COMMENCEMENT

The Commencement of 1916, the one hundred and forty-seventh in the history of the College, was an unusual one. The Trustees had just made their announcement of the election of President Hopkins who was also in Hanover during the early days of the week to attend the fifteenth reunion of his class. The excitement and unrest incident to the mobilization of the National Guard occurred in the early days of the week and many alumni who were members of military organizations were uncertain as to what moment they might be called away for active service. More inappropriate weather than that of the first days of the week could not be imagined. Shower succeeded down-pour until the highways of the state and even the streets of Hanover assumed such a gluey consistency that many alumni who had planned to return to Hanover by motor were necessarily prevented. The attendance, however, which was poor during the early days, steadily grew until by Tuesday the town and campus presented the appearance of a normal commencement season.

SING OUT AND WET DOWN

Following the precedent of last year, the Sing Out was held on the Sunday following the close of recitations and was a compulsory service, being the last chapel exercise of the year. The Wet Down ceremonies had already been held during the previous week, an innovation being made here in the time of holding the event. It was thought that if all the operations were performed in the full light of day any danger of injury in the rush might be avoided. With the conclusion of this ceremony, the freshman emblem of verdancy, the green cap, was discarded. At this time the Barrett cup for all-round achievement was awarded to Chester A. Pudrith of the graduating class. The fence was bequeathed to the juniors by L. R. Jordan and accepted for the class by S. B. Emerson, 2nd.

PRIZE SPEAKING

The first formal feature of the Commencement was as usual the prize speaking for the Barge Gold Medal, which has a value of $100 and is open for competition only to members of the senior class for the best original oration. In previous years the Class of 1866 Prizes were competed for at the same time, but this year these prizes were awarded at an earlier contest. For the Barge Medal there were six competitors, the prize being won by Max Spelke of Stamford, Conn., who had as his subject "The College Man's Burden." The judges were Dr. E. H. Trowbridge '81, Hon. C. H. Cox '01, M. S. O'Brien '06, and K. F. Clark '11.

BACCALAUREATE SUNDAY

A most inspiring baccalaureate sermon was preached before the graduating class by the Reverend Harry Emerson Fosdick of Union Theological Seminary. His general theme was "The Challenge of the Present World Crisis to the Young Men of America." He placed the question squarely before his hearers as to whether the present crisis should be met in terms of challenge or of despair, and closed with a message of optimism and hope to the senior class: "It is in such generations as this that men have found God, not lost Him. In summer men are kept from seeing the stars by the foliage of the trees, but in winter they have looked through the naked branches to Heaven." The Vesper Service in the afternoon was in charge of the class of 1891, the speaker being Reverend Burton S. Gilman.

CLASS DAY

For the first time within the memory of the oldest inhabitant the weather was so unfavorable as to necessitate the holding of the Class Day exercises under cover. While the senior procession in rain coats instead of gowns looked far from academic as it filed into Webster Hall, the various speeches had all the old ring of affection and college loyalty. E. C. Riley, the first speaker, struck the keynote of the day in welcoming the guests, and he was followed by L. R. Jordan, who had come directly from his sick-bed at the hospital to deliver the Address to the President. President Nichols's response was followed by a forceful Class Day Oration delivered by M. Spelke on the duty of a man to his college and to himself. After the Address to the Old Chapel by J. M. Larimer, the Sachem Oration was delivered by R. F. DeVoe in the usual Indian regalia. The Class Poem was then read by S. W. Harvey and the parting respects of the class paid to the Old Pine by W. E. Biel in the closing speech of the day. Again moving out into the rain, the procession moved up the hill to the stump of the Old Pine and smoked the pipe of peace and good fellowship in the traditional manner.

MEETING OF THE ALUMNI COUNCIL

The Alumni Council met for its semiannual meeting in Went worth Hall, the roll call showing an attendance of nineteen out of a total membership of twenty-four. After the reading of the minutes the Council proceeded to elect a successor to James P. Richardson '99, one of the three members elected by the Council. William M. Hatch '86 was unanimously elected to this position.

President-elect Hopkins was then given the floor. Mr. Hopkins presented his resignation as member of the Council, stating that it had been his feeling that the President of the College should not, except as especially invited, be present at meetings of the Council, and that he saw no reason now to change his opinion. He spoke with earnest effectiveness of the relation of the alumni to the College and of the opportunity which lies before the Council of helping Dartmouth to achieve its great mission. Following his resignation Mr. Hopkins left the meeting.

