The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-05-28
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

expect to keep it up as long as l live.
 
 It's with no patronizng air that i show up on the campus CT take my seat in the auditorium of the college to hear the students declamation contests and other exercises. As I watch and hear the boys declaiming I recall the days when I too was contestant. have had the honor of having. college confer on me honorary title of doctor of laws, but 1t never gave me | the slightest thrill when weighed against the time when during my youth I I won a gold medal for oratory. I can close my eyes and call up the scene in the packed opera house. and when the trophy was pinned on my coat it was the proudest moment of my life.
 
 | I daresay that some of those who have in later life had to sit under my | talks and addresses wish that the com mittee had bestowed the honor else where, for their favoritism gave me just the push which sent me on my way as a professional speech maker. I acquired the habit young, and I'll die | without reforming
 
 | But the medal I won caused a sem | sation on the Paris Bourse, strange as I it may seem. One day I strolled down and with that sangfroid of the aver age American lad, made my way on the floor. was soon surrounded by crowd of excited brokers who were eagerIy trying to read the inscription on the medal I was wearing. 1 I thought they were unduly inter ested over it, but at the time did not know that it wasn't a French custom to scatter medals with profusion, and tr..> in fact there was a law governing the wearing of them. They evidently l thought that had performed some he roic act and had been duly rewarded 1 for 1t. and I would have been ashamed | U have explained that it was for much l talking I had been decorated 1
 I | a medal of some kind during his col lege course in this land of democracy, where titles and ribbons are at a dis | count, but where medals are scattered with a prodigal hand. I was was re- minded of this at the Howard College | commencement, for there was a pro- | fusion of them, but no doubt worthily 1 bestowed. I think it's a good custom and would hate to see the number of awards cut down.
 l There were medals, loving cups and | gold coins distributed. I was amused l at the son of a friend of mine who graduated. He received his diploma and also won $20 in gold as the best scholar in his department. He came down off the rostrum and handed his mother the diploma, but pocketed the 1 coin. He certainly is d good judge of values, and I am sure is going to make his way in the world.
 l Comm encement began at Howard with the senior class play at the Jeff ferson, which proved a great success in every way, geflecting great credit l upon Miss A Bess Clark, the director. The baccalaureate sermon preached by Dr. E. Y. Mullins, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky, was in keeping with his high scholarship. He is justly l ranked among the leading theologians of America, his works being in great demand.
 l Towards Glee Club gave a most en- l joyable concert. It has made fine record on tours and has been a source of much pleasure to the students at home. The alumni banquet at the Southern Club was the means of bring ing together quite a distinguished number of men from all parts of the state The feature of the evening was 1.-the address of President Williams on "The Greater Howard" He enthused his hearers. Dr. E. P. Hogan was most happy as toastmaster
 |
 The commencement address, de- llivered by Dr. S. J. Porter, pastor of 1.-the White Temple. Oklahoma City. was )a literary masterpiece, as pr. Porter has made quite a name for himself as an author. He woye his address around the life of Gladstone the Christian statesman. and while it was of historic interest, he brought in much that was instructive from the realms of English literature. being particularly pleasing in his poetical selections.
 It's strange man who can see a lot of college men and women receive their diplomas without emotion. The graduating class was the largest in the history of Haword College. numbering more than twoscore. It was made up of men and women. for the woman s department is rapidly pushing to the front, and plans have been completed
 to build a dormtory to take care of those who will crowd the school at it's
 next opening. Coeducaton seems to
 have justified itself at Howard. It was
 one of the things which pr. James IShelburne inaugurated. He and Mrs
 Shelburne were present to see their son. Kingman Cody, graduate. el I have heard diplomas presented so
 often that usually the remarks of the person upon whom devolves the task fail to interest me, for in most in
 stances they are very much alike. But lit was left for President Williams tc go about it in a new way which made it really one of the best things of the } commencement. My heart went out to all the graduates. but somehow there
 was a lump in my throat when Jose
 Funadore Lopez. Porto Rican stepped forward to get his sheepskin For years had seen him at the college working his way through with glad
 some heart. No parent or relative was lrresent to see him take his honors
 but the crowd gave him a great ova- 1 ton. and I was glad to see that one lof the most beautiful of the floral