Special Collections & University Archives
Search Special CollectionsHoursMonday - Friday: LocationThe Special Collections is located on the east side of the Library at the front of the 3rd floor. Contact InformationPatricia W. & J. Douglas Perry Library |
CommencementsHISTORICAL SKETCHOld Dominion University was founded in September 1930 as an extension campus of the College of William and Mary in the Tidewater region of Virginia. Established as a two year junior college known as the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, the school’s mission was to provide educational opportunities to the people of Hampton Roads commensurate with those available near the commonwealth’s large university centers. The “Division” as it was known, opened its doors in the empty buildings of the old Larchmont Elementary School, offering a two year course of study allowing students the opportunity to earn either transferable credit through the sophomore year to any four year college throughout the United States or the appropriate professional training for careers not requiring baccalaureate degrees. In 1931, courses in basic engineering and other technical studies were offered at the Norfolk Division through collective partnership with Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI), taught by instructors directly provided by VPI. Upon the completion of studies at the Division, many students seeking baccalaureate degrees continued their academic pursuits at either the Williamsburg campus of William and Mary or VPI in Blacksburg, though it was not uncommon for Norfolk Division students to attend other universities throughout the country as well. The official recognition of students successfully completing the Norfolk Division’s course of study did not occur until May 1943 when for the first time completion certificates were presented to eligible students during final convocation exercises that marked the end of the academic year. College convocation, while not directly associated with commencement, were mandatory assemblies of the student body conducted at the university in which special programs or speakers were presented with the intention of enhancing the academic experience and fostering a sense of community. The first formal commencement exercises conducted by the Norfolk Division took place in June 1945 at the new Larchmont School Auditorium where seventeen students were awarded Associate of Arts degrees. By 1956, the Norfolk Division awarded its first four year baccalaureate diplomas to fifteen eligible students. Commencement exercises between 1945 and 2002 have taken place in various locations throughout the city of Norfolk, both on campus and off such as the old Norfolk Arena, Foreman Field, and Norfolk Scope. Since December 2002, commencement exercises are conducted on campus at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. In 2009-2010, the University awarded 4,632 bachelors, masters and Ph.D. degrees. SCOPE AND CONTENTSThis collection contains documents related to commencement at the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, Old Dominion College, and Old Dominion University from June 1945 to present day. Related documents include interdepartmental correspondence, commencement scripts and sequence of events that include comments by past presidents of the University. Other items included are commencement addresses, audio tapes of commencement ceremonies, and commencement ceremony programs from 1947 to present day. Digitized versions of commencement programs in PDF format are included for years spanning 1947-2007. The audiotapes of commencement ceremonies are in reel to reel format. SERIES DESCRIPTIONSThe collection is divided into three series: Series I --- Commencement Addresses and Related Correspondence (Box 1), dated June 1945-May 1995, contains commencement addresses and commencement related correspondence, commencement scripts, line of march, comments by past presidents of the University and distinguished alumni. It is organized alphabetically by subject within each decade. Series II --- Commencement Ceremony Programs (Box 2-6), dated 1947 to present day, contains commencement ceremony programs from June 2, 1947, to present day which includes sequence of events, list of graduates, special recognitions, and noted speakers. It is organized chronologically by month and year. Series III --- Commencement Ceremonies, recorded audiotape (Box 7), dated May 1974-May 1985, contains audiotape (reel to reel format) of commencement ceremonies beginning May 12, 1974, non concurrent through May 18, 1985. It is organized chronologically by year. PROVENANCE Unknown. ACCESSOpen to researchers without restrictions. Questions on literary property rights should be directed to the Special Collections Librarian. SIZE7 Hollinger Document Cases COLLECTION NUMBERRG 6-6E CONTAINER LISTINGSeries I - Commencement Addresses and commencement related correspondence, 1945-1987 Box 1 Folder 1: Addresses and Exercises, 1945-1951
Folder 2: Addresses and Exercises, 1961-1969
Folder 3: Addresses and Exercises, 1970-1974
Folder 4: Addresses and Exercises, 1980-1987
Folder 5: Addresses and Exercises, 1995
Series II - Commencement Ceremony Programs Folder 6: Commencement Programs, CD (PDF format) 1947-1979
Folder 7: Commencement Programs, 1947-1955
Folder 8: Commencement Programs, 1956-1966
Folder 9: Commencement Programs, 1967-1969
Folder 10: Commencement Program, June 7, 1970 Folder 11: Commencement Program, June 6, 1971 Box 2 Commencement Ceremony Programs, 1972-1983 Folder 1: Commencement Program, June 4, 1972 Folder 2: Commencement Program, June 10, 1973 Folder 3: Commencement Program, May 12, 1974 Folder 4: Commencement Program, May 11, 1975 Folder 7: Commencement Program, May 14, 1978 Folder 8: Commencement Program, May 12, 1979 Folder 9: Commencement Program, 1979 – Individual Colleges
Folder 10: Commencement Programs, CD (PDF format), 1980-1989
Folder 11: Commencement Program, May 10, 1980
Folder 13: Commencement Program, 1982
Folder 14: Commencement Program, 1983
Box 3 Commencement Ceremony Programs, 1984-1992 Folder 1: Commencement Program, 1984
Folder 2: Commencement Program, 1985
Folder 3: Commencement Programs, 1986
Folder 4: Commencement Programs, 1987
Folder 5: Commencement Programs, 1988
Folder 6: Commencement Programs, 1989
Folder 7: Commencement Programs, CD (PDF format) 1990-1999
Folder 8: Commencement Programs, 1990
Folder 9: Commencement Programs, 1991
Folder 10: Commencement Programs, 1992
Box 4 Commencement Ceremony Programs, 1993-1999
Folder 2: Commencement Programs, 1994
Folder 3: Commencement Programs, 1995
Folder 4: Commencement Programs, 1996
Folder 5: Commencement Programs, 1997
Folder 6: Commencement Programs, 1998
Folder 7: Commencement Programs, 1999
Box 5 Commencement Ceremony Programs, 2000-2006 Folder 1: Commencement Programs, CD (PDF format) 2000-2007
Folder 2: Commencement Programs, 2000
Folder 3: Commencement Programs, 2001
Folder 4: Commencement Programs, 2002
Folder 5: Commencement Programs, 2003
Folder 6: Commencement Programs, 2004
Folder 7: Commencement Programs, 2005
Folder 8: Commencement Programs, 2006
Box 6 Commencement Ceremony Programs, 2007-2011
Folder 2: Commencement Programs, 2008
Folder 3: Commencement Programs, 2009
Folder 4: Commencement Programs, 2010
Folder 5: Commencement Program, 2011
Series III - Commencement Ceremony recordings Box 7 Commencement Ceremony recordings, 1974-1985 (non-concurrent) Reel to reel tapes, commencement ceremonies Revised: 10/3/2011 |