New-York tribune., 1920-06-10
of
so Years Ago
Given Degrees
Eugene Stevenson, Vice
President of Council.
Gets Surprise Award at
New York u. Graduation
Had Long Refused Honor
William III. Nichols and Six
Others Are Presented:
8O5 Students Finish

Two members of the class of 1870 of
New York University were honored on
the tftieth anniversary of their gradu-
atlon yesterday with the degree of
LII. D. They were Eugene Stevenson.
vice chancellor of the State of New
Jersey, and William H. Nichols, presi-
dent of the General Chemical Com
pany.
In the case of Vice Chancellor Stew
enson, che award was complete sur
prise. The incident occurred at the
end OF the program, after degrees had
been presented to 8O5 graduates of the
university and to seven others whom
the university wished to honor.
The other candidates for honorary
degrees were presented to Chancellor
alexander, president of the University
Council. When it came Mr.. Nichols 3
turn, however, Vice Chancellor Steven
son was allowed to present his name,
IN his capacity of vice president of the
council, because he and Mr.. Nichols
Z
college just fifty years ago. When this
ceremony was completed Chancellor
Brown turned to Mr.. Stevenson, and
without warning, announced that he,
too, was to be honored with the de-
gree.
Given Degree, Willy Nilly
"By virtue of the authority vested in
me by the trustees of this university
present you, willy nilly, with this
degree" he said, while the rccipient
piusned ana the cOmmenceme MT
throng, taking their cue from Chan
cellor Browns twinkling eyes, laughed
and applauded.
For many years the university
authorities have wished to present the
honorary degree to Mr.. Stevenson, but
as he held the position Of chairman
OF the committee on honorary degrees
he had never consented to accept the
honor for himself. This year the uni
versity authorities decided to present
it to him, .'willy nilly."
The exercises took place on the slop-
ing campus behind the Hall of Fame,
overlooking the valleys of the Harlem
and Hudson rivers. Graduates of all
uepdI lneHtS OF tno university received
their degrees together.
The commencement address was de-
livercd by former Senator Theodore f.
Burton. He uttered warning against
the domination of small groups in
American political affairs and the CON
troll of legislators by overzealous mi
norities. He bade the American Legion
cease its activity on behalf of q bonus,
saying the country would be demoral-
ized by increased taxation.
Recipients of Degrees
In addition to the degrees conferred
on Vice Chancellor Stevenson and Mr..
Nichols, the following honorary degrees
were presented: j. M. Nj. Casenave,
French Hight Commissioner, and
Charles Piez, of Chicago, Doctor of
Commercial Science; Dr.. William NJ.
ton University, and Judge NJ. Farley
Platzek. of the Supreme Court of New
York, Doctor of Laws; the Rev Frank
Maxwell Townley, Of ST. Bartholomew IS
Church, Brooklyn, Doctor of Divinity
and Miss Margaret Pollock Sherwood
of Wellesley College, Doctor of Letters
Other university prizes and awards
were as follows:
College of Engineering William A
Hoe jr. engineering prize to Harry Ep-
stein and Harry E. Pear; Sherborne
Vernon Damerel memorial prize to
Howard G. Cam; William H. Inman
fellowship to Rudolph Macy; Duryea
fellowship to Gustave Wiedemen.
University and Bellevue Hospital
Medical College-Valentine Mott silver
medal to Louis Goldstein; Valentine
Mott bronze medal to David Ide; Glover
C. Arnold surgical prize to David Ide
Washington Square ege-Alumn
gold medal to Elizabeth Harrison
Jermiah w. jerks prize in government
to Gustave Nadel Sophmore.
School of Law-First prize ($75)
evening division, to Louis L. Merrell
A. B.; second prize $500, evening divi-
sion, to Samuel Prichard, A. B.
School of Commerce, Accounts ant
Finance-Class Of 1913 prize in public
affairs to James D. Holman jr; Tau
Delta Phi gold medal to Willis B. Par
sons jr.; Delta Sigma Pi to Davic
Sobol.
College of Arts and Pure Science
William Kendall Gillett medal to Ed
win j. Morgan.
New York State Veterinary College
Faculty gold medal to Michael J
Hughes; ladies' auxiliary prize to Johr
j. Klein, first year.