Commencement

News Writer, Office of Public Affairs: Neil Schoenherr Assistant to Director of Commencement: Linda Poeppelmeier

Home Page: http://commencement.wustl.edu Location: 276 N. Skinker Blvd. Email: lpoeppelmeier@wustl.edu Telephone: (314) 935-5985

Photo by Joe Angeles/WUSTL Photo

Commencement 2004 features WUSTL's sesquicentennial celebration with a new tradition -- green gowns for all graduates, modeled here by Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton (left) and trustee Chairman John F. McDonnell. The new gowns were designed by a member of WUSTL's faculty.

Washington University and other American universities, public and private, follow the pattern of degree granting developed at the University of Paris, which was founded about 1100. In the early days of the University of Paris, the discipline of students, and indeed their entire education, fell under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Paris who was responsible for local educational matters. In an attempt to perform his office, the Bishop claimed supervision of curriculum and degree-granting. Here he ran into trouble from the teachers who felt they were the proper judges of the qualifications of their students. They demanded the right to grant the degree.

The modern commencement ceremony represents a compromise between the Bishop and the teaching masters. By 1200 the masters judged the merits of the student and then recommended him to the Bishop who conferred the degree. The Commencement ceremony held at Washington University is the successor to this medieval compromise. The Faculty sits on the platform in its role as teacher and examiner. Its leaders, the Deans, present the qualified candidates to the Chancellor. Acting upon the recommendation of the Faculty, the Chancellor formally confers the appropriate degree.

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Realizing change Kopp: inequity in education 'a solvable problem' May 15, 2009 -- Joe Angeles/WUSTL Photo Trustee Maxine Clark (L) presents Wendy Kopp with an honorary degree from WUSTL. Inexperience and time give recent college graduates an advantage in solving the problems of inequity in education in the United States, said Wendy Kopp to the Class of 2009 during the 148th Commencement ceremony at Washington University in St. Louis.

'Educational inequity: We can solve it' Wendy Kopp's Washington University 2009 Commencement Address May 15, 2009 -- Joe Angeles/WUSTL Photo Wendy Kopp addresses the Class of 2009 Download Wendy Kopp, founder and CEO of Teach For America, delivered Washington University's 148th Commencement address May 15 before a standing-room only audience of more than 15,000 in Brookings Quadrangle. Of the 2,642 graduating students in the Class of 2009, 25 are entering Teach For America — the national corps of outstanding college graduates who commit to teach for at least two years in some of the country's highest-need schools and become lifelong leaders in pursuit of educational excellence and equity.

Pioneers, leaders in their respective fields Washington University to award four honorary degrees at 148th Commencement April 23, 2009 -- Washington University in St. Louis will bestow honorary degrees on four pioneers and leaders in their respective fields during its 148th Commencement May 15. During the ceremony, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Brookings Quadrangle, the university also will bestow more than 2,700 academic degrees on more than 2,600 students. Wendy Kopp, chief executive officer and founder of Teach For America, will deliver the Commencement address and receive an honorary doctor of humanities degree.

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Words of Wisdom for 2009 grads USA Today June 1, 2009 -- Excerpts from several 2009 commencement speakers, including WUSTL's speaker Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach for America.

2009 Commencement Address Highlights CBS Evening News May 26, 2009 -- Public service has been a common theme at college commencement ceremonies around the country this past month. Sunday's CBS Evening News gives a sampling, including WUSTL's commencement speaker Wendy Kopp.

Liberal Intolerance on College Campuses Fox - The O'Reilly Factor May 21, 2008 -- Laura Ingraham interviews two students on the subject of liberal intolerance on college campuses. WUSTL student Jill Strominger comments.

Northwestern Rescinds Wright's Honorary Degree NPR - Talk of the Nation May 21, 2008 -- Host Neal Conan talks to the Weekly Standard's Joseph Epstein about Northwestern offering and then rescinding an honorary degree to Reverend Jeremiah Wright. One of the callers was a WUSTL alum named Mark who described the protest against Phyllis Schlafly at WUSTL's commencement.

Students, faculty protest Schlafly at commencement Associated Press State & Local Wire and 62 others May 19, 2008 -- Hundreds of WUSTL students and faculty staged a silent protest as conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly received an honorary degree at the 147th Commencement.