This finding aid is made available for public use following the Universal 1.0 Public Domain Dedication Creative Commons designation.
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
All administrative records of the University are restricted for 25 years from the date of creation.
This collection is arranged in three series.
In October 1908, the University Council, the representative body of the faculty and administration on campus, changed the name of the Committee on Commencement to the Committee on Public Ceremonies. This body would be in charge of all of the "ceremonies" on campus, not just Commencement. The committee was made up of a Chair (faculty member, George Francis Sever, instructor in Electrical Engineering, 1908-1909), the Secretary of the University, the Chaplain, the Superintendent, and the Secretary of Teachers College. Sever only served for one year, when Charles Knapp, Professor of Classical Philology, became Chair. In 1910, the membership of the Committee was expanded to include the Secretary of the University Council and the Secretary of the Alumni Council. Professor Knapp led the Committee for 10 years. After Knapp's retirement, the Committee on Public Ceremonies was further expanded (2 additional faculty members, but no longer the Secretary of the University Council) and the Committee coordinated academic ceremonies, visits from dignitaries and other public events, with the help of staff in the Office of the Secretary. Chairs included Edward Elliot (c. 1921-1925), Herbert N. Shenton (c. 1926-1927, with the first outdoors commencement ceremony on South Court), Enrique Zanetti (c. 1928-1930), Rexford Tugwell (c. 1933), Rosewell Magill (c. 1934), Harry Morgan Ayres (c. 1939), Albert C. Jacobs (c. 1941), Russell Potter (1943-1945) and George M. Allen (1945-1948).
In 1948, with the arrival of University President Dwight D. Eisenhower, there were a number of shifts in the administration. The work of the Committee on Public Ceremonies was briefly transferred from the Office of Secretary to the Office of the General Secretary, later known as the Vice President for Development, Paul H. Davis. The Chairs were then asked to serve three-year terms whenever possible. These include Justin M. O'Brien (c. 1949-1951), John Angus Burrell (1951-1953), Harry S. Carman (1953-1956), Hugh Borton (1956-1957), and Moses Hadas (1957-1960).
By 1964, there was a dedicated staff member in the Office of the Secretary, the Assistant to the Secretary for Public Ceremonies. The position was filled by Mary K. Gunn (1964-1966) and later Dorothy G. Torbert (1966-1972). Torbert continued in this function and with different titles for many years (until 1979), but the reporting structure shifted almost year to year: under the Office of the President, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, to the Office of Public Affairs, back to Development, and back again to the Office of the President. Kay Sheehan (1979-1981) and Barbara J. Boland (1981-1982) served as Coordinators of Public Ceremonies. In addition to overseeing commencement and prize dinners, this office also coordinated Columbia's representation. That is, when the President is invited to an event such as a University presidential inauguration, campus dedication, or anniversary celebration and he cannot attend, a faculty member or alum is asked to represent Columbia in his stead, or the office sends the official greetings from the University.
Under the Office of the President, the Office of Presidential and Development Events and later called Office of University Programs and Events coordinates such events as the World Leaders Forum, the University Lectures and Commencement.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); University Ceremonies records; Box and Folder; University Archives, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.
This collection was processed by Joanna Rios in December 2023. Additional materials previously stored offsite from the Commencement Collection were processed in June 2025.
Additional materials related to events and prizes can be found in
This collection consists of the records related to ceremonies, events, prizes, dinners, etc. It includes the planning records of events related to University prizes (Butler Medal, Bancroft, Cabot, Horwitz), honorary degrees, dignitary visits, presidential inaugurations and commencement. There are also materials related to the University's greetings, credentials and representation at non-Columbia events.
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
This series consists of the records created in organizing events at Columbia since the 1920s. The personnel in charge of ceremonies and the reporting structure has changed a number of times since the early days of the Committee on Public Ceremonies. There are five sets of records from the different eras or administrations and there are overlaps in the dates.
