Academic Ceremonies

Commencement exercises for the 1984-85 academic year were held in front of Old West.

Paul Martin Simon, Illinois Congressman from 1973-85 and Senator from 1985-97, addressed the College as part of its 1984 Commencement exercises. Rep. Simon also received an honorary degree from the College.

Pop artist Wayne Thiebaud received an honorary degree as part of the College's 1983 Commencement exercises.

Opera composer Carlisle Floyd received an honorary degree as part of the College's 1983 Commencement exercises.

Art historian Julius S. Held received an honorary degree as part of the College's 1983 Commencement exercises.

Musicologist Donald Jay Grout received an honorary degree as part of the College's 1983 Commencement exercises.

Minister and human rights activist James A. Forbes received an honorary degree as part of the College's 1983 Commencement exercises.

Dumas Malone, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom,  received an honorary degree as part of the College's 1982 Commencement exercises.

Colin Goetze Campbell, President of Wesleyan University from 1970-88, addressed Dickinson College as part of its 1982 Commencement exercises. Dr. Campbell also received an honorary degree from Dickinson.

Commencement exercises for the 1981-82 academic year were held in front of Old West.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Lawrence R. Klein received an honorary degree as part of the College's 1981 Commencement exercises.

Mary Steichen Calderone, physician, public health advocate, and co-founder of the Sex Information and Education Council of the United States, received an honorary degree as part of the College's 1981 Commencement exercises.

John George Kemeny, President of Dartmouth College from 1970-81, addressed Dickinson College as part of its 1981 Commencement exercises. Dr. Kemeny also received an honorary degree from Dickinson.

Commencement exercises for the 1980-81 academic year were held in front of Old West.

The 224th opening convocation ceremony was held on Monday, August 26, 1996. Beginning at 4:15 in the Library Plaza, the academic procession then proceeded to the John Dickinson Campus. President Fritschler performed the Convening of the College, and the Dean of the College introduced new faculty, academic professionals, and administrative staff. Senior and Junior Sophisters and Phi Beta Kappa were recognized for outstanding achievement, and the Shuman Awards were given. Then the presentation of new students began as each person climbed the steps of Old West to sign into the college.

The 223rd opening convocation ceremony was held on Monday, August 28, 1995. Beginning in the Library Plaza at 4:15 pm, the academic processional advanced to the John Dickinson campus. There, President Fritschler officially opened the college. The new Dean of the College was introduced, along with all new faculty, academic professionals, and administrative staff. The new students were also introduced. Next, in a new tradition, all new students proceeded up the stone steps of Old West to sign into the college.

This opening convocation ceremony was held on Tuesday, August 30, 1994 at 4:15 on the John Dickinson Campus. Following the academic procession, President Fritschler gave welcoming comments. New students and faculty members were presented to the college. Phi Beta Kappa and the Senior and Junior Sophisters were recognized for academic excellence. Lindback Scholars, the Class of 1902 Award, and the Shuman awards were presented for leadership. Faculty promotions, new appointments, and honor prizes and scholarships were announced.

This opening convocation ceremony was held on August 31, 1993 at 6:45 pm on the John Dickinson Campus. After the academic procession and invocation, President Fritschler performed the opening of the college. The Senior and Junior Sophisters and Phi Beta Kappa were were recognized for academic excellence. The Class of 1902 Award, Lindback Scholars, and the Shuman Awards were presented for leadership. The ceremony concluded after remarks from the president.

This opening convocation ceremony was held on Tuesday, September 1, 1992 at 7:30 pm. Following the academic procession and invocation, the opening of the college was performed by President Fritschler. The Senior and Junior Sophisters and Phi Beta Kappa were recognized for academic excellence. The Class of 1902 Award, Lindback Scholars, and the Shuman Awards were presented for leadership. Finally, the crowd heard remarks from the president. Faculty promotions, new appointments, and honor prizes and scholarships were announced. Dana Scholars and students on the Dean's List were announced.

This opening convocation ceremony was held on Tuesday, September 3, 1991, at 7:30 pm in the Anita Tuvin Schlechter Auditorium. Following the academic procession and matriculation of new students, new members of the college were presented by the Dean of the College. The Junior and Senior Sophisters and Phi Beta Kappa were both recognized for academic excellence. Resident Advisers, Lindback Scholars, the Class of 1902 Award, and the Shuman Awards were all presented for leadership. President Fritschler then gave remarks on the opening of the 219th year.

On Friday, October 12th, 2001, the J. William Stuart '32 and Helen D. Stuart '32 Endowed Chair in International Studies, Business and Management was established.  Its first incumbent, Professor Douglas T. Stuart, director of the Clarke Center, was appointed at the ceremony.  Professor Stuart gave an address entitled "The Lexus, the Olive Tree and the Eagle: America's Options in a Rapidly Changing World."