In our efforts to bridge the gap between the past and present, we share with the Class of 2015 a look back 100 years to Wednesday, June 16, 1915, when Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduated 87 men, one of the largest classes on record at that time for the Institute.

Rensselaer’s 86th annual commencement exercises were held in the Troy Music Hall on Wednesday June 12, 1912. Institute President Palmer C. Ricketts presented diplomas to 118 graduating seniors. The Class of 1912 was the largest class to date to graduate from the Institute.

One hundred years ago, commencement for the class of 1911 was held on June 14th at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. It was a momentous occasion. The first degrees for electrical and mechanical engineering were awarded that day, nine EE and three ME degrees. The graduates and their guests were honored by the presence of Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary, who delivered the commencement address.

Commencement is right around the corner, and the anticipation is building!  During the ceremony, cameras will inevitably become focused on the commencement speaker.  In a long-held tradition, a person of honor will step up to the podium and address the graduates.  To mark the occasion of commencement, I've brought together some selected images of past RPI commencement speakers.  If you are interested in consulting a full list of speakers, look here. 

Finals week is coming to an end, and from my vantage point (limited as it may be), it has been very quiet on campus this week. It definitely feels like the semester is winding down. On the job, I often live in the past ;) and today I wondered how very different it must have been here 38 years ago this week in May.