Quizzes & Puzzles How Much Do You Know about Cornell Commencement? As the academic year winds down, we offer 14 questions to test your Big Red graduation information Difficulty level: Moderate 1) Where was Cornell’s first-ever Commencement ceremony held? The Ithaca library The old Armory NYC’s Carnegie Hall Sage Chapel None 2) When did Schoellkopf become the default location for the main Commencement ceremony? 1981 1969 1975 1992 None 3) What is the bear holding atop the University’s ceremonial mace, which is carried at each Commencement? Hockey stick Oar Football Pickleball paddle None 4) Which of the following is NOT a volunteer job during Commencement? Driving a golf cart Helping graduates line up on the Arts Quad Directing parking in the Schoellkopf garage Ironing the faculty’s academic regalia None 5) Who invites the Convocation speaker? The president The provost Members of the senior class A panel of parents None 6) How many people were in Cornell’s first graduating class in 1869? 6 8 12 16 None 7) According to lore, what do Commencement organizers refrain from doing to ensure good weather? Getting a haircut Buying new shoes Saying the word “Commencement” Washing their cars None 8) Which college comprises the largest portion of each year’s graduating class? Engineering CALS Arts & Sciences Architecture, Art, and Planning None 9) Cornell’s Commencement was first held outdoors in 1912—at what location? Libe Slope Arts Quad Schoellkopf Field Ag Quad None 10) What ice cream flavor did the Dairy Bar make to honor then-VP Joe Biden, who gave the Convocation address in 2017? Big Red, White & Biden Cup of Joe Bidenberry Vice Presi-Mint Chip None 11) President Frank H.T. Rhodes was known for closing his Commencement addresses with what sentiment? “Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers …” “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you …” “This above all: to thine own self be true …” “May the road rise to meet you …” None 12) When did the University begin hosting a Winter Commencement, held in December? 1946 2003 1988 1961 None 13) Who has NOT served as a Convocation speaker on the Hill? Maya Angelou James Franco Nancy Pelosi Neil deGrasse Tyson None 14) Under which president was the PhD recognition ceremony added, honoring the highest academic degree? James Perkins Frank H.T. Rhodes David Skorton Hunter Rawlings III None Time’s up Top: Newly minted DVMs from the Class of ’24 celebrate with inflated exam gloves. (Sreang Hok / Cornell University) Published May 7, 2025 Comments Bruce, Class of 1971 15 May, 2025 I was basing this more on my experience than anything else. Due to Ithaca’s enviably reliable weather, commencement was in Barton Hall. Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Ask the Expert Is it Seasonal Depression—or the ‘Winter Blues’? Ask the Expert The Ins and Outs of Immigration Law Alumni U.S. Squash CEO Has Worked to Broaden the Sport’s Appeal