New Materials in the University Archives Commencement Collection

I recently completed an addition to the Commencement collection, adding in the most recent programs, video recordings, and print outs of speeches given by university officials for the commencement ceremonies. This Collection is one of the more frequently used in the University Archives.

The Commencement collection covers graduation ceremonies from the founding of the State Normal School to the present. This Collection is arranged chronologically and into five series: Graduation Programs, Graduation Banners, Audio Recordings, Commencement Videos, and Miscellaneous.

One of my favorite parts of going through this Collection included looking at the different materials that were printed for each commencement. Sometimes what we have for one year is just a newspaper article about who graduated. Other times we have a complete set of materials for a commencement year: program, Baccalaureate Service program, a list of exercises during commencement week, a program from the commencement play, a program from the honors convocation, commencement tickets or invitations, and more!

A sample of materials from the Commencement collection.

A few examples of what the Commencement collection can be used for include:

• Double checking when a student graduated;
• Making a copy of the Commencement program that lists themselves or their relatives;
• Watching a video of a previous commencement ceremony;
• Reading a speech given at a commencement ceremony; and 
• Reading the list of activities that happened during a commencement week.

Learn more about the University Archives Commencement Collection here.

As always, never hesitate to contact the University Archives with any questions you may have.



Mee Xiong is an Archives Technician at Minnesota State University, Mankato.