Cornell College - Royal Purple Yearbook (Mount Vernon, IA)

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varying slightly as to details. The one of Tuesday morning will serve as an example. Forming in front of the Main College Hall, it marched around the northeast corner of the campus, and up to the Auditorium by way of Bowman Hall. The order of march was as follows: Under- graduates, alumni, visiting clergy, distinguished guests, trustees, and lastly, President King and Dr. Buckley. On reaching the Auditorium, the ranks opened and the procession, led by Dr. Buckley and President King, entered in inverse order. The most beautiful display of gowns was, of course, among the distinguished guests on the rostrum, where the hood, trimmed in rich colors, denoted both the degree of the wearer and the institution that had conferred it. The annual commencement exercises and the celebration being combined, the opening days were more crowded with commencement events in order to make room for the celebration, which centered, chiefiy, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Sunday was the flrst day which entered largely into the spirit of the occasion. It opened with a proces- sion to the Auditorium. Such music as The Lord of Hosts, The Heathen R.aged, and The Sevenfold Amen, rendered by the oratory society, lent a majestic charm to the service. Bishop Edward Gayer Andrews preached the baccalaureate sermon upon the text, He That is of the Truth Heareth My Voice. Bishop Joseph F. Berry preached at a well attended and highly beneficial contemporaneous service in the Methodist church. The evening service was hardly less impressive, with Bishop McDowell's address on The Christian College, supple- mented by music by the Oratorio Society and the Ladies' Semi-Chorus. The address was earnest and interesting throughout. The Christian College, said the speaker, should bring rich returns of poetry, of piety, and of that fine sense of civic duty, without which republics are impossible. Monday was the day of reunions. The society reunions, always in- tensely interesting, were, on this occasion with so many distinguished members here lending their reminiscences and encouragement, doubly inspiring. The class reunions were a source of much satisfaction and cheerful cordiality. They adjourned to the reception given by the faculty and trustees to the alumni and friends of the college, where these co-workers were brought in a few hours into a closer bond of sympathy. The Historical Celebration began Tuesday morning at 9:00 o'c1ock with the procession previously describe-d. Following the invocation and the beautiful rendition of Rossiniks Tancred Overture by the college orchestra, President King extended a sincere welcome to all, and in- troduced the Honorable Wm. F. Johnston as President of the D-ay. Prof. S. Fellows, of Iowa City, dealt with the struggles of the school, dur- ing the flrst ten years after its founding as a. seminary. Prof. Norton 17

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A Review of the Semi-Centennial Our Semi-Centennial Celebration fulfilled the most sanguine cx- pcctations. Commencements at Cornell are notable occasions: her May Festivals are famous: but the event of last Spring was the greatestin all hcr history. A description, even wit.h unlimited space. could hardly do it justice. Our ample campus was crowded with former students and other friends of the College. Among these were distinguished men from all parts of the state ami nationg college presidents and profes- sorsg editors and authors: jurists and lawyersg congressmen and cab- inet membersg bishops and doctors of divinity. The atmosphere was surcharged with wit. and wisdom. Happy reunions, cheerful reminis- cences and general good fellowship abounded. How dull must a student have been not to have received great inspiration from such environment. What an encouragement, to those responsible for our growth, were the well deserved praises and the sincere congratulations which were showered upon them. One thing in which Cornell excels is the beauty of her campus and scenery, and the nzonth of June is no inopportune time for her dress parade. With tho delighted guests it was love at first sight. Students of former years were prone to wander again over the velvety slope beneath the maples, to stroll around the world or linger on Harlan Hill to gaze out over t.he fields, the groves and the other wooded hills along the banks of the Cedar. Many of them could not resist the temptation to visit the Palisades, even at the cost of missing parts of the splendid programme prepared for them. But the conduct of the students may be passed over in discreet silence as having little bear- ing upon the peculiar merits of our natural attractions. The general appearance of the campus was prepossessing Every- thing was trim and beautiful except where the foundation of the 11ew library began to make its appearance. Groups of students and visitors dotted the shady slope and gathered at the bull-:iings along its crest. On the front ot' each building was the date of its erection wrought in incandescent lights, with the addition of Old Sen1 on science hall, and 01853, Cornell, 1903, over the entrance of the chapel. Electric lights were festooned among the trees and along the walks and paths of the campus, lending even more enchantment to t.he grounds by night than they possessed by day. The beautiful and impressive processions, in academic costumes, gave formality to the ceremonies. There were tive processions inx all. 16

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then spoke of the last forty years of its history. Prof. Freer presented Striking Statistics, showing the growth and present needs of the college. These topics, having been treated in last year's Royal Purple, need no review. Next Mrs. Fellows, wife of Ex-President Fellows, dealt briefly with reminiscences, and Hon. Matthew Cavanaugh, who was the flrst alumnus and whose wife was the first alumna, told of early days. Col H. H. Rood then paid a brief tribute to the Cornell men in the Civil War. The programme was closed with the song, Fair Old Cornell, composed for the occasion by Horace G, Lozier. The Student and Alumni Celebration in the afternoon was pre- sided over by Judge Pollock, '78, of North Dakota. Brief addresses were given by Royal J. Smalley, '05, on behalf of the students, Con- gressman E. W. Martin, '79, of South Dakota, on behalf of the alumni: Rev. James M. Buckley, on A Seminary Student of Earlier Times in Methodism. The roll call by classes was conducted by Rev. J. B. Albrook, '07, the representatives of the class rising at the call and standing while one of their number responded for them. This was a most interest- ing affair. The later classes made up with fuller ranks and more en- thusiasm for what they lacked in romantic interest which attached itself to the depleted ranks, battle scarred figures and touching speeches of the older members. The regular succession of responses was broken by occasional songs and class yells, and concluded by the rousing yells of the undergraduate classes. After the singing of Auld Lang Sync , this interesting meeting was adjourned to Ash Park, where occurred the girls' basket ball and hockey games, and the basket ball con- test between the alumni and the college. The latter game, after a dis- play of much enthusiasm and good natured rivalry, ended with a score of 6 to 5 in favor of the alumni. In the evening Rev. Geo. Elliott, '72, delivered the commemorative oration. This was preceded by Miss Irving's reading of the poem written for the occasion by Adele S. Welch, '79, and was followed by the singing of The Star Spangled Banner. Wednesday, Jubilee Day, opened with the usual procession to the Auditorium. After music and the invocation, Gov. S. R. Van Sant, of Minnesota, was introduced as chairman. Greetings were extended by: VicePresldent James E. Harlan, A. M., '69, on behalf of the faculty, Capt. E. B. Soper, A. M., '68, on behalf of the board of trustees. Respon- ses were made by: The Hon. L. M. Shaw, L. L. D., '74, Secretary of the Treasury, representing President Roosevelt, His Excellency Gov. A. B. Cummins, on behalf of the Stateg Dean Marion Talbot, of the University of Cornell, on The Higher Education of Womeng Rev. C. B. Spenser, D. D., editor of the Central Christian Advocate, on The Press as an Educator, and Pres. L. H. Murlin, D. D., of Baker Univer- 18