Commencement has rich history

KU’s commencement ceremony on May 22 will continue traditions that have been carried on by thousands of students, faculty and staff.

• University opens: 1866.

• First commencement: June 11, 1873, with four graduates (one woman, who was the valedictorian, and three men).

• Ceremonies, which lasted several days: baccalaureate sermon, class day, commencement procession into the chapel of University Hall (Old Fraser), commencement oration, banquet, conferring of degrees.

• KU confers 199 degrees, first time above 100, at 1893 commencement.

• Students first wear caps and gowns: about 1897.

• Commencement in a tent: 1923. Because no campus building could accommodate all the guests, KU held commencement in a tent seating 3,400.

• First march down the Hill: 1924. Graduates marched into Memorial Stadium, where commencement ceremonies occurred.

• Commencement program cut to two days: 1943. The Graduate Magazine reported that “the rationing of tires and gas and the conditions of travel on train and bus were not conducive to travel, but surprising numbers attended the various events.”

• Memorial Campanile dedicated: 1951. In 1950 the Graduate Magazine reported that “the graduating class marched through the base of the campanile by dint of some removal of scaffolding and other debris around the tower. As the custom for graduating classes to pass through the base of the memorial bell tower carries on through the years, the class of ‘50 doubtless will take pride that it was the first to observe the rite.”

• The new 24-by-32-foot video screen in Memorial Stadium’s new 60-foot-tall scoreboard becomes part of the commencement.