An eminently satisfactory and well-merited appointment is that of Mr. Oscar Atwood of Jeffersonville, to be President of Straight University in New Orleans.  We can heartily congratulate the institution that it can avail itself of the sound scholarship, the long experience, and the tried executive ability of its president-elect.  And no less do we congratulate Mr. Atwood on his election to a post which will afford ample scope and stimulus for the best that is in him.  Straight University was founded twenty-one years ago, and was designed especially for the education of the colored youth.  It is under the patronage of the American Missionary Association, and has several departments in full operation.  Mr. Atwood took his A.B. degree at the University of Vermont in 1864; taught for a time in various schools, including the academy at Essex, this State; for two years was principal of the school at Underhill; then for seven years, 1871-78, was master of the High School at Plattsburgh, from which place he was called to a similar position at Rutland.  After nine years successful labor there, he was forced to resign three years since on account of continued trouble with his eyes.  He has an excellent record both as instructor and organizer and manager of school work.  No better evidence of his efficiency could be desired than the large number of young men who have been stimulated by him to obtain a liberal education.

We learn also that the Rev. George W. Henderson, of the class of 1887, U.V., who for the last two years has been preaching in New Orleans, has been appointed to a professorship in the same institution.  Mr. Henderson was originally a slave, as some of our readers know.  He was prepared for college by Mr. Atwood, took high rank at the University and at Yale Theological Seminary, where he was graduated in 1883.  He studied for a time in Germany, and for a few years was principal of an academy in this State.  His work, we understand, is to be in the theological department, a position for which he is well equipped.

Better Class Of Students.
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By Prof.  R.C.  Hitchcock.

Last year was a “golden year” at Straight University in New Orleans.  In the first place, it is seldom the good fortune of any school to get a corps of teachers so uniformly capable, and of such earnest Christian spirit, willing to spend and be spent in the Master’s service.

Then every year brings a better class of students; not more sincere, perhaps, but year by year they learn what “getting an education” means.  A few years ago it was quite impossible to make them realize that steady, uninterrupted attendance was absolutely necessary to good work, but as they have opportunity to compare the positions taken and the work done by those who were regular and who remained at school long enough to be really fit for good service, with those who thought they could come in January