Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-09
GRADUATES URGED
| TO HAVE OPEN MIND
Or. Capen Addresses G. w. U.
Class at Closing Exercises.
Awards Made.


samuel Paul Capen, chancellor of the
University of Buffalo, in the COM
-menCement address last night at
washington Auditorium before the
graduating class of APT from George
Washington University.
Has that person an open mind,
the speaker asked, who clings to his
political party in spite of convincing
evidence that it is advocating some
thing hostile to the general welfare;
or who votes for his party's candi-
date although he knows the candidate
to he inefficient and corrupt?
Every year renewed efforts are
made in some part of the United
States" he added. Ito suppress free
speech Nor is it only the ignorant
that sponsor these efforts. Too often
they are initiated by persons of influ-
ence in the community. Does it COM
port with the open mind to fear the
expression of views with which we do
not agree? Would we be faithful to
the teaching of the university If we
should acquiesCe in any attempt TO
abridge this fundamental privilege of
free men guaranteed in the basic law
of the land? Or consider the powerful
movements directed against the con-
stitutional rights of certain citizens
because of their color or their re-
ligious faiths. Could we lay the
remotest claim to an open mind if
we should join such movements or
even by silence seem to give consent
to them?
Expressions Costly.
These are not rhetorical questions
and the penalties for answering them
in accordance with our convictions
may not be light. Such is the tyran-
meal intent of majorities in certain
communities, and lately even of
minorities, that the livelihood the
reputation and perhaps the very life
of the person who does not conform
may be jeopardized.
THE pathway of him who would
preserve an open mind is beSet with
pitfalls. He must needs be watchful,
diligent and brave. But those who
succeed in preserving it are civiliza-
tons choicest spirits, the true archi- |
tects of progress"
President William Mather Lewis, of |
George Washington University fol- |
lowing the comforting of degrees
briefly address the graduates from
saying of CONTIGUOUS to the effect
that a superior man lis careful when
he is alone"
Captain Charles Lindbergh," said
DR.. Lewis, has given new meaning
TO the old couplet that a boys will
is the winds will and the thoughts
of youth are long, long thoughts.
He was careful when he was alone,
careful to take advantage of his store
of knowledge. The winds of the At
iantic yielded to his will because she
had long, long thoughts"
DIR. Lewis Urges Care.
Advising the graduates that their
tests would come at the bedside of
cuff in |
the laboratory, in the marts of trade,
in the classroom, DR.. Lewis said, IF
you have been careful when you are
alone, careful to think your problems
through, careful to know whereof
you speak, then no situation will find
you wanting"
Two resolutions of the board of
trustees by Pres. Lewis were read
felicitating Theodore w. Moves, edi-
tor of The Evening star, upon the
fiftieth anniversary of his commence
ment from the Columbian University,
in 1877, and facilitating DR.. Charles
Clinton Swisher upon the completion
of 81 years of active service as pro-
fessor of history.
The resolution concerning Mr..
Moves. a trustee of the university. re-
viewed his career, and declared he
had devoted himself assiduously to
the intrests of his native city, the
Capital of this Nation"
EVERY good cause, designed to
benefit the city materially or spiritual
ly has found in him a vigorous ad
vocate," said the resolution. His
constant aim has been to make this
city a capital of which not only it's
residents, but every citizen of this
Nation may rightly be proud. No sin
lister influence has been able to divert
him at any time from this purpose.
His whole lifetime has been of in
Huential and pre-eminently useful serv
ice to the city"
DR.. Swisher HOnOred.
Concerning DIR. Swisher, retiring to
the status of professor emeritus, the
resolution declared: 1.-THE visible and
tangible results of these 81 years
of devoted labor may be seen in the
university today. The invisible and
Intangible results are scattered in re-
gions as wide as his own travels,
wherever his students have gone and
taken with them his inspiration. His
tory to him is realize has made 1t
real to his classes; and to those who
were to become teachers he has passed !
on the stimulus of his example,
DR.. Lewis announced the class of
1927 had contributed $1,000 to the
graduate endowment fund. Since the
ldSC cOnNOCdJlOH III f6DFudFy, ne re- |
ported $12 804 had been turned in on |
pledges for the university. The Co
lumbar Women, he reported, had at |
the end of one year turned in $5,114
toward a pledge of $4,000 which was
to be paid in four years, and had
pledges in hand for $3.50 more. The
Board of Lady Managers, he said had
raised $3,713 by a benefit for the hos
pital. A sum of $4,000 had been
civ ha D
alcove in the new library. Among
the gifts to the institution he men
toned badges worn at the first COM
Inencement of the institution in
1891, presented by Mrs. Charles w.
Richardson, and a card of invitation
issued by President and Mrs. George
Washington, the gift of Mrs. Archi-
bold Hopkins. The outstanding
achievement of the university during
the year. he said, was the institutions
contribution toward the new Wash
ington Medical Center, which Is to
combine Garfield and the university
hospitals.
Prayer at the commencement was
offered by the Rev. Arlington A.
McCallum, rector of st. Pauls
Church.
Degrees Are Conferred.
Candidates for degrees We're pre-
scented by deans Of the colleges. Can
didates arose in their places in the
auditorium, to receive the pronounce
ntent by the president. The deans to
introduce them included Dean Will
liam Allen Wilbur of Columbian Col
lege; Dean John Lapham of the Col
lege of Engineering; Dean William c.
Ruediger of Teachers College: Dean
William Cline Borden OF the Medical |
School; Dean Lewis T. Bradley of the
College of Pharmacy; Dean William
&. Van Week of the Law School, and |
Ccorua IIonpipo Of ho