Commencement History
Traditions of Commencement
Duke University Commencement Ceremonies since 1838
Academic Regalia
The history of academic dress and the significance of colors represented at Commencement
Speakers
Duke Commencement speakers since 1987
Student Speakers
Student speakers since 1970
Honorary Degrees
Trinity College, which held its first commencement as a degree-granting institution in 1853, granted its first honorary degrees in 1855. The tradition of awarding honorary degrees continued with the move to Durham and the change to Duke University.
Program
A pdf version of the 2012 Commencement Ceremony program is available for download.
