The nature of commencement celebrations has taken many forms throughout the university's history. Through taking a look at the speakers, the titles of their speeches, and some photographs exhibiting different traditions associated with the exercises, one can see how commencement celebrations at the University of Missouri have come to be what they are today.

Note: The University Archives does not possess the texts of every speech, but throughout the list more information, possibly including speech texts, is provided when possible. Also, the researcher is encouraged to search our holdings to find more information.

1850s 1860s 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s

November 28, 1843

• Robert B. Todd - Salutatory Oration in Latin
• John Wilson - "The Demagogue"
• L.T. Dameron - "History"
• David Chilton - "Chivalry"
• William P. Thomas - "Female Character"
• A. McKinney - "The Veto Power"
• Robert A. Grant - "Influence of great Minds"
• James H. Moss - "Man"
• Thomas J. Hardin, Disputation - "Dissolution of the Union?"
• Stephen Bedford
• Robert B. Todd - "Political Experience of the Past, important to the American citizen"

April 25, 1844

• James H. Moss - Oration In Latin, with Salutatory Addresses
• Robert McDaniel - "Civil Dissensions
• Lewis T. Dameron - "Application"
• Luther T. Collier - "Characteristics of the present age"
• William W. Todd - "Partizan Spirit"
• Thomas J. Hardin - "Man, the Architect of his own future"
• William Thomas - "The Thorough Scholar"
• John Wilson - "International Copy Right"
• James H. Moss - "Difficulties & Dangers of Eminence"
• Robert A. Grant - "Association;" with Valedictory Addresses

July 7, 1845

• Lewis T. Dameron - "Permanence of Modern Civilization"
• William W. Todd - "Influence of Example"
• Luther T. Collier - "Independent Thought"
• William P. Clarkson - "Decision of Character"
• Thomas J. Hardin - "The Scholar"
• Valedictory Addresses
• President's Baccalaureate Address

July 30, 1846

• Lewis T. Dameron Salutatory Oration in Latin
• John H. Moore Oration: "Civil Society"
• Thompson Burnam Eulogy: "Daniel Boone"
• William H. Allen - "Extension of National Territory"
• John S. Clarkson - "Free Institutions"
• Lewis T. Dameron - "Commerce"
• Luther T. Collier - "Dignity of Reason"
• Valedictory Addresses

August 5, 1847

• Robert W. McDaniel Salutatory Address in Latin
• James H. Parker - "The Orator"
• Lewis B. Daugherty - "Reputation"
• Alexander F. Denny - "Labor"
• John Arthur - "The Judiciary"
• Frederick Russell - "Poland"
• James B. Thomas - "Right of Revolution"
• Robert W. McDaniel - "War"
• M.G. Young - "Executive Power"
• M.G. Singleton - "International Intercourse"
• H. Meredith - "Importance of Political Circumspection"
• Robert A Grant, A.B.
• William P. Thomas, A.B.
• T.B. Reed - "Supremacy of Law"
• Valedictory Addresses

August 24, 1848

• Samuel S. Rice Salutatory Addresses in Latin
• James M. Wilson - "Political Aspirations"
• James L. Howard - "American Republic"
• William Bentley - "Democratic Progress"
• J.F. Williams Philosophical Oration - "Government - the agent of Society"
• Thomas J. Hardin, A.B. Oration
• William C. Shields - "Mental and Moral Culture"
• Valedictory Addresses

August 29, 1849

• Bolivar S. Head Salutatory Addresses in Latin
• Boyle Gordon - "Intellectual and Physical Wealth"
• Asa N. Grant - "Pacific Rail Road"
• John M. Gordon - "The Union"
• John Flournoy - "Independence of Character"
• James F. Campbell - "Progress of Mind"
• George F. Daugherty - "Extension of Territory"
• Robert R. Provines - "Opinion - Its Nature & Power"
• Walter King - "Tyranny of Custom"
• Bolivar S. Head - "Civil Rewards to Military Chiefs"
• William H. Allen, A.B. Master's Oration
• Luther T. Collier, A.B.
• Edmund H. Burnam - "Literary Excellence"
• Valedictory Addresses

July 4, 1856

• G.W. Wright - "Missouri"
• G.N. Searcy - "Civil and Religious Liberty"
• E.T. Withers - "Party Spirit"
• Aylett Buckner - "The Aims of Life"
• T.M. Field - "Truth"
• William Barr - "Our Native Land"
• E.C. White Valedictory Oration
• President Baccalaureate Address