It was thereupon voted that the resignation of Mr. Hopkins as member of the Council be accepted, and that the Secretary be authorized to prepare a suitable memorandum. This has been done as follows:

Voted: That the Council of the Alumni of Dartmouth College accept the resignation of Ernest M. Hopkins from its membership.

Mr. Hopkins' organizing mind first conceived the idea of the Council; his vigorous initiative was largely responsible for carrying the project to fulfilment; his foresight and judgment were of invaluable aid in so planning its construction as to insure the effectiveness of its work. As President of the Council, which office he held for two successive terms at the very beginning of the work of this body, his genius for leadership showed the way of future effort and usefulness. The loss of Mr. Hopkins from the Council would be irreparable except as it means his elevation to the controlling position in the affairs of the College itself.

To him, as President of Dartmouth College, the members of the Council pledge their ready" support, both individually, and as representatives of that great group of College alumni whose loyalty, long proverbial, is now beginning to express itself in terms of well directed purpose.

After voting to leave the time and place of the next meeting to the Executive Committee, the Committee on the Alumni Fund reported estimated receipts for the year sufficient to justify recommendations which were voted as follows:

Voted: That from the receipts of the Alumni Fund for the year closing June 30, 1916, $5000.00 be tendered to the Trustees to be applied to the College deficit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1916;

That $500.00 be applied to the re-establishment of the Tucker Alumni Scholarship, said $500 to be divided equally between J. B. Stearns '16, and C. W. Sargent '15, who are to undertake graduate work with the idea of fitting themselves for college teaching, and who are highly recommended as the type of men whom the College would wish to recall as part of its teaching force;

That the unexpended balance of the year's income be carried to the principal of the Fund.

The Committee on Changes in the Constitution of the Council and of the Association of Alumni made an extended report and it was voted to recommend to the Association of Alumni the constitutional changes which are recorded in the report of the meeting of the Association printed below. These votes which are given in full in that place have to do with the method of election of certain members of the Council, the tenure of a councilor's office and a change in the method of nominating candidates for the position of alumni trustee. It was also voted to recommend to the Association that the constitution as amended be printed and distributed to the alumni.

After voting to recommend to the Association that John R. McLane '07 be chosen to represent the alumni in the Council on Student Organizations, it was further voted to recommend the adoption of the votes concerning the contributors to the gymnasium fund, which will be found in the report of the meeting of the Association of Alumni.

After voting that a committee be appointed by the chair to recommend changes in the Athletic Council, the Committee on Alumni Projects reported through Chairman Tuttle with regard to the advisability of financing the revising and bringing up to date of "Chapman's Lives." On recommendation of the committee it was voted that, in the opinion of the Alumni Council, it was inadvisable that "Chapman's Lives" be continued.

Mr. Gannon then reported at length upon the athletic situation in its diplomatic and financial aspects after which recess was declared until immediately following the Association of Alumni meeting on the next day.

The meeting reconvened at the designated time to take action regarding the vacancy created by the resignation of President-elect Hopkins. Edward W. Knight 'B7 was unanimously elected to complete the term of Mr. Hopkins. The meeting was then adjourned.

The following elections of members to the Council were announced by the alumni from the New England States, Fred A. Howland 'B7; from the Middle and Southern States, Luther B. Little '82; from the Central States, Walter E. McCornack '97; from the Western States, James A. Vaughan '05; from the Rocky Mountain and Pacific States, Richard C. Campbell '86; elected by the Council, William M. Hatch '86; Edward W. Knight '87 (to replace Presidentelect Hopkins '01, who was elected by the secretaries at their March meeting); member ex-officio, James P. Richardson '99 (chairman of the Executive Committee of the Association of Alumni).

TUESDAY

MEETING OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The president of the Association, Chancellor Jenks '86, called the meeting to order and prayer was offered by Bishop Walter A. Sellew 'B6. The minutes of the previous meeting being read and approved President Jenks spoke briefly, in the course of his remarks paying a warm tribute to President Nichols. He then appointed the following committee on nominations: R. C. Campbell '86, F. A. Howland '87, and Philip Fox '02.

The treasurer's report which was approved showed for the year receipts of $1753.52 and disbursements of $884.87, leaving a balance on hand of $868.65.

