In the presence of a large gathering of representative
citizens and professional men and women of Kentucky and
other states, including alumni, former students, leaders in edu-
cational and civic life, the fiftieth anniversary of the founding
of the University of Kentucky was celebrated in the chapel and
on the grounds of that institution in Lexington, October 10,
1916.
    With oratory, feasting, reunions of former students, ath-
letic contests, pageant, and social gatherings, the occasion was
at once notable and unique, bringing together the most re-
markable gathering of friends of the Commonwealth's chief
institution of learning that had ever assembled upon its his-
toric grounds.
    The program of the occasion really opened October 13,
with what is known as the annual tug-of-war between the
freshman and sophomore classes, followed by a reception the
same evening for all visiting alumni.
    On the following morning the literary phases of the cele-
bration were preceded by a procession and pageant of the
student-body through the streets of the city, followed by lunch,
served upon the campus, to about one thousand guests and
friends of the University. The afternoon of the same day was
consumed with a formal dedication of the institution s athletic
grounds and a football contest between teams representing the
University of Kentucky and Vanderbilt University.
    The speakers of the day were: )r. Charles W. Dabney,
President of the University of Cincinnati, who spoke on
"Education the Supreme Issue;" Dr. James Kennedy Patter-
son, President Emeritus of the University, whose subject was