SESSION 1897-1898.
Randolph-Macon College, since June, 1886, has grown into a system of colleges (female as well as male), and fitting schools for both sexes. At the joint commencement, held at Lynchburg, Va., June 6-9, 1898, all these schools were represented. The Lynchburg Daily News gave the report of the commencement, as follows:
"The big Randolph-Macon joint commencement was formally opened by a reception tendered the visiting students, alumni, and friends of the school at the Woman's College. An address of welcome was made by Chancellor W. W. Smith. The night was beautiful, the skies being clear and studded with glittering stars. An immense crowd was present, and the profound silence that prevailed during the speech evidenced the deep interest with which it was being received.
"The various trains yesterday brought the students and the visiting alumni to the city. The Union station on their arrival presented an animated scene. The young men and young ladies seemed determined to make of the occasion a delightful excursion, and an experience worth carrying in their memories for many years to come. Everybody remarked on the personnel of the students, and their quiet demeanor. They made a fine impression, and their sojourn in the city promises to be profitable to all interested.
"Randolph-Macon College is represented by about ninety students; the Front Royal Academy, by seventy; Bedford City Academy, by about eighty; the Blackstone Female Institute,* by one hundred and thirty-five; and the Danville Female Institute, by sixty. As there are at the Randolph-Macon Woman's College, including the day scholars, two hundred and twenty young ladies, the total number of students present is between six and seven hundred.
*Not a school of the system, but present by special invitation.
"To adequately describe the appearance of the College with its elaborate decorations would be a herculean task. All that artistic taste and ingenuity of invention could suggest was abundantly in evidence. As the street-cars moved rapidly over the hill at the base-ball park in the direction of the College, the first glimpse of the building was obtained. To the observer it looked like a light glimmering and glowing in the night. As the car drew nearer it was seen that the large structure, from one end to the other and all over the front, was alive with varicolored Chinese and Japanese lanterns, which shed a soft and pleasant radiance over the scene. On the big campus, hanging to the branches of the trees and arranged in symmetrical lines on hundreds of poles, were lanterns without end. Down to the left of the building, where the ground slopes gently to a ravine, seats were placed in comfortable positions. Everybody seemed to be there for the purpose of spending a pleasant time and contributing to his neighbor's happiness. Callers were received in the large and spacious parlor on the first floor just to the left of the main entrance. To everyone was extended such a warm, cordial welcome that he felt at once as if he were perfectly at home and as if he were just where he ought to be.
TUESDAY.
"While the reception Monday night at the Woman's College may be said to have opened the exercises of the Randolph-Macon joint commencement, yet Tuesday morning the first regular programme was carried out in the auditorium at Moorman's Warehouse, which, long before the time announced for the first number, was crowded with a happy, well-dressed and interested audience.
"In the bright sunlight of the pleasant morning the scene presented in the auditorium was indeed good to look upon. The draping of the entire edifice was most skillfully carried out; the ceiling covered with blue and white cloth, while the sides of the building were hidden by artistic folds of lemon and black.
"A well-built stage, extending the entire width of the spacious auditorium, and decorated with potted plants and flowers, afforded plenty of room for the speakers, visitors, and contestants for honors. Arrangements were made to comfortably seat some two or three thousand people, fully that many chairs being placed in regular rows, divided by two aisles extending the length of the hall.
"The pupils of the different schools and colleges being among the first to arrive, the spare time was utilized for a rehearsal of college songs, interspersed with the different college yells of the system, some of which occasioned hearty laughter.
[Illustration: RANDOLPH-MACON INSTITUTE, DANVILLE, VA.]
"Upon the arrival of Chancellor Smith, the representatives of the various schools of the system took their places upon the stage, as well as those pupils who were to contest for the elocution and declaimer's medals. After music by the band and prayer by Rev. Oscar Littleton, the first number was announced, it being a contest for the declaimer's medal of Randolph-Macon Academy, of Bedford City. Mr. J. K. Holman opened with a humorous selection entitled 'Uncle Peter and the Trolly Car.' He was followed by Mr. W. E. Wood, who declaimed an historical poem of the revolutionary period, 'The Black Horse and His Rider.' Between this contest and the next the pupils of the Bedford school, accompanied by the band, rendered with much spirit an 'Academy' song, the words of which were composed by Wirt Holloway, a pupil.
