Commencement (ceremony)

Commencement (ceremony)
Name	Commencement
Genre	Academic ceremony
Frequency	Annual
Venue	University campuses, stadiums, arenas
Location	Worldwide
First	12th century
Participants	Graduates, faculty, administrators, honored guests
Organisers	University administration

Commencement (ceremony). A commencement ceremony is a formal academic event held to confer degrees or diplomas upon students who have completed their studies. The term signifies the beginning, or "commencement," of the graduates' new chapter as alumni. These ceremonies are rich in tradition, featuring specific academic dress, formal protocols, and addresses by notable figures. They are a central rite of passage within higher education systems across the globe.

Overview

The primary function of a commencement is the official conferral of bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and other professional degrees by a college or university's leadership, such as the president or chancellor. The event typically includes a processional of graduates and faculty in academic dress, an invocation, musical performances, and the main commencement speech. Key participants often include the university board of trustees, deans, and honored guests like the speaker, who may receive an honorary degree. Major ceremonies for large institutions are often held in venues like Michigan Stadium at the University of Michigan or Yankee Stadium for Fordham University.

History

The origins of commencement ceremonies lie in medieval European universities, with early forms documented at the University of Bologna in the 12th century. The traditions were formalized in England, particularly at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, where ceremonies were conducted in Latin and involved elaborate rituals. These practices were transported to North America with the establishment of colonial colleges like Harvard College in the 17th century. The first recorded commencement in the Thirteen Colonies was held by Harvard University in 1642. Over centuries, the ceremony evolved from a simple Latin liturgy for a small group of scholars to the large-scale, public celebrations common today.

Traditions and customs

Standard customs include the "Pomp and Circumstance" processional music by Edward Elgar, the turning of the academic tassel from right to left upon degree conferral, and the tossing of mortarboard caps into the air. The ceremony order usually follows a formal program: the academic procession, the national anthem, an invocation, welcomes from officials like the provost, the commencement address, the presentation of candidates by deans, the actual conferring of degrees, and a benediction. Many institutions incorporate unique traditions, such as the University of Notre Dame's Alumni Hall procession or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Brass Rat tradition.

Academic regalia

The academic dress worn by participants is a highly codified system originating in medieval clerical garb. The standard ensemble consists of a mortarboard or Tudor bonnet, a gown, and often a hood. The colors and styles denote the wearer's academic achievements and affiliations: velvet hood linings display the institution's colors, while hood trim indicates the scholar's field of study (e.g., white for Arts, golden yellow for Science, purple for Law). The cut of the gown (simple for bachelors, with oblong sleeves for masters, and with bell sleeves for doctors) and materials are prescribed by intercollegiate codes like the American Council on Education guidelines.

Notable commencement speeches

Commencement addresses are often delivered by prominent figures from politics, business, entertainment, and literature, and some have become historically significant. Notable examples include Steve Jobs' 2005 address at Stanford University urging graduates to "stay hungry, stay foolish," Winston Churchill's 1941 speech at the University of Rochester during World War II, and J.K. Rowling's 2008 Harvard University talk on the benefits of failure. Other landmark speeches were given by George C. Marshall at Harvard University announcing the Marshall Plan in 1947, and David Foster Wallace's 2005 "This Is Water" speech at Kenyon College.

Variations by country

While the American-style commencement is widely recognized, formats differ internationally. In the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, the event is typically called a "graduation" and often involves graduates kneeling before the university chancellor to be "capped." In Germany, graduates may receive a doctoral hat in a private ceremony called a "Promotion." Japanese ceremonies at institutions like the University of Tokyo are often more solemn and formal. In many Latin American countries, such as Mexico, graduating engineers participate in a separate "Toma de Protesta" oath-taking ritual. The University of Cambridge and University of Oxford maintain distinctive ceremonies in Latin within historic settings like the Sheldonian Theatre.

Category:Academic ceremonies Category:Rites of passage Category:University traditions