In response to a call for communications from the President and Trustees, Mr. Parkhurst spoke a few words of appreciation of the work of the alumni, particularly in relation to the Alumni Fund, which has been of material assistance in wiping out the deficit.

It was then announced that the Trustees had voted to accept an American flag, the gift of J. W. Newton '86. In presenting the flag, Mr. Newton announced his intention of supplementing the gift with that of a College flag as soon as a suitable design could be determined upon. Mr. Parkhurst received the flag in behalf of the College and following the meeting it was carried by Mr. Newton, escorted by the alumni, to Parkhurst Hall.

The Alumni Council then presented through its secretary, the following motions which were adopted:

I. Voted: That, in the opinion of the Association of Alumni, placing the names of donors to the gymnasium fund upon the walls of the gymnasium, either painted upon bricks or otherwise publicly exhibited, is highly undesirable, and Voted: That the Association feels that the project should be abandoned, and That instead, a bronze tablet be erected in the building stating that it was built by contributions from the alumni, and That a committee, consisting of the President and Secretary of the Association and the Chairman of its Executive Committee be authorized to carry this vote into effect.

II. Voted: That John R. McLane '07 be elected to represent the alumni on the Council on Student Organizations.

III. Voted: That the constitution of the Council of the Alumni be amended so as to provide, 1. That the faculty member of the Council should be elected by the faculty from among the alumni members of the teaching force of the College.

2. That no elective member of the Council shall be eligible for election to more than two consecutive terms of three years each.

3. That the Council should be empowered to fill vacancies in its own number, except those occurring by expiration of term.

It was further voted that the constitution of the Association be so amended as to place in the hands of the Alumni Council power to nominate one candidate for alumni trustee; other candidates if any, to be nominated on certificate by a group of not less than twenty-five alumni.

It was also voted in this connection that the constitution as revised be printed and distributed among the alumni.

The semi-centennial class of 1866 was then escorted to the platform and welcomed by President Jenks. Judge Ide acted as spokesman, reporting fifteen members present out of nineteen living.

The Committee on Nominations then presented the following slate which was adopted by the Association:

President, E. W. Knight '87; VicePresidents, E. K. Woodworth '97, and J. A. Brown '02; Secretary, Homer E. Keyes '00; Treasurer, P. R. Bugbee '90; Statistical Secretary, J. M. Comstock '77; Executive Committee, J. P. Richardson '99, Chairman, J. H. Hill '87, C. G. DuBois '91, J. M. Fowler '00, T. C. W'ellsted '09, A. T. Soule 'OB, P. B. Paul '06.

Athletic Council: alumni, J. W. Gannon '99, H. R. Lane '07, J. C. O'Connor '02; faculty, C. E. Bolser '97, C. A. Proctor '00, L. Griggs '02; undergraduates, ex-officio, the managers of football, baseball, and track teams.

The announcement was then made that Albert O. Brown '7B had been elected trustee by alumni vote, he having received 848 votes out of a total of 1178 cast.

The meeting then adjourned.

OTHER ACTIVITIES OF TUESDAY

Aside from the meeting of the Alumni Association Tuesday was a busy day of various activities. Early in the morning Phi Beta Kappa met and increased the 1916 delegation by three men making the total thirty-one, the largest in the history of the chapter. The rest of the morning was devoted to less scholarly, if more hilarious pursuits, with a parade to the oval where the assembled alumni watched Amherst repeat its baseball victory of the day before, while a realistic Villa hunt was conducted and brought to its tragic end between innings. In the evening a spectacular torchlight procession was held across the Campus and to the home of President Nichols, after which the concert of the Musical Clubs was held in Webster Hall. The evening before had also seen the Dramatic Association playing to a packed house in the same auditorium.

WEDNESDAY

As in former years the long procession of black-gowned seniors, the new Stars and Stripes in the van, gailygowned trustees and faculty and everyday alumni marched across the campus and into Webster Hall. The graduating exercises were opened with prayer by the Reverend J. E. Johnson '66 after which the time-honored custom was followed of singing Milton's paraphrase of Psalm one hundred and thirty-six. The Commencement speakers and their subjects were as follows: Edward C. Kirkland, "Wheelock's Ideals for the College"; Eugene P. Chase, "Ideals in the College Today"; Ray Chapman, "Why Read Shakespeare?"; Edwin L. McFalls, "The Closed Shop"; Earl Cranston, "Newspapers and Public Opinion"; Roswell F. Magill, "Economic World-Peace."

