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Xavier University Commencement Ceremonies Collection

 Collection
Identifier: XUA-03

Scope and Content

This collection consists of commencement and baccalaureate mass programs, 1920-2021. Also included are associated planning materials such as invitations, correspondence, schedules, and some commencement speeches.

Dates

  • Creation: 1920-2023

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open for research access. Materials must be viewed in the University Archives and Special Collections Research Room by appointment only.

Restrictions on Use

Copyright is held by Xavier University.

History of Xavier University Commencement Programs

Commencement programs cannot be considered proof of graduation. The names and honors of graduates listed are for purposes of the commencement program and do not represent a final certification of graduation. Contact the Xavier University Registrar's Office for definitive information on graduation status.

Extent

4.5 Linear Feet (10 manuscript boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

A collection of Xavier commencement programs dating from 1920 to the present. The collection may include for a given year other materials associated with the graduation ceremony (e.g. Baccalaureate Mass programs, stage party directions, newspaper clippings, invitations, and other materials).

Statement of Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Accruals

XUA2017-009; XUA2018-004. Future accruals are anticipated.

Related Material

Xavier University commencement programs have been published since 1842. Programs before 1920 can be found included in the course catalog published for each academic year. These course catalogs are separately housed and catalogued within the Xavier University Archives.

Processing Information

This collection was reprocessed into its current arrangement and description as part of a major University Archives reprocessing project in 2012-2013. This reprocessing project was largely an effort to disband a record group system, developed in the late 1970s, used to arrange university records. The record group scheme had been established by the first University Archivist, Lee Bennish, SJ, and chiefly organized materials by originating office and organizational structure. After Bennish’s tenure, oversight of the archives changed several times and resulted in a lack of adherence to the record group scheme for new acquisitions. The 2012-2013 processing project also sought to incorporate records for which little acquisition or contextual information existed. The project staff primarily reorganized records into subject-based collections. Occasionally subjects coincided with offices of origin (e.g. Subject, Presidents; Office, Office of the President; Collection, Xavier University President’s Office). This subject-based arrangement makes it difficult to identify or describe the collections by office of origin but administrative project records do indicate transfers and connections between original record groups and 2012-2013 collections. During the project, records were rehoused in archival folders and boxes, and new finding aids were created using the OhioLINK Finding Aid Creation Tool.

As of 2017, University Archives no longer employs the 2012-2013 system of arranging collections by subject.

As of 2017, University Archives no longer employs the 2012-2013 system of arranging collections by subject. Commencement programs, however, are still added to this collection annually.

Title
Guide to the Xavier University Commencement Ceremonies Collection
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Tim McCabe
Date
2013
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives and Special Collections, Xavier University Library Repository

Contact:
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati Ohio 45207 US
513-745-4821