June 6, 1878

• Henry Theodoric Curtright, A.B. Academic College graduate - "True Worth"
• Lizzie McDowell Field, S.B. Academic College graduate - "Matter Ephemeral; Mind Immortal"
• Frederic W. Kumpf, S.B. Academic College graduate - "Let there be Light"
• Mary Neil Gentry, S.B. Academic College graduate - "Search for Truth"
• Jonathan Houston Davis, S.B. Academic College graduate, Valedictory Oration - "The Impress of Deity"

June 3, 1880

• Philip Bruton, A.B. Academic College graduate - "Freedom of Thought"
• Henry Bernard Hilgeman, Ph.B. Academic College graduate - "Woman"
• Clarence Leslie Diven, A.B. Academic College graduate - "Through Night to Light"
• William Green Lovelace, A.B. Academic College graduate, Oration and Valedictory - "Erin, the Poland of Every Age"

June 2, 1881

• Joseph Thomas Payne, Pe.P., S.B., Top'l Eng'r, C.E. graduate - "Subjection to Law"
• Willoughby Cordell Tindall, S.B. Academic College graduate - "Our Modern Science"
• Cassius Westwood Christie, A.B. Academic College graduate - "The Second Conquest of England by Rome"
• William Strother Cowherd, A.B. Academic College graduate - "Man the Shekinah"
• James Black, A.B. Academic College graduate, Oration and Valedictory - "Our Mission"

June 1, 1882

• Robert M. Cook, S.B. Academic College graduate - "The Ruins of Time"
• Leonard H. Otto, L.B. Academic College graduate - "The Death of Cromwell"
• Frank Bauerlein, A.B. Academic College graduate - "Revolutions"
• Lida Reed, S.B. Academic College graduate - "Disinfection"
• John M. Taylor, S.B. Academic College graduate Thesis and Epithesis - "Comets and Meteors"
• Andrew A. Bailey, A.B. Academic College graduate, Valedictory Address

June 7, 1883

• Sterling P. Reynolds, C.E. Engineering College graduate - "Improvement of the Mississippi"
• John C. Leggett, A.B. Academic College graduate - "Robert Burns"
• Hanau W. Loeb, A.B. Normal College graduate, Valedictory Address of Normal Class
• R.C. Cottingham, M.D. Medical College graduate, Valedictory Address of Medical Class
• Paul Alexander, A.B., L.B. Academic College graduate, "William The Silent and Free Worship"
• Overton G. Ellis, L.B. Academic College graduate, Valedictory Address of Academic Classes

June 5, 1884

• Ernest Augustus Boeger, S.B., C.E. graduate,Thesis and Valedictory Address of Engineering Class - "Every County Should Have an Engineer"
• George W. Coffman, L.B. Academic College graduate, Essay - "Goldsmith as a Humorist"
• Christopher Columbus Morris, M.D. Medical College graduate, Valedictory Address of Medical Class
• Fannie Lenoir Whittle, A.D.B. Academic College graduate, Valedictory Address of Academic Classes

June 4, 1885

• Will Anderson Rothwell, S.B. Academic College graduate, Thesis - "The Plurality of Worlds"
• Zannie May Denny, S.B., Pe.B. graduate, Essay - "The Atheism of Shelly"
• Zach Brainerd, M.D. Medical College graduate, Valedictory Address of Medical Class
• William Edgar Coons, A.B. Academic College graduate, Valedictory Address of Academic Classes

June 3, 1886

• Firmin Bradley Wright, S.B., L.B., Pe.B. graduate, McAnally English Prize Essay - "Carlyle as a Husband"
• Ida May Clendenin, S.B. Academic School graduate, Astronomical Prize Thesis - "Origin of the Solar System"
• William Hubbard Mason, Medical School graduate, Valedictory Address of Medical Class
• Kate Sterne, Pe.P. Normal School graduate, Valedictory Address of Normal Class
• William Jasper Spillman, S.B. Academic School graduate, Valedictory Address of Academic Classes

March 24, 1887

• William Mack graduate, Lamar, Missouri, Thesis - "A Problem in the Law of Executory Devises"
• D.H. Harris graduate, McCredie, Missouri, Thesis - "Some Objections to the Jury System"
• Professor C.G. Tiedeman Address to the Graduating Class - "Henry George's Land Theories"

May 31, 1888

• Robert Ozias Ruark, Pe.P. Normal College graduate, Thesis - "Education; The Old and The New"
• Robert Wilson Barrow, A.B. Academic College graduate, Stephens Medal Oration - "Impersonated Ideas"
• John William Froley, S.B. graduate, Astromical Prize Thesis - "The Nebular Hypothesis"
• John Perry Flournoy, A.B. Academic College graduate, Valedictory of Academic Classes

