Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 142, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 June 1914 — ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE CLOSES 19th YEAR [ARTICLE]

ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE CLOSES 19th YEAR

Thirty-Five Graduates From College Located Here—Oratorical Contest Tuesday Eva

The nineteenth annual commencement of St. Joseph’s college occurred Tuesday afternoon and evening and this Wednesday morning and afternoon the students have been departing for their homes on alj outgoing trains. There were thtrtyflve graduates this year, eight more than a year ago and the largest class that ever left that institution. Sunday afternoon there was a band concert an inter-hall baseball game and other events, and the large number of visitors, some two hundred, spent the afternoon visiting and viewing the beautiful grounds and buildings. Owing to the fact that the gymnasium, where the dramas have taken place in past years, was destroyed by fire, the drama had to ibe abandoned and in its place there Was a contest in oratory by the members of the Junior class, or the fifth class, as it is known at the college. This occurred on the college campus, the speakers being in the bandstand. Attorney E. P. Honan, of this city, presided at the meeting. The contest is held annually for the Conroy gold medal. The contest resulted as follows this year: First, John Zellars, whose subject was ‘The Folly of War.” Second, Theodore Fettig, subject “International Peace.” Third, Edwin Kaiser, subject “Child Labor.” Fourth, Aloysius Cook, “School and Children.” Fifth, Charles LeJeune, “Abraham Lincoln.” The young men were all religious students except Theodore Fettig, who is a secular student. He received the silver medal. The orations were splendidly prepared and well delivered, showing the valuable training Which is given at St. Joseph’s.

Awards were made by Rt. Rev. Mgr. Oechtering, vicar general of the Diocese of Fort Wayne. The band and orchestra was used between the orations, much to the pleasure of the student body and the assembled friends. This Wednesday morning at 7:30 o’clock solemn high mass was celebrated by Rev. A. Fate, of the class of 1909, now of the Cleveland diocese. The baccalaureate address •was given by Rt. Rev. Mgr. Oechtering. The distribution of medals, diplomas and certificates followed. The 10:45, 11:05 and 11:20 trains carried many of the students and visitors homeward.