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SmitHistory
Smith seniors and graduate
students will cross the stage to collect their diplomas
this Sunday, May 18, for the 130th time in the college's
history. Some of the traditions around commencement and
reunion weekend have changed, but through more than a century,
many traditions remain. (photographs and captions provided
by .)
Ivy Day has been part of
Smith’s commencement celebration since 1884, when
seniors assembled on the porch of College Hall to listen
to fellow students give the Ivy Oration and Ode,
and to sing the Class Song. Afterward, as it still
is today, ivy was planted to commemorate the lasting
relationship between the new alumnae and their College. In
the early days of the college, senior classes chose
different flowers to carry. Beginning in 1902,
seniors carried a single long-stemmed rose. This
image is of the Class of 1895.
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Junior Ushers create the pathway
for the seniors to travel during Ivy Day. Until
1931, Junior Ushers wore hats to help distinguish
themselves from the graduating seniors. Ropes of
laurel leaves (not ivy) are carried on their right shoulders
to this day. Junior
Ushers have been part of the commencement week activities
since 1898. |
Newspaper clippings at the
turn of the 20th century note the “alumnae procession” was
part of commencement activities. As early as 1906,
alumnae were providing entertainment as the audience
waited for the seniors to process during Ivy Day. In
1908 the first organized Alumnae Parade was held, with
the alumna classes circling campus and singing in elaborate
costumes. Here, members of the Class of 1901 are
dressed in milk-maid costumes at their 15th reunion in
1916.
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Sometimes the weather cooperates
and the sun shines on the Quadrangle during commencement
weekend. In other years, the heavens unleash downpours
that make the seniors' black shoes soaking wet. When
the weather gods work against Smith, weekend activities
are often moved indoors, as this image of a Junior Usher
at Ivy Day celebrations in 1988 shows. |
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