Commencement Collection

Collection

Identifier: EUA011

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection includes documents relating to commencement exercises at Elon University, beginning in 1891 and continuing to present day. Materials included in the collection (but are not limited to) are: newspaper clippings, programs, brochures, speeches and addresses, press releases, schedules of events, and invitations. The collection is arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by type of material. Please see the sections below titled "Detailed Description of the Collection" and "Historical Note" for more informatio

Dates

Creation: 1891-ongoing

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research

Copyright Notice

The nature of the Archives and Special Collections of Belk Library means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Archives and Special Collections of Belk Library claims only physical ownership of most materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to the U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research of otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical / Historical

The first commencement at Elon College took place June 2-3, 1891. Commencement exercises were held in the Old Main Administration building and included a Baccalaureate Sermon by the Reverend C.J. Jones of Norfolk, Virginia and an annual address by Judge T.B. Womack of Pittsboro, North Carolina. The class of 1891 included three graduates: N.G. Newman, C.C. Peel, and Herbert Scholz. Irene Johnson Cook was the only student and first female to graduate from Elon College in 1892. Commencement exercises were held in the Old Main Administration building, until it was destroyed by fire on January 18, 1923. The tradition of Commencement Under the Oaks began in 1923, as there was no other viable space option on campus to hold graduation after the Old Main building was consumed by fire. As stated in the May 18, 1923 issue of the student newspaper The Maroon and Gold, “This commencement promises to be the best of all Elon’s commencements, but the thing which makes it unique is the fact that it will mark the end of an old era and the beginning of a new in the history of the college.”

After the Old Main Administration building burned in 1923, five new buildings were constructed and are still standing on campus today. The buildings that were constructed between 1923-1925 included: Alamance, Carlton, Whitley, Mooney, and Duke. Beginning in 1924, commencement exercises were held in Whitley Auditorium. Over the next several years, graduations were held in different places on campus including, Whitley Auditorium and Alumni Gymnasium. Commencement Under the Oaks was reinstated on May 23, 1987 and has continued ever since to be a long-standing tradition known at Elon today.

Extent

6 Linear Feet (11 archival boxes, .5 linear feet of bound materials)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by type of material.

Physical Location

The collection is located in the Carol Grotnes Belk Library Archives and Special Collections at Elon University. Please contact the Archivist and Special Collections Librarian for further details about the location.