“President Cravath then, in behalf of the Trustees of the University, addressed the graduating class in fitly chosen words, and gave them their diplomas.
“At two o’clock the alumni dinner, one of the institutions of Commencement week, came off. About sixty guests, including former graduates, members of the college classes, and various ministers of city churches, sat down with students and teachers to an ample collation. After dinner an hour was occupied in listening to speeches, which abounded in wit, humor and pathos.
“Thus closed a series of exercises which are regarded by all those who witnessed them as unusually interesting and successful.”
Commencement——A Local Notice——A Short Year——Needs and Hopes.
A class of eight has just been graduated from the classical department of this University——the largest class yet sent out——of which seven were young men. Six members of the class pursued the entire course here; the other two had taken the greater part of their course at another school, and came here the last year to graduate. The size of the class and the corresponding large circle of personal friends excited more than usual interest in the commencement exercises, which were held Wednesday evening, June 4th, at Central Church. The body of the church was crowded to its utmost capacity, and many were forced to find seats in the gallery.
It is something entirely new that our school should be noticed in the local papers, and I shall be pardoned for taking the following from the New Orleans _Times_ of the 5th inst. After giving the order of exercises, it says:
“The orations were of high order, and reflected great credit upon the young men. They all gave evidence of the thoroughness of training they had received in the University. They certainly gave promise of honorable success in the life-work to which they had devoted themselves. The essay and valedictory of Miss Flemming deserves especial mention. It was well written and gracefully rendered.”
The singing, says the _Times_, “was exceptionally fine. Professor McPherron deserves great credit for the patient and thorough instruction which was manifest in the superior rendering of the anthems and glees.”
President Alexander conferred the diplomas in a brief address of commendation, encouragement and advice.