Commencement on the steps of Low Memorial Library, 2005
The first commencement at Columbia University was held on June 21, 1758, when the university, then known as King's College, conferred seven degrees upon its first graduating class.[1] Today, the university graduates several thousand students each year from its several undergraduate colleges, graduate schools, and affiliated institutions. University Commencement traditionally takes place on the third Wednesday of May.
Commencement at Columbia takes place over several days as each school and affiliated institution of the university holds its own Class Day, and culminates in the University Commencement, when degrees are conferred en masse by the university president. The tradition of celebrating commencement over several days has been a point of consternation to parents and other attendees: John McCain, whose daughter Meghan McCain graduated from the university in 2007, upon being informed that commencement was a multi-day affair, reportedly asked, "How many fucking times do I have to go to fucking New York this week? How many fucking times can you fucking graduate from fucking Columbia?”[2]: 238
Over several centuries, Columbia has developed a number of traditions around its commencement ceremonies. As a highly important symbolic event, a number of individual commencements have become historically significant, either due to notable guests in attendance or occasionally violent disruptions, such as in 1811, when several students were arrested and the ceremonies were never completed due to rioting. Recent changes, such as the introduction of Multicultural Graduation Celebrations, have garnered significant political controversy.
^King's College (New York, N. Y. ) (1920–1940). The matricula or Register of admissions & graduations, & of officers employed in King's College at New York. Columbia University Libraries.
^Heilemann, John; Halperin, Mark (2010-02-23). Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime. Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0-06-196620-0.
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