The earliest set of records dates from to 1921 to around 1951. Please note that there is some overlap in the dates with the next set of records. Records are organized alphabetically by the name of the event and can include programs, invitations, tickets, instructions for marshals, guest lists, seating diagrams, rain day arrangements, press releases, newspaper clippings, memos, thank-you cards and general correspondence.
First Bampton Lectures in America; Arnold Joseph Toynbee, Director of Studies in the Royal Institute of International Affairs.
Paul R. Hawley, MD, Chief Executive Officer of the Blue Cross Commission and Allied Medical Care Plans
Special Convocation: Dr. Karl T. Compton, MIT President: Sir Cecil Thomas Carr, English barrister; Paul Hazard and Bela Bartok
Lectures given by Dr. Bertil Ohlin
Directeur de L'Ecole Normale Superieure de Paris
President of the Council of Ministers of the French Republic, on Thanksgiving Day, private ceremony in camera.
Private ceremony, in camera
(Now known as Dodge Hall)
The (Charles Frederick) Chandler Centennial Dinner
University Convocation in Connection with the Congress on Education for Democracy: Fred Clarke, John Murray, Eustace Percy, Edouard Herriot, The Earl Baldwin of Bewdley
Robert Livingston Schuyler
Medal awarded to Acting President Frank Diehl Fackenthal
Medal awarded to Dean Emeritus Harry James Carman
Louis Finkelstein, John Augustine Ryan, George Arthur Buttrick
James Colquhoun Irvine, Count Paul Teleki, Count Carlo Sforza, Erich von Prittwitz und Gaffron, Rafael Altamira y Crevea
Private ceremony; in camera.
Aerial photo of campus (1927) and photos of the Low Library Rotunda set up for events (1935-1936)
Special convocation and exhibition
Private ceremony; in camera.
General Marshall, General Eisenhower, General Hershey, General Kirk, General Arnold, General MacArthur, Admiral King, Admiral Nimittz, Admiral Halsey, Admiral Land, General Vandergrift
William Temple
Cyril Forster Garbett
This second set of ceremonies records date from 1929 to 1957. The bulk of the records are from 1948 to 1952, or the Eisenhower administration. The coordination of events moved briefly from the Office of the Secretary to the Office of the General Secretary (later Vice President for Development) with the arrival of new University President Dwight D. Eisenhower. There are very detailed and thorough records for Commencement in 1948 and 1949 and the Installation of Eisenhower in 1948. Records are organized alphabetically by the name of the event and can include programs, invitations, tickets, instructions for marshals, guest lists, seating diagrams, rain day arrangements, press releases, newspaper clippings, memos, thank-you cards and general correspondence.
For additional materials, see the
Columbia Bicentennial Celebration, see Bicentennial Collection
Invitation only
Part of the Columbia Bicentennial Celebration. For additional materials, please see the
201st Anniversary
Program, instructions for marshals, seating diagrams, correspondence.
List of Occupants in the President's Box and University Box
Program, tickets, instructions, processions, rain day arrangements, etc.
Academic dress, thank-you letters, maps of South Field and Gym, width and arrangement of aisles, summary of arrangements, 1947
Campus maps and diagrams, seating charts
Campus maps and diagrams, seating charts
Part of the Columbia Bicentennial Celebration. For additional materials, please see the
Part of the Columbia Bicentennial Celebration. For additional materials, please see the
The University President bids farewell before moving to the White House
Instructions for marshals, marching diagrams for the academic procession, diagram of the seating of the president's group on the dais, reception guest list, academic delegates, and annoucements.
Columbia Associates luncheon fundraiser for a large center for nutritional research
A memorial exhibition from the theatre collection of George Odell
Part of the Columbia Bicentennial Celebration. For additional materials, please see the
Justin O'Brien, Chair, Committee on Public Ceremonies
This third set of records dates from 1954 to 1983, with the bulk the records from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Records are organized alphabetically by the name of the event and can include programs, invitations, tickets, guest lists and general correspondence. The records for prizes are comprehesive and include prizes not previously organized by the office.
