Celebrating 150 Years of BU Commencements in Photos

From JFK to MLK and Boston Garden to Nickerson Field, a look back at ceremonies past

Commencement

Celebrating 150 Years of BU Commencements in Photos

Click through to take a look back at ceremonies past

May 16, 2023
3
Twitter Facebook

loading slideshow…

  • Photo: Black and white photo of a group of white men wearing graduation caps and gowns, and white women wearing white dresses and graduation caps and gowns, as they pose for a large group photo.

    Graduates of Boston University’s College of Liberal Arts (now the College of Arts & Sciences) Class of 1905.

  • Photo: A black and white photo of a crowd of woman walk to the right of the photo in their cap and gown. Some squint in the sun, some are looking down to see where they step.

    Commencement ceremony, Trinity Church, Boston, 1917.

  • Photo: Black and white photo of 1927 Commencement. Boston Arena filed with students sitting in chairs in the middle, the diagonally diagonally seats are filled. The stage has a gigantic tapestry draped to make it appear the background is a courtyard.

    1927 Commencement ceremony, Boston Arena.

  • Photo: A line of men walk to the right of the photo, some in their cap and gown and some in a full suit with pinstripe pants and a top hat.

    Baccalaureate processional, 1937.

  • Photo: Black and white photo. A line of supposed professors walking to the left of the photo, some in their ceremonial graduation garb and some in a three piece suit. The two walking side by side in the foreground seem to be laughing, in a joyous conversation.

    The faculty procession leaves Horticultural Hall en route to Symphony Hall for Boston University’s 1939 Baccalaureate service. BU President Daniel L. Marsh (from left); Alfred (Alf) M. Landon, former Kansas Governor and 1936 Republican presidential candidate; E. Ray Speare (CAS 1894), BU treasurer and captain of the University’s first football team; Olin M. Jeffords (LAW 1918), associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court; and William E. Chenery, a BU trustee.

  • Photo: A black and white photo of a wide shot of BU's 1940 commencement at Boston Arena. The flat area where the students are is completely filled and so is the audience chairs.

    1940 Commencement at Boston Arena. More than 1,000 members of the graduating class attended, along with an estimated 10,000 guests.

  • Photo: A black and white photo of notable faculty, including President Marsh. None were ready for the photo, instead looking off into the distance or to whomever was talking. Top, left to right: James Chamberlain Baker, Elizabeth Burchenal, Guy Wilbur Cox, Howard McGrath and seated from left: Frank Howard Lahey, President Marsh, and Wendell Lewis Willkie.

    1943 honorary degree recipients. Back row: Methodist bishop James Chamberlain Baker (STH 1905) (from left); Elizabeth Burchenal, educator and cofounder of the American Folk Dance Society; Guy Wilbur Cox (LAW 1896), president of John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company; and US District Attorney James Howard McGrath (LAW 1929). Front row: Frank Howard Lahey, physician and founder of the Lahey Clinic (from left); BU President Daniel L. Marsh; and Wendell Lewis Willkie, 1940 Republican presidential candidate.

  • Photo: A black and white photo of four white woman in their cap and gown, all smiling to a place off-camera. They were married to men who went off to the army.

    War brides Priscilla Clark James Johnston (from left), Barbara Horenstein Perles, Ida Land Johnston, and Janet Marie Anderson Christensen pose for a photo during the University’s 1944 Commencement.

  • Photo: A very fuzzy black and white photo of the senior class filing into Symphony Hall for the 1945 Commencement. The seniors, in the bottom portion of the photo, are in their cap and gown. The top portion, with two rows of balcony space, are filled with the family members of those graduating.

    Seniors file into Symphony Hall for BU’s 72nd Commencement, 1945.

  • Photo: A black and white photo of senior breakfast in Marsh Plaza. The students all wear their best clothing, immersed in conversation, and the faculty and important members sit at a table facing the entirety of the senior population.

    BU seniors and alumni gather on Marsh Plaza for the Class of 1953’s Senior Breakfast.

