From Commencement Day to Commencement Week
In its early years the College conducted formal graduation exercises distinguished by their scale and ceremonial character, unmatched by other institutions in the city. Around 1905, the University introduced a comprehensive Commencement Week, replacing the single set of commencement exercises. Although commencement ceremonies generally followed a similar structure from year to year, the 1913 commencement was particularly notable because it made use of the facilities of West Hall (Student Center).
In response to increasing enrollment, separate graduation ceremonies were organized for the Preparatory Department and the Nurses’ Training School. The Commencement Week program expanded to include a series of events held over several days, such as annual water sports contests at the Teachers’ Cove, a student play, the President’s baccalaureate address, declamation and article contests, separate graduation exercises for various departments, and luncheons for alumni and the graduating class at the President’s house. It also featured the School of Arts and Sciences class tree-planting ceremonies, in addition to other commemorative occasions.
These celebrations were marked by formality and grandeur, attracting alumni, distinguished guests, public officials, and graduates’ families. They were often accompanied by musical performances, reflecting both the academic prestige of the institution and the significance of the occasion.[2]
[2] Forty-Third Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Syrian Protestant College 1908-1909, p:32-33