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80
WILLIAM J. THOMPKINS. 

and from which department he graduated in 1905 with honor. 

Here in the District of Columbia he rounded out his college career, and that he made the most of what Washington and Howard afford can be seen from the following:

As might be expected from a strenuous and plucky young man, he became a member of the Howard Uni-versity band and orchestra, the college choir and glee club. It has been said that a student of Howard University can not keep up his work and engage in outside affairs at the same time. To this saying Dr. Thompkins was an exception.

While there he was one of the carefully chosen mem-bers of the Washington Symphony Orchestra, of which Washingtonians are justly proud, and of which the efficient musician, Clarence Cameron White, is the director. The churches of Washington, D.C., often and rightfully boast of their choirs, and that St. Luke's Episcopal choir is one of the best is undisputed. Of this choir Dr. Thompkins was baritone soloist, which in itself is an honor because of the many trained voices there from which to choose.
 
Every year the Civil Service Commission holds a competitive examination for a position on the Freed-men's Hospital staff. One month after graduating, in 1905, he took the examination, passed and received one of the two appointments. Now he is resident physician of Freedmen's Hospital for one year.

To make himself a whole man he became a member of the K. of P. Lodge, and a Mason. Besides being a

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WILLIAM J. THOMPKINS. 


Master Mason he has taken to the thirty-third degree of the Scottish Rite Masonry, and at present is the secretary of the Scottish Rite Temple of Washington, D.C., which ranks as one of the largest and most influential organizations in the United States.
 
Also while on the staff at Freedmen's Hospital he is doing post-graduate work in surgery, so when he starts to practice in Missouri he will be well fitted and qualified to engage in his profession.

At the banquet held by the Law Class in 1905, representatives from the various departments were chosen upon merit only. Dr. Thompkins represented his class. As can be seen the doctor is an active, strenuous work-er, believing in doing things and accomplishing results. He either finds a way or makes one, and then keeps a-pushing.
 
Having a purpose and a will the world will always listen to him. "Ever onward" has been his watch-word, moving straight ahead, and sticking to it. He commands success because he deserves it, because of his sterling, plucky qualities, his honest work, his clear strong purpose which underlies character, culture, position and attainment of whatever sort.

Transcription Notes:
I don't believe you need to include a hyphen that was placed in the original text because the word was separated between two lines of text....but I wouldn't have re-opened for editing just for that. There was a word with an accidental "s" on the end.