The American Girls' College Celebrates Its Founding Anniversary

The administration of the American College for Girls gave a charming party on Saturday evening, the first of last December, on the occasion of the passing of twenty-three years since the College's founding. Foremost among those present were Dr. Bayard Dodge, president of the American University of Beirut, and some of the professors of that University with their wives, together with a group from the American University of Beirut and no small number of the College's alumnae.

Mr. Stoltzfus, the present president of the College, opened the ceremony with a word of welcome, remarking that the purpose of holding this celebration was to sift our works: to weigh the past, study the present, and make ready for the future. He then presented Dr. Nickel, "the father of the College," who has been working quietly in this country for twenty-one years. Dr. Nickel spoke with sincerity as he recalled that the College had separated from the American School for Girls in the port city only in order to meet a pressing need, which was none other than the creation of an institution of higher learning in which the girls of the country could pursue their higher studies.

Dr. Nickel was followed by Dr. Salwa Nassar, professor of science at the College and one of its distinguished alumnae. She spoke in the name of the alumnae, noting that their number approaches a thousand, and that they are scattered here and in the West, performing glorious works of a kind many men would be incapable of: among them is the working woman doctor; among them, she who has represented her country in the diplomatic corps in the best of fashions; among them, those who have attended the various American conferences; among them, she who works in her community in various fields; and finally, among them, the refined, awakened mother.

Mrs. Najla Saab delivered the mothers' word, and was felicitous in her warm praise of the national and scientific spirit which the College, with the help of the home, strives to plant in its students. The president then presented some of the College's women teachers, each of whom spoke within the sphere of her own specialty. So we heard something about the College library, which the students frequent in great numbers, and about the attention given to matters of health and the prevention of contagious diseases.

Miss Marie Sabri spoke fluently about the College's clubs and their task of raising the students' cultural and social level; and there we were before a club for song, music, acting, and rhythmic dance, and there a club for Arabic studies, another for the book, and a fourth for the sciences...

The teacher of physical education rose to speak of the College's concern to give its girls a sound athletic upbringing; and she herself—with the freshness and bloom of her face, and the radiance and life in her eyes—was the best example of the athletic girl.

We listened eagerly to Miss Johnson, a friend of this country, as she spoke, with relish and sincerity, of the unceasing endeavor the College makes to produce the awakened citizeness who will render her country true service, not by way of theoretical learning alone, but by way of truth, reality, and experience.

Finally, Mrs. Virginia al-Bakri, teacher of art at the College, told us of her studio, in which a group of the school's students work of their own free will and choice. Nor would she deprive the public of the enjoyment of seeing this beautiful studio: she drew back the curtain, and there we were before a splendid scene—a fresh, sweet bouquet of the College's girls, each one busy at her own work: here one painting on glass, there one carving stone, here one engraving wood or painting on cloth. Among them we recognized the Misses Huda Freiji, Mimi Bitar, M. Sabigha, Marie Atallah, Hind Fityani, Zalmira Haykal, and Su'ad Lebbos.

Mr. Stoltzfus, the College president, closed the ceremony with a brief and valuable address, which we may publish in the coming issue of The Woman's Voice.

Finally, the public was invited to a buffet laden with all kinds of sweets, prepared by the school administration for the occasion. Those present gathered in circle after circle, conversing on various subjects. President Stoltzfus and his gracious wife bestowed on everyone such kindness and geniality as moved the company to thank them most warmly, and to wish the school, under their stewardship, every progress and success.