{"id":4337,"date":"2021-05-09T19:28:44","date_gmt":"2021-05-09T23:28:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/archives\/?p=4337"},"modified":"2021-05-09T19:28:44","modified_gmt":"2021-05-09T23:28:44","slug":"pomp-and-circumstance-zet-forward-commencement-exercises-at-setonia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/archives\/2021\/05\/pomp-and-circumstance-zet-forward-commencement-exercises-at-setonia\/","title":{"rendered":"Pomp and Circumstance Zet Forward \u2013 Commencement Exercises at Setonia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Graduation Day is a rite of passage for any senior who has fulfilled all coursework requirements necessary to earn a diploma, but this milestone is further seen as both recognition and reward for their dedication to educational achievement.\u00a0 Traditionally, the annual commencement ceremony is one that is seen as a high point and celebratory event as a capstone for any academic year at Seton Hall.<\/p>\n

There is a primary graduation exercise that typically takes place during the month of May, but the experience for each graduate is typically enhanced through related ceremonies sponsored by each individual School and College on campus.\u00a0 The name of each graduate, their major and degree along with information about the rituals that are observed at each event.\u00a0 These details are memorialized through the pages of commemorative program booklets are often complimented with invitation cards, event tickets, and other documentation that have made for valuable archival resources that outline these multiple observances for future generations to reference.<\/p>\n

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Seton Hall College Commencement Program, 1888<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Between the founding date of Setonia in 1856 to the present day, the planning and pageantry of all commencement exercises has a noteworthy history.\u00a0 Official ceremonies were held during the first few years that the campus was located in Madison through its move to South Orange.\u00a0 However, it was not until 1862 when the first graduate Mr. Louis Firth started a trend for thousands of other future alumni who would ultimately earn a diploma from Seton Hall.\u00a0 Printed programs of that era outlined the ceremonial aspects of each annual observance and these records show that musical and dramatic programming was a traditional feature along with the parade of those donning the gown, hood, and mortar boards which further enhanced the occasion for attendees through most of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.<\/p>\n

When it came to the choice of commencement venues over the years, the first ceremonies often took place off-campus at local Music Halls in and around nearby Newark.\u00a0 With the construction of Walsh Gymnasium (re-christened the Regan Recreation Center) by 1939 this central campus locale became the new home to ceremonies over the next several years for the few hundred students (on average) who earned their Latin-inscribed diplomas each year.\u00a0 Degree parchments would change over time, but most contain variations on the following wording . . .<\/p>\n

(Latin Text): REGENTES UNIVERSITATIS SETONIANAE – Omnibus Has Litteras Lecturis – SALUTEM IN DOMINO – Testamur nos, pro factultate nobis summa Republicae Neo-Caesarienis protestate facta, unaniemi consensus provechisse – Ad gradum – Cum omnibus honoribus iuribus ac privilegis huic gradus adnexis.\u00a0 Quo malor sit fedis ac testimonium plerius, has litteras communi nostro Sigillo et manu nostra muniendas curavimus<\/em>.<\/p>\n

(English Translation): THE REGENTS OF SETON HALL UNIVERSITY – TO ALL WHO READ THIS DOCUMENT – GREETINGS IN THE LORD – We testify that, with the power given to us by the supreme authority of the State of New Jersey, we have promoted to the degree of <insert> with all the honors, rights and privileges appertaining to this degree.\u00a0 Wherefore, so that its authenticity may be greater and the attestation the fuller, we have undertaken to reinforce this document with our common seal and our hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Notes on the 1931 Seton Hall College Commencement (75th Anniversary)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The number of degrees minted for each class would change with the large influx of students that enrolled at Seton Hall who took advantage of the GI Bill of Rights and tuition support after World War II. This resulted in a several-fold increase in the number of graduates that would increase in number from the late 1940s to the present day.<\/p>\n

From the 1940s-50s and the succeeding decades, commencement-centered events were held on campus.\u00a0 The ceremonies were usually held in the shadow of the \u201cAtom Wall\u201d (or other historical campus building depending upon the year and number of guests) which hosted the graduates, families, administrators, clergy, faculty, special guests, and friends who set upon the University Green.\u00a0 During the mid-twentieth century with an increased number of graduates to account for and honor, multiple ceremonies were often scheduled usually a morning and afternoon session on the same day for example.\u00a0 This helped with logistics such as parking and making sure that ample space on campus was available for all in attendance on particular graduation day.<\/p>\n

