FIRST OUTDOOR COMMENCEMENT, 1955
In recognition of success achieved in community and business affairs Colgate established the practice in 1954 of making Civic Awards to outstanding citizens of the Central New York area who were not graduates of the University. Among the first group of four was Carl W. Baum, “respected Dean of Hamilton’s merchants” beloved of generations of students who learned much about politics, economics, and philosophy in the rear of his store seated around his tailor’s goose. Other recipients have included: Robert C. Roberts, publisher; Edward H. Stone, photographer; and Jesse M. Moses, businessman who was active in village government.
For Colgate graduates, and non-graduates on occasion, the Alumni Corporation instituted Maroon Citations for those whose personal services to the University were held to be significant and invaluable and were regarded as second only to the Alumni Awards for Distinguished Service. Limited to 13 annually, the first citations were presented in June 1955.
With the return of peace, commencement once more took on its traditional features. One of the most significant was the torchlight ceremony, last held at the “White Commencement” in December, 1942. After a lapse of over four years it was resumed by the February 1947 graduating class consisting mainly of veterans, whose flaming
