Sponsor
Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Preferred Citation
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Biographical / Historical
Scope and Contents
Arrangement
Related Materials
Processing Information
Title: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Commencement Collection
Creator:
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Identifier/Call Number: 0039
Contributing Institution:
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Special Collections and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
10.01 Linear Feet
(17 boxes, 1 flat file drawer)
Date (inclusive): 1957-2018
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.
Sponsor
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.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright.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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in the collection were gathered from University Archives files.
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).
Scope and Contents
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.
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.
Related Materials
Chester O. McCorkle Papers, Collection no. 0096, University Archives, Special Collections and Archives, University Library,
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Hilda Solis Papers, Collection no. 0053, Pomona Valley Historical Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University
Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Hugh O. La Bounty Papers, Collection no. 0086, University Archives, Special Collections and Archives, University Library,
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Rob Strauss, Elainna-Marie Herrera and Alex Dan in February 2019.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Commencement ceremonies
Sound Recordings
Moving Images
photographs