  • Photo: A black and white photo of United States Senator John F. Kennedy (D-Mass) (left) and Harvard President Nathan M. Pusey, shown flanking BU President Harold Case, received honorary degrees at BU Commencement. They are in ceremonial garb, talking amongst themselves.

    US Senator John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) (left) and Harvard President Nathan M. Pusey flanking BU President Harold Case. Kennedy and Case received honorary degrees at BU’s Commencement, June 5, 1955.

  • Photo: A black and white photo, a downward angle showing two mics in the foreground. Walter Muelder, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Boston University President Harold Case (left to right) at 1959 Boston University Commencement in Boston Garden. The audience is behind them.

    Walter Muelder, dean of the School of Theology (from left), Martin Luther King, Jr. (GRS’55, Hon.’59), and BU President Harold Case at BU’s Commencement ceremony at Boston Garden, June 7, 1959.

  • Photo: A black and white photo of three individuals in ceremonial garb. Two mics stand in the foreground. From left, a white man facing Singer, Marian Anderson, a Black woman, going to shake the hand of the white man, right, presenting here with her honorary degree.

    Trailblazing opera singer Marian Anderson is presented with an honorary degree during BU’s Commencement at Boston Garden, June 5, 1960.

  • Photo: A black and white photo of two woman in the arched doorway of the CAS building, dawned in their cap and gown. They face each other, immersed in conversation.

    Two graduates silhouetted against an entrance to the College of Arts & Sciences building, May 25, 1961.

  • Photo: A black and white photo of a wide shot showing BU's 1961 commencement. The seniors are filing in slowly, and the audience is packed.

    BU graduates file into their seats on the floor of the Boston Garden before Commencement, June 4, 1961.

  • Photo: A black and white photo outside, from the audience perspective, of the 1967 BU commencement. the students file in slowly and the audience members lean forward. The day seems bright and sunny.

    The first BU Commencement to take place on Nickerson Field, May 28, 1967.

  • Photo: A black and white photo of people from commencement, four taking photos in front of Boston University's Centennial signage, one (a man in a full suit) taking a photo of something off screen, another (the woman in a foreground with a tulle hat). There are various other participants scattered in the photo.

    A family poses for pictures on Nickerson Field May 18, 1969, in front of a sign marking the University’s centennial.

  • Photo: A closeup shot of graduates seated on Nickerson Field, looking to something off-screen and to the right. In the foreground, a black woman with shades in her cap and gown. A white man with shades with his cap and gown and behind him, another white man without shades. He rest his head in his hand, with two fingers pressed into his cheek. Behind him, a white woman in her cap and gown without shades. And behind her, another white man without shades.

    Graduates seated on Nickerson Field during Commencement, May 21, 1972.

  • Photo: A black and white photo of the processional for the 1972 commencement. The faculty walk down the aisle with their ceremonial garb. Flanking the left and right of the photo are the graduates in their cap and gown. The audience peers on in the background.

    Processional marking the start of BU’s 1972 Commencement.

  • Photo: Two men, John Silber with Elie Wiesel, wearing formal university robes pose for a picture at a Boston University commencement. They are also wearing black caps, indicative of a high level of education. The photo is in black and white.

    BU President John Silber (left) poses with Holocaust survivor, author, and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel in the robing room at Commencement, May 29, 1974. Wiesel was awarded an honorary degree that year and joined the BU faculty two years later. At the time of his death in 2016, he was Andrew W. Mellon Professor Emeritus in the Humanities.

  • Photo: A large group of graduates, led by 2 black women in cap and gown, one carrying a camera, and 3rd woman in a white habit and white gloves with round glasses, process onto Nickerson Field at the beginning of the Boston University Commencement on May 29, 1974. The photo is in black and white.

    Graduates process onto Nickerson Field at the beginning of Commencement, May 29, 1974.

  • Photo: The stage at 1976 Boston University Commencement, where Julia Child, dressed in regalia is seen with John Silber, similarly formal, immediately before hooding.

    Television host and cookbook author Julia Child is awarded an honorary degree during the University’s Commencement ceremony, May 23, 1976. Child, pictured here with BU President John Silber, cofounded the BU Gastronomy Program at Metropolitan College with her colleague Jacques Pépin (Hon.’11) in 1991.

