History Highlights: A Look Back at August Commencements from the 1960s to 1979
For about 15 years starting in the early 1960s and throughout the 1970s, archival records show that the University of Cincinnati routinely held end-of-summer August commencement ceremonies.
It was a practice begun as the university switched from a semester-based calendar to a quarter-based calendar early in the 1960s.
In browsing through the archival records, a few highlights stand out:
- In the August Commencement of 1963, 322 degrees were conferred.
- In the August Commencements of 1967 and 1968, about 650 degrees were conferred each of those years.
- In the August 1968 ceremonies, UC for the first time awarded more graduate degrees vs. undergraduate degrees. Of the 650 degrees awarded that August, 345 were masters degrees.
- In August 1969, the number of end-of-summer graduates had swelled, and up to 900 degrees were conferred.
- In August 1972, about 1,200 graduating students attended the Commencement ceremonies where then United States Secretary of Labor James B. Hodgson delivered the summer Commencement address.
- In 1976, the Commencement address was delivered by John H. Johnson, noted businessman and publisher, founder of the Johnson Publishing Company, which launched Ebony, a monthly magazine for the African-American market in 1945, and Jet, a weekly, in 1951.
Further action is required to make this image accessible
One of the below criteria must be satisfied:
- Add image alt tag OR
- Mark image as decorative
The image will not display on the live site until the issue above is resolved.
- Also, in 1976, the UC Commencement program like publications and graphics across the nation carried the official symbol of the American Revolution Bicentennial, at right. This symbol marking the nations bicentennial was designed by Bruce Blackburn, a 1961 graduate of UCs then College of Applied Arts, a forerunner of the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP).
Return to:
UC Holds First August Commencement Ceremonies in More Than 30 Years
Related Stories
4 steps to craft an outstanding graduate program application
July 2, 2024
Derrya Mathis, a graduate of the pre-occupational therapy program, shares her insights and experiences on successfully applying to graduate school.
Bridging creativity and commerce
July 1, 2024
At the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, Victoria Mrofchak stands out not just for her academic excellence but for her remarkable blend of creativity and business acumen. A fourth-year marketing major with a minor in management and fine arts, scholarships help Mrofchak shape her future at the intersection of art and commerce.
UC alum visits campus to teach students about footwear design
June 28, 2024
A 2011 graduate of design, UC alum Charley Hudak has seen his career trajectory go from intern to creative director for Tiger Woods' new athletic footwear brand, Sun Day Red. While he may run with the biggest cat in golf, Hudak doesn't forget his Bearcat roots and comes back each summer to teach youth about footwear design at DAAP Camps.