Take a look back on CWRU’s 200-year history through archived commencement photos
Commencement is a time-honored tradition. Throughout Case Western Reserve University’s 200-year history, that tradition has evolved and transformed. From the ceremonies of predecessor institutions to the disruption of in-person celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic, no two commencements have truly looked the same. But one truth has remained true no matter the year or the format: commencement is a time to recognize our graduates’ accomplishments.
As we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2026 next week, we worked with CWRU Archives to reflect on the history of commencement at our university through photos. Take a look and read through to learn more—and don’t forget to register for commencement activities to be a part of this historic moment.
A timeline of commencement at CWRU
1828–85
The very first degree conferral in our institution’s history took place Aug. 25, 1830, in honor of Western Reserve College’s first graduating class of four students. However, that was not the first commencement ceremony at Western Reserve College. In both 1828 and 1829, the institution hosted ceremonies to celebrate the successes of the previous years.
For 50 years from 1844 through 1894, the School of Medicine held its graduation ceremony in March, separate from the college’s summer celebrations. The Civil War disrupted the timing of commencement in 1862 as many students were serving. The event was postponed from July to October.
The university did not hold formal commencement exercises in 1882. Instead, degrees were conferred that year at the dedication of the new Adelbert College buildings in Cleveland.
The Case School of Applied Science held its first commencement June 15, 1885, when five graduates received their degrees.
1886–1967
Reporting from CWRU Archives indicates that commencement ceremonies remained relatively consistent in the 40-year stretch from 1891 through 1931. During this time, Western Reserve University held graduation activities over the course of several days in the spring.
Then, for 10 years, from 1932 through 1941, the school held all of its ceremonies on a single day in June. Western Reserve University again adjusted its format, moving to hold ceremonies three times a year: at the end of the summer, fall and spring semesters. This format lasted from 1942 through 1967.
1967–present
The 1967 commencement ceremony marked what is perhaps the biggest change: On Sept. 8, 1967, the first commencement convocation of the newly federated Case Western Reserve University took place.
In 1985, the university held its first outdoor, university-wide commencement ceremony with individual diploma ceremonies by school. In the years since, commencement ceremonies have largely followed a similar pattern, with a university-wide convocation followed by school diploma ceremonies—though the festivities have since moved indoors.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic marked the biggest modern-day disruption to the university’s commencement events. In support of public health measures to slow the virus’s spread, the university held a fully remote celebration for graduates.
The next year, Class of 2021 graduates were invited to participate in an in-person, socially distanced ceremony. However, guests were not permitted due to the ongoing pandemic. Instead, the ceremonies were livestreamed so family and friends could tune in from home.
Commencement as it is celebrated in 2026—with a university-wide clap out, convocation and send-off, followed later in the week with school diploma ceremonies across several days—debuted in 2023.
Want to attend this year’s clap out, convocation and send-off to support the Class of 2026? Check the commencement website for more details.
Thank you to CWRU Archives for sharing information and photos for this post.
