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1905: Theodore Roosevelt delivers the first undergraduate commencement address at Clark

U.S. president urges ‘honesty, courage, and common sense’

June 13, 2022

By ClarkNow Staff

Clark University’s first Commencement, June 21, 1905 — Standing on the porch of the Clark President’s home, from left: Mrs. Rockwood Hoar and daughters, University President G. Stanley Hall, College President Carroll D. Wright, Commencement Speaker President Theodore Roosevelt, presidential secretary William Loeb, and U.S. Representative and Clark Trustee Rockwood Hoar.

President Theodore Roosevelt delivered the commencement address at Clark University’s first-ever public undergraduate commencement ceremonies in 1905. Degrees were conferred on 43 men.

Read more in this coverage published in The Boston Globe on June 22, 1905.

Teddy Roosevelt 1905 Commencement address 1

Teddy Roosevelt 1905 Commencement address 2

Teddy Roosevelt 1905 Commencement address 3

Clark Community

1905: Theodore Roosevelt delivers the first undergraduate commencement address at Clark

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