Haverford College - Record Yearbook (Haverford, PA)

Page 32 text:

bugle solos and rousing songs. And thus followed, as we im- agined, by a continuous stream of imprecations from the people we had disturbed along the route, we at length reached the col- lege and ended our last and most successful lark. On Saturday, June 23d, 1888, was held the first Haverford Class Day, and, however many may henceforth be celebrated, we feel sure that none can ever equal this. Having existed for several years as an idea in our minds, it at last took definite shape on this memorable day. It was a very appropriate consummation to all the bold and original ideas which we had introduced while at college, and, like everything else we have taken up, was a perfect success. Moreover, besides being the first Class Day at Haverford, it did not follow the usual program for such occasions, but contained some entirely novel features. Great credit is due to the tombstone committee for their unremitting care and labor in making the Tablet, the wonder of all who have seen it. A grateful class takes this opportunity to acknowledge the kind and invaluable assistance of its lady friends in decorating Alumni Hall, until that severe and stately room looked gay enough for a carnival. The exercises went off without a hitch, and the audience was very appreciative. The presentations w ere un- usually good, and the reading of the Class Poem was frequently interrupted by applause. Sharp, to be sure, made the melancholy announcement that he felt like a clam, but this was probably because of the acr w ations which he had just received. Commencement passed off as usual, only we think it was a little more interesting than is generally the case. To be sure, we did not have any Wilberforce to address us, but President Sharp- less ' s Baccalaureate, by far the best for many years, ivill perforce make up for that. Sharp ' s Valedictory was unusually thoughtful and unsentimental. When the degrees were handed to us and the word Do pronounced, methought I heard some one mutter Do-do ! and turning round, lo ! it was the Go-at ! 28

Page 31 text:

Arrivini at tlic inn about sunset, after a jolly ride up in a four-horse coach, and having astonished the hotel people by giving the college and class yells, we proceeded at once to the room in which our supper had been prepared for us. After a few courses had been served, the moiu was varied by the reading of successive portions of the history, and afterwards of the prophecy and the class poem. After this many of the members were called upon for speeches, and, though it was a very pleasant occa- sion, everyone seemed a little saddened by the thought of the com- ing separation. A short business meeting was then held, and Sharp was elected to receive the spoon, and the following scheme for a permanent organization was adopted : Article i. There shall be a President, whose duties shall be, {a) To call all meetings ; {li) To preside at all meetings. Article 2. There shall be a Secretary, whose duties shall be, {(i) To take charge of all money and other property belonging to the organization ; {U) To keep the P. O. address of all members, together with a record of the principal events of their lives ; (c) To notify the members of all meetings and to send them any other information which he shall deem of sufficient importance. Article 3. Unless otherwise provided for, meetings shall take place every five years, at which reunions an election for President and Secretaiy shall take place. Article 4. A quorum shall consist of those present at any meeting of which a sufficient notice has been given. Written proxies shall be accepted. W. D. Lewis was elected President, and J. Sharp, Jr., Secretary. About one o ' clock we left the hotel, and the whole of the moonlight drive home was made hideous by blood-curdling 27

Page 33 text:

And so, enveloped in a halo of splendor and success, the Class of ' 88 passed out of the ranks of students to become Alumni, and left the calm and pleasant life of college to plunge into the busy strife of the world. Francis Cope Hartshorne, Class Historiaft. ag