CU Commencement, 1908 to Now
THEN 1908
In 1908, CU Boulder graduates braved a windy day to march to Chautauqua Auditorium for their commencement ceremony. They first paraded around campus, then took horse-drawn carriages to Chautauqua to complete the procession. That spring, 146 students graduated from the university.
The traditional Folsom Field commencement tradition began in 1949.
Photo by T.C. Black, Jr/Courtesy CU Boulder Heritage Center
NOW May 5, 2022
On May 5, CU Boulder was more than ready to host thousands of graduates at the first in-person commencement ceremony since 2019 - and Colorado's signature bluebird sky showed up too.
More than 9,000 degrees were conferred in the Thursday-morning ceremony.
Tom Castello (Jour'87), NBC News' Washington correspondent, delivered the commencement address.
"Never forget this moment, this place" he said. "The place that launched you. ...I never have!"
Photo by Patrick Campbell