University of Rochester commencement addresses
Biographical / Historical
The first University of Rochester commencement was held on July 9, 1851. The main speaker was Henry Ward Beecher, who spoke on "Character." The address on behalf of the University was delivered by the Chancellor, Ira Harris. The custom at the time was for every member of the senior class to give a original oration. It was not until the 20th century that inviting an outside speaker to the event became customary. In the 1970s, the University chose to replace a single "commencement speaker" with short addressses delivered by the honorary degree recipients. This would change again in the 2000s, and the current practice has reverted to having a "marquee" speaker address the attendees.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists primarily of the extant texts or excerpts of the commencement addresses delivered at the main Arts, Sciences and Engineering ceremony. One address from the Eastman School of Music, and another from the School of Nursing, are included as a subseries of the main collection.
Creator
- University of Rochester (Organization)
Dates
- Creation: 1851-2014
Language of Materials
English
Extent
1 box(es)
Conditions Governing Access
For access to this collection, please contact the University of Rochester Archives (archives@library.rochester.edu) at least two business days prior to your planned visit. Please note: Some materials may be restricted or require permission for use.
Conditions Governing Use
To request reproductions or permission to publish materials from the collection, please contact the University of Rochester Archives (archives@library.rochester.edu). Researchers may be responsible for determining any copyright questions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The texts have been preserved in a variety of formats. The earliest speeches appeared in the local newspapers. Speeches delivered by University presidents are in many cases held as manuscripts or typescripts in their respective presidential papers (Anderson, Hill, Rhees, Valentine).
Later, texts or excerpts of the speeches were in some cases issued as press releases by the University, with the permission of the speaker.
Subject
- University of Rochester (Organization)
- Title
- Commencement addresses
- Date
- 2019-05-01
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Library Details
Part of the University of Rochester Archives Library
Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation
River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
500 Joseph C. Wilson Blvd.
Rochester New York 14627-0055 USA
archives@library.rochester.edu
