Atlanta Daily World

Texas Governor Addresses
State University Graduates

HOUSTON, TEXAS-The graduating class of Texas State University was honored when the Honorable Beauford Jester, governor of the state of Texas, addressed the 105 candidates for degrees at the second annual commencement exercises on the Fairchild Lawn May 30. The Governor assured the audience that the youth of Texas will be given the opportunity to get a first class education regardless of race, creed or color.

He quoted Mirabeau Lamar, second president of the Republic of Texas, as saying that the cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy.

He reminded the graduates that the United States is the world's most tireless advocate of the principles of freedom, tolerance and due process of law.

"The central theme of our American heritage is the importance of the individual. This great country of ours was founded on the ideal that every human being has an essential dignity and integrity, which must be respected and safeguarded," the governor said.

Governor Jester's address and the awarding of degrees climaxed the university's two-day commencement activities. Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, president of Morehouse College, Atlanta, Ga., delivered the baccalaureate sermon, Sunday, May 29.

105 GRADUATES
Governor Jester was introduced by Dr. R. O'Hara Lanier, president of the University, who conferred the degrees on the 105 candidates "en masse." Thirty-four candidates received master's degrees; 60 were awarded the bachelor's degree; and 11 were given degrees in the School of Technical and Vocational Education.

Honored guests on the platform included Mayor Oscar Holcombe, mayor of Houston; Dr. Edwards, Mr. Ben Morgan, Mrs. Perkins, Mr. Craig F. Cullinan, all of the University's board of directors; President Jones of Tillotson College; President E. B. Evans of Prairie College; Dr. I. B. Bryant, principal of Booker T. Washington; Dr. J. E. Codwell, principal of Phyllis Wheatley; and W. H. Holland, principal of Jack Yates.

Still other platform guests included President Nannie B. Aycox of Paul Quinn College; The Rev. Mr. Boone, The Rev. Mr. Shirley; Dr. G. T. Wiggins, dean of the graduate school; Dr. W. J. Lyda, dean of the college of liberal arts and sciences; Dr. B. A. Turner, director of the vocational school; Olaie Johnson, dean of the law school; W. H. Bell, registrar; F. F. Stone, business manager; Dean Bowden; San Antonio Junior College; Dr. H. Hadley Hartshorn, chairman of the personnel committee; Mrs. Ina A. Bolton, dean of women; and Dr. H. I. Fontello-Nanton, head of the department of journalism.

About 15 members of the Houston Negro Chamber of Commerce including Roscoe Cavitt, executive secretary, and J. H. Jemison, president were also seated on the platform.