--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Nelson, Lowry collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 25 number: 9 published: 1922-07 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Nelson Lowry, "Commencement Exercises: Brigham Young University", *Improvement Era* 25, no. 9 (July 1922): 832–835.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2509unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2509unse start_page: 832 end_page: 835 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1922-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2509unse publication_year: 1922 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1922, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Commencement Exercises: Brigham Young University Commencement Exercises Brigham Young University Honorary Degrees Conferred By Lowry Nelson, Secretary ta the President The forty-sixth annual commencement exercises of the Brigham Young University were held on June 2. The bachelor's degree was conferred upon thirty-two men and women, thirteen received the normal diploma, and three received the art super- vision diploma. A feature of the exercises was the conferring of honorary degrees upon Elders David O. McKay and James E. Talmage of the Council of the Twelve. Elder McKay received the de- gree of Master of Arts; and to Elder Talmage was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws. President Heber J. Grant officiated in conferring the de- grees. In presenting the diploma to Elder David O. McKay the President spoke as follows: "David 0. McKay, educator, organizer, and inspirer of the young: In recognition of your efficiency as a teacher and school executive ; and of your power in marshaling educational forces; and of your contribution to the Church teacheri-training work; together with your effective labors as Church Commissioner of Education and your life-long devotion to the uplift of mankind; on recommendation of the university council and with the approval of the board of trustees, and by the authority of the board of trustees in me vested, I confer upon you the degree of Master of Arts with all rights and privileges appertaining thereunto; in testimony whereof ycu are presented with this diploma." In conferring the doctorate upon Elder Talmage, President Grant spoke as follows: "James Edward Talmage, bachelor of science and didactics, doctor of science, doctor of philosophy, fellow of the Royal Microscopical society, felow of the Royal Scottish Geographical society, fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, fellow of the Geological Societies of Great Britain and America, fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and member of numerous other scientific societies: "In recognition of your long and noteworthy service as a teacher in this university and other institutions; and of your contributions to science in the field of geology, and of your service as college and university presi- dent: and of your distinguished work as an author and lecturer; on recom- mendation of the university council and with the approval of the board of trustees and by the authority of the board of trustees in me vested, I confer upon you the degree of Doctor of Laws; in testimony whereof you are in- vested with the appropriate hood of your academic rank and presented with this diploma." The ceremony included the removal of the doctorate of science hood of Lehigh University, worn by Dr. Talmage, and replacing it with the Brigham Young University LL.D hood, COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES, B. Y. U. 833 faced with royal purple and lined with white and azure blue. Elder David 0. McKay delivered the address to the gradu- ates; and his appropriate and impressive remarks will be re- membered with profit by all who heard. The proceedings of the day began with a procession, in which marched the board of trustees, faculty and graduates, dressed in academic costume befitting their several ranks. Those holding the doctorate degree wore the gowns and hoods with the colors of their respective colleges. The pro- cession was of imposing ap- pearance, and the services in College Hall were likewise im- pressive and dignified through- out. President Charles W. Penrose, upon whom the uni- versity conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws last year, but who was unable to attend the exercises on account of illness, was in attendance this year, and wore the insigina of his doctorate degree. He pro- nounced the benediction at the commencement exercises, and the prayer, beautiful at once in diction and spirit, was reverently and feelingly ut- tered. President Heber J. Grant gave an address which was President Charles W. Penrose, LL. D., stimulating and inspirational, as he appeared in cap and gown at He urged those going out as tne Commencement Exercises of the representatives of the institu- *** am Young University, June 2, tion to be faithful in their ser- vice, no matter in what capacity they may be called to labor. After the presentation of the diplomas, President Franklin S. Harris gave a brief report of the activities and status of the university. High lights in this report are as follows: The enrollment of college students shows a 52 per cent increase over last year. The total enrollment in the institution amounts to 1,680. People reached through the extension division by means of lectures and entertainments number over 78,000. The li- The Academic Procession Coming Through the Main Entrance brary has been augmented by 2,428 volumes during the year; and 2,000 of these are the result of endowments or gifts. Since the founding of the university, in 1875, more than 3,500 people have contributed means for its growth and development. These contributions have ranged from $100,000 down to $1. In concluding his report President Harris called attention to some of the needs of the school and the opportunities for endowments by friends. The university is fast outgrowing its present quarters and new buildings are needed, he said, chief among which were a library building, a science building, and a gymnasium. President-emeritus George H. Brimhall was praised by Doc- tor Harris, as were also the rest of the faculty, for the loyal manner in which they had supported him during the first year of his administration. Doctor Brimhall said the present com- mencement exercises were the happiest he had ever experienced. The annual alumni banquet was held at 2 o'clock on June 2. President H. R. Clark presided, and introduced W. Lester Man- gum as toastmaster. Responses were made by President Harris, President-emeritus Brimhall, President Heber J. Grant, Mir. W. D. Roberts, Miss Lavieve Huish representing the class of 1922. President Stephen L. Chipman presented the new mem- bers of the faculty beginning with July 1, 1921. The annual baccalaureate services were held in the Utah Stake tabernacle on the evening of Sunday, May 28. President T. N. Taylor of the Utah stake and chairman of the executive committee of the Board of Trustees of the Brigham Young University, presided. Dr. James E. Talmage, of the Council of the Twelve, delivered the baccalaureate sermon.