After the singing of Richard Hovey's Men of Dartmouth," the degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon One hundred and thirteen men and one hundred and seventeen were made Bachelors of Science. Four men received the degree of Master of Arts. The degrees of Civil Engineer and Master of Commercial Science had already been conferred on the successful candidates in the associated schools at their graduation in April.

The recipients of honorary degrees were presented by Professor J. K. Lord. The words of presentation and the characterization by President Nichols follow :

Mr. PRESIDENT:

For the honorary degree of Master of Arts I present one who, in the service of great railway organizations, beginning with the lowest place, where one receives orders, has, by turning obstacles into opportunities, risen to the highest place where one gives them, John Alexander Munroe.

John Alexander Munroe, until junior year a member of the class of '75; well versed through the teachings of experience in the domain of affairs and men; a past master in the intricate concerns of transportation; responsible executive and head of the traffic department of one of our greatest railway systems:

With the authority given me by the Trustees of Dartmouth College, and in their presence, I admit you to the degree of Master of Arts, and I declare you worthy of all the rights, honors and signal obligations here and elsewhere belonging to this degree.

Mr. PRESIDENT:

"The proper study of mankind is man," and I present for the honorary degree of Master of Arts one, who in the engrossing demands of great business enterprises has recognized the human element as the most important, and that the welfare of the many and the welfare of the individual are not inconsistent, but are directly proportioned one to the other, A. Lincoln Filene.

A. Lincoln Filene, successful merchant, who, amid the many demands and distractions of large private business, finds time and enthusiasm for painstaking and accurate observation and analysis of social conditions in commerce and industry; close student of the practical fruits of education; resourceful dreamer, with inspired initiative to bring your dreams to pass:

I admit you to the degree of Master of Arts.

Mr. PRESIDENT:

For the honorary degree of Master of Arts I present one, who has learned that the art of arts is the art of living, and that the life of books and of society is not complete until it has been enriched by the expanding influence of communion with nature in her visible forms, John Edgar Johnson.

John Edgar Johnson, twice son of Dartmouth, and an officer in the Union Army of the Civil War; early pilgrim among the universities of Europe; a minister of the gospel and tireless social worker; lover of broad horizons and the open road; sustaining benefactor of the Dartmouth Outing Club:

I admit you to the degree of Master of Arts.

Mr. PRESIDENT:

The road to learning and to life is not so clear that it does not call for expert guides, and such an one, made expert through long experience in teaching and through the successful superintendency for many years of metropolitan schools, I now present for the honorary degree of Doctor of Pedagogy, Andrew Wheatley Edson.

Andrew Wheatley Edson, born into Dartmouth with the class of '78; gifted schoolmaster and able master of schools in the city of greater New York:

I admit you to the degree of Doctor of Pedagogy.

Mr. PRESIDENT:

For the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity I present one, whom the call of duty led through business and editorial labors to the Christian ministry, and who in that service has had long and lasting influence, FrederickHarlan Page.

Frederick Harlan Page, man of broad interests and kindly outlook; apt interpreter of the scriptures to the needs of modern life; whom four years experience of responsible editorship of metropolitan newspapers won to the ministry of the gospel:

I admit you to the degree of Doctor of Divinity.

Mr. PRESIDENT:

The path of science sometimes leads to starry heights, sometimes among the abodes of men, and I present for the honorary degree of Doctor of Science an investigator and inventor, whose labors along that path have disclosed some of nature's secrets and made some of her hitherto unused materials obedient to human use, Byron E. Eldred.

Byron E. Eldred, student at Dartmouth in the class of '96; able engineer, fertile and resourceful in invention and discovery; winner of the John Scott Legacy and Medal of the City of Philadelphia :

I admit you to the degree of Doctor of Science.

Mr. PRESIDENT:

The domains of business and of letters are not always kept apart, for occasionally one is found who is eminent in both, and who to keen business ability adds the force of a vigorous pen, equally effective for advocacy or criticism. Such an one I now present for the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters, George Brinton McClellan Harvey

George Brinton McClellan Harvey, virile product of Vermont's soil and nurture; man of many and distinguished parts; master of a pure and graceful style, often put to trenchant uses; stern critic of public men; forceful advocate and opponent; publisher and publicist in one:

I admit you to the degree of Doctor of Letters.

