The Concord Times, May 18, 1911, p. 1

LAST DAY OF COMMENCEMENT AT MT. PLEASANT
Final Exercises Held Yesterday – Baccalaureate Sermon by Rev. Chas. P. MacLaughlin, of Concord – Awarding of Diplomas and Medals – Personal Items.

Commencement was brought to a fitting close this morning with the baccalaureate sermon by Rev. Chas. P. MacLaughlin, pastor of St. James E. L. Church, Concord. Mr. MacLaughlin selected as a basis for his remarks “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly,” John 10:10. The sermon was most appropriate for the occasion and in every way a masterpiece of pulpit eloquence. The graduating classes to whom it was especially directed will in coming years derive lasting benefit from the words of wisdom so convincingly spoken to them. It was a great pleasure to have Mr. MacLaughlin on this occasion.

Immediately following the sermon came the presentation of the medals. At Mont Amoena Seminary there are two gold medals given, one for the best work in the English department for two years including the graduating thesis and the other for the best examination in arithmetic. Prof. Fisher presented the former to Miss Lena Moose and the latter to Miss Mary Patterson. The winners of the medals at the Institute have already been given excepting the Ludwig scholarship medal, the most highly prized of them all. This one was won this year by the smallest boy in school and the youngest student that ever won a medal at the Institute, Master Lester Johnson, the young son of Mrs. Robert Johnson, of Mt. Pleasant. Prof. McAllister presented the medals for the Institute.

Prof. McAllister announced that the following students had won first distinction at the Institute: Lester Johnson, F. B. Lingle, C. W. Misenheimer, Fred Peck and Z. B. Trexler. Also that the following had gone the entire year under the rigid system of military discipline without having received a single demerit: J. R. Cress, H. E. Cline, A. L. Morgan, A. L. Ridenhour and D. C. Trexler.

Diplomas to the graduating class of the Seminary were then presented by Prof. Fisher, followed by the presentation to the class at the Institute by Prof. McAllister. The ususal announcements for next session were made, the benediction by Rev. MacLaughlin and another commencement passed into history.

Notes.

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Institute held Tuesday plans were formulated looking to the final settlement of the old college debt. This is good news. Synod also has taken decided steps toward the making of necessary and permanent repairs on the buildings. The outlook for another session has never been better for these two institutions. The watchword henceforth will be greater schools in Mt. Pleasant.

A few years a go we were proud of the fact that at last we has an auditorium large enough for the commencement crowds. This week it has been too small, scores and scores going away at each appointment, there being not even standing room.

Yesterday was a strenuous day, embracing debate, orations, baseball, trustee meeting, concert and promenade. Really there should be some way of thinning out a bit.

The weather man has been especially favorable this week. The many friends of Mr. Frank Cline were indeed sorry that he could not be present today and receive his diploma with the class, being detained on account of sickness.

Mt. Pleasant, N. C., May 17, 1911.

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Thursday Morning.

The parting teardrops have fallen. Scenes that but yesterday were animated with joy, happiness, smiles and laughter, today are deserted, forsaken, lonely as mountain fastness but not forgotten for the wee small whispers lisped there and the vows pledged there will live on in sweet memories long after the commencement of 1911 has been lost in the archives of time. The students have gone. Mt. Pleasant, the scene of many a sad, sweet parting, bids them good speed and good luck and expresses hope that their future paths will guide their footsteps again within her gates.

Mt. Pleasant, N. C., May 18, 1911.