SBU Commencements

Commencement 1860:

A newspaper clipping describing the first commencement at St. Bonaventure’s College.

Commencement 1864:

Among novices received into the Franciscan Order is Pamphilus da Magliano, (fifth from right) one of the founders of St. Bonaventure’s College.

Commencement 1912:

Philosophy students in their caps and gowns.

Commencement 1915:

Graduates and musicians pose for photos.

Commencement 1918:

New graduates pose on the steps of Butler Gym.

Commencement 1919:

Graduates of the Class of 1919.

Commencement 1925:

Commencement Exercises in Butler Gym.

Commencement 1930:

Commencement ceremonies are about to begin in front of the original campus buildings.

Commencement 1941:

Fr. Peter R. Biasiotto, Larry Kenney, Thomas Merton, Dennis Lane and Fr. Gabriel Naughton pose for a photo outside Devereux Hall.

Commencement 1943:

Honorary degree recipient Admiral Patrick Bellinger walks next to University President Fr. Thomas Plassmann, O.F.M.

Commencement 1945:

Commencement Exercises in Butler Gym.

Commencement 1947:

Longtime SBU Librarian Fr. Irenaeus Herscher, O.F.M., (from left), University President Fr. Brian Lhota, O.F.M., and honorary degree recipient Frank Gannett, founder of the Gannett media corporation.

Commencement 1951:

Commencement Exercises are held at Bradner Stadium in Olean.

Commencement 1953:

Radio commentator Paul Harvey receives an honorary degree from SBU President Fr. Juvenal Lalor, O.F.M., in Commencement Exercises in Olean’s Forness Park.

Commencement 1965:

Commencement is held on the front porch of Plassmann Hall.

Commencement 1967:

Commencement speaker Douglas Edwards, original CBS news anchor, poses with singer Kate Smith, honorary degree recipient; and University President Fr. Reginald Redlon, O.F.M.

Commencement 1970:

Commencement speaker Dean Rusk (seated, left), Secretary of State under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, sits with University President Fr. Reginald Redlon, O.F.M. In back are William F. Walsh (left), SBU alum and former congressman for whom the science center is named; Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Horgan and John P. Maguire.

Commencement 1971:

Comedian Bob Hope gets a kiss from his wife, Dolores, after receiving his honorary degree.

Commencement 1972:

Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan delivers the Commencement address.

Commencement 1974:

From left, Fr. Damian McElrath, O.F.M., University president, with honorary degree recipient E. Boyd Fitzpatrick, publisher of the Olean Times Herald; author and commentator William F. Buckley Jr., who delivered the Commencement address; and honorary degree recipient Helen Hannigan.

Commencement 1976:

CBS News journalist Charles Osgood receives an honorary degree from University President Fr. Mathias Doyle, O.F.M.

Commencement 1978:

A graduate lets her parents know they’re a big part of her special day.

Commencement 1981:

Graduates and their families fill the Reilly Center Arena.

Commencement 1984:

Jody Powell, White House press secretary from 1977-1981 under President Jimmy Carter, gives the Commencement address.

Commencement 1985:

Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Lanier, who led SBU to the NCAA Final Four in 1969-70, poses with Commencement speaker Sen. Bill Bradley, former star for the New York Knicks.

Commencement 1988:

A graduate lets everyone know she’s ready to enter the work force.

Commencement 1990:

University President Fr. Mathias Doyle, O.F.M., participates in the Baccalaureate Mass.

Commencement 1992:

Buffalo radio personality Danny Neaverth gives the Commencement address.

Commencement 1993:

A graduate poses for a photo with his proud parents.

Commencement 1994:

Interim University President Sr. Alice Gallin, O.S.F., is greeted at the podium by Leslie C. Quick III, SBU graduate and trustee.

Commencement 1995:

Students participate in Commencement Weekend’s Candlelight Ceremony.

Commencement 1996:

Friars and students perform at Baccalaureate Mass in the Reilly Center Arena.

Commencement 1997:

SBU Professor Fred Handler leads the procession into Reilly Center Arena.

Commencement 1999:

Artist Leroy Neiman, known for his colorful depictions of sporting events, receives an honorary degree.

Commencement 2000:

St. Bonaventure ROTC cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants as part of Commencement Weekend activities.

Commencement 2001:

Tim Russert, moderator of NBC’s “Meet The Press,” tips his Bona’s cap before delivering the Commencement address.

Commencement 2002:

A posthumous award is presented to Fr. Mychal Judge, O.F.M., a St. Bonaventure graduate and New York City Fire Department chaplain who was the first recorded victim of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack.