Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 June 1910 — ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT. [ARTICLE]

ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT.

It was the 14th of June that brought the 19th scholastic year iof St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Indiana, to a happy close. The ending, was, indeed, a most 'fitting crown to the last year’s work. The season of 'O9 an! TO is marled down in the college annals as one of the most successful two-term periods of the I institution. Both in material expansion and intellectual advanceIment* there has been continued ;and noted progress. There are no I regrets, but only sincerest hopes that the future may continue to show so abundantly the evidences of the onward and upward march. »• Every train on Monday brought its quota of visitors, mostly relatives and friends .of the departing graduates. The first notes of greeting that met them as they entered the groves that encircle the college buildings w“ere the pleasant tunes of the College Military Band that had undertaken fio furnish the first afternoon’s entertainment. They acquitted themselves exceptionally well of their delightful task, and to Rev. J. Rapp, who directs these aspiring musicians; the many rounds of applause showed that his labors are bearing fruits. The Rt. Rev. Herman J. Alerding arrived in the afternoon and was soon escorted to the new chapel where the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered to a large class. At 8 p. m., the Oratory Contest was 'held for the Conroy gold medal in the auditorium. Six contestants strove for the first prize, and ordinarily a#y one of them might have carried off the first honors. The judges however awarded the medal to Leon Dufrane, and the second place to George Pax. The contest was presided bver by Rev. E. B. Lidwina, A. M., Secretary of tne Catholic Church Extension Society. He concluded the*program with a few well-chosen remarks, expressing his surprise and satisfaction of the splendid efforts of the youthful orators. The following musicial numbers were interspersed between the orations: “Calif of Bagdad,” Overture, Boildiem, Orchestra; “Poet and Peasant,” Souppe, Orchestra ; “Queen of Auljumn,” Bigge, Orchestra; “Spring Song” Quartet, White, Glee Club. The orchestra deserves much credit for the perfection with which the difficult parts were rendered. Father J. Toujas, C. PP. S., can well look with pleasant satisfaction upon his work that was brought* to such a successful closg in connection with the oratory contest. The Rt. Rev. Bishop celebrated mass in the new chapel at seven o’clock Tuesday morning. At 8 o’clock, all were again assembled' in the auditorium this time to witness the graduation exercises, which were auspiciously opened by the Cantata, “Waves of the Danube,” by Ivanoici, choir and orchestra. This is the third Cantata rendered under Father John’s direction and it would not be too much to say that it was the best presentation that has been produced at the closing exercises. Henry Berghoff spoke the opening words of the exercises for the outgoing class. He then introduced Rev. John R. Quinlan, of Huntingt6n, Ind., who delivered. the Baccalaureate address. His discourse was an instructive dissertation on the necessity of Christian principles in all true Education. By numerous examples from the history of literature, music, sculpturing, and painting he showed that only such works survive and endure that were perfecteijn the spirit of the Cross. The, Christian stands supremely above all that is material, and hence his education and development must be accomplished with the aid of the supernatural and -divine, modeled on the ideals presented by the Saviour. The Waledictory was delivered by James J. Mclntyre, the class medalist. His parting words were brief, but when he ha<i finished all felt, as indeed the speaker himself did; a deep regret that the hour of parting had come so very soon. The degree, Bachelor of Arts,

was conferred upon Henry E. Berghoff, Leo H. Spornhauer, ijames F. Mclntyre, Henry J. Host, Theodore J. Koenn. Normal certificates were awarded to Rudolph Gerken, Julius Moeder, Alois H. Moeder. Commercial certificates were awarded .to Robert A. Fitzgibbons, Robert A. Griffin, Richard W. Heinlen, Slyvester J. Hies, , Louis C, Horn, Edwin C. Horn, ; Harry J. Kampp, Leo M, McjGufren, Francis J. Marcotte, Aloysius J. Scharf, Max C. Toner, John R. Wemhoff. The following received gold medals: J. F. Mclntyre sos the highest honors in the classical department, donated by Rev. L. Rberle. Goshen, Ind.; for the best English Essay, Charles Leary, donated by the Alumni Association; for the second best essay, L. Spornhouer, donated by Alumni Association; the Conroy Oratory Medal, Leon Dufrane; for the highest honors in the Normal Department, Rudolph Gerken, donated by Rev. Francis Koch, Reynolds', Ind.; in the Commercial department, Sylvester J. Hies, donated by Rev. James Connelly, Lebandh, In.; for the highest honors in the Junior class Charles Condon, 'donated *by Rev. Edward Mungo*ran, Areola, Ind.; in the Sophomore # class, Qtto Peters, donated by Rev. Joseph Mutch, Lafayette, Ind.; in the Freshman class, Walter Reineck, donated by Rev. Edward Werling, Mishawaka, Ind, A large number of visitors were m attendance from Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. * L-