguished visitors, but to this mother
It was procession of one.
I've waited long time for this day."
she said. gazing absently through the
varied scene around her-the girls in
Nght dresses, the excited students rush.
Ing TO take their places in the process
sion, the bits OF bright color in the aca-
demic hoods of the dignitaries--to tina
months that lay behind
II feared It would never GOMEZ was
afraid my son would go to the war; and
now tie come and l can't be inside to
see him graduate. A candidate has only
one ticket. and I wanted his father to
go. so wouldn't take the ticket, and
] said I'd stand out here and at least
see him as he passes"
To an outsider much Of the pathos and
meaning of this 165th annual commence
mont Of Columbia University, as Il has
been OF other commensurate, lay In the
fathers and mothers who crowded into
the gymnasium or else STOOD outside
to catch a glimpse OF him" OF her" in
the picturesque procession that wound
down the steps. past the dancing foun-
tains. along the brick paths through the
green campus to the low building where
they were to hear the words that marked
their passage from student life to q part
in the great world. They, more than
anything else, emphasized the fact that
Columbia Is an institution patronized by
the plain people.
In cap and gown youngsters from
families where there has TO be some
planning to get a child through college
look astonishingly the same as do the
children Of millionaires; but It was the
inexpensive dressing of the relatives. the
faces bearing marks Of n difficult life.
that gave yesterdays commencement its
true American character.
"Welcome Homer Ceremony.
OF course the outstanding thing was
the fact that this was victory cele-
bration. welcome home ceremony
for the many hundreds Of Columbia
graduates and undergrads who went to
the war. This was the keynote all
through. even to the alumni Luncheon.
where President Nicholas Murray Butler
declared that Columbia was rency to
take the lead in what he hoped would
be a movement embracing all the uni
versities of the land-a movement, to
'set aside routine long enough to make
a place for the hand OF helpfulness to
tho returning American soldier. that he
may set from these institutions the new
training that will capitalize for peace
the great experiences. emotions. ambi-
tons that have been born out of the
war"
Columbia In its every part. including
its summer sessions and exte 1xion
courses, DR.. Butler said. was ready to
do for every soldier whatever 4 could
in the way of special instruction.
Eleven hundred Columbia men. grads
and undergrads, were in some form OF
war service. In the great flag that hung
to tho right of the platform in the gym
nasium were 4,051 alumni stars Four
hundred members of the faculty left their
classes for Uncle Sans service
30 the campus yesterday was dotted
rather thickly with khaki uniforms and
the white summer uniforms of sailors
all with admiring punches Of girls around
them. Here and there went soldier
limping on a wooden leg: and always
among groups that gathered to ex-
change greetings or "reminiscences were
saddened illusions to some one or other
of the $50 brave Columbia men who
laid down their lives in the war.
Sixty-four young men. some still in
their uniforms. rose to their feet to re-
ceive the bachelor OF arts certificate;
for academic record and national ser
vice" There were the boys who inter-
rupted their course TO help beat the Ger
mans and along with the names in that
list were those OF two who did not re-
turn-Rexford Shilliday. who was killed
after a valiant and exciting career ir
the air service. and Chester Butte
winans First Lieutenant in the 101st
Infantry, who was killed in action last
year.
Honorary Degrees Conferred.
The exercises In the gymnasium were
brief, ending soon after ~. and It wa;
nearly IL when the last of the process
sion made its way In through the low
doors DR.. Butler and the eight hon
ored guests who were to receive clta'
tons brought up the end of the line
and the comforting OF the honorary de-
Erees made the end of the programme.
The eight men were Ralph Holder
Williams. formerly Captain in the Prin
cess Patricia Regiment OF the Canadian
Volunteers. and friend and teacher Of
the Columbia students who were ben
on sharing the service Of the war
Walter Jarvis Barlow. NJ. D.. OF Call
fornia. Columbia graduate. 80; George
Arliss, actor; Maurice Francis Egan
writer and former Minister to Denmark
John Timothy Stone. theologian; Enocf
Herbert Crowder, United States Proves
Marshal General; Viscount Kikujir'
Ishii. Japanese Ambassador to tn
United States. and Edward T. Mitchell
editor of THE SUN.
It was an impressive scene when, aftel
Prof. Cassius Keyser. Pm. D.. ha'
made the speech presenting the eigh
candidates. they came forward ono altel
another from their seats at the rtgh
Of the rostrum and listened as Presioen
Butler delivered the formula:
'.Enooh Herbert Crowder. graduated
at the United States Military Academ!
in 1881: Major General, Judge Advocat'
General in the army Of the United
States: having an exceptional record o
varied and Important service In al
parts of the world; whose legal knowl
SdRe, diplomatic skill and administrative
genius as Provost Marshal Genera
played 90 great a part in the swift crea
lion Of that army of freemen whicl
&sye the military autocracies of Contra
Europa their final blow. gladly admi
you to the degree Of Doctor of Law
In this university;
SViscount Kikujiro Ishii. Ambassado
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo
tentiary from Japan to the Unite'
states; scholar. orator and statesman
welcome representative OF q great peopl
- H,,,-in0 tina mast Afty wears. hav