Mr. PRESIDENT:

With the pride of a teacher in a former pupil, gaining some credit by reflected light, I have the honor to present for the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters a scholar whose studies, both wide and deep, whose clear thinking, sound judgment, lucid exposition and graceful style have made him an acknowledged authority in history and political philosophy, William ArchibaldDunning.

William Archibald Dunning, entrant at Dartmouth, graduate of Columbia; genial, sympathetic and forceful teacher; close and critical student; clear and able writer; a recognized authority on political theories and the period of reconstruction :

I admit you to the degree of Doctor of Letters.

Mr. PRESIDENT:

"Law hath her seat in the bosom of God, and her voice is the harmony of the world," and I present for the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws one, who has long been the mouthpiece of the law in this State by bringing statute and equity into harmony through the expression of her will, Reuben Eugene Walker.

Reuben Eugene Walker, son of Brown; thirty-eight years a distinguished member of the New Hampshire Bar, and for the last fifteen an honored justice in the state's highest tribunal; an erudite and able jurist; an upright judge:

I admit you to the degree of Doctor of Laws.

The characterization in the case of President Nichols was made by the Reverend Francis Brown '70 of the Board of Trustees.

(Professor Lord):

"Westward the star of empire takes its way" is the expression of poetry and of history, but poetry and history are sometimes reversed, as when one, who was born and reared in the west, left that section to fill chairs of instruction and to take the reins of academic control in institutions at the east, and who, after having entered the goodly fellowship of the presidents of Dartmouth College, now finds in translation to another sphere, where he has the prospect of many years in which to pursue his chosen investigations, that his works do follow him. In recognition of his service to the College, as well as of his personal attainments, I now present to the Trustees the retiring President of the College for the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, Ernest Fox Nichols.

(Doctor Brown):

Ernest Fox Nichols, patient scholar and keen discoverer, administrator of broad judgment and prophetic imagination, faithful and loyal man,—carrying now into new paths of research and human serviceableness the ripe experience of the student, the educator and the executive, enriched by wide and varied associations where you have given more than you have received,—it is with a repect and an affection that have grown from more to more, reaching their strongest at this hour of separation in place and task, though not in purpose and in sympathy, that by the authority of the Trustees of Dartmouth College, and on their behalf, I confer upon you the degree of Doctor of Laws, and declare you entitled to all the rights, privileges and immunities here and elsewhere belonging to this degree.

THE ALUMNI LUNCHEON

From Webster Hall the alumni, increased in numbers during the morning by two hundred and thirty, adjourned to the Alumni Gymnasium where the classes were soon seated together. The post-luncheon speaking was under the direction of Chancellor L. Jenks '86, who first called on President Nichols. In a brief and eloquent valedictory, Dr. Nichols emphasized the pleasure his work at Dartmouth had afforded him and his confidence in the future of the College. In concluding, he announced the gifts of the year and in explanation read letters from Reverend J. E. Johnson '66, and Mr. Wallace F. Robinson. The list of these gifts and the letters are printed in the records of the annual meeting of the Trustees in another part of this issue.

Secretary Knapp then read the list of percentages of alumni who had returned for Commencement in the classes having a reunion this year. The results were as follows: 1881, 38.7 per cent; 1901, 41.2 per cent; 1876, 44.4 per cent; 1906, 48.7 percent; 1911, 49.7 per cent (107 returned, which is the largest that any class has ever called together at a commencement reunion) ; 1886, 50.8 per cent; 1896, 52.5 per cent; 1891, 60.7 per cent; 1866, 78.9 per cent, (fifteen men returned out of a total of nineteen living graduates). The cup was therefore awarded to the class of 1866.

The toastmaster then called upon the following speakers: Professor John King Lord '68, Colonel George Harvey, Dean Laycock '96, and Channing Cox '01, Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. In concluding his remarks Dean Laycock announced that his class, although the smallest to graduate in recent years, had set a new record with an unconditional gift to the College of $2500 at this, its twentieth reunion.

Although not down on the official program it is interesting to record here the action of the graduating class of 1916 in electing to honorary membership, President Nichols, Reverend J. E. Johnson and Mr. Wallace F. Robinson.

The singing of the Dartmouth Song closed the exercises of the one hundred and forty-seventh Commencement of the College.