Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/301

 THE FIRST YEAR 263 cation procession, students in academic cap and gown marching down the main aisle, followed by the professors also in cap and gown, their various bright-colored hoods lending animation to the scene, the Trustees in cap and gown, with prominent visiting edu- cators, the chaplain, the speaker, and the President closing the procession. The first Convocation address was delivered by Professor von Hoist, to a noble audience filling the hall, on the subject, "The Need of Universities in the United States." The President's statement followed. He contrasted the conditions existing twelve months before with those prevailing at the time he spoke, gave an account of the work of the quarter, closing with a statement of the urgent needs of the University. President Harper was always interesting, and never more interesting than in this first Convo- cation statement. The second Convocation was held in the temporary gymnasium on the evening of April i. Professor Chamberlin was the orator and spoke on "The Mission of the Scientific Spirit." The change from the center of the city to the quadrangles occasioned no decrease of public interest. The demand for seats exceeded the supply, and the building was crowded. For the final Convocation of the first year the University again went to the Central Music Hall. It was held at the close of the third quarter, Monday evening, June 26. Professor Hale, the orator, spoke on "The Place of the University in American Life." Now, for the first time, was seen the ceremony of calling to the platform and formally admitting to the University colleges those members of the academic colleges who had proved their fitness. For the first time also there were graduates to receive degrees. The first graduating class of the colleges numbered fifteen. Three of these were women. Robert F. Hoxie, later a member of the faculty, was a member of this first class. There were also thirteen graduates from the Divinity School. Four Master's degrees were conferred, and one Doctor's degree. A contemporary account says: When the one candidate for the Doctor's degree rose to ascend the platform, and the audience saw that he was a Japanese, there was one continued round