A Look at Commencements Past
Slideshow captures ceremonies dating back more than 50 years
Graduates of the class of 1961 file into Boston Garden, June 4, 1961.
Bird’s-eye view: faculty members check out Nickerson Field, June 6, 1965.
Never too young: All-University Commencement, May 28, 1967.
The Class of 1969 marks a special graduation: Boston University’s 100th class, May 18,1969.
Commencement Processional, May 21, 1972.
Some things never change, May 23, 1976.
1978 Metcalf Cup and Prize winner Dennis Berkey (left), a CAS math professor, later BU provost, and president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, with trustee Arthur G. B. Metcalf (SED’35, Hon.’74), May 21, 1978.
US Senator Edward M. Kennedy (Hon.’70) delivering the Commencement Keynote Address, May 20, 1979.
Multitasking—or maybe getting ready for the future? May 18, 1980
Helping a classmate, May 18, 1980.
A rain-soaked Commencement, May 18, 1980.
Former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (left), with her sister, Lee Radziwill, whose son, Anthony Radziwill (COM’82), was graduating. Photo taken May 16, 1982.
Jumping for joy, May 16, 1982.
Catching up on some light reading, May 15, 1983.
John Silber (Hon.’95) (right), BU president, with the late Red Auerbach, legendary Boston Celtics coach famous for his love of cigars, who received a Doctor of Humane Letters, May 13, 1984.
Spiffing up a Commencement gown, May 13, 1984.
Celebrating their big day, May 13, 1984.
A proud new graduate, May 13, 1984.
Decorating mortarboards is a celebrated tradition, May 19, 1985.
Commencement Processional, May 17, 1987.
BU school flags flying at Commencement, May 15, 1988.
Nickerson Field during Commencement, May 16, 1993.
The countdown has begun as Boston University prepares for its 145th All-University Commencement on Sunday, May 20, celebrating the 7,072 graduates of the Class of 2018. And before they don their caps and gowns and march onto Nickerson Field, we thought we’d take a look back at some Commencement ceremonies from years past.
Our thanks to BU Photography’s Andy Costello, Andrew Barrasso (CAS’18), and Chynna Benson (CGS’18), whose photo research made this project possible.
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