Urbana Illinois University Of Illinois Commencement Altgeld Hall 1912 Real Photo Postcard

Commencement ceremonies in 1912 represented a significant milestone in American higher education, marking the formal conferral of degrees and the culmination of academic study. During this period, universities were expanding, and a college degree was increasingly becoming a pathway to professional advancement and social standing. The academic regalia worn by many individuals in the image—caps and gowns—reflects centuries of tradition, originating from medieval European universities, signifying scholarship and academic achievement.