Fast facts

• Prior to 1915, students who had not completed their degree requirements by June were not permitted to go through commencement that year and had to wait until the following June. It was in 1915 that the university trustees voted to allow seniors who were going to complete their studies in summer school to participate in the June commencement.

• The tradition of inducting seniors during the commencement ceremony into the alumni body of the university was begun in 1924. The text for the ceremony was written by Paul V. McNutt, who at one time served the university as dean of the School of Law, and Mrs. Charles J. Sembower, whose husband became dean of men and the IU representative to the Big Ten.

Return to Table of Contents