1903 Roanoke College Commencement, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/1903rccomm.txt ============================================= USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: William Fischer, Jr. ============================================= June 2002 COMMENCEMENT ---------------------------- Sunday, May 24, 11 A M Sermon -- Rev A B VAUGHN, D D, La-LaGrange [sic], Ga. Monday, May 25, 10 A M Literary Address -- Hon J Thomas HEFLIN, Montgomery, Ala. 8 P M -- Grand Concert Tuesday, May 26, 10 A M Delivery of Diplimos [sic] by President Baccalaureate Address -- Rev Alonzo MONK, D D, Atlanta, Ga. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 22 Apr 1903, p.3] ---------------------------- COMMENCEMENT ---------------------------- The commencement of Roanoke College begins Sunday with the commencement sermon by Dr VAUGHN, of LaGrange. At 10 o’clock Monday morning Hon J Thos HEFLIN, of Montgomery, will address the literary societies. The grand concert will occur Monday evening, beginning at 8 o’clock. Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock will occur the graduating exercises. Dr A MONK will deliver the annual address and President LITTLE will deliver the baccalaureate and award the diplomas. The public is invited to attend these interesting exercises. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 20 May 1903, p.3] ---------------------------- COMMENCEMENT ---------------------------- This week has witnessed another annual celebration of the commencement of Roanoke College, and, as is always the case, the exercises have been of a high order, and have attracted large throngs of people at every exercise, including quite a number of visitors from various points. As an introductory exercise to the regular order of commencement the elocution class, under the direction of Miss PITTMAN, gave a recital on Thursday evening. Though the program was not elaborate, the pupils indicated in every instance the thorough training of the competent teacher. Sunday morning was auspicious. The minister selected to deliver the discourse was Dr. A B VAUGHN, pastor of First Baptist Church of LaGrange, Ga. The stage presented a pretty appearance. The music was under the direction of Prof [Robert E] BLACK. Mrs M W CARLISLE and Miss Mary JONES alternately rendered the piano accompaniment. Mr BLACK presided at the organ. The choir consisted of twelve select voices. The music, both morning and evening was of a high class, and was pronounced the best yet presented on a commencement occasion in Roanoke. After the usual introductory services, Dr VAUGHN announced his text from the 8th verse of the 3rd chapter of Philippians: “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” The minister declared he had nothing but a plain gospel to present, and he did this in such a manner as to make a lasting impression. He demonstrated that he was a deep thinker. His conclusions were well deduced, while his manner of presenting his message was full of force and grace. The main point stressed was that the chief end of life is to make everything else subservient to the divine and eternal interests of the human soul. Equally as eloquent and able was the doctor’s evening discourse from the 13th and 16th verses of the 15th chapter of Mark. Much interest attached to the delivery of the literary address Monday morning by Hon J Thos HEFLIN. The members of the Excelsior Society had seats in front, near the rostrum. After prayer by Dr ANDERSON and music under Prof BLACK’s direction, Professor LITTLE presented Walter T JAMES, the society’s chosen representative, who introduced the orator of the day in a short speech that was a model of beauty, simplicity and good taste. When Mr JAMES concluded by presenting Mr HEFLIN as “a former Randolph county plow-boy and now secretary of state,” the applause was loud and long continued. The eloquent son of Randolph made fitting reference to his old home ties and school boy days and eulogized his old teacher, Prof Leonidas JONES, stating that he would be glad to aid in erecting a monument to his memory. The speaker then announced as his subject, “The Historian.” This he treated in an easy and instructive manner, reviewing the world’s progress, and, coming down to the conditions that confront the young man in the beginning of the twentieth century, he enunciated many timely truths, and illustrated them with a number of humorour [sic] incidents, told in the speaker’s incomparable manner. From beginning to end the address abounded in alliterative phrases and figures of speech, which, combined with its eloquent presentation, marked it as an oratorical gem that is rarely excelled. Monday evening the annual concert occurred. At 10 o’clock Tuesday morning the graduating exercises occurred. Music was rendered and prayer was offered. President LITTLE then delivered a sensible, elegant and will timed baccalaureate, after which he awarded diplomas to the graduating class, the degrees being as follows: Miss Laurie THOMPSON, Bachelor of Philosophy; Misses Berta FREEMAN and Dona MOON, Messrs J D HOOPER, Walter T JAMES and Clare PURCELL, Bachelor of Arts. All of the graduates had attained a place on the honor roll, indicating an average grade of over 90 percent. They were the recipients of many congratulations and pretty flowers. Employing a few well chosen words, the president presented Rev. Alonzo MONK, D D, of St Marks Methodist church, Atlanta, who delivered the regular commencement day address. Dr MONK was happy in his introductory remakrs, referring to his childhood days in this county, having come here with his parents when he was quite small. Proceeding, the speaker stated that his subject was “Education -- what is it?” In the progress of the discussion he gave this definition of education: “Familiarity with one’s environments.” Owing to the limits of our space and of the power of our pen, we shall attempt no synopsis of the address. We do not hesitate to pronounce it one of the finest oratorical efforts, from every point considered, that we have ever had the pleasure of listening to. At the close of the address Prof LITTLE referred befittingly to the absence for the first time in many years, of the president of the board of trustees [William A. HANDLEY], who sent his regrets that the state of his health detained him at Livingston. Mr LITTLE then announced that the next session would begin the first Monday in September. The session just closed has been perhaps the most prosperous in the history of the college. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 27 May 1903, p.3] An engraving of the Roanoke College building is included in the column. ---------------------------- LOCAL NEWS AND COMMENT ---------------------------- Hon J Thomas HEFLIN was accompanied to Roanoke by his wife and little son. They returned [to Montgomery] Monday afternoon. Prof LITTLE will leave to-morrow for Atlanta, where he will visit his brother before proceeding to his home at Eatonton, [Putnam Co.,] Ga, to spend the summer. Mrs Stell BLAKE [Exa STRICKLER/STRICKLAND] was among commencement’s welcome visitors. Jack MARTIN and wife, of Opelika, came last week to visit relatives here during commencement. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 27 May 1903, p.3]