June 6, 1889

• Byron Buckingham Beery, LL.B. Valedictory Address of Law Class
• Thomas Jefferson Jackson See, A.B., L.B., S.B. Valedictory Address of Academic Classes

June 5, 1890

• Albert George Morrison, LL.B. Valedictory Address of Law Class
• James Henry Coons, A.B. Valedictory Address of Academic Classes

June 4, 1902

• Statement of the President of the University

June 4, 1903

• Statement by the President of the University

June 1, 1904

• Statement by the President of the University

June 7, 1905

• Hon. Charles J. Hughes, Jr., LL.D., Denver, Colorado Address

June 6, 1906

• Hon. Frederick W. Lehmann, St. Louis Bar, Address

August 10, 1906

• Honorable E.W. Stephens Address

June 5, 1907

• Hon. Gardiner Lathrop, LL.D., Chicago Bar, Address
• Hon. Edwin William Stephens, LL.D., Columbia, Missouri, Anniversary Address - "For the Class for 1867"

June 3, 1908

• Presentation of Resolutions Commemorative of the Distinguished Services to the Cause of Education of Richard Henry Jesse, the Retiring President of the University Address
• Honorable Walter Williams Resolution of the Board of Curators
• Honorable C.B. Faris
• Resolutions of the University Council Dean J.C. Jones
• Resolutions of the Alumni
• Honorable Gardiner Lathrop

June 2, 1909

• Charles William Eliot, LL.D., Former, President of Harvard University Address (Phi Beta Kappa Oration)

June 9, 1910

• James Hampton Kirkland, LL.D., Chancellor of Vanderbilt University Address

August 2, 1929

• Edward Charles Elliott President of Purdue University Address - "Jack the Giant Maker"

June 4, 1930

• Frank Pierrepont Graves President, University of the State of New York, and Commissioner of Education Address - "The Function of Leadership"

June 3, 1931

• Manley Ottmer Hudson Bemis Professor of International Law, Harvard Law School Address - "Citizenship in the Modern World"

July 31, 1931

• Albert Ross Hill Former President, University of Missouri Address - "Financing Public Education"

June 8, 1932

• Harry Woodburn Chase President of the University of Illinois Address - "Education in the Modern World"

August 5, 1932

• Walter Williams President of the University Address - "The Joy of Combat"

June 7, 1933

• O'Neill Ryan Judge of the Circuit Court, City of St. Louis Address - "Loyalty to Our Country"

August 4, 1933

• Walter Williams President of the University Address - "The Things That Are Not Caesar's"

June 6, 1934

• Dr. Casper Salathiel Yost, Editor, the Editorial Page, The St. Louis Globe-Democrat Address - "The Motive Power of Life"

August 3, 1934

• Isidor Loeb Dean, School of Business and Public Administration, Washington University Address - "Science and Government"

June 5, 1935

• George Frederick Zook Director, American Council on Education Address - "Frontiers in Education"

August 2, 1935

• Guy Stanton Ford Dean, Graduate School, University of Minnesota Address - "The State in the Service of the University"

June 3, 1936

• Harlow Shapley Director of Harvard College Observatory Address - "The Time Problem"

July 31, 1936

• Alphonse M. Schwitalla Dean, School of Medicine, St. Louis University Address - "The Student and the Treadmill"

June 9, 1937

• Claude Burton Hutchison Dean of the College of Agriculture, University of California Address - "Education, the Lighthouse of Democracy"

August 6, 1937

• William Bennett Bizzell President, University of Oklahoma Address - "Living Between Two Worlds"

June 7, 1938

• Frederick Lee Hisaw Harvard University Address - "The Productive Scholar"

August 5, 1938

• Boyd Henry Bode Ohio State University Address - "This Brave New World"

June 6, 1939

• Earle Raymond Hedrick Vice-President and Provost, University of California Address - "The Outlook For Educated Men"

August 4, 1939

• George Reeves Throop Chancellor, Washington University Address - "Cycles in Education"

June 4, 1940

• Chester Ray Longwell Professor of Geology, Yale University Address - "What Is Good Education In Our Time?"

