California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Commencement Collection, 1957-2019

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Summary

Creators:
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Abstract:
The collection contains programs, photographs, written speeches, audio and video recordings, and other materials pertaining to the commencement activities at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and the university's eight colleges. There are also materials related to the Kellogg-Voorhis campus, prior to Cal Poly Pomona's split from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Extent:
20 Linear Feet (27 boxes and 1 flat file drawer)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Commencement Collection, Collection no. 0039, University Archives, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains programs of commencement and baccalaureate ceremonies; photographs of commencement ceremonies and the senior brunch and lunch; audio and video recordings of commencement ceremonies from the university and its eight colleges; written commencement addresses and press releases related to commencement addresses; and news clippings related to commencement ceremonies.

Biographical / historical:

The earliest commencement ceremonies in Cal Poly Pomona's history took place at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the first Cal Poly campus. In 1938, Cal Poly added the Voorhis Unit in San Dimas and, eleven years later, the current campus of Cal Poly Pomona - known as the Kellogg Campus - became part of Cal Poly. At that time, the two southern campuses were known collectively as "Kellogg-Voorhis."

In 1956, the Kellogg Campus opened as the main southern campus for instruction and, a year later, the first commencement ceremony at the current campus occurred on June 14, 1957. That ceremony, held in the Kellogg Campus Rose Garden, featured an address by California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Roy Simpson. Fifty nine students received their degrees from four programs: General Crop Production, Horticultural Services and Inspection, Fruit Production, and Ornamental Horticulture. In 1964, commencement ceremonies moved to the quad.

The southern campus split from San Luis Obispo in 1966 and became known as California State Polytechnic College, Pomona. In 1972, it would be granted university status.

During the commencement ceremonies, the name of each graduating student is announced. When the number of graduating students started to increase, the university began holding two separate commencement ceremonies in the University quad. Half of the students would attend a morning ceremony and half would attend an afternoon ceremony.

The continued growth in attendance forced the university to change that format in 1985. The school began holding a general ceremony for all students at Kellogg Field in the morning. Students would then spread out to various locations on campus for a ceremony with their specific school. In 1987, Cal Poly Pomona was authorized to change the names of its schools to colleges and the change became effective on January 4, 1988.

In 1993, the university began holding separate commencement ceremonies for each college over two days. In 2006, more than 5,200 students were eligible for graduation.

Notable commencement speakers from previous commencement ceremonies include United States Congreswoman Hilda Solis (1994, College of Education and Integrative Studies); former National Football League quarterback and former Cal Poly Pomona football player Jim Zorn (1979); actor Raymond Burr (1982 and 1991); and Los Angeles television anchor Jess Marlow (1983).

Acquisition information:
The majority of the materials in the collection were gathered from University Archives files. Most of the audiovisual materials were added to the collection when they were transferred from MediaVision in 2021.
Processing information:

The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. In 2022, audiovisual materials were added to the collection. The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. California's LSTA program is administered by the California State Library.

The collection was initally processed by Rob Strauss, Elainna-Marie Herrera and Alex Dan in February 2019. The audiovisual materials were added to the collection in June 2022 by Andrew Kopp and Dieter Mackenbach.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into the following series: Series 1. Programs; Series 2. Printed Materials; Series 3. Photographs; Series 4. Audio and Video Recordings.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advance notice required for access.

Terms of access:

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Commencement Collection, Collection no. 0039, University Archives, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Location of this collection:
3801 West Temple Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768, US
Contact:
(909) 869-3775
speccollections@cpp.edu
Website