FIRST COMMENCEMENTGraceland College, Lamoni, Iowa |
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Graceland's first commencement ceremony was spread out over a 6-day
period in 1898 with different departments holding their own programs.
The graduation ceremony itself proper was held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday,
June 15, 1898 in the Lamoni RLDS Red Brick Church. Those delivering
commencement addresses were Professor Joseph T. Pence who was acting
president of the college, and Professor Thomas J. Fitzgerald who was
instructor of science and mathematics. Frederick Madison Smith, the sole
graduate, delivered and address entitled “The Mission of Graceland
College.” Bishop Edmund L. Kelley presented Graceland's first diploma to
the first graduate. A total of only eight students graduated from Graceland's four-year collegiate program in the years of 1898, 1899, 1903 and 1911. During the years when there were no collegiate graduates, certificates and diplomas were presented to the students who had completed their scholastic work in the academy, commercial, music, oratory or other departments. From 1898 to 1935, Jeremiah Gunsolley inscribed the student's names on all of Graceland's diplomas. Upon Graceland achieving status as a junior college, the first associate of arts degree commencement ceremony was observed on June 3, 1915 at the Coliseum Theatre with six graduates. The graduates were: Charles Benc, Allen Breakie, N. Ray Carmichael, Cicely Case, Daniel B. Sorden and Olive Teeters. |
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SOURCE: Goehner, David. “The Graceland College Book of Knowledge:
From A To Z.” Pp. 72, 74. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997. Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February 2017 NOTE: Graceland University expressly granted permission to Decatur County IAGenWeb to use photographs and materials for the sole purpose of this website. These pages have been updated and reformatted by Conni McDaniel Hall, October 2019 |
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