Talladega sends out no graduates this year. Though according to previous standards, students were ready to receive their diplomas both in theology and normal studies, they voluntarily chose to spend another year in further preparation for life’s work. The exercises of Thursday morning consisted of eight orations by representatives (four each) from the college preparatory and theological departments. In discussing standard and current themes, they showed a grasp of thought, a clearness and vigor in presentation certainly far from discreditable to any public rostrum. We were proud of them. A little further mental discipline in mathematics and the classics and they will be well prepared leaders of their people.
At these various exercises more than the usual number of visitors were present. During some of the examinations in the chapel the room was fairly filled with listeners. Upon the platform were leading white citizens of the town, and some from abroad. Among the latter were Rev. O. W. Fay and Judge Buckley, of Montgomery, who spoke most warmly of what they saw and heard.
Talladega College looks back upon the year just closed as the most prosperous one in her history. It has seen new buildings reared, others repaired, greatly needed improvements made, and a fair beginning in the way of endowments; to the many friends throughout the North whose gifts have caused these things to be, we are unspeakably grateful. It has seen most thorough work done in all departments of study, more than a score of its pupils confess a newly-found Saviour, and much activity in mission and Sunday-school work on the part of the more advanced. Already many applications for another year are coming in.
STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS.
BY W. S. ALEXANDER, D.D.
Our commencement began properly with the examination of the Law Department, and the graduation of eleven law students. The list of graduates from this department now numbers 50 names, of whom 43 have been awarded their diplomas within the last six years. It is an interesting fact that of our 50 law graduates 35 have been white and 15 colored. Side by side they have been gathered in the lecture rooms of the Professors, and have met in the crucial test of the final examination.
The Faculty is admirably constituted both on account of legal attainments, and real genuine interest in the young men. Four lectures are given each week. The prospects for the incoming class are excellent, both as to numbers and quality, the white element predominating as usual.
The great need of this department is a reference library. Many of the students are poor and law books are costly. Now the professors, though at great inconvenience, permit the students to consult their standard works. When we have a building devoted to the three professions, the law library should become at once an accomplished fact.
This year in the academic department we had no graduating class. Our anniversary exercises have been somewhat out of the usual order, but thoroughly interesting and successful. Perhaps never have we met the popular taste more fully than this year. The old graduates were invited to return and take part in the first public anniversary meeting of the Alumni. Seven accepted the invitation and entered heartily into the project, and others sent the cordial expression of their regrets.