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

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sity, on behalf of the Christian colleges, and universities. This service was an auspicious opening for that great day. Following the college dinner at twelve thirty came the toasts and unveiling of the portraits and tablets in the Methodist church. Senator Brackett, of New York, acted as toast master. The Class of '04 was presented by Dr. Harlan, Dr. Divine toasted Iowa and Cornell, and Miss Wood the class of '04. Mr. Frank Armstrong elicited hearty ap- plause by his toast, Tuskegee and the Race Problem. Prof. Jas. A. James responded wittily to Education Dr. W. J. Bissell responded for the Confere-nce, Merle S. Smith for the Theological Schools, and finally, Dr. Stuntz spoke for the Missionary World, in a fervent address full of his well known power. Three portraits were unveiled: one of Miss Cook was presented by Miss Witter, in behalf of the Alumni of the west, one of Dr. Rynett, by Dr. Fellows, representing the Rynett family: and one of Dr. King, presented by Col. Rood in behalf of Mr. Jefferson. Then Secretary Shaw, in touching terms, paid a beautiful tribute to Mrs. King and presented a. bronze tablet, bearing the words, A Hundred Perpetual Scholarships in Cornell College keep fresh the precious memory of Margaret McKell King. The gift of one hundred thousand dollars, indicated on this tablet, was the climax of the celebra- tion. It is the crowning act of a lifetime of devotion to Cornell College on the part of our noble President. The audience was deeply moved, and Dr. Har1an's acceptance was simple and full of feeling. Dr. King then read the announcements of other gifts, including 520,000 of his own and 535,000 by Mr. Wm. Johnston, President of the Board of Trus- tees, completing the endowments of chairs, which brought up the assets of the college to within 570,000 of the million dollar mark. The corner stone of the 350,000 Carnegie Library was next laid by Mr. Johnston. This short ceremony was presided over by Dr. King dur- ing which Dr. Buckley gave a brief address. Judge S. M. Weaver, of the Iowa Supreme Court presided at the evening sessions, and Dr. C. L. Little delivered the Jubilee Oration on The Twentieth Century Scholarf' an address admirable for its depth of thought and breadth of philosophy. Commencement Day opened with a procession to the tent near Bow- man Hall, where the exercises of the day were held. In the forenoon, orations were given by members of the graduating class, and in the afternoon, Dr. Buckley gave the Commencement Address on The Relation of Christianity to Ignorance and Knowledge. At the close of this most eloquent address, after referring to the climax of the pre- vious day, he said, Not to the Heavens above, not to the majestic buildings which tower toward them, but in this man's character should oneqlook for the sublime. Don't forget Dr. King! Make a vow that no generation shall come up here that knows not William Fletcher King, 19

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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

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und every man and woman here can make sure of some day meeting her in whose honor are made one hundred perpetual scholarships. The address was followed by the conferring of degrees, including, be- sides flfty Bachelors' degrees conferred upon the graduates, and ten Masters' degrees conferred upon alumni, for work performed, also forty- two Honorary degrees bestowed on as many distinguished persons. This unusual number was due to the importance of the occasion, but all the recipients are well worthy of the real celebrity, which the de- grees carry with them. The President's reception in the evening closed the celebration, amid farewells and fond hopes of the future. 'Phe Semi-Centennial was a memorable occasion of renewed ac- quaintance, of revived memories and of stimulated energies: but the most material result, let us hope, is an increased interest in and loyalty to Cornell. It was the glorious culmination of fifty years of struggle, marked by steady and substantial growth. May the achievements of the past be but stepping stones to those in the future, and may the Centennial celebration surpass the Semi-Centennial, just as the fruits of a hundred years shall surpass those of fifty. x 'Q J