someone in a Cookie Monster costume, complete with mortarboard and collar, processes with other graduates into Schoellkopf Stadium in 1985

The Lighter Side of Commencement, in Vintage Color Photos

From wryly humorous signs to wrangling toddlers, crowds, and the weather, graduation weekend can offer a touch of comic relief

By Joe Wilensky

While Commencement includes healthy servings of pomp and circumstance, the weekend has always included a more relaxed side. In a past photo feature, Cornellians explored how the humble mortarboard (a.k.a. the graduation cap) serves as a canvas for self-expression—but that isn’t the only way that personal touches and messages make their way into each year’s ceremonies, along with unexpected moments and doses of humor.

graduates processing past the review stand on the Arts Quad hold a sign stating "Thanks Mom & Dad"
It’s always a smart idea to thank the folks who helped get you here.

Scroll down for a visual tour of the lighter side of Commencement on the Hill, culled from thousands of vintage photos from the late 1960s through the early 1990s.

The images have been stored on slides in the University Library’s Rare and Manuscript Collections for decades, but are only now being widely shared.

(Do you recognize someone—or yourself!—in the photos? Let us know in the comments!)

a PhD graduate student crosses the Arts Quad with a baby stroller in tow, followed by a woman carrying a toddler-aged child during Commencement Weekend 1969

Have stroller, will travel (1969).

graduates of the School of Hotel Administration gather for a group photo, with some wearing chef's hats and one sporting an apron stating "for this I spent 4 years in college??" during Commencement Weekend 1977

An apron sports Hotelie humor (1977).

graduating seniors in 1986 sport letters spelling "survived" across their two mortarboards while holding balloons
an older woman leans against a fire hydrant as graduates assemble on the Arts Quad in 1974

Giddy graduates mark their accomplishments (1986), and an older relative chooses a less-than-ideal seat on the Arts Quad (1974).

Family members and friends wear ponchos and hold umbrellas in Schoellkopf Stadium during a rainy portion of Commencement in 1997

The Schoellkopf crowd comes prepared for the weather (1997).

a graduating senior in 1977 wears a Snoopy emblem stating "This is the world famous graduate about to make his mark on the world!"

A confident Snoopy adorns a graduate’s gown (1977).

a student on the Arts Quad during a Commencement Weekend in 1976 wears a question-mark-shaped sign that says "Unemployed: Diploma for sale – cheap!"
parents read newspapers while sitting below the A.D. White statue as graduates assemble on the Arts Quad in 1984

Questioning the job market (1976), and family members take a break on A.D.’s pedestal (1984).

a dog wearing a red bandana lounges near graduates in the seating area in Schoellkopf Stadium in 1994

A grad’s best friend (1994).

graduates in the College of Veterinary Medicine hold inflated gloves on their mortarboards while processing into Schoellkopf Stadium in 1986

New DVMs give themselves a hand—of the inflated latex variety (1986).

a graduating senior holding balloons sits on the lap of the A.D. White statue in 1984
a student wears a "but .. can she type?" sign on the back of a graduation gown in 1976

Striking a precarious pose with A.D. White (1984), and a commentary on the era’s sexism (1976).

three graduating seniors sport "BatGrad" emblems and masks during Commencement Weekend 1990

Suited up for Commencement, and crime-fighting (1990).

graduating seniors in Schoellkopf Stadium in 1990 hold balloons and a sign that states "It's Over"

Gleefully stating the obvious (1990).

a graduating student on the Arts Quad wears a wire antenna of some sort on his mortarboard in 1977

A mortarboard searches for life in the universe—or maybe just TV channels (1977).

graduates throw fake paper money in the air during Commencement ceremonies in 1991

Nobody likes precipitation at Commencement—unless it’s raining “money” (1991).

Top: Cookie Monster joins the procession into Schoellkopf (1985).

Published May 8, 2025

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