Oregon State UniversitySpecial Collections & Archives Research Center
History of Commencement
Page 5

Commencement, 1940. As the student population grew, the graduates moved from the margins of the Gymnasium to the central floor seating, while their parents and guests were moved to the margins and the balcony.

(Harriet's Photograph Collection #492)
(Harriet's Photograph Collection #492)

Salute to the colors, 1942.

(Harriet's Photograph Collection #492)
(Harriet's Photograph Collection #492)

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

Rainy commencement, 1947.

(Harriet's Photograph Collection #492)
(Harriet's Photograph Collection #492)

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.

Diplomas in the Registrar's Office, 1948. Beverly Everett, a clerk in the Registrar's Office, shows diplomas that have arrived before commencement.

(Harriet's Photograph Collection #492)
(Harriet's Photograph Collection #492)

From chaos to order, 1949. Graduates gathered in the Memorial Union quadrangle and eventually formed an orderly procession to the Men's Gymnasium.

(Harriet's Photograph Collection #492)
(Harriet's Photograph Collection #492)

(Harriet's Photograph Collection #492)
(Harriet's Photograph Collection #492)