Chronology      1870 The first commencement took place in 1870. photo      1876 The first Master of Arts degree was presented.
Photos of Commencement Commencement History Home

1889 First commencement held on the current campus was in the College Chapel in the Administration Building (now Benton Hall).

1892 A baccalaureate service separate from the graduation exercises was held for the first time.

1899 First commencement was held in the College Armory (now the Gymnastics Training Center).

1907 First professional degree (Master in Engineering) was awarded.

1910 Military commissions were awarded to cadets during the commencement exercises.

1914 First commencement held in the Men's Gymasium (Langton Hall).

1923 Oregon Agricultural College's first honorary degrees were conferred to James Knox Weatherford (LL.D.) and Clara Hamason Waldo (LL.D.).

1935 First Ph.D. degrees were awarded. photo

1943 A mid-year graduation exercise occurred in December 1943.

1948 Because of the record number of graduates in 1948, two duplicate commencement exercises were held – one at 10 in the morning and one at 2:30 in the afternoon. Three ceremonies were held in 1949.

1950 Commencement exercises were held in Gill Coliseum for the first time. photo

1950 Families were requested not to bring babies or small children to baccalaureate services or commencement exercises. Childcare was provided in the Orchard Street Nursery School for a charge of 50 cents per day.

1961 A separate baccalaureate service was held for the last year.

1962 Sunday afternoon commencement ceremonies began.

1970 Controversy erupted in 1970, when the university implemented a Faculty Senate requirement for seniors to take finals. This meant that commencement was moved back to the Sunday after finals week and that blank diplomas were given during the ceremony. A boycott of commencement was called by the student body. Ultimately the administration rescinded the policy.

1989 The policy on seniors taking finals was re-implemented in 1989. However, great efforts by the Registrar's office enable most students to get their own diploma at the ceremony.

1991 Eremurus flowers, grown especially for OSU commencement by the A.J. Stone Family of Amity, Oregon, decorated the Coliseum (and previously the Men's Gymnasium) from 1948 through 1991. The flowers are commonly called Desert Candle or Fox-tail Lily. Beginning in 1992, orange gladiolas have been used. photo

1993 Bagpipers were first used in the procession.

1999 The University Honors College awarded 48 honors baccalaureate degrees. Honors graduates wore special honors regalia: black tams instead of mortarboards with burgundy stoles and medals.

2000 Separate graduate and undergraduate ceremonies were held. The graduate ceremony was held on Sunday morning, June 11th, at the LaSells Stewart Center. The undergraduate ceremony was held that afternoon in Gill Coliseum.

2001 First outdoor commencement ceremony in Reser Stadium on June 17.

Last Update: Monday, 11-Aug-2008 13:06:57 PDT
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