The Graduate School convocation began in 1926, when, because of the large number of degree recipients, it was decided to hold separate exercises for the awarding of advanced degrees on Tuesday, the day after Commencement. In 1928 the ceremony was scheduled for the Saturday preceding Commencement. During World War II the Graduate School Convocation was omitted and advanced degrees were awarded at Commencement. In 1958 the time of the Convocation was changed to take place in Sayles Hall at the same time as the Commencement exercises in the First Baptist Meeting House. In 1989 the site of the Convocation was changed to Lincoln Field. That year for the first time a doctoral candidate, Carole-Anne Tyler, Ph.D 1989., gave an address, and Dean of the Graduate School Phillip J. Stiles delivered the principal address. Many noted persons have been the principal speaker at the Convocation, and some of the addresses have been published in the Brown University Papers series.
In 1978, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Graduate School, citations for distinguished contributions to society through scholarship or related professional activity were awarded to alumni of the Graduate School for the first time. The first citations were received by Joaquin B. Diaz, Ph.D. 1945, Robert W. Morse, Ph.D. 1949, Betty Horenstein Pickett, Ph.D. 1949, Gordon W. Teal, Ph.D. 1931, and Laurence W. Wylie, Ph.D. 1940. Since that time citations have been awarded annually to Graduate School alumni.
A three day convocation, "On the Future of Knowledge," was held on October 29-31, 1989, honoring one hundred years of Ph.D. degrees granted by the University. Speakers included Lauro Cavazos, Hanna Gray, H. Guyford Stever, John Mellon, David Saxon, Joseph Duffey, Carol Guardo, Walter Massey, Gerald Edelman, Eliot Stellar, Ph.D. 1947, Thomas Kuhn, David Black, Mary Maples Dunn, Carlton Alexis, Steven Muller, and David Gardner.
The above entry appears in
The collection is organized in one series, Speeches, 1928-1988.
The Graduate School convocation speeches are a selection of addresses made to incoming Brown University graduate students during Convocation, between 1928 and 1988. The files are arranged alphabetically by speaker.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Graduate School Convocation speeches, MS-1MS-G1, Brown University Archives.