"A contest for the recitation medal of the Randolph-Macon Institute, of Danville, followed, the first being Miss Janie Howard, who had chosen a dialect story, 'Rubaiyat of Doc Sifers.' 'The Set of Turquoise' was delivered by Miss Sue Bethel. The young ladies of the Danville Institute then closed their part of the programme with their favorite song, 'The Lemon and Black,' in the course of which they were assisted by the young men of the system.
"J. William Kight came forward as a representative of the Academy at Front Royal, and with a humorous description of a New England debating society, in which he gave practical illustrations of the different classes of village oratory.
"Mr. J. L. Humphrey, also of the Front Royal Academy, gave a declamation entitled 'Laska.'
"The contest for the Woman's College medal was introduced by Miss Nellie
Underwood, whose subject was 'The Courtin' of T'Nowhead's Bell.'
"Miss Underwood was followed by Miss Hathryn P. Acree, whose subject was
'Parnassius and the Captive.'
"The rendition of the Woman's College song, 'Merry Girls of R. M. W.
C.,' was followed by the contest for the Woman's College Medal for best
address. The contestants were Miss Addie Taylor and Miss Sadie Jacobs.
Miss Taylor was the first speaker. Her subject was 'The Supremacy of the
Anglo-Saxon.' Miss Jacobs' subject was 'Demands of Our Civilization.'
"The closing exercise was the contest for the Sutherlin orator's medal of the Randolph-Macon College, Ashland. The contestants were F. Raymond Hill, B. A. Wise, E. K. Odell, and S. M. Janney.
"Mr. Hill opened the contest with an oration on 'The Price of Progress.'
"Mr. Janney's subject was 'What For?'
"'The Power of a Noble Example' was the subject of Mr. Wise's oration.
"Mr. Odell followed in an oration entitled, 'De Oratoribus.'
The exercises were closed with the singing of the Commencement Chorus.
"A feature of the morning's programme, which was of a decidedly interesting character, was the calisthenic drill, under the direction of Miss Alice Hargrove, of a number of young ladies of the Woman's College.
FIELD-DAY EXERCISES.
"Tuesday afternoon was devoted to field day exercises in the Rivermont base-ball park. A sound mind in a sound body has for a long time been a leading maxim in the Randolph-Macon system. Each institution has its well-equipped gymnasium, under the instruction of an efficient instructor, and during the unseasonable days of winter every student of the system is required to go through an hour's drill in the gymnasium three afternoons in the week.
The average man gets his idea of college athletics from the base-ball and foot-ball teams, which generally tour the State annually. Randolph-Macon recognizes the fact that base-ball and foot-ball are but a small part of college athletics, and consequently every student is encouraged to allot a portion of his time to the general training of his body, and especially to athletic feats requiring more or less skill and grace. In early spring, at each school in the system, a day known as Field-Day is set aside for athletic exercises, for which prizes and medals are offered as a special inducement, to ensure a large number of contestants.
THE CONCERT.
"Tuesday night a concert was given at the Opera-House by the young ladies of the Woman's College and the Danville Female Institute. Of the character of the music of the programme the highest praise has been spoken. In the instrumental and the chorus selections the participants presented music of the highest perfection music that possessed a charm and inspiration for every listener.
WEDNESDAY.
"About half-past nine o'clock Wednesday morning the students of the several schools and colleges, together with the alumni, met at old St. Paul's Church, on Church street, and there, after forming into a procession and led by the band, marched to the auditorium. Here the graduating class, in orthodox cap and gown, ascended the stage, where, with the alumni, they were seated in chairs arranged in semi-circular lines, forming altogether a pleasing and impressive picture.
