Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-19
WATERv|LLE BOY GIVES JUNIOR CLASS
GRAFTON AT CLASS DAY EXERCISES
COLBY COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT

WILL VOE
Junior class day was observed yes
terday morning at Colby College as the
third day of the 103rd commencement
program. The morning prayers and
address were held in the college chapel
and the rest of the morning program
was carried out on the lower campus.
Both OF the exercises were we'll attend
cd by alumni, friends Of the college
and members Of the student body. Yes
terday was the junior class own day
and, dressed in the time honored can
and gown, they carried out a pleasing
program.
The Glass March
The class marched into the chapel
headed by George T. Nickerson of
Pennington, class marshal, and filed
into the front seats to the march which
was played by Abbott w. Smith, '26, Of
Waterville. The morning sermon was
delivered by Rev. Richard Henry Ba-
ker. Colby SO, who spoke on 1.-THE
Light OF the World" He said that
light was a wonderful thing as it en-
tiers the homes Of the rich and poor
alike and beauties everything It
touches. The light fills all space and
is never lacking to meet all needs Of
nature. The Lord said that he was the
light OF the world and to follow him.
The speaker further said that light
was in the physical world as God is
to man. that He was the wonder of all
time. like the light, and that while
light only touched the surface, the
light of God reached deep into man
and beautified him.
AT the conclusion of the morning
service. the class assembled in front
of the chapel and marched to the lower
campus to the music of Chambers
Military Band of Portland. The class
was seated on the raised platform
which was gaily decorated with college
and class banners and with the orange
and black streamers. the class colors.
! The line Of march was led by Assistant
Student Marshal Philip j. Keith of
Houlton, after whom came the other
student marshals. Walter d. Simm of
Waltham, Mass, Joseph c. Smith of
| Skowhcgan and John l.. Avery of Ston-
ington. Conn. The guest of honor of
the class, William Oliver Stevens of the
| class of 1899. escorted by James A.
Wilson of Houlton. president of the
Junior class of the mems division.
Miss Ruth A. Allen of Portland, presi-
dent of the junior women, followed,
and then the members of the class.
Glass Grafton
The service was opened by prayer
which was offered by Mark L. Ames of
Appleton. Miss Caroline NJ. Hodgdon
| of Portland gave the history of the
women of the Junior class. and Ivan NJ.
Richardson of Strong told the history
of the mon of the class. Miss Marion
ID. Brown of Waterville recited an
| original poem and the class oration
| was given by Percy G. Beatty OF Wa
tcrville, which was:
IAN old and honored graduate Of one
of our New England colleges, after
spending four years in academic stud
les and after living many more beyond
the circle of his college campus. made
| this amazing statement. He said: The
years that l spent in college 1 now re-
gard as wocful waste Of valuable
time
such statement coming from one
who has been through the mill stuns
us who are undergraduates and leaves
US wondering if. after all. a college cd
ucatlon is a liability or an asset.
To my mind the solution of this
problem is left entirely in the hands
of the student. He may, if he chooses,
select the path of ease and Incidence
and just manage by hook or by crook
to gain his 'shccpskin.' He is, how
ever, unqualified to take his place in the
world with thinking men. In the
keenncss of competition he is trampled
under foot and left far in the rear.
| Such a so-callcd college education may
we'll be termed liability. He thought
that he had gained a sure foundation
for his lifc'S career, but alas! when
the testing time came it weakened and
.l,o l.;
oblivion.
"On the other hand, the student
who conscientiouSy gives himself
unreservedly to the scholastic tasks
which confront him, bending every
effort to make the most Of time,
giving his best, in the class room,
on the athletic field, Ind in the other
activities of the college. is making
his college education an asset. You
may look for this man in after years
at the front in the field of leader
ship.
Carlyle has said, blessed is he
who has found his work let him ask
for no other blessedncss.
at the present time our work as
students is at Colby, the college of
our choice. so let us in the years
that remain apply ourselves 10 the
great TASK OF preparation. The world
needs trained men, men who when
given a thing to do. can do it, with
out asking how or why. as in the
words of Ebert Hubbard. ut is not
booklearning young men need. nor
instruction about this or that, but a
stiffening of the vertebrae, which will
cause them to be loyal to a trust, to
act promptly, concentrate their ener-
gies: do the thing; carry a message
to Garcia.
"Those of us who have been priv
ileged to seek learning within the
walls of Colby have not been turned
away empty handed. She has given
us far more than we can ever repay.
In short we are all debtors to the old
college. For over a hundred years
she has contributed to the success
and welfare of our nation. Her ideals
and principles have 1een woven into
the fabric of the country's life. Colby
men have given their lives in the
cause of right and justice. They have
been placed in responsible positions
Of trust and leadership and have
won honor for their Alma Mater.
Indeed we are proud and justly
proud of the three thousand grad
yates whom this college has given to
the world. Their repeated successes
have inspired us who are under
graduates with a new desire to make
the most of the opportunity which
is ours as students.
"Heights by great men reached and
kept were not attained by sudden
fight. But they while their COM