History Happened Here . . .
GRADUATIONS
Marian Lawrence, class of 1920, poses with her diploma and a bouquet of flowers for graduation. Digital Library of Appalachia.
Graduation ceremonies have taken place on numerous parts of Tusculum’s campus. For example, in 1928, graduation occurred in the old gymnasium where Garland Library stands today. Across the circulation desk and above the library’s computers, you can see the track of the old gymnasium.
Greeneville audience watches students perform on the outdoor stage, possibly during graduation, in 1915. Digital Library of Appalachia.
The celebrations surrounding graduation lasted up to a week in the early 20th century and often involved the community. Bruce and Merle Morelock (BM and MM, respectively), interviewed in the 1980s as members of the nearby Horse Creek community, fondly recalled these events:
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MM: Used to, when they had commencement at Tusculum College, that was the greatest thing in the world for the country people. It was an all-day affair. Now, we kids had a quarter to spend over there for the day. It was just like going to a picnic. Kids didn’t care anything about hearing the speaking, you know. But they had the platform built out there under the trees, and that’s where they had their program there. There would be booths here and there and everywhere. Some of them would be selling lemonade; some would sell ice cream. And then they’d have maybe a little old game of chess somewhere. All the kids in the country would try to save up a little bit. If they could get a quarter, they had it made. [laughs] [inaudible, talking and laughing over each other]
BM: That’s like going to the carnival.
MM: Yeah, to the children, it was. It was an all-day affair.
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Quote from Bruce and Merle Morelock, Horse Creek Oral Interviews- [17:25]
Students pose for a photo at graduation in 1932. Digital Library of Appalachia.
This image, featuring Virginia Hall, shows the crowd from the 1911 Commencement. The back of the image reads: “View of campus from our house, - Virginia Hall to left, McCormick in center. This picture is years old - before the day of silvers(?), and represents old time commencement crowd." Digital Library of Appalachia.
Site Contributors:
Sydney May, Student, Tusculum University
Samantha Nelson, Student, Tusculum University
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