  • Photo: Boston University President John Silber, a white man wearing formal commencement robes, with Ella Fitzgerald, a black women wearing a formal robe and hood, during the Commencement on Nickerson Field on May 21, 1978.

    BU President John Silber with celebrated jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald during Commencement on Nickerson Field, May 21, 1978. Fitzgerald was awarded an honorary degree that day.

  • Photo: A small group of graduates wearing caps and gowns wave to their friends and families at the Boston University Commencement on Nickerson Field on May 20, 1979.

    Graduates wave to their friends and families on Nickerson Field during BU’s Commencement, May 20, 1979.

  • Photo: The Honorable Edward M. Kennedy, a white man with curly grey hair and glasses in red university regalia. Kennedy, a Senator from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts delivers the Keynote Address at Commencement on May 20, 1979.

    US Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) delivers the keynote address at Commencement, May 20, 1979. Kennedy was awarded an honorary degree during the ceremony.

  • Photo: Two women wearing red robes raise their fists in excitement for a posed photograph in front of a large crowd at Boston University's commencement on Nickerson Field on May 17, 1981

    Commencement on Nickerson Field, May 17, 1981.

  • Photo: Two male graduates wearing ties, red robes, and black caps, celebrate with cigars at the Boston University Commencement on Nickerson Field on May 16, 1982.

    Graduates celebrate with cigars during the University’s 1982 Commencement.

  • Photo: A group of four happy black graduates at the Boston University Commencement on Nickerson Field on May 16, 1982.

    Class of 1982 graduates celebrate on Nickerson Field.

  • Photo: Jane Ahern, wearing a black cap and robes, holds an umbrella over the head of speaker Dan Rather, wearing a black cap and red robes, at Boston University's 1983 Commencement

    CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather delivers the keynote address during BU’s 1983 Commencement ceremony, which was punctuated by heavy rain. The Emmy Award–winning journalist received an honorary degree at the ceremony.

  • Photo: John Silber, in red robes with a black cap, lights Honorary Degree Recipient (similarly clothed) Red Auerbach's Cigar at the 1984 Commencement.

    Red Auerbach (left), legendary Boston Celtics coach, gets a light from BU President John Silber during the 1984 Commencement ceremony, where Auerbach was awarded an honorary degree.

  • Photo: A group of 3 white graduates celebrate by throwing paper into the air during Commencement on May 13, 1984. The sun is shining and everyone is excited/happy.

    Graduates celebrate by throwing confetti into the air, May 13, 1984.

  • Photo: A gathering inside Marsh Chapel on Boston University's campus. The photo is in black and white. A large organ is seen in the background while the foreground is filled with pews of people.

    The Marsh Chapel Choir sings during Baccalaureate service, May 19, 1985.

  • Photo: A Boston University graduate holds up a decorated mortarboard reading "Mission completed, beam us up Scottie" at the 1985 Commencement on Nickerson Field on May 19, 1985.

    A graduate of the Class of 1985.

  • Photo: Two asian graduates decorated with leis over their red robes and black mortarboards at the 1985 Boston University Commencement on Nickerson Field on May 19, 1985.

    Graduates of the Class of 1985 pose with leis during the ceremony, May 19, 1985.

  • Photo: Two female graduates with big hair take photos on large film cameras after the Boston University Commencement on Nickerson Field on May 15, 1988.

    Members of the Class of 1988 take photos following Commencement on Nickerson Field, May 15, 1988.

  • Photo: Barbara Bush, George Bush, John Silber, F. Mitterand, and others stand on the stage platform at Boston University's 1989 Commencement

    First Lady Barbara Bush, President George H. W. Bush, and BU President John Silber join other dignitaries on stage, May 21, 1989. The Bushes received honorary degrees during the ceremony.

  • Photo: Bird's eye view of Nickerson Field during Commencement showing thousands of spectators and graduates on May 16, 1993.

    Bird’s-eye view of Nickerson Field during Commencement, May 16, 1993.

