May 31, 1916
Closing Exercises Are Held at the Texas School of Mines
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Members of the first graduating class of the Texas School of Mines, a branch of the University of Texas, received their diplomas Tuesday night, at the close of impressive exercises, conducted in the assembly hall of the School of Mines building, beyond Fort Bliss. Dean S.H. Worrell presided and introduced the speakers.
Speaks of Power of Personality
Rabbi Martin Zielonka delivered the commencement address, taking as his theme: "The Power of Personality." He spoke of the importance of doubting because it made men stop to think, reconsider and readjust. Rabbi Zielonka emphasized the good of listening to the voice of conscience, "Answer its behests," he said, "and your path in life may be somewhat lonesome, but it will be worth while and filled with the satisfaction that cannot be acquired by the possession of wealth." The rabbi said that in the present age we think too much of the material side of things he said, and pointed out that the greatest characters and most domination personalities of the ages had come from the humbler homes, where character was emphasized more than possessions.
Diplomas Presented
The diplomas were presented to the graduates by judge Beauregard Bryan, a former member of the board of regents of the University of Texas, and first to suggest the establishing of the School of Mines of the university in El Paso instead of at Austin. Judge Bryan praised the public spiritedness of the chamber of commerce, in securing this institution for the city of El Paso and dwelt upon the greatness of the opportunities presented to the college here to become in time one of the great schools of mines of the country.
Musical Selections Given
The graduates of the school are Clyde M. Ney, Vere Leasure and Lloyd Nelson. Rev. Miles Hanson pronounced the invocation and benediction at the exercises. Between the addresses a number of musical selections were given. Miss Zula Robinson sang "O Sole Mio," accompanied by Mrs. V.L. Bean on the piano and Miss Ruth M. Augur on the cello. Miss Robinson's encore was "Somewhere a Voice is Calling." Miss Minna Edwards played a violin solo, "Serenade Badine." by Gabriel-Marie, and played Dvorak's "Humoresque," as an encore. Mrs. Bean accompanied her. "La Golondrin" was sung by a quartet, composed of Misses Zula Robinson and Anna Axton, Messers. Walter Davis and Cecil Davis. Mrs. Bean and Miss Augur accompanied them. Walter Davis sang a solo. "Good-By," accompanied by Mrs. Bean. The hall was very attractively decorated with streamers of orange and white paper, the colors of the University of Texas.
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