Campus Life

In photos: Celebrating commencement through the years

From the first 12 diplomas awarded in 1861 to more than 14,200 expected to be presented during commencement ceremonies this weekend, Penn State has a longstanding tradition of celebrating and honoring its graduates. The below photo gallery highlights commencement ceremonies and celebrations over the years.

The class of 1903, as pictured in the 1904 issue of La Vie. The lion pillar gates currently located at the intersection of Burrowes Street and Pollock Road were presented by the class of 1903 at their 50th anniversary in 1953. Originally standing at Burrowes Road and Atherton Street, the pillars were moved in 2002 to accommodate what is now the Westgate Building. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

A procession of graduates in 1915, with the original Old Main in the background. More than 400 degrees were awarded in the 1914-15 academic year. According to La Vie, the 1915 commencement week festivities included an organ recital in the auditorium, an alumni parade from the front of campus to Beaver Field, and campus singing with the senior class at Old Willow. Gifts from the class of 1915 include the stone retaining wall at the front of campus, the sun dial in front of Old main and stone benches at the HUB-Robeson Center. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Another picture from commencement week in 1915. Here, graduates and guests participate in a reception at the front of campus on Wednesday, June 9, following commencement exercises held earlier in the day. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

A commencement celebration in 1921. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Graduates, circa 1938. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Commencement in 1969. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Commencement at Penn State Wilkes-Barre in 1976. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Penn State Mont Alto graduates in 1977. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

A commencement ceremony at Penn State Altoona circa 1971. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

A graduate listens intently during the commencement ceremony at Penn State Fayette, circa 1983. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Cap and gown pictures at the Nittany Lion shrine at University Park in 1990. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Graduates celebrate with the Nittany Lion at Penn State Lehigh Valley in 2012. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

The class of 1903, as pictured in the 1904 issue of La Vie. The lion pillar gates currently located at the intersection of Burrowes Street and Pollock Road were presented by the class of 1903 at their 50th anniversary in 1953. Originally standing at Burrowes Road and Atherton Street, the pillars were moved in 2002 to accommodate what is now the Westgate Building. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

A procession of graduates in 1915, with the original Old Main in the background. More than 400 degrees were awarded in the 1914-15 academic year. According to La Vie, the 1915 commencement week festivities included an organ recital in the auditorium, an alumni parade from the front of campus to Beaver Field, and campus singing with the senior class at Old Willow. Gifts from the class of 1915 include the stone retaining wall at the front of campus, the sun dial in front of Old main and stone benches at the HUB-Robeson Center. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Another picture from commencement week in 1915. Here, graduates and guests participate in a reception at the front of campus on Wednesday, June 9, following commencement exercises held earlier in the day. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

A commencement celebration in 1921. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Graduates, circa 1938. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Commencement in 1969. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Commencement at Penn State Wilkes-Barre in 1976. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Penn State Mont Alto graduates in 1977. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

A commencement ceremony at Penn State Altoona circa 1971. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

A graduate listens intently during the commencement ceremony at Penn State Fayette, circa 1983. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Cap and gown pictures at the Nittany Lion shrine at University Park in 1990. Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons

Graduates celebrate with the Nittany Lion at Penn State Lehigh Valley in 2012. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Penn State campuses will hold spring 2024 commencement ceremonies Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. Find more information in this Penn State News story.

See more user-submitted commencement photos on the official Penn State Facebook page:

Last Updated May 1, 2024

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