The collection includes Washington University commencement programs from 1856 to present.

Folders are organized by year, in chronological order.  Material types are listed, followed by the date of the event(s).  Commencement programs and other items refer to University-wide events, unless otherwise noted as a specific school or department.  Materials vary in the level of information for each year.

For some years in the 20th century, supplemental information from the student newspaper, Student Life, has also been included.

Early commencement programs do not include a list of graduates or honorees.  For graduates name’s between 1862 – 1917 consult the Washington University General Alumni Catalogue, published in 1917.  Years without graduates names are noted as: [no graduate list].

Select parts of Series 1 have been digitized and are available here: https://library.wustl.edu/spec/commencement-collection/ (under Commencement History).