<center><table background="https://forumeus.com/images/bkoldpaper.gif"><td height=5 colspan=3></td></tr><tr><td height=8 colspan=3><TT><font size="4"><b><center>Lafayette Advertiser</td></tr><tr><td height=8 colspan=3><TT><center>05-31-1902</td></tr><tr><td height=2 colspan=3></td></tr><tr><td></td><td height=8 width="525"><TT><center>CLOSING EXERCISES<br>Of The Industrial Institute<hr width=180></td><td></td></tr><tr><td width=8></td><td width="525"><dd><P ALIGN="justify"><tt>Since we went to press for our last issue the first annual commencement exercises of the Southwestern Louisiana Institute have taken place, and the first session of the school has closed. The interest which our people showed in these exercises show that they are thoroughly awake in matters of education and that they feel a just pride in the institution which the town, parish, and state have contributed so liberally to found and maintain. A spirit new to Lafayette, the spirit of commencement day seemed to take possession of all and to urge everyone towards the Institute as the session drew to a close.
The final exercises of the series were held on Friday evening, the 23rd, and consisted in a concert given by the music classes and pupils of the school under the direction of Prof. F. Sontag. The large auditorium was filled to its utmost capacity, many present hailing from neighboring towns and parishes. The hall was admirably lighted by arc and incandescent lamps, while twenty five of the later as foot-lights cast a brightness on the stage and its artistic decorations that added greatly to the beauty of the scene. Prof. Sontag was assisted in this entertainment by the Sontag Military Band as the proceeded in its happiest humor. Other numbers on the program which were loudly applauded were piano solos by Miss Maxim Beraud and Miss Genevieve Mouton; vocal solos by Miss Alma Gulley and Miss Mabel Alford; two double quartettes by the Quartette Club; and a Mandoline solo by Miss Louise Nollive. At the close of the program President Stephens made public and announcement of the remaining exercises and cordially invited al those present to attend.
On Saturday and 10 a.m. the doors of the Institute were thrown open to visitors for a public inspection of the works of the student in all departments. Several hundred people responded to the cordial invitations which had been tendered, and availed themselves of the good opportunity to become better acquainted with the work done by their boys and girls during the session. The main building, dormitory, and work shop were all open to visitors. In the main building the class rooms offices, gymnasium, laboratories, domestic science rooms, and library were inspected. The exhibit of the departments of English, stenography and geography were made in the library. The display of the drawing classes were in their rooms and called forth much admiration from visitors. The sewing classes made a highly creditable showing in their well equipped and furnished room. A large number of articles of apparel, mostly unknown by name to the writer but ranging from pretty lace handkerchiefs to elegant dresses, and running the whole gamut of strange garments which ladies wear were on exhibit to awe the men and charm the ladies. In the chemical laboratory there was a display of apparatus used by students during the session, while the science teacher with several students conducted various experiments of popular interest and explained their purport. The exhibit in the workshop was one of the most complete and reflects credit upon the instructor and students of the manual training department. On the work bench of each student were displayed the different exercises made by him during the session. His drawings were tacked to the wall directly above the bench, and the larger articles made by the students occupied the central part of the commodious room. Among the latter there were several desks and book-cases, washstands, hotel dressers, book-shelves, music cases, pedestals, reclining chair, step ladder, etc.
The exercises on Saturday evening consisted in an open session of the Atakapas Literary Society and a literary address by Hon M. H. Carver of Natchitoches. Again the capacious auditorium was filled to its utmost; all anxious to witness the literary efforts of the students. The program comprised the following numbers, besides vocal and instrumental music; a paper reviewing the first session of the Institute, by Miss Annie Bell tableaux of five noted woman as follows: Zanthippe, Miss Gertrude Layne of Jennings; Cleopatra, Miss Mabel Alford of Scott; Ophelia, Miss Annie Bell of Lafayette; Elizabeth, Miss Eleanor Compton of Rapides; and Victoria, Miss Gertrude Coronna of Lafayette.
A tableau, in which Miss Nora Darby represented the Southwestern Industrial Institute as a source of enlightment, was received with much applause. The chief feature, however of the entire program was the annual debate which was to decide the awarding of the Julian Mouton medal. This medal was offered in perpetuo by Judge Mouton to the best debater of the society, the contest to be held annually during the commencement exercises. The subject of the debate this year was "Resolved that the Government should own and operate the Railroads." The debaters were on the affirmative Miss Alma Gulley and Bessie Lesley, on the negative Miss Irma Voorhies and Mr. Jefferson Caffery. The judges were Dr. Beverly Warner, Prof. Brown Ayres of Tulane University, and Hon Thomas H. Lewis of Opelousas. Dr. Warner, in rendering the decision of the Judges, complimented highly all the speakers upon the ability and skill which they had shown in their treatment of the question, and stated that the committee had decided in favor of the negative and had awarded the medal to Mr. Caffery with special mention Miss Lessley.
The program on Saturday evening was closed by an interesting description of the drama, "If I were King," as played by Southern in New Orleans last winter.</td><td width=8></td><tr><td height=8 colspan=5></td></table>