"A few minutes were spent in rehearsing college songs. In this connection it may be well to note that the Randolph-Macon system is rich with songs suitable for commencement season, and written principally by those who have studied within its classic halls. After prayer by Rev. Dr. James A. Duncan, of Knoxville, Tenn., Mr. W. S. Bell, president of the Class of '98, introduced Miss Blanche E. Cheatham, of Martinsville, who delivered the salutatory address.
"The history of the Class of '98 and its twenty-nine members was told by Mr. J. T. Porter, and as each name was called it was greeted with applause, while the historian made a brief comment upon its owner. The Class song of '98, composed by Mr. E. T. Adams, Jr., was next sung, after which Miss Lily G. Egbert, of Atlee, Va., read the class poem, an original composition entitled 'The Evolution of a Soul.'
"Mr. J. E. McCulloch, of Roanoke, delivered the class oration.
"The Hall song, evidently a favorite with the male students, was sung with considerable spirit, especially the chorus, which eulogizes as 'the very best of all' the two halls of the two rival literary societies, those of Washington and Franklin. The president of the class next introduced Miss Eloise Richardson, of Richmond, who read a class prophecy, in which she drew vivid pictures of the bright futures awaiting many of this year's class.
"Mr. Sydenstricker, of Loudoun, read a paper entitled 'Recommendations.' In it he indicated, with a prescient knowledge of seemingly remarkable accuracy, the future employments and professions of the members of the graduating classes of Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, and the Woman's College, Lynchburg.
"After singing 'Gaudeamus,' the last will and testament of the graduating classes of the two institutions was read by Mr. F. C. Campbell, of Ashland. Again was the audience treated to a series of 'hits' at the expense of certain members of the faculties, pupils, etc., of the two schools.
"The valedictory of Mr. F. R. Hill, of West Virginia, the next feature of the programme, was an eloquent and interesting address, and in its delivery made a deep impression on the large audience. Mr. Hill, unlike the majority of college valedictorians, introduced into his composition much originality of thought and feeling. His manner was marked by that simplicity which always distinguishes the true orator, and which invariably attracts and holds the closest attention of an audience.
MR. TILLETT'S ADDRESS.
"After singing 'The Randolph-Macon Roundelay,'the alumni address was delivered by Hon. Charles W. Tillett, of North Carolina. This eloquent speaker dwelt in feeling terms upon the great Randolph-Macon System. The foundation, he declared, had been laid with enduring material, and to-day all could unite in applauding the distinguished success of the master hand. The occasion was one on which a little glorification was pardonable, and every Randolph-Macon man and woman might well feel proud of his or her alma mater, and particularly of the joint commencement, which they all recognized as the grandest and most successful commencement of Randolph-Macon's career.
"The exercises were brought to a close with the singing of the song,
'Alma Mater, O.'
THE BALL GAME.
"An immense crowd gathered at the park in the afternoon to witness the ball game between the Bedford and the Front Royal Academies. The boys from Bedford had the best of the contest from start to finish, and won out by a score of 13 to 1."
FRANKLIN HALL.
"At night the exercises of the 'Frank' Hall were introduced with prayer by Rev. W. H. Atwill. The declamations were: 'The Fireman's Prayer,' by W. W. Wood, of Bedford; 'The Innocent Drummer,' by Miss Bethel, of Danville, and 'The Village Schoolmaster,' by J. L. Humphrey. W. J. Gills, of the College, delivered an oration on 'True Patriotism,' and the exercises closed with an essay by Miss Lula B. Woolridge, of the Woman's College, on 'Triumphant Life.' The Society medals were awarded as follows: John Kilby, of Suffolk, for declamation; F. C. Campbell, of Ashland, for debate, and Marvin E. Smithey, of Brunswick, for improvement in debate.
THE ALUMNI BANQUET.
