Summary
Overview
Princeton
University. Office of the Secretary.
Princeton University Commencement Records
18.16 linear feet, 25 boxes, 1 audio recording box, 14 bound volumes, 4 phonograph holders, 1 oversize folder
Abstract
The Commencement Records contain programs, bulletins, announcements and newspaper
clippings which document commencement activities from 1763 to the present. All files are
arranged chronologically by year. In addition there are separate series consisting of
bound programs, electrical broadcast transcriptions, bound commencement notices,
oversize material, and audio recordings of various commencement, class day, and
baccalaureate activities.
Description
Description
Consists of programs, bulletins, announcements, and newspaper clippings which
document Princeton University commencement activities from 1748 to the present.
Generally, files are arranged chronologically by year. In addition there are separate
series consisting of bound programs, electrical broadcast transcriptions, bound
commencement notices, oversize material, and audio recodings of various commencement,
class day, and baccalaureate activities. Ashbel Green's valedictory address, one of
the earliest, is included in the collection, as well as Alexander Leitch's notebook
containing research material about commencement collected for his book “A Princeton
Companion.”
Collection Creator
History
Princeton held its first commencement in the Newark, New Jersey “meetinghouse.“ Upon
moving to Princeton in 1756 commencement services were held in Nassau Hall until 1764
when they were moved to the First Presbyterian Church. In 1892 they were moved to
Alexander Hall and in 1922 moved a final time to outside the front of Nassau Hall, where
they are still held today. In the event of rain, commencement is moved to Jadwin
Gymnasium. Observed in the fall until 1843, the celebration was moved to the spring in
1844.
Commencement activities continue for nearly a week, beginning with alumni returning to
campus for alumni/faculty forums on the Thursday afternoon before commencement. Saturday
afternoon the annual alumni P-Rade occurs, as well as class reunions usually held
outdoors under tents. On Sunday students and their families attend a baccalaureate
service in the morning, the president's garden party in the afternoon and a concert in
the evening. Monday is devoted to Class Day exercises, departmental receptions and a
senior dance. Formal commencement exercises occur on Tuesday. An academic procession to
Nassau Hall begins the festivities, followed by an invocation, the conferring of
bachelor degrees, recognition of honors graduates, the valedictory speech, the
conferring of master, doctor and honorary degrees, remarks by the president, and the
singing of “Old Nassau.”
(Source: A Princeton Companion, by Alexander Leitch)
Collection History
Acquisition
The University Secretary maintained all of these files until they were transferred to
the University Archives.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Carl Esche in 1995. Finding aid written by Carl Esche in 1995. Additional materials added to Series 5: Oversize items by Christie Peterson with assistance from Suchi Mandavilli '14 in November 2011. Finding aid updated by Christie Peterson in December 2011.
Access and Use
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research use.
Use Restrictions
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material
from the collection must be requested from the University Archivist. Copyright is
held by the Trustees of Princeton University.
Preferred Citation
Princeton University Commencement Records; 1748-2012, Princeton University Archives, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
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