At the close of this session, after spending four years in College, diplomas in Greek and Mathematics, and the Mathematical prize were awarded to a young man whose subsequent career has marked him as one of the first mathematical scholars of the age. This was David W. Taylor, of Louisa county, Va. In September, 1881, he was second among one hundred and fifty candidates for entrance as cadet engineer at the United States Naval Academy. He graduated from the Naval Academy June, 1885, standing first in his class each year; was ordered to the flagship of the European station, under the command of (then) Captain Dewey; then sent to the Royal Naval College at Greenwich, near London, England, taking at that place a three-years' course in naval architecture and marine engineering; graduated there in 1888 at the head of his class, _receiving the highest marks ever obtained for the course by either an English or foreign student_. He is now (1898) an assistant to Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair, Washington, D. C. [Illustration: REV. SAMUEL RODGERS, D. D., _Vice-President of the Board of Trustees._] [Illustration: JAMES W. MORRIS, A. M. _Sutherlin Medalist; Pace Medalist, 1881; Missionary to Brazil._] 1881-1882. At the close of the year 1881-'82 the following received degrees: A. M. R. E. L. HOLMES, Virginia. EDGAR A. POTTS, Virginia. EDMUND S. RUFFIN, Virginia. JOSEPH T. REESE, Georgia. A. B. HUGH C. DAVIS, Virginia. J. P. MAUZY, Virginia. THOMAS N. POTTS, Virginia. D. D. Rev. CHARLES B. STUART (Class 1845), Texas. _Sutherlin Medalist_.--SAMUEL M. GARLAND, of Virginia. _Pace Medalist_.--JOHN NEWTON MCCORMICK, of Maryland. The number of students, by the President's report, was 100, a decrease of 28. [Illustration: DAVID W. TAYLOR, _Mathematical Prize, 1881; Naval Constructor, U. S. Navy._] [Illustration: BISHOP A. W. WILSON, _President Board of Trustees._] The completion of the Duncan Memorial Church was announced. The credit of this work was given to ladies of the congregation, who had worked with great zeal and efficiency to raise the needed funds. At the annual meeting President W. W. Bennett tendered his resignation of the presidency of the Board of Trustees and of the College. Bishop Alpheus W. Wilson was elected president of the Board, and Rev. John D. Blackwell vice-president. [Illustration: HUGH C. DAVIS, A. B., 1882, _Attorney-at-Law._] The vacancy of the presidency of the College was not filled, but the Board adjourned to meet in Centenary Church, Richmond, July 19, 1882, to fill the office. Petitions were laid before the Board, sent by a number of ministers and friends of the College, and also by a large number of the students, asking the Board to re-elect Dr. Bennett to the presidency of the College.