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1975 Commencement Exercises on the University Green at Seton Hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Counted among the most memorable and highly publicized of individual commencement exercises came in 1983 when U.S. President Ronald Regan received an honorary degree along with artist Ms. Pearl Bailey and television executive Mr. Gary Nardino which resulted in a memorable event in Seton Hall History.<\/p>\n

President Ronald Regan Speech at Seton Hall University – https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6l1IUqtJiuI<\/a><\/p>\n

The popularity of Seton Hall commencements throughout the early-mid 1980s led to the search for a larger venue by the end of this decade.\u00a0 This led the administration to book an off-campus venue which resulted in a long-term relationship with the Brendan Byrne-Meadowlands Arena (now known as the IZOD Center) in East Rutherford.\u00a0 This lasted until the 2010s when the Prudential Center in Newark became the primary choice and central place for graduation exercises to this day.\u00a0 Due to restrictions brought on by the Global Pandemic, the 2020 ceremony was cancelled, but has returned this year as a hybrid and multi-session event with both live and video elements alike.<\/p>\n

Regardless of the year, the commemorative program booklets produced for each graduation ceremony show their own distinctive artwork, content, and uniqueness for those representing Seton Hall by a particular academic year.\u00a0 Within the Monsignor William Noe\u2019 Field Archives & Special Collections Center, the University Archives proper contain copies of many annual Commencement Programs dating back to the nineteenth century.\u00a0 Within the pages of these guides, the names of each graduate and degree they received along with the commencement committee, marshals, order of events and individuals involved with the event including professors.\u00a0 In addition, honorary degree recipients have been recorded over the years and usually give the keynote speech along with the valedictorian(s) who represent the student body.\u00a0 Overall this is a day for the graduate and their families and the printed materials generated in their honor is an important part of our collection.<\/p>\n

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1971 Seton Hall University Commencement Program<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In addition to programs, various literature including invitation cards, press clippings, photographs, diplomas, and other materials of note that have memorialized one of the most special days within any academic year.\u00a0 From the earliest graduation paraphernalia to the inclusion of present-day resources (including multiple ceremonies due to COVID-19 precautions) through the most recent editions during May of 2021 have been documented in various ways.\u00a0 For example, the following links below provide additional specific information and context in regard to various graduation events in different forms and formats including catalog links and video presentations alike . . .<\/p>\n

Commencement \u2013 Seton Hall University (ArchiveSpace)<\/p>\n

https:\/\/archivesspace-library.shu.edu\/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&op%5B%5D=&q%5B%5D=commencement&commit=&field%5B%5D=&from_year%5B%5D=&to_year%5B%5D=<\/a><\/p>\n

Commencement Sites (Seton Hall University Home Page) – https:\/\/www.shu.edu\/search.cfm?q=commencement#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=commencement&gsc.page=1<\/a><\/p>\n

Commencement \u2013 Seton Hall University Graduation Exercises (YouTube) – https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/results?search_query=seton+hall+commenccement<\/a><\/p>\n

University History LibGuide = Honorary Degree Recipients, Yearbooks, Seton Hall Magazine, and other resources featuring Commencement-related information) –https:\/\/library.shu.edu\/ld.php?content_id=13780930<\/a><\/p>\n

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1910 Seton Hall College Commencement Program<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For more information on Graduation Ceremonies, Seton Hall History, and related subjects please feel free to reach out to us.\u00a0 We can be contacted via e-mail at: Archives@shu.edu<\/a> or by phone at: (973) 275-2378.\u00a0 Thank you in advance and congratulations to all members of the Class of 2021!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Graduation Day is a rite of passage for any senior who has fulfilled all coursework requirements necessary to earn a diploma, but this milestone is further seen as both recognition and reward for their dedication to educational achievement.\u00a0 Traditionally, the annual commencement ceremony is one that is seen as a high point and celebratory event … Continue reading “Pomp and Circumstance Zet Forward \u2013 Commencement Exercises at Setonia”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":290,"featured_media":4352,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,112],"tags":[421,416,418,419,425,417,428,426,79,424,423,427,130,422,420],"class_list":["post-4337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-archives-and-special-collections","category-seton-hall-history","tag-atom-wall","tag-commencement","tag-commencement-booklet","tag-diploma","tag-gary-nardino","tag-graduation","tag-honorary-degrees","tag-meadowlands-arena","tag-newark","tag-pearl-bailey","tag-president-ronald-reagan","tag-prudential-center","tag-seton-hall-university","tag-university-green","tag-walsh-gymnasium"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4337","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/290"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4337"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4337\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4354,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4337\/revisions\/4354"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4337"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4337"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4337"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}