Georgia Tech Commencement Programs

Graduation exercises at the Georgia School of Technology took place every June during Georgia Tech's early years. Although little is known about the earliest ceremonies, it is likely that graduation exercises began with the first graduating class of 1890 when Tech graduated two men, George G. Crawford and Henry L. Smith. Printed programs for Commencement Day ceremonies appeared in the Georgia Tech Bulletin beginning with the program for June 1895. In these early days the graduation exercises consisted of a single ceremony that included music, prayers, a baccalaureate address, and the conferring of degrees. The programs also usually list the home county of the graduates and the title of their thesis. The ceremony apparently took place on the Georgia Tech campus until about 1902. 1901 was the only year that commencement took place in November, to accommodate the so-called "Insubordinate Seniors."

From 1902 to 1916 the ceremonies were held at the Grand Opera House in Atlanta. The graduation ceremonies returned to the Georgia Tech campus in 1917, but between 1935 and 1938 the location was changed to The Fox Theatre. In 1939 the location once again returned to the Georgia Tech campus. Between 1943 and early 1946 graduations were held three times a year (usually in February, June, and October), presumably so that students could graduate before going to serve in World War II. After the war the commencement ceremonies reverted to the once-a-year schedule, usually in early June, and the venue switched back to the Fox Theatre.

Beginning in about 1970, graduation ceremonies began taking place three times a year, and in 1972 ceremonies began being held at the conclusion of every quarter, or four times a year (March, June, August or early September, and December). Ceremonies once again returned to the Georgia Tech campus in 1970, to the Alexander Memorial Coliseum. When Tech converted to the semester system in the fall of 1999, graduation ceremonies reverted to a schedule of three times a year (May, August, and December).

As of 2009, the ceremonies continue to be held at a location on the Georgia Tech campus (frequently the Ferst Center for the Arts or the Alexander Memorial Coliseum). Because of the number of graduates, sometimes the spring graduations for masters and undergraduate degrees are held at a larger location such as the Georgia Dome.