Entries drawn from the college history timeline
After "having obtained leave to use the Presbyterian church," Dickinson College held its first Commencement exercises. Eight orations were delivered and nine degrees were conferred. The students "performed all these exercises with a propriety and spirit which did them great honor, reflected...
Commencement exercises for the 1791-92 academic year were held, with all members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Commencement exercises for the 1809-10 academic year are held, with all members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Commencement exercises for the 1810-11 academic year are held, with all members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Commencement exercises for the 1811-12 academic year are held, with all members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Commencement exercises for the 1812-13 academic year are held, with all members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Commencement exercises for the 1822-23 academic year are held, with all members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Commencement exercises for the 1825-26 academic year are held, with all members of the graduating class delivering orations.
John Sergeant, lawyer and Pennsylvania Congressman from 1837-41, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree as part of Dickinson's 1826 commencement exercises.
Commencement exercises for the 1827-28 academic year are held, with various members of the graduating class delivering orations. James Buchanan (Class of 1809), then a lawyer in Lancaster, PA, was scheduled to speak, but was "prevented by illness."
Commencement exercises for the 1828-29 academic year are held, with various members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Commencement exercises for the 1836-37 academic year are held, with various members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Commencement exercises for the 1837-38 academic year are held, with various members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Commencement exercises for the 1838-39 academic year are held, with all members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Reverdy Johnson, politician, judge, and United States Attorney General from 1849-50, receives an honorary Doctor of Laws degree as part of Dickinson's 1839 commencement exercises.
Commencement exercises for the 1839-40 academic year are held, with various members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Commencement exercises for the 1840-41 academic year are held, with various members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Commencement exercises for the 1842-43 academic year are held, with all members of the graduating class delivering orations.
George Washington Bethune (Class of 1823), clergyman, fisherman, and writer of hymns, receives an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree as part of Dickinson's 1843 commencement exercises.
Commencement exercises for the 1843-44 academic year are held, with various members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Commencement exercises for the 1844-45 academic year are held, with all members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Journalist and explorer William Henry Gilder receives an honorary Master of Arts degree as part of Dickinson's 1845 commencement exercises.
Commencement exercises for the 1845-46 academic year are held, with various members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Commencement exercises for the 1846-47 academic year are held, with all members of the graduating class delivering orations.
Henry Brewerton, Superintendent of the United States Military Academy from 1845-52 and later a Union Army General during the American Civil War, receives an honorary Doctor of Laws degree as part of Dickinson's 1847 commencement exercises.
