The Class of 1915

The photograph of the Class of 1915 presents the 45 graduating seniors, all female, in front of the Administration Building, with their class advisor, Professor Herbert Austin. As was customary at ECTTS commencements, the graduating class was dressed in white. The graduation gown had yet to become commencement fashion at ECTTS. From the Administration Building, the group proceeded to their Class Day Exercises at which a tribute was delivered to Professor Austin, the class banner was presented to him, and a class of 1915 contribution was given to President Wright for the school’s loan fund for students requiring financial assistance.

Commencement events began on Sunday June 6, with a sermon delivered by Bishop Thomas C. Darst of Wilmington in the auditorium of the Administration Building. His main theme was the importance of overcoming selfishness for the sake of selfless service. Sunday services were cancelled at all Greenville churches so that the community could attend the campus sermon. Earlier that morning, the school’s YWCA had sponsored another sermon for the graduating class delivered by the Reverend George Matthis of Clinton, N.C.

On Monday, June 7, events continued with a morning meeting of the Board of Trustees, followed by the Class Day Exercises at 6:00 pm, and the Alumnae Dinner at 8:00 pm. Tuesday, June 8 featured an evening performance of the opera Mikado by the Alumnae Association. The principals were, with two exceptions, the same principals that had first performed the play two and a half years earlier. The Training School Quarterly declared the performance “the most brilliant dramatic event in the history of the school.” The proceeds, $240.58, formed the nucleus of a fund for an alumnae building and a gymnasium.

Graduation was on Wednesday, June 9, with Judge Francis D. Winston delivering the commencement address. Earlier as lieutenant governor, Winston had supported Greenville’s bid to become the home of ECTTS. When introducing Winston, President Wright hinted that Winston’s vote had decided the location. When Winston took the podium, however, he thanked Wright for “so handsomely misrepresenting” him. Winston’s speech, delivered without notes – he declared that he had no written speech – charmed the audience with improvisation, wit, and wisdom. His core theme was that “the more intelligence you put in a school the less money you put in a jail; the more money you spend on a child, the less you spend on criminals.” Following Winston’s remarks and a musical performance, Wright presented the 45 seniors with diplomas and Bibles. He also recognized 28 young women who had completed the one-year professional course with teaching certificates. At the close of the ceremony, Wright thanked the graduating senior for their gift of $200 to the school to be used as a loan fund. With commencement ceremonies for the Class of 1915, East Carolina Teachers Training School was establishing its own traditions, ones defining the integrity and mission of the institution and its devotion to its motto, to serve.

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Sources

• “Class Day at East Carolina Teachers Training School 1915.” University Archives # 50.06.1915.04. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/22272.
• “Commencement, 1915.” Training School Quarterly. Vol. 2, no. 2. July, August, September, 1915. Raleigh, N.C.: Edwards and Broughton Printing Co.
• “Commencement Program Card 1915.” University Archives # 50.06.1915.02. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/22270.
• “ECTTS class of 1915.” 1915. University Archives # 55.01.5501. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/23474.
• “Invitation to Commencement Exercises 1915.” University Archives # 50.06.1915.03. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/22271.
• “Sixth Annual Commencement of the East Carolina Teachers Training School.” University Archives # 50.06.1915.01. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/22269.
• Winston, Francis D. “Annual Address to Graduating Class.” Training School Quarterly. Vol. 2, no. 2. July, August, September, 1915. Raleigh, N.C.: Edwards and Broughton Printing Co.

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