"The annual banquet of the Alumni Association was held at the 'Carroll'
Wednesday night from 11 to 2 o'clock. After half an hour's feasting, the
remaining time was devoted to speeches of prominent members of the
Association. The following toasts were responded to: 'Randolph-Macon
College,' Dr. J. A. Kern; 'Randolph-Macon Woman's College,' Dr. N.
Knight; 'Randolph-Macon Academy' (Bedford), Principal E. Sumter Smith;
'Randolph-Macon Academy' (Front Royal), Dr. B. W. Arnold;
'Randolph-Macon Institute' (Danville), Miss Nellie Blackwell;
'Blackstone Female Institute,' Rev. James Cannon, Jr.; 'Board of
Trustees,' Dr. E. B. Prettyman; 'Randolph-Macon of 1898,' J. E.
McCulloch; 'The Alumni,' Charles W. Tillett; 'Glories of the Past,'
Captain Richard Irby; 'Randolph-Macon of the Future,' Dr. W. W. Smith."
[Illustration: EDWARD S. BROWN, A. B.]
The oldest alumnus present was Edward S. Brown (Class 1843), a prominent and most estimable citizen of Lynchburg, who matriculated in 1837.
Letters were received from the oldest alumnus now living, and one of the members of the graduating Class of 1839, who, with Thomas H. Garnett, of Buckingham county, Va., of same class, still survives.
The oldest living alumnus, Dr. Theophilus S. Stewart, of Marietta, Ga., graduated in 1836. He accompanied Dr. Olin to Europe, and took his degree of M. D. in Paris in 1839.
The letters of Dr. Stewart and Rev. James F. Smith, of Spartanburg, S.
C., referred in tenderest terms to the College.
[Illustration: DR. THEOPHILUS S. STEWART, A. B., (Class, 1836.)]
"Thursday. The opening prayer was made by Rev. Dr. Arnold, of North Carolina, at the conclusion of which the Commencement hymn (No. 1) was sung by the students to the air of 'America,' all standing. Bishop Vincent, of Kansas, the speaker of the occasion, was then introduced by the chancellor. The Bishop, who is a man of fine appearance, with a pleasant voice, launched forth in these words: 'Notable days to the individual, to associations, to state and to church, come into all lives. This is an interesting day to the individual, to families, and to the institution. It is a day of an ending and a day of a beginning. I see a picture, as I stand in this place to-day, of closing doors and of doors ajar, the end of complete or partial course of study and the beginning of lessons in the great school of life. Here, with the fragrance and flowers, under the spell of music, beneath these glorious skies and amid these mountains of Virginia, we need not only to look backward, but to look forward.'
"He closed his address as follows: 'Above all things, a man wants character; for if you presented yourself at the gate of heaven without the quality that would make you worthy to dwell there, you would find the beauties and glories of the home of God uncongenial to you. Live, not that you may have your name in Washington with a big pension or something of that kind, but in order that you may contribute to the betterment of the environment of those about you.'
"To the students before him he said he would recommend the whole world and the universe as a university in which to learn and in which to strive to ascend to the university of the most high God.
HONORS AWARDED.
"After a song, 'Columbia, the Pride of the Nation,' the distinguished under-graduates were announced by printed sheets. Then followed the awarding of prizes and medals, the Randolph-Macon Institute, of Danville, being first, followed in regular order by the Randolph-Macon Academy, Bedford City; Randolph-Macon Academy, Front Royal; Randolph-Macon Woman's College, Lynchburg, and Randolph-Macon College, Ashland.
"Diplomas in courses were awarded by President Kern, of the Randolph-
Macon College, and Vice-President Knight, of the Randolph-Macon Woman's
College.
THE GRADUATES.
"Degrees were conferred on the following:
RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE.
A. M.
Karl S. Blackwell, Virginia.
A. Judson Chalkley, Virginia.
David Hough Dolly, Virginia.
James C. Dolly, Kentucky.
James T. Porter, Virginia.
Raymond R. Ross, Virginia.
Frank A. Simpson, Virginia.
Marvin E. Smithey, Virginia.
Boyd Ashby Wise, Virginia.