Series of lectures in honor of the National Bicentennial "The National Purpose Reconsidered: 1776-1976." George Ball, John Doar, Gunnar Myrdal, Barry Commoner, Martin Marty, Donald Frederickson.
Health Sciences Center
Pottery and bronzes from Ancient Iran, curated by Prof. Edith Porada
Press packets can include programs, press releases, historical notes, speeches, photographs. The Pulizter Prizes packets include information (and photographs) of the award recipients.
Photo of Dr. Harold Syrett
This fourth set of records dates from 1965 to 1992. These are primarily the records of events during President Michael I. Sovern's tenure (1980-1993), when the position of Coordinator of Public Ceremonies was created. Records are organized alphabetically by the name of the event and can include programs and some general correspondence.
Graduate School of Journalism
50th Anniversary of the Founding of the Graduate School of Business. Also honored Sir Jehangir Jivaji Ghandy of India and Mr. Philip Sporn of the US
The ceremony for the placing of the cornerstone of the Center for Physical Fitness
Dedication of the Marcellus Hartley Dodge Physical Fitness Center
Order forms, contact person, fabrication, etc.
Also the Columbia College Charter Bicentennial, 1787-1987.
Procedures, copies of trustee minutes, contact information.
This last set of records comes from the Office of Presidential and Development Events, also referred to as the Office of the President for Public Programs. The bulk of records date from 1982 to 1998 and are organized chronologically. They include only printed materials: invitations, rsvp cards, and possibly a seating chart. There is also a selection of records about the Bancroft Prizes (1991-2010), which are awarded yearly to the authors of distinguished works in American History (including biography) and/or Diplomacy.
Cyrus R. Vance, speaker
Dedication of the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Fine Arts Center
Seweryn Bialer, Director of the Research Institute on International Change
Leon M. Lederman, Melvin Schawrtz, Jack Steinberger
School of Social Work
"Social Alternatives in the 20th Century"
Campaign for Columbia kickoff
Luncheon
Dinner
The Bancroft Prizes are awarded yearly to the authors of distinguished works in American History (including biography) and/or Diplomacy. These records often include photographs.
Color photographs
Restricted until 2027
Restricted until 2028
Color photographs
Restricted until 2029
Restricted until 2030
Restricted until 2031
Restricted until 2032
Restricted until 2033
Restricted until 2034
Restricted until 2035
Restricted until 2036
This series contains the records from guests either in the form of responses to invitations or signatures in the University guest books. The "accepts and regrets" are letters, not forms, received from invitees. The guest books, which were kept in the Office of the Secretary (212 Low Library), can include transcriptions which identify the signees by name and title.
These records are organized alphabetically. The responses are sometimes sorted by acceptances and regrets and sometimes by invited groups (i.e., trustees). The responses are, for the most part, handwritten personal notes, and not a reply form with check boxes.
William David Ross (Sir David) visiting professor of philosophy at Columbia University and Provost of Oriel College at Oxford
Transcript with occasion, date, signatures and identification of signers
This series contains the invitation to events held at other institutions. The "representation files" are organized alphabetically by the name of the inviting institution and then mostly by academic year. Each event packet is labeled by the institution, event date, event title, and representative sent (if any). Events include presidential inaugurations, anniversary celebrations, commencements, conferences, convocations, dedications, etc. Packets can include the original invitation, correspondence with the hosting institution and the local delegate(s), and responses mailed with the official Columbia University credentials. The files capture the ritual and practice of sending delegates and credentials to fellow institutions.
A cover letter included in some files notes whether President William McGill attended. If instead a delegate attended, then arrangements for academic attire are included and notes when the credentials were sent. If no delegate attended, the greeting's mailing date is entered. Some files include invitations only (received correspondence) for which the office sent no greetings or credentials in response.