August 2, 1940

• James William Fulbright University of Arkansas Address - "Our Attitude Toward the War"

June 13, 1941

• Merrill E. Otis United States District Judge, Western District of Missouri Address - "Scraps of Paper"

August 8, 1941

• Theodore C. Blegen University of Minnesota Address - "Challenge to Scholarship"

June 9, 1942

• Honorable Donald Marr Nelson Chairman, War Production Board, Commencement Address

August 7, 1942

• Frederick A. Middlebush President of the University, Charge to the Graduating Class

June 11, 1943

• Dr. Jay William Hudson John H. Lathrop Professor of Philosophy, Commencement Address

July 23, 1943

• Honorable Laurance M. Hyde Judge, Supreme Court of Missouri, Commencement Address

September 3, 1943

• Frederick Arnold Middlebush President of the University, Charge to the Graduating Class

June 16, 1944

• Benjamin Minge Duggar Professor of Physiological and Economic Botany, University of Wisconsin, Commencement Address - "Recent Plant Science Activities in the Parade of Progress"

September 8, 1944

• Frederick Arnold Middlebush President of the University, Charge to the Graduating Class

June 6, 1945

• John B. Powell, editor, China Weekly Review

June 6, 1946

• General Omar Bradley

June 5, 1947

• Dr. Howard A. Rusk, Deptartment of Rehabilitation, New York University

June 4, 1948

• Judge Laurence M. Hyde

June 1, 1949

• Frederick A. Middlebush, President, University of Missouri

June 9, 1950

• President Harry S. Truman

June 8, 1951

• General Maxwell D. Taylor

June 5, 1952

• Cleo F. Craig President AT&T

June 7, 1953

• George C. Willson, attorney

June 12, 1954

• Ernest R. Breech, Executive Vice President of Ford Motor Co.

June 1955

• Blake More-Godwin, Director Toledo Museum of Art

June 6, 1956

• Gerald B. Thorne, Vice President of Wilson & Co.

June 8, 1957

• Ethan A. H. Shepley, Chancellor, Washington University

August 2, 1957

• James A. Hazlet, Superintendent of Schools, Kansas City School District

June 6, 1958

• Dr. Frederick S. Robbins, Western Reserve University School of Medicine

August 1, 1958

• Hubert Wheeler, Missouri State Commissioner of Education

June 9, 1959

• Russell L. Dearmont, President of Missouri Pacific Rail Road

August 7, 1959

• Homer C. Wadsworth, President of Kansas City Association of Trusts

June 7, 1960

• Carl Cleveland Taylor, USDA

June 8, 1965

• Senator Stuart Symington

August 6, 1965

• Chancellor James L. Bugg, Jr., University of Missouri - St. Louis

June 7, 1966

• James A. Finch, Jr., Missouri Supreme Court

August 5, 1966

• Chancellor Merl Baker, University of Missouri -Rolla

June 6, 1967

• Governor Warren E. Hearnes

August 4, 1967

• Mark Scully, President, Southeast Missouri State College

June 4, 1968

• Charles Johnston Hitch, President, University of California

August 2, 1968

• Robert P. Foster, President, Northwest Missouri State College

June 3, 1969

• Merrimon Cuninggim, President, Danforth Foundation

August 1, 1969

• Chancellor James C. Olson, UMKC

June 2, 1970

• Walter Cronkite

August 7, 1970

• Dr. Walter C. Daniel, President, Lincoln University

June 1, 1971

• C. Brice Ratchford, Interim President, MU

August 6, 1971

• Dr. Glen R. Driscoll, Chancellor, University of Missouri - St. Louis

August 4, 1972

• Governor Warren E. Hearnes

May 15, 1973

• Walter J. Ong

August 3, 1973

• Governor Christopher S. Bond

August 2, 1974

• Randall. B. Curtis, President, William Woods College

May 10, 1975

• Martha W. Griffiths

August 1, 1975

• Professor Loren D. Reid, Department of Speech and Drama, University of Missouri - Columbia

May 8, 1976

• Professor William H. Peden, Department of English, University of Missouri - Columbia

July 30, 1976

• Walter C. Daniel, Vice Chancellor, University of Missouri - Columbia

May 14, 1977

• President James C. Olson

August 5, 1977

• Professor Clifton Cornwell, Department of Speech and Drama, University of Missouri - Columbia

May 13, 1978

• J. W. Peltason, American Council on Education

May 12, 1979

• Ernest L.Boyer, U.S. Commissioner of Education

August 3, 1979

• Don H. Blount, Graduate Dean, University of Missouri - Columbia

May 10, 1980

• Dr. Daniel H. Yergin, JFK School of Government

May 18, 1985

• Carl Rowan

August 2, 1985

• Michael Witunski, President, James S. McDonnell Foundation

May 17, 1986

• Dr. Beryl W. Sprinkel

August 1, 1986

• Dr. Lois Defleur, Provost, University of Missouri - Columbia

May 12, 1990

• Dr. Dieter Bedenig