  • Photo: A large sea of Boston University graduates wearing red gowns and black mortarboards cheer at the 1994 Commencement on Nickerson Field.

    A sea of scarlet: Members of the Class of 1994 gather on Nickerson Field, May 22, 1994.

  • Photo: August Wilson, a white man with a beard, is hooded by a BU Trustee and BU President John Silber for receiving an honorary degree at Boston University's 1996 Commencement exercises on Nickerson Field on May 19.

    Award-winning playwright August Wilson receives an honorary degree at BU’s Commencement exercises on Nickerson Field, May 19, 1996.

  • Photo: Geena Davis, a white woman wearing red regalia leads a procession of others in similar red robes, walking out of Commencement Ceremonies after receiving an honorary degree on May 23, 1999

    Oscar-winning actress Geena Davis (CFA’79, Hon.’99) leaving Nickerson Field after receiving an honorary degree at Commencement, May 23, 1999.

  • Photo: Closeup shot of a mother duck and her ducklings wander across Nickerson field before the Commencement Ceremony begins, May 23, 1999.

    Ducks wander across Nickerson Field before the start of the University’s 1999 Commencement.

  • Photo: Travis Roy, a young white man in an electric wheelchair wearing a red graduation gown and black cap, smiles as he is handed a diploma on stage.

    Travis Roy (COM’00) receives his degree to a standing ovation. Roy was paralyzed as the result of an accident during his first game as a member of the BU men’s hockey team during his freshman year in 1995. He received an honorary degree from the University in 2016.

  • Photo: Thomas Menino, a white man wearing wireframe glasses, a red and black ceremonial graduation gown and black beret, shakes hands with Boston University President Jon Westling, a white man with greying black hair wearing glasses, a blue ceremonial gown, and large gold medallion.

    Boston Mayor Thomas Menino (left) is awarded an honorary degree by BU President Jon Westling, May 20, 2001.

  • Photo: During the 2002 Boston University Black man wearing a red and black ceremonial graduation gown and black beret, accepts his honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Jon Westling.

    Bill Russell, legendary basketball player and former head coach of the Boston Celtics, accepts his honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from BU President Jon Westling, May 19, 2002. Russell was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1974 and was voted the Greatest Player in the History of the NBA by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America in 1980.

  • Photo: large long shot of spectators wearing clear rain cats and holding large umbrellas as they sit and watch commencement.

    BU’s 2006 Commencement ceremony was marked by heavy rain.

  • Photo: Steven Spielberg, an older white man wearing wireframe glasses, a red and black ceremonial graduation gown, and black beret, smiles as he receives honorary degree 2009 Commencement ceremonies at Boston University.

    Academy Award–winning director Steven Spielberg (center) receives an honorary degree from BU President Robert A. Brown during BU’s 2009 Commencement ceremony. Behind Spielberg is BU Trustee Alan Leventhal.

  • Photo: A group of graduating students all wearing red graduation gowns and black caps, cheer and shout. One student wears a red pom pom under their cap.

    Members of the Class of 2009 celebrate on Nickerson Field.

  • Photo: A large wide shot of Nickerson Field filled with a crowd of spectators and gradauting students during the 137th Commencement in 2010.

    It was a picture-perfect day for BU’s 137th Commencement ceremony, May 16, 2010. United States Attorney General Eric Holder was the Commencement speaker and received an honorary degree during the ceremony.

  • Photo: Robert Allan Hill, dean of Marsh Chapel, wearing a red and gold ceremonial outfit as he speaks at a podium for the 2010 Baccalaureate service.

    Robert Allan Hill, dean of Marsh Chapel, presides at the 2010 Baccalaureate service.

  • Photo: Profile shot of Morgan Freeman, a Black man with greying hair and wearing a red ceremonial graduation gown, black cap, sunglasses, and a small gold hoop earring.

    Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman processes onto Nickerson Field during BU’s 2013 Commencement, May 19. Freeman received an honorary degree at the ceremony.

  • Photo: Close-up photo of a decorated, black graduation cap. The cap reads "It always seems impossible until it's done" in gold letters and in the center the year "2014" is in red.

