Pacific University and Tualatin Academy Commencement and Convocation Program Collection

Pacific University and Tualatin Academy Commencement and Convocation Program Collection, 1866-2009

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Pacific University
Title: Pacific University and Tualatin Academy Commencement and Convocation Program Collection
Dates: 1866-2009 (inclusive)
18662009
Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet, (1 box)
Collection Number: RG.5.261
Summary: This collection consists of commencement programs and announcements for Pacific University and Tualatin Academy, plus related events such as convocation, freshman exercises and senior honors ceremonies. It includes a nearly complete set of programs from the schools from the 1860s through the 2000s.
Repository: Pacific University, Archives
Pacific University Archives
2043 College Way
Forest Grove, OR
97116
Telephone: 5033521400
archives@pacificu.edu
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Languages: English
Sponsor: Sponsored by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection primarily consists of commencement programs for Pacific University and Tualatin Academy. It also includes other events such as convocation, freshman exercises and senior honors. Included with the commencement programs for the earlier dates are commencement announcements.

The programs show how the commencement ceremony for Pacific University has changed over time. Earlier programs highlight the role of religion, as every program had a prayer component to it. The earlier programs includes notices of many orations, dissertations, musical performances and other presentations that were given during the cermonies. In the early years, the class sizes were small -- sometimes as few as 2-3 students per class year -- so each student often had a role in the ceremonies. Later programs show that as enrollment increased, less time was spent on individual student presentations, and the focus shifted towards acknowledging groups of graduates. This collection contains almost every commencement ceremony program from 1866 to the 2000s, with a few gaps in the very early years.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Pacific University was founded in 1854, six years after the founding of Tualatin Academy. While Pacific University offered college-level (and later, graduate-level) courses, Tualatin Academy was a secondary school that prepared students for college. Pacific University graduated its first college student, Harvey Scott, in 1863. Tualatin Academy functioned under Pacific University's administration until it closed in 1915, due to competition with free public high schools in the area.

Both Pacific University and Tualatin Academy participated in class exercises, convocations, and commencements. The two normally shared these ceremonies, with the exception of class exercises, which were broken up between classes. These gatherings were generally a place where students could share with one another essays and other works. Class exercises were both social and academic in nature.

Early convocation and commencement exercises would often include essays, orations, music and prayer in addition to speakers and student recognition. Gradually, the essay and oration portions of the ceremony were reduced and far less emphasis was placed on prayer. In order to accomodate much larger class sizes, later ceremonies devoted much of their programs to recognizing the members of the classes.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Pacific University and Tualatin Academy Program Collection, Pacific University Archives, Forest Grove, Oregon.

Restrictions on Use

Pacific University owns the copyright to some, but not all, of the materials housed in its archives. Copyright for materials authored or otherwise produced as official business of Pacific University is retained by Pacific University and requires its permission for publication. Copyright status for other collection materials varies. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Future Additions

Accruals are expected.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
1	1	Commencement programs and announcements Included are commencement programs and announcements for Pacific University and Tualatin Academy, which shared commencement ceremonies in their early years.	1866-1884
1	2	Commencement programs and announcements Included are commencement programs and announcements for Pacific University and Tualatin Academy, which shared commencement ceremonies in their early years.	1885-1889
1	3	Commencement programs and announcements	1890-1899
1	4	Commencement programs and announcements	1900-1909
1	5	Commencement programs and announcements	1910-1919
1	6	Commencement programs and announcements	1920-1929
1	7	Commencement programs and announcements	1930-1939
1	8	Commencement programs	1940-1946
1	9	Commencement programs	1947-1949
1	10	Commencement programs	1950-1956
1	11	Commencement programs	1956-1959
1	12	Commencement programs	1960-1969
1	13	Commencement programs	1970-1979
1	14	Commencement programs	1980-1989
1	15	Commencement programs	1990-1992
1	16	Commencement programs	1993-1999
1	17	Commencement programs	2000-2003
1	18	Commencement programs	2004-2009
1	19	Convocation and class exercise programs	1877-2006
1	20	Third party commencement announcements	1901
1	21	Tualatin Academy commencement and class exercise programs	1885-1899
1	22	Tualatin Academy commencement and class exercise programs	1900-1915

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