The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-16
Commencement Exercises
 Are Under Way at Auburn
Annual Alumni Grafton Is De- livered by Congressman Mo- Duffie, and Charles DeBar- deleben Named President Alumni Association

Auburn, May 15.-(Special. )- The annual alumni oration which was delivered by Congressman John McDuffie, memorial exercises for former President Dr. c. c. Thach, the voting of $30,0OO in bonds to start the construction of a S150 ,00O dormitory for boys, and the election of Charlie DeBarleleben of Birnling- ham as president of the Alumni as- sociation, were the outstanding events of the commencement exer- cises here today.
 The program began with an open hour early In the forenoon during which time old acquaintances were renewed and new ones made The meeting of the board of trustees which was scheduled for s;30 a. m. was delayed because of a late train but was finished In time for Governor Thomas E. kilby and other members of the board to be present during the alumni oration by Hon. John Me Duffie of the class of 1904.
 Thach Memorial Exercises
 Memorial exercises for Dr. Charles Coleman Thach, who was for 30 years a member of the Auburn faculty and for IT years president, followed the alumni oration. At these exercises Dr. John W. Abercrombie. state su- perintendent of education, represented the board of trustees and the peopt of Alabama in whose behalf pr. Thach spent his life. serving them by edu- eating the youth of the state and thereby taking the lead in the de- va1onmApt of her reaourcea
 pr. B. B. Ross. who served with pr. Thach for 30 years on the Auburn faculty, spoke of pr. Thach as he saw him on the faculty for more than . quarter of century, referring to hiiI as not only a leading and brilliant educator but "A Christian gentleman, who is not dead. but who has only passed on and his life and influence continue to live after him"
 T. D. Sanford of Opelika spoke as tho representative of the alumni and paid very high tribute to the many outstanding attributes of Dr. Thach Ia ga citizen educator, Christian gen tleman, and a leader among me.
 First Outcome of Drive
 The action by the board of trustees in authorizing the sale of $SO.00J in bonds to start the construction of a dormitory for boys vas the first out come of the million dollar drive to start the Greater Auburn" building and equipment program. The total cost of the dormitoiy is to be $100.0o0 and the bonds are for the purpose of going forward with the construction until money from subscriptions begin coming in. Dr. Spright Dowell states that work on the proposed doTnitory will be started as soon as 1t Is exped- lent and possible to do so.
 The alumni luhcl con was largely attended and greatly enjoyed John V. Denson. president. presided ana pr. Frank Willis Barnett of Birming- ham, B. C. Davis of Mobile. John Nc Duffie of Washington. pr. GeorHe Petrfe. Haygood Patterson of Mont xomery, C. & Mcdowell of Eufauia, IDr. Henry W. Chase of North Caro- lima. Dr. John W. Abercrombie of Montgomery. T. D. Sanford of Ope- Ilika and pr. Spright Dowell responded to toasts.
 Elected by AeeIamation At their business session the alum nj elected Charlie DeBardeleben oi Birmingham chairman of the Great. 1 ei Auburn campaign, president by (CentiaueA on Paxe Twe)