VCU Commencement Programs

Virginia Commonwealth University has published commencement programs from the initial university commencement ceremonies in 1969 until the present. From 1969 through 1971 separate commencement ceremonies were held for graduates on the MCV Campus and the future Monroe Park Campus. With the opening of the Richmond Coliseum in 1971, the University was finally able to hold one graduation ceremony. Commencement remained an annual event until 2001 when the University initiated a fall commencement ceremony held on campus at the Siegel Center in December of each year.

The commencement programs vary in content but have always contained the order of events for the graduation ceremony, the names and degrees of graduates, a history of academic costumes, a brief history or profile of the University, and a listing of university and school honors and awards recipients. Most generally included lists of the University’s Board of Visitors, the faculty marshals, University administrators, and endowed professorships. Many of the programs contained profiles and photographs of commencement speakers, the Edward A. Wayne medal recipients, and the presidential medallion winners.

Printed copies of the commencement programs are available in Special Collections and Archives at the VCU Libraries.