    A scene from 2014’s Commencement on Nickerson Field.

  • Photo: Anthony Fauci, an older white man with silver gray hair and wearing wireframe glasses and a red and black ceremonial graduation gown, is presented with an honorary degree

    Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NAID), is presented with an honorary degree, May 20, 2018.

  • Photo: John Lewis, an older bald Black man wearing a red and black ceremonial graduation gown, delivers the commencement address during the 2018 Boston University Commencement on Nickerson Field on May 20, 2018.

    Civil rights icon, US Congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.), delivers the 2018 Commencement address on Nickerson Field, May 20. Lewis received an honorary degree.

  • Photo: A group of students wearing red graduation gowns and black caps celebrate and cheer on Nickerson Field. A few of them throw their caps into the air as they cheer.

    Graduates celebrate following the conclusion of BU’s 2019 Commencement.

  • Photo: 5 large screens are shown on stage as Dean Elmore, a Black man wearing a light blue collared shirt, red velvet jacket, and tan pants looks on to one screen that shows the large face of Robert Pinsky, an older white man shown in his home office.

    A Toast to the Class of 2020, a one-hour virtual event hosted by Kenneth Elmore (Wheelock’87), associate provost and dean of students (right), was streamed from the George Sherman Union, May 17, 2020. That year’s Commencement was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It eventually took place October 3, 2021, 17 months after graduation.

  • Photo: Vanessa Costem holds up a red sign that reads "Proud Daughter of Dominican Immigrants" during the 148th BU Commencement May 16 on Nickerson Field. A sea of diverse faces covered in face masks and wearing red graduation gowns and black caps are shown around her waving hand and sign.

    Vanessa Coste (Sargent’21) holds up a sign during BU’s 148th All-University Commencement May 16, 2021, on Nickerson Field. In an effort to maintain strict social distancing protocols, two ceremonies were held that day: one in the morning for graduate students and another in the afternoon for undergraduates. No guests were allowed at either ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic.

  • Photo: Students wearing red graduation gowns, black caps, and red face masks file into Nickerson Field for commencement. A center person wearing a black gown and red cap stands in the center facing away from the camera.

    The Class of 2020 Commencement on Nickerson Field, October 3, 2021. The original date for the ceremony—May 17, 2020—had to be pushed back due to the ongoing COVID pandemic.

  • Photo. A group of students sit on chairs on Nickerson Field. They all wear red gowns, black graduation caps, a red face masks that read "BU" in large white letters.

    Members of the Class of 2020 were given special face masks to wear at their long-delayed Commencement ceremony, which finally took place October 3, 2021, nearly 18 months after they had graduated.

  • Photo: A large group shot of graduating students wearing red gowns and black graduation caps celebrating and cheering loudly.

    Commencement returned to normal in time for the Class of 2022 ceremony, May 22, 2022.

  • Photo: Shot of a group of graduating students wearing red gowns facing away from the camera and celebrating. Red and white confetti falls from the sky and Stuvi II can be seen in the distance.

    Goodbye to all that. Graduates celebrate following the conclusion of BU’s 149th Commencement, May 22, 2022.

May 16, 2023
3
Twitter Facebook

Mortarboards. Gowns. Smiles. Pictures. Hugs. High fives. Commencement is an annual tradition and this year marks 150 years of Boston University’s main graduation ceremony. In honor of the event on Sunday, May 21, we scoured the archives for some of the best Commencement photos and moments and biggest celebrity appearances through the years. It’s been a remarkable run.

Explore Related Topics:

  • Share this story
  • 3 Comments Add

Share

Celebrating 150 Years of BU Commencements in Photos

Share

  • BU Today staff

    BU Today staff Profile

  • Boston University Photography

    Boston University Photography Profile

Comments & Discussion

Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

There are 3 comments on Celebrating 150 Years of BU Commencements in Photos

  1. I really love the photo of the Class of 1905 College of Liberal Arts. There were more women than me. Good for Boston University for opening the doors to Women.

    I am a proud graduate of the School of Nursing , 1963. I appreciate my education more as I grow older.

    Reply
    Link

Post a comment.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest from BU Today