The President's Address
ROBERT WOODS
Ladies and gentlemen: [It is my pleasure tonight to bid you welcome to
this, the closing exercise of our class work. We have attained an intermediate
goal in life, have finished our preparation, and, as we come here tonight, we
come with varying emotions in our hearts. Yet, I believe that | can safely
say that the strongest one is that of pleasure. As we, from our unaccustone:l
point of vantage, look into your faces and see among vour number friends and
loved ones, parents, teachers, and fellow-students, we are glad to be here, and
to have you with us on this occasion.
Irathers and mothers: We are especially glad that you are here tonight.
We are not insensible to the feeling of gratification that is swelling in vour
hearts to see your son, your daughter complete the college curriculum: and
you may be certain that the hearts of those on the platform respond with
feelings of deepest gratitude for the sacrifice, the love on vour part that has
enabled them to stand here tonight. We have not always expressed this feeling
to you in fact, at times you may have wondered if we were grateful, but tonight
we wish to assure you that this love, burning for us in our homes, has kept us
true to the standards you set for us in the carly days of our childhood when
our characters were in the making at the hands of those who loved to see us
grow. Who has a better right to be here tonight than you? I assure you that
no one has a more hearty welcome than is yours.
And to you, Teachers, the graduating class extends its greetings. You
who are giving your lives for the sole purpose of preparing the youth of this
people for broader fields of labor, larger spheres of usefulness, are able to see
tonight a measure of the result of your labors. They have not been in vain.
Fellow-students: There is a bond of fellowship uniting us that is stronger
than time. It is the same bond, yet different, that unites brothers and sisters
in the home. We have lived together, eaten together, worked and plaved
side by side. And in this way we have been taught to rely upon each other's
friendship. We are glad that you may be here tonight, and hope that from these
exercises you may gain a new determination to press on to the goal; and that
some day in the near future, you may pass through such an experience as this.
I1, in this category, you are not included, if you are neither parent, student,
nor teacher, but just a friend, allow me to welcome you. It is friendship that
makes life pleasant. Our friendships constitute our environment. And vou
may be sure that we are happy to call you our friends. We owe much to the
helpful influence of your lives. We remember the many happy days that we
have spent together, here and elsewhere, and remembering we are glad that
you are present tonight at this, the greatest function of the year.
Classmates: Let me welcome you. You and I are finishing tonight. We
are here together at the end of four vear's work for this final exercise. I extend
greetings to you and introduce to vou the task that is opening before us, the
great work that is going with the wings of the morning to the uttermost parts
of the earth. I welcome you to work, to sacrifice, to earnest, zealous endeavor,
This is our great purpose.
Classmates, I am sure that you join me in extending a hearty welcome
to all present.