The bulletin of Atlanta University, 1909 no. 191

              Number 191                                       Atlanta, Georgia                                          May, 1909 An Appeal I have just returned from a short trip in southern Georgia where I have visited two of the schools presided over by our graduates and had the privilege of meeting many of the colored people. It would be difficult to describe the love of these people for Atlanta University and the encouragement they seem to receive through its very existence. They are proud of the work the graduates are doing in their communities. They look to this school as to a great strong friend with unlimited power to help and to bless. They intend that the ablest and most worthy of their children shall some day be students here. It is this sentiment of the people which perhaps more than anything else marks the great opportunity of Atlanta University. We are now approaching the close of the fortieth school year. Unless we receive $10,000 by the end of June we shall be facing a deficit. Can we afford to maintain this work with its ever increasing enrollment at its present high grade of efficiency? Can we afford when the people look to us for help and set their hearts upon giving their children the opportunities of this place, to curtail the work in order to save money? Perhaps if this were only a business proposition we could readily say, curtail it at any cost; but it is more than a business proposition. It is a humanitarian proposition with a large element of wholesome sentiment which cannot be discounted, and to fail where the people expect great things of us would be disastrous. Our friends prophesied that this year would be as difficult as last year in the matter of securing funds, and we have found this prophecy to be true. Will not our friends rally to the support of the work? We must have additional teaching force to care for the large numbers which the next year promises. As this Bulletin goes to press Commencement week is upon us. We have had a larger enrollment than ever before, yet by the strictest economy we have kept the expenses down. If it were not for the extra but unavoidable expense of street improvements our total disbursements to date would  be less than those of last year, notwithstanding the increased number of students. May we not look to our friends for some special effort on our behalf in  consideration of these things? Edward T. Wake. Programme for Commencement Week Friday, May 21. 9:00 to 11:00 A. M.    Public day  at the Oglethorpe School. 8:00 P. M.   Anniversary of the Phi Kappa Society. Sunday, May 23. 11:00 A. M.   Baccalaureate Sermon, by Rev. George L. Paine, of Dorchester, Mass. Monday, May 24. 8:30 A. M. to 1:00 P. M.   Regular School Work. 8:00 P. M.   Class Night Exercises. Tuesday, May 25.    Fourteenth  Annual Conference. .   Subject: Efforts for Social Betterment. 10:00 A. M. Addresses by W. A. Rogers and Dr. W. E. B. DuBois. 11:30 A. M.    A Special Talk to Men. 11:30 A. M.   A Special Talk to Women. 3:00 P. M.  Annual Mothers' Meeting, in charge of the Gate City Free Kindergarten Association. Exhibit   of   Kindergarten   Work and Methods by 150 Kindergarten Children. 8:00P.M.   "The Social Betterment  of the Russian Peasant."   Mr. I. M. Ru-binow, of the U. S. Bureau of Labor. Wednesday, May 26. 10:30   A. M.   Inspection of   Industrial Work. 2:00 P. M. Annual Meeting of Trustees. 7:30 P.  M.   Alumni Meeting, followed     by Banquet at 9:30. Thursday, May 27. 10:00 A.M.   Commencement Exercises. Commencement   Address by   Rev. Edgar J. Penney of Muskogee, Okla. 8:00 P. M.   President's Reception. The Fourth Annual Concert of Atlanta University On the evening of Friday, the last day of April, the Music Department of Atlanta University rendered Gaul's sacred cantata, "Ruth," with a chorus of 150 voices and solos. As it happened, a more forbidding night could not have been chosen. It rained as though all the April showers were combined in one which poured down with fierce accompaniment   of lightning   and   thunder. Notwithstanding the weather there was a good audience. The numbers present from the city spoke well for the interest of our friends. The programme was received with hearty applause, and all felt well repaid for coming out in so bad a night. There are many people in Atlanta who appreciate really good music but who have little opportunity to hear it except as it is rendered by the schools for the colored people. For several years past Atlanta University has through the spring concert afforded an opportunity to hear good music. In 1906 Stainer's "The Daughter of Jairus" was rendered; in 1907 Gaul's "The Holy City;" and in 1908 Gounod's Mass, "St. Cecilia." Anti-tuberculosis Campaign A vigorous campaign was waged against tuberculosis for several days toward the close of April. The exhibit of the National Anti-Tuberculosis Society was set up in the Central Congregational Church and stereopticon lectures were delivered repeatedly throughout the day and evening. Director E. G. Routzahn and Mr. A. C. Hunt were in constant attendance to explain and instruct. In all their work they were assisted by the Atlanta Anti-Tuberculosis Association. An effort was made to enlist the people of all races. Ministers were invited to preach on the subject Sunday morning, April 18, and lecturers visited the schools. The exhibit was open to Negroes the last two days and the different schools invited to attend at stated hours. Ex-Governor Northen and Director Routzahn visited us and addressed the whole student body by way of introducing the campaign. Sunday, April 18, Dr. Loring B. Palmer, a graduate of Atlanta University and practising physician in the city, gave a most interesting and stirring address to our students, and on the following Thursday the boarding department of the school visited the exhibit in a body. In this way there has been launched a determined battle against the disease which finds so many sad victims among the Negroes.